Venus is the second planet from the Sun and the sixth largest in the Solar System. It is considered a “sister” planet to Earth in many ways, but has very high surface temperatures and extreme atmospheric pressure.

Here are some interesting facts about this amazing planet.

1. Venus is the hottest planet in the Solar System

Despite being the second planet from the Sun, Venus has a surface temperature of about 465 °C (869 °F), which is hotter than Mercury. This extreme heat is caused by a runaway greenhouse effect caused by its dense, carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere.

2. Venus rotates backwards

Venus rotates in the opposite direction to most planets in the Solar System. This retrograde rotation means that on Venus, the Sun rises in the west and sets in the east.

3. A day on Venus is longer than a year

It takes Venus 243 Earth days to complete one orbit around itself (a day), but only 225 Earth days to orbit the Sun (a year).

4. Venus has crushing atmospheric pressure

The surface pressure on Venus is about 92 times greater than on Earth, which is equivalent to being 900 meters (3,000 feet) underwater.

5. Venus is often called Earth's twin

Venus is similar to Earth in size, mass, and composition, with a diameter only 5% smaller than Earth's and a mass that is 81.5% that of Earth. However, as you might have guessed, conditions on Venus are markedly different from those on Earth.

6. Venus has no magnetic field

Unlike Earth, Venus does not have a significant magnetic field. Scientists believe this is because Venus rotates very slowly and lacks the internal convection needed to create a strong dynamo effect.

7. Venus has no moons or rings

Venus is one of only two planets in the Solar System (the other being Mercury) that does not have moons or ring systems.

8. Venus has super-rotating winds

Venus's upper atmosphere is home to hurricane-force winds of up to 360 km/h (224 mph), much faster than the planet's rotation. These winds circle the planet in just four Earth days.

9. Venus is covered in volcanoes

Venus has more volcanoes than any other planet in the Solar System. There are an estimated 1,600 major volcanoes and many smaller ones. Some of them may still be active today.

10. Venus reflects sunlight brightly

Venus is the third brightest object in the sky after the Sun and the Moon because its thick clouds reflect about 70% of the sunlight that hits it. This makes Venus easily visible from Earth.