VENUS
Last Planet   Next Planet		Venus, the second planet from the Sun, is Earth's near twin in the solar system. The two planets have approximately the same diameter, mass, density, and rock composition. Venus differs greatly from the Earth, however, in having a thick and highly reflective cloud layer that perpetually hides the planet's surface and causes extremely high surface temperatures and pressure. The surface is known to be far too hot to harbor any life, and it exhibits no plate tectonics. Venus also lacks a satellite and may never have had one. Venus takes its name from Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. In Greek mythology, she was known as Aphrodite. An English word taken from Venus is "venerate", which means to regard with reverential respect. Through binoculars, Venus is seen to show phases like the moon.

Source: Grollier's Multimedia Encyclopedia, © 1998 Grolier Interactive Inc.