Venus is the second planet from the sun and is also the hottest one with a daily temperature of 480 degrees Celsius. This is due to the greenhouse effect caused by its thick atmosphere. The heat from the sun enters the planet, but cannot escape. Venus spins in the opposite fashion from that of Earth. In other words, on Venus, the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. The thick atmosphere is made up of mostly Carbon Dioxide and contains sulfuric acid as well. Due
to this thick, heavy atmosphere, the pressure on Venus is 90 times the pressure of Earth. All of these conditions make Venus a virtual hell. Venus is 108 million kilometers away from the sun and its year is equal to 225 Earth days. Earth is the third planet from the sun and the only one in our solar system that can support life. It is mid-sized and contains an atmosphere of mostly Nitrogen and Oxygen. Oceans cover about 75% of its surface, with the remaining part being land. Earth has four principle layers: the crust, mantle, outer core and inner core. The Mantle is
composed of mostly iron and nickel. The inner core is solid, while the outer core is liquid. Earth is approximately 150 million kilometers away from the sun and has a year equal to 364.25 days. Earth has one moon. Mars is the fourth planet from the sun. Mars is smaller and colder than the Earth, but is still somewhat similar geographically speaking. There is some evidence to suggest that life may have
existed on Mars but it is neither substantial nor credible yet. Mars appears to be red because some of the iron reacted with small amounts of oxygen making it rust. Frost and ice cover parts of the surface and there is thought to be an underground reservoir of ice. This ice could contain small forms of life, but it is unlikely. Mars is 228 million kilometers away from the sun and its length of year is equal to 687 days. Mars also has 2 moons.