Welcome to Venus!
Earth's evil twin
Venus is the second planet from the Sun and the closest planet to Earth. It is one of the brightest objects in the sky and can sometimes even be seen during the day.
From Earth, Venus looks beautiful, but beneath its thick clouds is one of the most hostile places in the Solar System. Its crushing atmosphere, acid clouds and extreme heat make Venus hotter than Mercury, even though Mercury is closer to the Sun.
Venus quick facts
Position
Second planet from the Sun
Planet type
Terrestrial planet
Average distance
108,209,000 km
67,237,935 milesDiameter
12,104 km
7,521 milesDay length
243 days
Year length
224 days
Temperature
471 °C
880 °F
Moons
Venus in context
Explore Venus
Find out more about Venus by exploring its deadly atmosphere, volcanic surface, missing moon, space missions and fascinating facts.
Venus's Atmosphere
Explore the thick, poisonous atmosphere that traps heat and hides Venus’s surface beneath acid clouds.
Explore Venus's atmosphere →Venus's Volcanic Surface
Look beneath the clouds to discover volcanoes, craters and the hostile landscape of Venus.
Explore Venus's surface →Does Venus have a Moon?
Find out whether Venus has any moons and why it is unusual compared with many other planets.
Explore Venus's moons →Missions to Venus
Meet the spacecraft that have visited Venus, including probes that briefly survived on its surface.
Explore Venus missions →Ten Facts about Venus
A quick collection of fascinating facts about Earth’s strange and dangerous neighbour.
Read Venus facts →
