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Venus. Facts about Venus. Diameter = 0.948 Earth diameters Mass = 0.82 Earth masses Distance from the Sun = 0.72 Astro Units Length of day: 243 Earth days Length of year: 225 Earth days Axis of rotation inclined 177 degrees Rotates RETROGRADE. Most interesting fact about Venus.
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Facts about Venus • Diameter = 0.948 Earth diameters • Mass = 0.82 Earth masses • Distance from the Sun = 0.72 Astro Units • Length of day: 243 Earth days • Length of year: 225 Earth days • Axis of rotation inclined 177 degrees • Rotates RETROGRADE
Most interesting fact about Venus • VERY thick atmosphere • Atmospheric pressure at surface = 90x Earth’s • Atmos. Composition: • 96.5% Carbon Dioxide (CO2) • 3.5% Nitrogen molecules (N2) • Clouds of sulfur dioxide • Lightening
Heavy atmosphere Runaway Greenhouse effectExtremely hot on surface • Surface of Venus T = 900 F • Hot enough to melt lead
First exploration of surface of Venus: Soviet Union’s Venera 13 landed, March 1982
Magellan Radar Mapping ofSurface of Venus (1989-1993) Rich geology: Volcanos
Cratering on Venus • Venus has impact craters, but fewer than the Moon, Mercury, or Mars.
Volcanoes on Venus • It has many volcanoes, including both shield volcanoes and stratovolcanoes.
Tectonics on Venus • The planet’s fractured and contorted surface indicates tectonic stresses.
Erosion on Venus • Photos of rocks taken by landers show little erosion.