Venus By: Shahrukh and Michael. Geological Features ► We find evidence for many of the same geological features found on Earth: canyons, volcanoes, lava.

Venus Venus

By: Shahrukh and Michael By: Shahrukh and Michael

Geological Features Geological Features

► We find evidence for many of the same geological features We find evidence for many of the same geological features found on Earth: canyons, volcanoes, lava flows, rift found on Earth: canyons, volcanoes, lava flows, rift valleys, mountains, craters, and plains. valleys, mountains, craters, and plains.

► There is substantial evidence for local tectonic activity There is substantial evidence for local tectonic activity but the surface appears to be a single crustal plate, with but the surface appears to be a single crustal plate, with little evidence for large-scale horizontal motion of little evidence for large-scale horizontal motion of crustal plates as found on the Earth. crustal plates as found on the Earth.

► Much of the surface of Venus appears to be rather young Much of the surface of Venus appears to be rather young compared to Earth. The global data set from radar imaging compared to Earth. The global data set from radar imaging reveals a number of craters consistent with an average reveals a number of craters consistent with an average Venus surface age of 300 million to 500 million years. Venus surface age of 300 million to 500 million years.

► There are two "continents", which are large regions There are two "continents", which are large regions several kilometres above the average elevation. These are several kilometres above the average elevation. These are called called Istar TerraIstar Terra and and Aphrodite TerraAphrodite Terra. .

Atmospheric features► The pressure of Venus' atmosphere at the surface is The pressure of Venus' atmosphere at the surface is

90 atmospheres(about the same as the pressure at a 90 atmospheres(about the same as the pressure at a depth of 1 km in Earth’s oceans). depth of 1 km in Earth’s oceans).

► It is composed mostly of carbon dioxide. It is composed mostly of carbon dioxide. ► There are several layers of clouds many kilometers There are several layers of clouds many kilometers

thick composed of sulfuric acid. These clouds thick composed of sulfuric acid. These clouds completely obscure our view of the surface. completely obscure our view of the surface.

► This dense atmosphere produces a run-away greenhouse This dense atmosphere produces a run-away greenhouse effect that raises Venus' surface temperature by effect that raises Venus' surface temperature by about 400 degrees to over 740 K . Venus' surface is about 400 degrees to over 740 K . Venus' surface is actually hotter than Mercury despite being nearly actually hotter than Mercury despite being nearly twice as far from the Sun. twice as far from the Sun.

Chemical composition

► Venus's atmosphere is nearly 100 times as Venus's atmosphere is nearly 100 times as massive as Earth's, and its thick cloud massive as Earth's, and its thick cloud layers block the surface from view. Its layers block the surface from view. Its main composition is nearly all CO2:main composition is nearly all CO2:

► CO2: 96.5% CO2: 96.5% ► N2: 3.5% N2: 3.5% ► SO2: 0.015% SO2: 0.015% ► Ar: 0.007% Ar: 0.007% ► H2O: 0.002% H2O: 0.002% ► CO: 0.0017% CO: 0.0017% ► He: 0.0012% He: 0.0012% ► Ne: 0.0007% Ne: 0.0007%

Age Age

► Like all the planets, Venus formed Like all the planets, Venus formed approximately 4.6 billion years ago approximately 4.6 billion years ago when the Sun and the Solar System when the Sun and the Solar System came out of the solar nebula. So, the came out of the solar nebula. So, the age of Venus is 4.6 billion years age of Venus is 4.6 billion years old.old.

How it was formed ? How it was formed ?

► Astronomers refer to Venus as Earth's sister planet. Both Astronomers refer to Venus as Earth's sister planet. Both are similar in size, mass, density and volume. Both formed are similar in size, mass, density and volume. Both formed about the same time and condensed out of the same nebula. about the same time and condensed out of the same nebula. However they are still share lots of differences. It has no However they are still share lots of differences. It has no oceans and is surrounded by a heavy atmosphere composed oceans and is surrounded by a heavy atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide with virtually no water vapour. mainly of carbon dioxide with virtually no water vapour. Its clouds are composed of sulphuric acid droplets. At the Its clouds are composed of sulphuric acid droplets. At the surface, the atmospheric pressure is 92 times that of the surface, the atmospheric pressure is 92 times that of the

Earth's at sea-level.Earth's at sea-level. ► Venus is scorched with a surface temperature of about 482° Venus is scorched with a surface temperature of about 482°

