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How big is Venus?

Venus is 12,000 kilometers

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how big other planets are compared to Earth? Today, let’s take an exciting journey to explore the size of Venus, the second closest planet to the sun. It’s a fascinating world of its own, and you might be surprised to learn how it stacks up against our home planet, Earth, and other celestial bodies in our awe-inspiring universe.

The Size of Venus

When it comes to size, Venus is a heavyweight among terrestrial planets. Venus is approximately 3,760 miles (6,052 kilometers) in diameter. To put it clearly, if Earth were the size of a basketball, Venus would be about the size of a soccer ball. That’s pretty close in size to Earth, isn’t it? Here are some key facts about Venus’s size:

  • Venus is the third smallest planet in our solar system, with Earth being just slightly larger. - It’s about 86% the size of Earth. This means if you could slice Earth down the middle, Venus would fit inside with a little room to spare. - Venus’s volume is about 86% of Earth’s. This means you would need about 1.2 Venuses to fill up the volume of Earth. - Its mass is about 80% of Earth’s. If you could put Venus and Earth on a giant space scale, Venus would be a bit lighter.

Size Comparison With Other Objects

Venus’s size is impressive, especially when we compare it to other objects in our solar system.

  • Venus vs. Earth: Even though Venus and Earth are often called “sister planets” due to their similar size, Earth is just a bit bigger. If Earth were a house, Venus would be a cozy cottage. - Venus vs. Mars: Mars is only about half the size of Venus. Imagine Venus as a big apple and Mars as a smaller orange. - Venus vs. Moon: Our moon is only about 27% the size of Venus. So, if Venus were a big beach ball, our moon would be a small basketball. - Venus vs. Sun: The sun is much, much larger than Venus. In fact, you could fit over a million Venuses inside the sun!

Fascinating Facts about Venus

Now that we know about Venus’s size let’s delve into some more exciting facts about this captivating planet:

  • Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system, even though it’s not the closest to the sun. Its thick atmosphere traps in heat, causing a super strong greenhouse effect. - Interestingly, Venus spins in the opposite direction to most planets. This means the sun rises in the west and sets in the east, which is the exact opposite of what we see on Earth! - Venus is the brightest object in our night sky, after the moon. This is why it’s often called the “morning star” or “evening star.” - Venus has a very long day. In fact, a day on Venus is longer than a year on Venus! The size of Venus and its unique characteristics make it an intriguing planet to study. It may be our neighboring planet, but it’s a world all its own. And who knows? Maybe one day you’ll be part of the next generation of space explorers who uncover more about Venus’s mysteries!
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