100 Interesting Facts About Venus

The planet Venus has been called "Earth's evil twin." It spins "backwards" compared to most planets in our solar system, it's hot enough melt lead, and yet it's the destination for two upcoming NASA missions.

The facts about Venus you'll learn in this episode of The List Show cover interesting science, unbelievable history, and even some art. These Venus facts will hopefully have you appreciating the Morning Star (and understanding that erroneous nickname) a little bit.

[The_Horse-leafs_Cabbage]

I love Venus, both for its uniqueness and how well it seems to fit its mythology nomenclature. One of the brightest objects in the night sky (seems fitting that Venus would be a show-off), a brilliant gem that's as striking as a star.
But woe to those that underestimate her. Any attempts to truly understand the planet and its surface practically require a feat worthy of a Greco-Roman Tale. Nothing like an overwhelmingly thick atmosphere and pressure cooker style terrain to push the limits of engineering (or inspire some inventive workarounds).

[anime]

I had the incredible luck to have a parent interested enough in astronomy to take me to the planetarium during the last transit of Venus in 2012, while I was in highschool. Literally a once in a lifetime experience

[joewilson]

Floating habitats on Venus always makes me think of all the engineering disaster video's that are out there. Imagine the hindenburg, but on a planet where steel melts on the surface.

[tessat]

We have a café in Baltimore called "Rocket to Venus." It is named after the plans of a group of local guys in the 1920s and '30s who wanted to build a rocket to Venus. Their plans are so delightfully and terrifyingly naïve and optimistic. They eventually ran out of time, money and interest. The food there is good and it has an interesting story. I recommend it!

[thcenturytunes]

Ever since elementary school I've had an interest in Venus, talks of the atmosphere and even planetary atmospheric reclamation via blue-green algae - anyone remember that? Also I think it's Bobby Vinton's fault after my hearing of the song "Venus" sung a few times on Lawrence Welk, what did I know about the Roman Goddess, nadda.

[mathieuleader]

now I just want to do a fan comic of Garfield living on Venus on a Monday

[Mithrandir]

Great episode. I wish you guys did more of the "super sized: episodes as you called it. Keep up the good work.

[thistlefield]

It would be cool to see you all do a series about all the planets (and Pluto) and maybe some dwarf planets. Maybe even Planet NIne...

[firstcynic]

“Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space.”
-- Douglas Adams
That's where I first heard "space is big".

On average, Mercury is closer to every planet than any other planet.

[marcelmoreau]

I haven't seen a Mental Floss video in two or three years

[jeremyjw]

would it be easier
to cool venus
or heat mars ?

[AndrewPonti]

I think Erin really liked saying "Venusian" this whole video - and I am now going to incorporate it as much as I can now LOL So somoooth. Also side note beyond Asimov, et. al - those of you really wanting to get into some space opera type stories, the "Out of the Silent Planet" Trilogy by CS Lewis, is one of my favorites. First one is to Mars, second to Venus. These reflect those early thoughts that the planets could be home to life, interesting assumptions on space travel - and how Lewis tries to reconcile that with his faith in God and how God relates to life outside earth. It's pretty fascinating if you're into theories on science and theology together.

[marvintpandroid]

A goddess on a mountain top
Was burning like a silver flame
The summit of beauty and love
And Venus was her name

She's got it
Yeah, baby, she's got it
Well, I'm your Venus
I'm your fire, at your desire
Well, I'm your Venus
I'm your fire, at your desire

[cr-pol]

What happened to the audio? sounds like a microphone across the room picked it up instead of Erin's.
anyway, the long days and nights are enough to creep me out :)

[shoshannastoume]

I misread the title as venues and was expecting facts about arenas and concert halls! Haha

[AveryMilieu]

I've seen astrological maps of planetary orbits. While the specifics have become somewhat cloudy in the intervening years, I do recall that the orbit of Venus forms a pentagram over the course of eight years or so. Saw an animated orbital pattern program...

[Alverant]

You forgot to mention the killer robots by the Arrogant Worms

[artkincell]

Weird placement for a commercial... "Here are the sounds from Venus, "... then Nicole Blackman starts a Genesis car commercial read.

[matthewdrummond]

#17 reminds me of the book Venus by Ben Bova

[davepratt]

Just as Erin tells us to check out the sounds of Venus, the Disney+ commercial for "West Side Story" kicked in with Maria singing "Tonight." So, does Venus sound like Spanish Harlem?