The hottest planet in our solar system is Venus.
Venus: The Hottest Planet
While Mercury is closest to the Sun, Venus holds the title of hottest planet due to its dense atmosphere, which traps heat through a powerful greenhouse effect. This makes its surface temperature far higher than Mercury's.
| Planet | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Mercury | -173 to 427 °C |
| Venus | ~464 °C |
| Earth | -88 to 58 °C |
Key Characteristics of Venus
- Second planet from the Sun: Venus is the second planet in our solar system.
- Cloud-swaddled: The planet is shrouded in thick, opaque clouds that contribute to the greenhouse effect.
- Earth's twin: Venus is often called Earth’s twin due to its similar size and rocky composition.
- Named for a love goddess: Venus is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty.
Why Venus is Hotter than Mercury
While you might expect the closest planet to the sun, Mercury, to be the hottest, here's why Venus takes the lead:
- Dense Atmosphere: Venus has a very dense atmosphere primarily composed of carbon dioxide.
- Greenhouse Effect: This dense atmosphere traps a tremendous amount of solar energy creating an extremely potent greenhouse effect.
- Surface Temperature: The trapped heat results in a scorching surface temperature, averaging around 464 degrees Celsius (867 degrees Fahrenheit).
