Terrestrial Planets, Page 6: [Previous Page] [Next Page] [Class Home Page] Textbook pages 171 - 173

Venus' Amazing Greenhouse

Venus' high surface temperature results from the greenhouse effect of its thick atmosphere. Recall, it's nearly 100 times 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.