Astronomy is one of the most fascinating sciences, which has interested both scientists and ordinary people at all times. Particular attention has always been attracted to the planets of the solar system, including Venus. After all, this celestial body, which is in second place from the Sun, is rightly called the "sister" of the Earth - it has dimensions similar to our planet, weight, gravity, and also the density of matter.
Atmosphere
One of the most interesting facts about Venus is that there is a very serious difference between the Earth and this planet. Venus is a planet with a very strong greenhouse effect. And this circumstance makes it absolutely unsuitable for human life. It is unlikely that any of the living beings could spend a long time on the surface of the planet. After all, the pressure on Venus is extremely high.
Even a spaceship will need special shielding equipment just to survive. The atmosphere of this unusual planet contains carbon dioxide, as well as impurities of sulfuric acid. This whole cocktail is deadly for any living creature. True, the upper atmospheric layers are moderate. At an altitude of 50 km. from the surface of Venus, the density and pressure of the atmosphere become similar to Earth. Atmospheric pressure on Venus exceeds earthly by 90 times.
Planet brightness
Another interesting fact about Venus: this planet is so bright that it often becomes a "source of new data" about UFOs. As a rule, such an illusion occurs during its visibility in the evening. It is during this period that Venus becomes most noticeable - immediately after the sun sets beyond the horizon. Venus can be observed even through the clouds of the twilight sky, until the moment the other stars appear. This spectacle is very impressive and is of particular interest to every lover of astronomy: the clouds passing by create the appearance of a bright celestial body that flies in the opposite direction.
Clouds are the cause of radiance
Why is the “sister of the Earth” so bright? Scientists give an answer to this question: the fact is that it is covered with white clouds. They reflect about 60% of all sunlight entering the surface of Venus, back into space. The cloud layer around the planet consists mainly of concentrated sulfuric acid vapor. The clouds move from east to west, and make a complete revolution around the axis of the planet in 4 days. Illumination on the surface of the planet itself resembles the earth on a bad day. To measure and compare the brightness of stars, astronomers use a scale of visible magnitude. According to this scale, the brightness of Venus is 4.
Lack of satellites
One of the most interesting facts about Venus is that this planet has no moons or rings. And this circumstance equates the planet with its "comrade in misfortune" - Mercury. Any other planet in the solar system has at least one satellite. The reason for this is still not solved by astronomers. Modern researchers can only compare the characteristics of different planets, as well as their features.
Active volcanoes
This is one of the interesting facts about Venus, which is known to everyone who is seriously interested in the science of celestial bodies. Scientists have discovered lava flows on the surface of the planet, which are direct evidence that a lot of eruptions have occurred over the past 100 years. Scientists also claim that volcanoes on the surface of Venus began to show activity for 1.5 billion years. In 2010, researchers reported that they had discovered infrared radiation from three regions of the planet - it was there, according to their assumptions, that volcanic activity occurred.
The Electric Dragon of Venus
Until 1980, scientists did not have information that lightnings could be on any other planet other than Earth. However, studies have shown that in the atmosphere of a planet, lightning strikes twice as often as in the earth. It was to this phenomenon that scientists gave the original name - “the electric dragon of Venus”. An interesting fact: for the first time this phenomenon was recorded using the Venera-2 device, and at first it was discovered as interference in a television program.
Hell on the surface of the planet
Venus is the hottest in the entire solar system due to the clouds densely covering it. The temperature on its surface can reach 470 ° C. Moreover, there are no daily drops on the planet. The temperature is also the same at the equator and at the poles. When the Sun was not so bright, Venus was much colder. On its surface were entire oceans of liquid water. Gradually, it evaporated, increasingly contributing to the establishment of the greenhouse effect. Astronomers were able to find out many interesting facts about the planet Venus concerning the past planet. For a million years, it has completely scattered in space. As the temperature on the planet's surface increased, more and more carbon dioxide was released. This led to overheating.
Interesting facts about the planet Venus for children
Not so long ago - back in the 50s of the last century - scientists believed that life could well exist on the surface of this planet. But only with the development of science and technology, it became clear that the conditions on Venus are not compatible with any forms of existence. What other features did scientists learn about this planet? Interesting facts about Venus for children and adults are presented in the following list:
- One day on this planet lasts longer than a year on Earth. Venus makes a complete revolution around its axis in more than 200 Earth days.
- Venus rotates around its axis clockwise. Unlike other planets that rotate against.
- The force of gravity on the planet is less than the earth. Astronomers suggest that this fact may be due to the fact that Venus does not have such a large core as Earth.
- Not a single ray of sunlight can reach the surface of the planet. Across the year, acid rain pours on Venus, and strong winds blow.
- On the surface of Venus, not a single crater from meteorites can be found. It is assumed that the entire planet is completely covered with volcanoes. Lava flows are constantly erupting from them, which prevents the formation of traces from meteorites that have fallen to the surface of the planet.