Venus's temperature is around 464 degrees Celsius. It rotates slowly, in retrograde. Venus does not have any moons. It is believed that Venus has an iron core similar to Earth's. The atmosphere is reflective due to clouds of sulfuric acid. Venus is slightly smaller than Earth.
The atmosphere is composed of carbon dioxide and clouds of sulfuric acid, resulting in its hottest surface temperature in the solar system. There are other traces of gases, such as water vapor, argon, and sulfur dioxide.
Venus's surface features include a young geological history, rolling plains, volcanic formations, and highlands inhabited by old lava. Venus's atmosphere is very dense—about 90 times thicker than the Earth's—and hot. The weather is very harsh on Venus, and wind speeds are relatively low.
Venus's surface is unhabitable. However, the planet's upper atmosphere may contain some potential for life.
NASA's Mariner 2 became the first flyby of Venus.
The Soviets launched a series of Venera probes, with Venera 7 being the first to land on Venus.
NASA's Mariner 10 flew by Venus on its way to Mercury.
The Soviets Venera 9 and 10 probes were the first spacecraft to orbit Venus.
NASA's Pioneer Venus Orbiter entered Venus's orbit, mapping the surface with radar.
The landings of the Soviets Venera 13 and 14 provided details on Venus's surface.
NASA's Galileo spacecraft flew by Venus while on its way to Jupiter.
NASA's Magellan spacecraft orbited Venus, mapping 98% of the surface with radar.
Japan's Akatsuki mission successfully orbited Venus, studying its atmosphere and clouds.