MAR 24, 2017 12:52 PM PDT

Why Humans Will Likely Never Set Foot on Venus

WRITTEN BY: Xuan Pham

In pushing the boundaries of space exploration and potentially colonization, we've heard extensively about Mars. But have you ever wondered why Venus, the planet often called Earth's twin, is never mentioned?

Although nearly identical to Earth in size and composition, Venus has proven to be extremely harsh and inhospitable. A trip to Venus will only take about 100 days. But once there, you'll find a planet filled with poisonous sulfur dioxide constantly sweeping in 220-mph winds. Temperatures reach upwards of 800 degrees Fahrenheit; that's hot enough to melt lead. If you think night will bring some reprieve, think again - a single day can last over 116 Earth days.

So, unlike the Roman goddess Venus love, the planet Venus is not so loving towards human visitation. Watch the video to learn more about why this planet is not on NASA's list of planets to send astronauts.
About the Author
Doctorate (PhD)
I am a human geneticist, passionate about telling stories to make science more engaging and approachable. Find more of my writing at the Hopkins BioMedical Odyssey blog and at TheGeneTwist.com.
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