Venus & Moons, Page 3: [Previous Page] [Next Page] [Syllabus] Textbook pages 172 - 179

Venus' Amazing Greenhouse

Venus' high surface temperature results from the greenhouse effect of its thick atmosphere. Recall, its atmosphere is nearly 100x the density (pressure) of Earth's.

CO₂ makes up most of Venus' atmosphere (95%). It is incredibly efficient at letting the optical light through and trapping infrared radiation emitted from the ground. Heat builds up in the lower atmosphere. CO₂ does not work alone. On Earth, H₂O helps to block the escape of surface heat. On Venus, SO₂, CO and HCL are what fill in the 'holes' where CO₂ would have let some of the thermal heat escape.