Venus - Physical Characteristics

Physical Characteristics

Venus is one of the four solar terrestrial planets, meaning that, like the Earth, it is a rocky body. In size and mass, it is similar to the Earth, and is often described as Earth's "sister" or "twin". The diameter of Venus is 12,092 km (only 650 km less than the Earth's) and its mass is 81.5% of the Earth's. Conditions on the Venusian surface differ radically from those on Earth, owing to its dense carbon dioxide atmosphere. The mass of the atmosphere of Venus is 96.5% carbon dioxide, with most of the remaining 3.5% being nitrogen.

Read more about this topic:  Venus

Famous quotes containing the word physical:

    “The preservation of health is a duty. Few seem conscious that there is such a thing as physical morality.”
    —Herbert Spencer (1820–1903)