Grade 8 Geography : Solar System - Part 4 (Venus)

Venus can be cited as a fascinating planet that is a bit smaller than the Earth. This is also the planet that is the nearest to our Earth and the second planet when the distance from the sun is considered.  Due to the fact that it is the closest planet to the earth, we can observe this planet clearly in the night sky. Venus rotates from east to west which is opposite direction of the earth’s rotation.  Owing to this, the sun rises in the west and sets in the east on Venus. A rotation takes 243 earth days while its revolution around the sun takes around 225 days to complete. We call it the morning star or the evening star because, during a particular time of the year we can observe it in the eastern sky before dawn and during another period, we can spot it in the western sky after sunset. 

 

 

Its brightness is due to the reflection of the light rays of the sun by the thick clouds.  It has an atmosphere which is basically composed of carbon di-oxide. Venus is covered with thick clouds made of sulphuric acid that makes it difficult to see its surface and these clouds result in acid rain. This is the hottest planet in the solar system (approximately 500 0C) because the thick clouds that surround it does not allow sun light to reach its surface. The light is converted to heat and it does not escape its surface. Many craters and active volcanoes can be found on this planet. Venus has no satellites and ring systems around it. It is also a terrestrial planet that has a hard, rocky surface and this planet ranks in the sixth position when the sizes of the eight planets are considered. Do you know the reason behind calling this planet the “sister planet of Earth”? It is unquestionably because the mass, density and the level of gravity of this planet is similar to that of the earth.  By

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Mekhala Egodawele  

Photo source : Internet