Space Station Info :: Nine Planet Solar System :: Space Venus :: Atmosphere Venus

Atmosphere Venus

Venus has major constituent of carbon dioxide and small amount of nitrogen ,with a pressure at the surface about 90 times of Earth. This enormously CO2-rich atmosphere consequences a strong greenhouse effect that raises the surface temperature more than 400 °C (750 °F) above, causing temperatures at the surface to reach ends as great as 500°C (930°F) in low elevation regions near the planet's equator.

This makes Venus's surface hotter than Mercury's, although Venus is almost twice as far from the Sun and only receives 25% of the solar irradiance (2613.9 W/m² in the upper atmosphere, and just 1071.1 W/m² at the surface).

Due to the thermal inertia and convection of its intense atmosphere, the temperature does not differ considerably between the night and day sides of Venus. Despite being closer to the Sun than Earth, the surface of Venus is not as well heated and even less well lit by the Sun. In the absence of any greenhouse effect, the temperature at the surface of Venus would be quite similar to Earth.

A common conceptual misunderstanding regarding Venus is the mistaken belief that its thick cloud cover traps heat, as the opposite is actually true. The cloud cover keeps the planet much cooler than it would be otherwise. The immense quantity of CO2 in the atmosphere is what traps the heat by the greenhouse mechanism.

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Physical Characteristics of Venus

Atmosphere
Surface Features
Venus Moons

Observations And Explorations Of Venus

Historical Observations of Venus
Phases Of Venus
Early Flybys of Venus
Early Landings of Venus
Venus Early Orbiters
Pioneer Venus
Further Soviet Successes
Venus Vega Lander
Magellan Venus
Venus Recent Flybys