VENUS - SCI & TECH
News: Study finds why water vanished
from Venus: Hydrogen chemistry at play
What's in the news?
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A group of US scientists has utilized computer
simulations to demonstrate that the lack of water on Venus can be attributed to
hydrogen chemistry within the planet's atmosphere, rather than solely its
extreme heat.
Venus:
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Venus holds the distinction of being the second planet from the Sun and the sixth
largest planet in our Solar System.
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It stands out as the hottest planet in the Solar System, despite Mercury's proximity to
the Sun and greater solar exposure.
Atmosphere and
Temperature:
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Venus boasts an atmosphere that effectively traps
heat, resulting in scorching temperatures reaching a blistering 880 degrees
Fahrenheit (471 degrees Celsius), ample to liquefy lead.
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Its atmosphere's extreme greenhouse effect mirrors Earth's but in an intensified
form, contributing to its unparalleled heat.
Similarity to Earth:
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Often dubbed as Earth's twin, Venus shares striking similarities with our planet,
including size, mass, density, composition, and gravity.
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Its size is marginally smaller than Earth,
comprising approximately 80% of Earth's mass.
Composition and
Atmosphere:
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Unlike gas giants, Venus is a rocky planet with a core composed of iron and a rocky mantle, mirroring Earth's internal structure.
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The planet's atmosphere predominantly consists of carbon dioxide (96%) and nitrogen (3.5%),
with minor amounts of other gases like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, water
vapor, argon, and helium.
Distinctive Features:
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Venus stands out for its unique characteristics,
notably its lack of a moon, a rarity
shared only with Mercury.
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Additionally, Venus rotates in the opposite direction to most planets, leading to a
lengthy rotational period of 243 Earth days.
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It takes Venus 225 Earth days to complete a full
orbit around the Sun, making its day
longer than its year.
Visibility and
Appearance:
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The planet's reflective clouds make it highly
visible from Earth, appearing as a radiant white object and ranking among the
brightest celestial entities in the night sky.