An Overview of The Planet Venus

Venus is the second planet from the sun and is often called the earth’s twin. Over the years, scientists have discovered that our neighbor is the second brightest object existing within the earth’s orbit and can sometimes be seen from the naked eye. However, if you come closer, it turns hellish. The surface of Venus is so hot that it can even melt lead. Plus, it takes 224.7 earth days to orbit the sun. 

Furthermore, scientists believe that Venus might have been a habitable ocean world but somewhere around a billion years ago. In simple, words, planet Venus is a place where nothing can survive. With a lot more to discover, let’s dig a bit deeper and try to understand the planet from different scientific angles. 

Planet Venus and the Solar System

Name Sake

If you revisit history, you shall discover that the name Venus was given by ancient Romans who could easily spot the seven bright objects in the sky. The sun, moon, and other five brightest planets. The Romans had named a lot of objects after their important gods and Venus is one of them. It was named after the Roman god of beauty and love. At the moment, it is the only planet that is named after a female god.

Potential for Life

Venus_-_December_23_2016

Scientists remain skeptical about Venus and its life-supporting capabilities. From what we know today, some 50 kilometers up, the temperatures range from 86 to 158F. This range even at its highest can accommodate and sustain earthly life. Plus, the atmospheric pressure existing at such a height is similar to what exists on the Earth’s surface. 

It has also been discovered that planet Venus experiences winds that can reach as high as 224 miles per hour. However, there is another transformation that could be seen as well. The transformation looks like dark, persistent streaks. At the moment, scientists are unable to explain how these streaks tend to remain intact considering the hurricane-like extreme winds. In addition to that, these streaks also possess the ability to absorb ultraviolet radiation. 

To explain the phenomenon, the biggest focus is on ice crystals, fine particles, and even iron chloride, which is basically a chemical compound. Although the possibility of the fine streaks made up of such particles is less likely, scientists who study astrobiology state that there is another possibility of these streaks being made of Venus-style microbial life. Astrobiologists also believe that the ring-shaped sulfur linkages existing in the atmosphere of Venus could offer some type of coating to the microbes for protection against sulfuric acid. 

To support the theory, some Russian Venera probes also discovered microparticles in the lower atmosphere of Venus. Although there are several other theories related to the possibility of life on Venus but none of them have been able to provide compelling evidence. Meanwhile, what interests the scientists and astronomers more is the volcanic nature of Venus and its history. There is a lot that needs to be discovered. 

Size and Distance

Venus-pacific-levelled

The distance or nearness of planet Earth to Venus depends on our perspective. The planet is as big as the Earth and is the second brightest object in the sky after the Moon. Perhaps this factor alone persuaded the Romans to offer a huge significance to the planet while assuming it to be two objects, an evening star and a morning star. And this is where perspectives take a turn. 

First, the orbit of Venus is closer to the Sun than the Earth. This means that the two planets will no stray away from each other. Back in the day, the ancient Egyptians found planet Venus in two forms, first in the morning orbit position and second, in the evening orbital position. Although it is believed that Venus is close to Earth but it is still 38 million miles far from it. Infact, Mercury, the innermost planet happens to spend more time in the Earth’s proximity than Venus. 

Orbit and Rotation

Orbit and Rotation

If one plans on spending even a day on Venus, they need to have a special ship or suit particularly designed to handle the 900 degrees Fahrenheit temperature. We already know that the conditions on Venus are pretty disorienting. Imagine a place where even micro-organisms do not stand a chance, let alone humans. 

In addition to that, one day on Venus is going to be 243 Earth days long. This is going to be even longer than the total days it takes for Venus to orbit the sun, which is 225 earth days. And another thing, since the rotation is so slow, it will take approximately 117 days from sunrise to sunset. Lastly, do not expect any changes in the weather conditions either. The reason is that Venus is slightly tilted at only three degrees. 

Formation

Formation

When it comes to planets, especially the newly discovered ones, the first question that pops up for scientists is the formation. Until now, scientists have been able to solve many mysteries surrounding the formation of stars. However, the case of planet Venus is somewhat different primarily due to the many similarities it shares with Earth. Scientists believe that the formation of Venus is similar to Earth and there is a possibility that back in the day, planet Venus could support life. But what caused it to turn hellish over the years? 

A major factor that might answer the question lies in the disk of gas and dust responsible for the formation of both planets. This disk some 4.6 billion years ago accreted around the Sun, cooled, and settled into the planets we know of today. Meanwhile, others might have closed in or moved farther out as the formation of the solar system took place. Understanding the formation of Venus could help us understand the formation of other stars that remain a mystery. 

Final Word

Considering the distance, size, and especially the similarities of Venus shared with planet Earth, scientists continue to study and find new ways to prove formation theories. However, unlike the Moon and Mars where survival and living conditions are comparatively better, it is impossible to even come close to Venus. Therefore, one could only hope that science is better able to solve the mysteries in the future to understand the significance of a planet that is known yet unknown at the same time.