Venus
What does this planet look like?
Venus is sometimes called Earth’s sister planet, though its similarities with Earth are limited apart from size
and relative condition of its surface. It is easily observed with the naked eye and is sometimes called the
“evening star” or “morning star.” Venus is covered by thick, noxious clouds of sulfuric acid that obscure its
surface. The thick layers of cloud create an extreme insulating effect (like the greenhouse effect) that radiates
heat back to the surface and raises the temperature to over 800 degrees F.
Its surface is rocky, dusty, and dotted with mountains and canyons and a few volcanic hot spots. There are
many lava flows. Some of the mountain ranges, including the Maxwell Mantes are enormous. Mountains within
the 540 mile long range can reach heights of seven miles (much higher than the highest mountain on Earth). In
contrast to the high mountains, about 65% of Venus is comprised of smooth plains. The pressure on the
surface of Venus is intense. If you were to stand upon Venus, you would feel the same amount of pressure you
would if you were 3,200 feet underwater!
How big is this planet?
Venus is very similar in size to Earth and occupies about 95% of Earth’s diameter. Venus is at least 80% as
massive as Earth.
What is its gravity like?
Gravitational force on Venus is similar to Earth. A 100-pound Earthling would weigh about 91 pounds on
Venus.
How far is it from the sun? From the Earth?
Venus is the second closest planet to the sun at 67,000,000 miles away. When Venus and Earth are on the
same side of the sun, the two planets may come within 25,500,000 miles of each other. When they are on
opposite sides of the sun, they may be as far as 162,000,000 miles apart.
What is its atmosphere like?
The atmosphere of Venus is made mostly of carbon dioxide with small amounts of water vapor and nitrogen
and even smaller amounts of argon, carbon monoxide, neon, and sulfur dioxide.
What’s the temperature like?
Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system. As previously noted, temperatures on the surface exceed 800
degrees F. The temperature in the uppermost layer of Venus’s clouds average a temperate 55 degree F.
How many moons does it have? None
1.) Why is Venus called Earth’s sister planet?
A. It is close to the Earth.
B. It is similar in size to Earth.
C. It is hotter than the Earth.
D. Much like Earth, Venus can support life.
2.) What does the word “obscure” mean in the
following sentence
“Venus is covered by thick, noxious clouds of
sulfuric acid that obscure its surface.”
A. cover
B. damage
C. extend
D. create
3.) Which of the following is NOT a feature of
Venus’ surface?
A. volcanoes
B. canyons
C. plains
D. glaciers
4.) In comparison to mountains on Earth, the
Maxwell Mantes range is…
A. comparable in size
B. older
C. much taller
D. smaller
5.) The thick clouds on Venus…
A. make it much colder than Earth
B. radiate extreme heat back to the surface
C. allow heat to escape into space
D. make the planet very colorful
6.) Which word or phrase could describe the
relationship between the size of Venus in
comparison to the size of Earth?
A. similar
B. identical
C. gaseous
D. distant
7.) A person on Earth would weigh __________
on Venus.
A. Much less
B. Much more
C. About the same
D. A little bit more
8.) Which of the following is NOT true about
Venus?
A. Its moon is about the size of Earth’s
B. Venus is closer to the Sun than Earth
C. Venus has water vapor in its atmosphere
D. No planet is hotter than Venus.
9.) According to the first sentence in the
passage…
A. Earth is more similar to other planets than
Venus
B. Earth and Venus have few similarities
C. Earth and Venus have many similarities
D. Earth and Venus have no similarities
10.) Venus can often be seen…
A. With special glasses
B. Only through a telescope
C. Just by looking into the night sky
D. On stormy nights