What makes admiring the brightest star in the evening sky fascinating is that you are on one planet, and you get to gaze at another planet that appears like a star. To ease the confusion, the planet that you are on is, of course, Earth, and the brightest star referred to is Venus. And most often than not, we end up getting confused between the two.
Earth vs Venus
The main difference between Earth and Venus is that while they are two planets in our solar system, the former is the third planet while the latter is the fourth planet in the solar system. In addition, the mass of the former is much more than the latter. The latter is very close to the sun and is, therefore, much hotter than our planet. The former also has a larger surface area than the latter.
Earth sustains life. There is no need to talk about its beauty glowingly. We have all witnessed it at some point in our lives. The surface is substantially covered with water, and this is the key to the sustenance of life here. Furthermore, it is the third planet from the Sun and happens to be placed strategically to support life forms.
On the other hand, Venus, though the twin of our planet, stands in complete contrast to it in almost every aspect, if not in all aspects. It is the brightest planet. it is the second planet from the Sun. One factor that completely sets this planet apart from ours is that it rotates “clockwise.” Therefore, the east witnesses the sun setting instead of rising and vice versa.
Comparison Table Between Earth and Venus
| Parameters of Comparison | Earth | Venus |
| Mass | It is heavier than Venus. | It is lighter than Earth. |
| Atmospheric Gases | The gases that are present in the atmosphere are nitrogen and oxygen. | The gases that shroud the atmosphere are carbon dioxide and even the clouds consist of sulfuric acid. |
| Mean density | It is more in comparison to Venus. | Less in comparison to Earth |
| Surface Temperature | Apart from global warming, the temperature was perfect to support all life forms. | It is very hot. |
| Moon | It has one moon. | It does not have a satellite. |
What is Earth?
There is no need to talk about its beauty glowingly. We have all witnessed it at some point in our lives. The surface is substantially covered with water, and this is the key to the sustenance of life here. Furthermore, it is the third planet from the Sun and happens to be placed strategically to support life forms. Earth sustains life.
What makes life possible here is the plentitude of nitrogen and oxygen that enriches our atmosphere. Had it been some other gas, such as the ones floating in the atmospheres of other planets, it would have been a clear indication that no life could be sustained in such an atmosphere. And this is not the only thing that makes this planet unique. Apart from global warming, the temperature is perfect to support all life forms. Thus, the culmination of a lot of factors makes this planet habitable, ineffably surprising, and mysterious.
It has a variety of elements that color the otherwise mundane and vast stretches of land. The mountains, deserts, and so much more, every bit of nature is worth beholding. Why stop at land? The satin bodies of water would have been nothing but just plain and boring if not for the lagoons, oceans, brooks, and so much more.
What is Venus?
One factor that completely sets this planet apart from ours is that it rotates “clockwise.” Therefore, the east witnesses the sun setting instead of rising and vice versa. Not only that, the speed at which it rotates also differs greatly from ours’. Thank God for our planet’s speed. At least our days and nights are shorter relatively. This planet has very long days due to its slower speed.
For starters, it is so hot out there that we would melt if we ever have the misfortune of settling in there. Yes, it is almost nine times hotter than ours! The surface temperature is not the only reason for concern. We also have the gases that comprise the atmosphere- carbon dioxide and clouds of sulfuric acid. If the heat doesn’t kill us, this most certainly will. These mentioned gases raise the surface temperature of this planet to a whole different level.
There is more to add to the list. It does not even have a satellite. In other words, they do not have a moon revolving around them as our planet does. It differs from our planet in terms of volume, mass, and much more. Even the tilt in the axis is different.
Main Differences Between Earth and Venus
- Earth is lighter. On the other hand, Venus is heavier. The latter is very close to the sun and is, therefore, much hotter than our planet.
- How Earth revolves is described as clockwise. In contrast, Venus is anti-clockwise. One factor that completely sets this planet apart from ours is that it rotates “clockwise.” Therefore, the east witnesses the sun setting instead of rising and vice versa.
- On Earth, the gases that are present in the atmosphere are nitrogen and oxygen. Whereas, On Venus, the gases that shroud the atmosphere are carbon dioxide, and even the clouds consist of sulfuric acid.
- The surface temperature of both the planets also differs greatly. While Earth is much cooler, Venus happens to be hot enough to melt us completely even before we pervade its atmosphere.
- The number of satellites also differs on these planets. Where Earth has one of them, Venus has absolutely none.
Conclusion
It has become abundantly clear from this that both these planets are considerably different from one another. While they are two planets in our solar system, the former is the third planet while the latter is the fourth planet in the solar system. In addition, the mass of the former is much more than the latter. The latter is very close to the sun and is, therefore, much hotter than our planet. The former also has a larger surface area than the latter.
How Earth revolves is described as clockwise. In contrast, Venus is anti-clockwise. One factor that completely sets this planet apart from ours is that it rotates “clockwise.” Therefore, the east witnesses the sun setting instead of rising and vice versa. The surface temperature of both the planets also differs greatly. While Earth is much cooler, Venus happens to be hot enough to melt us completely even before we pervade its atmosphere.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0019103577901567
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0019103584711705