Venus, despite being second from the Sun, holds the title for hottest planet in our solar system. Its dense atmosphere, rich with carbon dioxide, creates a powerful greenhouse effect that maintains its scorching temperatures.
The surface is hidden by dense clouds of sulfuric acid, making the climate unbearably hot. At an average temperature of 735 Kelvin (465 °C / 900 °F), Venus is hotter than Mercury, and its heat stays the same day and night. This unusual event perplexed and terrified astronomers when they discovered it!
Why Is Venus Hotter Than Mercury?
Venus’s carbon dioxide causes a “runaway greenhouse effect.” The thick cloud layers trap most of the Sun’s heat, raising temperatures to 465°C. Stepping on Venus without proper gear would result in a dire outcome.
Radar mapping of Venus shows many volcanoes and impact craters. Two main upland areas have mountain ranges taller than Mount Everest. Thick, yellowish clouds fill the skies, reflecting most sunlight and making the planet very bright due to sulfur and sulfuric acid content.
How Hot Is Mercury?
The sunny side of the planet can reach 750 to 800 degrees Fahrenheit, while nighttime temperatures can drop below -330 degrees. On average, Mercury stays at a warm 354 degrees Fahrenheit.
Deep craters near Mercury’s poles stay permanently shadowed, possibly letting water ice form there. In these shadows, it’s cold enough for ice to exist despite the high temperatures in sunlit regions of the planet.
What Would It Be Like to Stand on Venus?
The atmosphere on Venus would crush your lungs, the searing heat would turn you to ashes, and the corrosive acid in the air would melt your flesh. That’s the grim reality you’d face if you were unlucky enough to end up on Venus’s surface without protection.