C (900° F). This high temperature is primarily due to a C (900° F). This high temperature is primarily due to a runaway greenhouse caused by the heavy atmosphere of carbon runaway greenhouse caused by the heavy atmosphere of carbon dioxide. Sunlight passes through the atmosphere to heat the dioxide. Sunlight passes through the atmosphere to heat the surface of the planet. Heat is radiated out, but is trapped surface of the planet. Heat is radiated out, but is trapped by the dense atmosphere and not allowed to escape into by the dense atmosphere and not allowed to escape into space. This makes Venus hotter than Mercury space. This makes Venus hotter than Mercury

GravityGravity

► Venus has 86% the volume of the Earth, and 82% the Venus has 86% the volume of the Earth, and 82% the mass of the Earth. It has a very similar density as mass of the Earth. It has a very similar density as well. When you add all this up, the force of gravity well. When you add all this up, the force of gravity pulling down on the surface of Venus is somewhat pulling down on the surface of Venus is somewhat similar to Earth.similar to Earth.

► If you could step out onto the surface of Venus in a If you could step out onto the surface of Venus in a spacesuit, you would experience a downward pull of spacesuit, you would experience a downward pull of 8.87 m/s2. 8.87 m/s2.

► This works out to just over 90% the force of gravity This works out to just over 90% the force of gravity you would experience on Earth which is 9.8 m/s2.you would experience on Earth which is 9.8 m/s2.

► For example, if you stepped on a scale on Earth, and For example, if you stepped on a scale on Earth, and weighed 165 pounds. You would only weigh 148.5 weighed 165 pounds. You would only weigh 148.5 pounds on Venus. pounds on Venus.

Mass Mass

►4.86e+24 kg4.86e+24 kg

SizeSize

►Venus: 12103.6 kmVenus: 12103.6 km►Earth: Equatorial radius Earth: Equatorial radius 6,378.14 KM6,378.14 KM

Distance from SunDistance from Sun

►67.2 mil miles 67.2 mil miles

Rotation Rotation

►Venus rotates very slowly (once Venus rotates very slowly (once every 243 earth days) in the every 243 earth days) in the direction opposite to most of direction opposite to most of the other planets the other planets

►This opposite rotation is called This opposite rotation is called retrograde. retrograde.

RevolutionsRevolutions

►Venus goes around the sun once Venus goes around the sun once every 225 days. every 225 days.

Moons Moons

►None None

Axis tilt (degrees) Axis tilt (degrees)

►177.36 (big tilt)177.36 (big tilt)►Compared to Earths tilt: 23.45 Compared to Earths tilt: 23.45 degreesdegrees

Magnetic field Magnetic field

► Pioneer Venus Orbiter found the Venus Pioneer Venus Orbiter found the Venus magnetic field to me much weaker then magnetic field to me much weaker then earths earths

► Venuses atmosphere provides no protection Venuses atmosphere provides no protection from cosmic radiationfrom cosmic radiation

► Radiation results in cloud to cloud Radiation results in cloud to cloud lightening discharge on planet surface lightening discharge on planet surface

Average Temperature Average Temperature

►482 degree Celsius 482 degree Celsius ►Not the best temperatureNot the best temperature►Extremely hot, because of Extremely hot, because of volcanic activity on surface volcanic activity on surface

ClimateClimate

► Venus has Harsh surface climate Venus has Harsh surface climate ► The surface of Venus is hot enough to melt The surface of Venus is hot enough to melt lead. lead.

► The surface pressure is almost 100 times The surface pressure is almost 100 times Earth's atmospheric pressure.Earth's atmospheric pressure.

► The thick clouds on Venus are sulfuric acid The thick clouds on Venus are sulfuric acid not water.not water.

► Winds reaching to 220 mphWinds reaching to 220 mph

Space Probes used the exploration of the planet

►NASA had send Space probes to NASA had send Space probes to Venus in the past, but have been Venus in the past, but have been reported “dead on surface within reported “dead on surface within 1 to 2 hours” 1 to 2 hours”

►Due to the harsh conditions the Due to the harsh conditions the probes only last for 1-2 hours probes only last for 1-2 hours

Other interesting facts

►Venus sometimes referred to as Venus sometimes referred to as Earth's twin evil sister, because Earth's twin evil sister, because the size, mass, and density match the size, mass, and density match so closely, Venus is definitely so closely, Venus is definitely Earth's evil twin sister. Earth's evil twin sister.

