Venus is hotter than Mercury due to its thick CO2 atmosphere and heat-trapping effects.
They publishedWhy is Venus hotter than Mercury, when Mercury is closer to the sun?
First reportLive Science · 12 Sept, 09:00Z
Latest reportLive Science · 12 Sept, 09:00Z
Span0 hours · two reports
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Why it matters
What
Venus reaches about 900°F (480°C), hotter than Mercury’s 800°F (430°C), despite being farther from the Sun.
Why
Venus’s dense carbon dioxide atmosphere traps heat, while Mercury’s near-absent atmosphere cannot sustain comparable warmth.
Watch
Atmospheric heat retention keeps Venus hot even though its clouds reflect about three-quarters of sunlight.
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How it unfolded — every article
Summary
- Venus, though farther from the Sun, reaches about 900°F (480°C) on its surface.
- Mercury's max temperature is around 800°F (430°C) due to almost no atmosphere.
- Venus' dense carbon dioxide atmosphere traps heat, creating a strong greenhouse effect.
- Cloud cover reflects about three-quarters of sunlight, with only ~3% reaching Venus' surface.
- The planet's warmth is sustained by atmospheric processes, not just solar proximity.