Category: Space > Venus
Many people assume that Mercury, being the closest planet to the Sun, would be the hottest. However, Venus holds the title of the hottest planet in our solar system, boasting surface temperatures that can reach up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit (475 degrees Celsius). This extreme heat is primarily due to its thick atmosphere, composed mainly of carbon dioxide, which creates a runaway greenhouse effect. The clouds of sulfuric acid trap heat, preventing it from escaping back into space. As a result, Venus maintains a consistent, scorching temperature, making it a hostile environment for any form of life as we know it, despite its relative proximity to Earth.