THE PLANETS AND MOONS IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD Some are hotter than an oven and some are much colder than a freezer Some are small and rocky while others are huge and mostly made of gas As you explore these worlds you'll discover giant canyons active volcanoes strange kinds of ice storms bigger than Earth and much more The Planetary SocietyⓇ empowers people around the world to advance space science and exploration On behalf of The Planetary Society® including our tens of thousands of members here's wishing you the joy of discovery Onward Bill Nye Bill Nye CEO The Planetary SocietyⓇ
4 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 Earth's Twin CHAPTER 2 Cloudy Planet 12 CHAPTER 3 Exploring Venus 18 Glossary 30 Learn More 30 Index 31
4 CHAPTER 1 EARTH'S TWIN Venus is one of the eight planets in our solar system They all circle the Sun. The Sun is the center of our solar system Venus is the second-closest planet to the Sun. But Venus is still millions of miles away from it Venus is covered by clouds
5 MEET VENUS Venus is sometimes called Earth's twin Venus is a little smaller than Earth It is the closest planet to Earth VENUS FAST FACTS Size About 95 percent the width of Earth Distance from the Sun 67 million miles 108 million km Length of day About 117 Earth days Length of year About 225 Earth days Number of moons 0
