Venus's Clouds

Venus is covered in thick clouds of sulphuric acid that reflect sunlight, which is why it appears so bright in the night sky. The clouds trap heat, creating a runaway greenhouse effect. Venus is the hottest planet in the Solar System.

Surface temperatures on Venus are hot enough to melt lead. A day on Venus is longer than its year, because the planet spins very slowly. Several spacecraft have studied the planet's clouds and surface.