Venus

Often known as the Evening Star or Morning Star, Venus is one of the brightest objects in our sky. Behind its brilliant appearance lies an extreme world, wrapped in a dense carbon dioxide atmosphere and hidden beneath thick layers of clouds. Seen from Earth, Venus displays phases similar to those of the Moon, a consequence of its orbit between our planet and the Sun. Its apparent size and illuminated shape gradually change as it travels around our star. Average distance from the Sun: 108.2 million km Diameter: 12,104 km Orbital period: 224.7 days