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Which gases make up Venus’s atmosphere?
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Venus
Venus photographed in ultraviolet light by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter (Pioneer 12) spacecraft, February 26, 1979. Although Venus's cloud cover is nearly featureless in visible light, ultraviolet imaging reveals distinctive structure and pattern, including global-scale V-shaped bands that open toward the west (left). Added color in the image emulates Venus's yellow-white appearance to the eye.
The atmosphere of Venus is the most massive among the terrestrial planets and is composed primarily of the following gases:
- Carbon dioxide: More than 96 percent1
- Molecular nitrogen: 3.5 percent1
In addition to these primary components, the atmosphere contains trace amounts of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, water vapour, argon, and helium.1
The high concentration of carbon dioxide creates an intense greenhouse effect, which traps infrared radiation and results in extreme surface temperatures.1