VENUS
This planet is slightly smaller than earth and it comes closer to Earth than any other celestial bodies except our moon. Because of its closeness, more space probes have been sent there than anywhere else.
STRUCTURE OF VENUS
The surface of the planet is covered with a rocky crust and a rocky mantle. Its core, scientists think, is made up of iron, but its details and appearence are not known. Its diameter at the equator is about 12,000 kilometers.
ENVIRONMENT OF VENUS
The surface has been photographed by soviet probes and the soil thee was analysed. It contained calcium, sodium, silicon, iron, magnesium and potassium. Its atmosphere has only carbon dioxide gas containing clouds of sulphuric acid. The atmosphere is 250 km deep but most of the carbon dioxide is in the lowest 28 kilometres. The temperature was up to 480 degrees calsius because of the greenhouse effect caused by the carbon dioxide. Its outer atmosphere contains a dense cloud of poisonous gases.
VENUS FACTS