Venus

Venus, second planet from the sun, is the brightest planet in our solar system.

Related Topics: Mercury, Earth, Mars 

Latest Updates

An anthropomorphic test device or flight dummy nicknamed Rosie the Rocketeer appears strapped into a seat in Boeing's Starliner capsule.

Space photos: The most amazing images this week!

By Elizabeth Howell published

See the best photos on Space.com this week.

An image of Venus compiled from data gathered by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter and the Magellan mission, both of which ended in the early 1990s.

Venus-like worlds are surprisingly common in 'habitable' zones

By Paul Sutter published

The current definition of habitable zone only examines the amount of sunlight reaching a planet. It may be time to question that definition.

Venus (lower left) and Jupiter during a close conjunction over Rome on May 1, 2022.

Venus and Jupiter shine together over Rome (photo)

By Elizabeth Howell published

A new image captures two planets with ancient significance meeting up over the famous old city of Rome on Sunday (May 1).

mother and daughter viewing night sky with a telescope

The brightest planets in May's night sky: How and when to see them

By Joe Rao published

Our May night sky viewing guide tells you which planets are visible in May's night sky and how you can see them.

A diagram showing Venus and Jupiter in conjunction in the predawn sky over Rome, Italy, on May 1, 2022.

Venus and Jupiter shine together overnight, here's how to watch the spectacle live online

By Tereza Pultarova published

Tune into a Virtual Telescope Project livestream to watch live as Jupiter and Venus meet in the night sky.

Planets Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn, alongside the moon, shine above Rome at dawn, while the Chinese space station module Tianhe crosses the sky on April 27, 2022.

ISS and China's space station photobomb image of 4 planets aligned in the sky

By Jeanna Bryner published

The International Space Station and China's space station photobombed a four-planet line-up in the early morning sky for Italian astrophysicist Gianluca Masi.

A view of the close conjunction of Venus and Jupiter in the southeast sky, just before sunrise on April 30.

Don't miss Venus and Jupiter shine extra close in the morning sky Saturday!

By Samantha Mathewson published

Venus and Jupiter — the two brightest planets in the sky — are headed for a close encounter tomorrow (April 30).

Venus as seen by Japan's Akatsuki orbiter in December 2015.

Why is a day on Venus longer than a year? The atmosphere may be to blame.

By Scott Dutfield published

Venus' dense and stormy atmosphere is the cause why a day on the scorching planet is longer than a year, a new study suggests.

A diagram showing the location of the moon, Jupiter and Venus before sunrise on April 26, 2022.

Venus and Jupiter align this week in spectacular morning sky shows

By Joe Rao published

The celestial highlight in the days ahead will involve the three brightest objects in the nighttime sky: the moon and the planets Venus and Jupiter.

Conjunctions are happily, common in the night sky. Here is a past one: Jupiter (left) and Saturn (right) are seen after sunset above Jordan Lake during the "great conjunction" on Dec. 21, 2020, near Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

See 4 planets line up with the moon in the predawn sky

By Elizabeth Howell published

The quarter-phase moon points to a stunning set of planets low in the sky: Saturn, Mars, Venus and Jupiter.

Is cloud-veiled Venus an abode for extraterrestrial life?

New wave of missions to reignite Venus exploration

By Leonard David published

Multiple research teams are developing missions designed to address Venus' potential as an abode for life.

This NASA sky map shows the location of Venus, Mars and Saturn in the night sky April 4, 2022.

See Venus, Saturn and Mars shine close before sunrise this week

By Elizabeth Howell published

Venus, Saturn and Mars will be visible and very close together this week in the predawn sky. Here's how to see it.

The predawn sky in April 2022 brings a dance of morning planets as Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn are all visible before sunrise.

April's sky brings dance of 4 morning planets: See Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn.

By Joe Rao published

As the planets rise in April we're given stunning views, if you know where to look.

Artist's illustration of Venus

Venus: The scorching second planet from the sun

By Charles Q. Choi, Chelsea Gohd published

Reference Venus is the second planet from the sun and the hottest and brightest planet in the solar system. Explore the hostile volcanic planet here in our guide.

This NASA diagram shows the location of Venus, Mars, Saturn and the crescent moon in the predawn sky on March 27 and March 28, 2022.

Venus, Mars and Saturn form a celestial triangle before dawn: How to see it

By Elizabeth Howell published

You can spot them Sunday and Monday, before sunrise.

Saturn, venus, mars and others in the night sky, a screenshot from Stellarium

See Saturn, Venus and Mars as moon shines near bright Antares

By Elizabeth Howell published

Enjoy the glittering worlds and star along with (early) breakfast.

The planet Venus will be at its greatest elongation on March 20, 2022 and will shine in the sky with Saturn and Mars.

Planet Venus at its 'greatest elongation' from the sun. Here's how to see it.

By Samantha Mathewson published

Venus has had a busy March! Now, the bright planet will be at its greatest distance from the sun tonight (March 20).

Venus and Mars will shine near each other in the predawn sky on March 12, 2022. Here's where to look.

See Venus and Mars pair up in the early morning sky Saturday

By Samantha Mathewson published

Venus will meet up with Mars in the very early morning sky on Saturday (March 12). Here’s how you can catch the planetary duo.

An image of Venus compiled from data gathered by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter and the Magellan mission, both of which ended in the early 1990s.

Scientists hail 'the decade of Venus' with 3 new missions on the way

By Meghan Bartels published

As planetary scientists resumed meeting in person, Venus experts had something special to celebrate.

The moon, Mercury and Saturn all meet up in the sky on Feb. 28, 2022. Also visible are Venus and Mars.

The moon meets up with Mercury and Saturn early Monday morning

By Elizabeth Howell published

You may be able to watch the moon cluster up with ringed Saturn and fleeting Mercury on Monday (Feb. 28), but it will be a considerable challenge.