Which body in our solar system has the highest surface temperature?

Explore the depths of the solar system with the Science Olympiad test. Access flashcards, extensive multiple choice questions, detailed hints, and explanations. Excel in your exam preparation today!

The body in our solar system with the highest surface temperature is Venus. This is primarily due to its thick atmosphere, which is composed mainly of carbon dioxide, with clouds of sulfuric acid. This atmosphere creates an extremely strong greenhouse effect, trapping heat and causing surface temperatures to soar to around 900 degrees Fahrenheit (about 475 degrees Celsius).

In comparison, even though Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, it has a very thin atmosphere that cannot retain heat effectively. This leads to high temperatures on the side facing the Sun, but very cold temperatures at night. Earth, while having a more moderate and habitable temperature due to its atmosphere, does not exceed the extreme temperatures found on Venus. Mars, being farther from the Sun and having a thin atmosphere, also experiences much cooler temperatures overall.

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