►Japanese sent probe Akatsuki to see Japanese sent probe Akatsuki to see Venuses orbit and discovered there Venuses orbit and discovered there is volcanic activity on surface. is volcanic activity on surface.

►Second Planet from the Sun Second Planet from the Sun

Multiple ChoiceMultiple Choice

1. What is the approximate age of 1. What is the approximate age of Venus ?Venus ?

►a) 3.2 million yearsa) 3.2 million years►b) 4.6 million yearsb) 4.6 million years►c) 2.6 billion yearsc) 2.6 billion years►d) 4.6 billion yearsd) 4.6 billion years

2. What is the main chemical 2. What is the main chemical composition of Venus ?composition of Venus ?

►a) Nitrogena) Nitrogen►b) Oxygenb) Oxygen►c) Carbon dioxidec) Carbon dioxide►d) Sulphuric acidd) Sulphuric acid

►3. What is Venus’s temperature?3. What is Venus’s temperature?►a) 520 Ca) 520 C►b) 482 Cb) 482 C►c) 650Cc) 650C►d) Temperature Variesd) Temperature Varies

4. Compared to Earth, Venus has a 4. Compared to Earth, Venus has a volume of ?volume of ?

►a) 86%a) 86%►b) 52%b) 52%►c) 90%c) 90%►d) Their Identicald) Their Identical

5. If you were to step on to 5. If you were to step on to Venus’s surface with a space Venus’s surface with a space suit, what would be the suit, what would be the approximate pull of gravity ?approximate pull of gravity ?

►a) 8.01m/s2a) 8.01m/s2►b) 9.8 m/s2b) 9.8 m/s2►c) 7.9 m/s2c) 7.9 m/s2►d) 8.87 m/s2d) 8.87 m/s2

6. Which planet has a stronger 6. Which planet has a stronger magnetic field protection from magnetic field protection from cosmic radiation? cosmic radiation?

a) Eartha) Earth

b) Venusb) Venus

c) None c) None

d) Both d) Both

7.What was Venus considered 7.What was Venus considered compared to Earth? compared to Earth?

a)a) Earths loving twin sisterEarths loving twin sister

b)b) Earths evil twin sisterEarths evil twin sister

c)c) Best friend Best friend

d)d) Twins Twins

8. If a probe had landed on Venus, 8. If a probe had landed on Venus, how long would the probe last on how long would the probe last on the surface?the surface?

a) 1-2 hoursa) 1-2 hours

b) 7 hoursb) 7 hours

c) 1 monthc) 1 month

d) 2 years d) 2 years

► 9. When Japanese sent probe: 9. When Japanese sent probe: Akutsaki to Venuses orbit, what Akutsaki to Venuses orbit, what was discovered? was discovered?

a) Golda) Gold

b) strong atmosphere b) strong atmosphere

c) Volcanic activity c) Volcanic activity

d) b and c d) b and c

►10. Which planet is closest to 10. Which planet is closest to the Sun ? the Sun ?

a) Eartha) Earth

b) Venusb) Venus

c) Both in same orbit c) Both in same orbit

d) none d) none

Short Answer Short Answer

►1. 1. State three Similarities and State three Similarities and three Differences between Venus three Differences between Venus and Earth ? and Earth ?

►2. What is the differences 2. What is the differences between axis tilt of Venus and between axis tilt of Venus and Earth, and explain how it Earth, and explain how it effects the planets rotation? effects the planets rotation?

►3. What are the Geological 3. What are the Geological features of Venus and Earth? features of Venus and Earth?

Answers Answers ► 1. d 2.c 3.b 4.a 5.d 6.a 7.b 8.a 9.c 10.b1. d 2.c 3.b 4.a 5.d 6.a 7.b 8.a 9.c 10.b

► 1. Similarities : Size, density and volume1. Similarities : Size, density and volume Diff: Temperature, denser atmosphere and 96 % carbon dioxideDiff: Temperature, denser atmosphere and 96 % carbon dioxide

2. Earth has a tilt of 23 degrees having 24 hour rotation2. Earth has a tilt of 23 degrees having 24 hour rotation Venus has a tilt of 177.36 having 243 day rotation Venus has a tilt of 177.36 having 243 day rotation

3. Earth and Venus both have 3. Earth and Venus both have canyons, volcanoes, lava flows, rift valleys, mountains, craters, and plains.