Mercury is closest to the sun, yet Venus has a higher surface temperature. Why?

1 Answer
Nov 20, 2015

The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Explanation:

The atmosphere on Venus is very dense and consist 96.5% carbon dioxide.
All that carbon dioxide keeps the heat on the planet and causing a greenhouse effect.

Mercury on the other hand has no atmosphere. So the side of mercury that faces the Sun reaches temperatures of up to 427°C, but the side that looks away from the Sun reaches temperatures of -173°C. These differences in temperatures causes the planet to regulate the temperature on Mercury

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