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Venus

Short answer: Venus rotates in the opposite direction to most planets, a retrograde rotation, so the Sun would rise in the west. It is also the slowest-spinning major planet: one rotation relative to the stars (a sidereal day) takes about 243 Earth days, longer than its 225-day orbit around the Sun.

Because of the combined motions, a solar day on Venus, sunrise to sunrise, lasts about 117 Earth days. The cause of the retrograde spin is unsettled; ideas include a giant impact and tidal effects of its thick atmosphere. The footage shows images of Venus, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up1 sources
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What should you know about Venus?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Venus rotates opposite to most planets.

    DD-132-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Retrograde)

  2. One sidereal rotation takes about 243 Earth days.

    DD-132-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (243 days)

Video transcript: Venus: A Day on Venus Is Longer Than Its Year

Venus experiences a phenomenon known as retrograde where it rotates on its axis in the opposite to most planets in our solar system. DID YOU KNOW? While earth rotates counterclockwise Venus rotates clockwise. Additionally Venus has an extremely slow rotation taking about 243 Earth days to complete one rotation which is longer than its orbital year around the This means that a day on Venus, one full rotation, is actually longer than a year on Venus. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 26.0s Reel ·

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Venus: A Day on Venus Is Longer Than Its Year Instagram Reel · · 26.0s

The write-up

A day on Venus is longer than its year. Venus spins backward once every 243 Earth days.

  1. Exhibit A

    Retrograde

    Venus rotates opposite to most planets.

  2. Exhibit B

    243 days

    One sidereal rotation takes about 243 Earth days.

  3. Exhibit C

    225-day year

    Its year is about 225 Earth days.

  4. Exhibit D

    117-day solar day

    Sunrise to sunrise is about 117 Earth days.

  5. Exhibit E

    Unsettled cause

    The reason for the backward spin is debated.

Questions people ask about Venus

Which way does Venus spin?

The Sun rises in the west.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Retrograde) · Wikipedia: Venus

How long is one rotation?

Sidereal day.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (243 days) · Wikipedia: Venus

How long is Venus's year?

Shorter than its rotation.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (225-day year) · Wikipedia: Venus

How long is sunrise to sunrise?

The solar day.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (117-day solar day) · Wikipedia: Venus

Is the cause of its spin settled?

Impacts and atmosphere are ideas.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Unsettled cause) · Wikipedia: Venus

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Which way does Venus spin?

    1. Retrograde, opposite most planets
    2. Same as Earth
    3. It doesn't spin
    4. Sideways
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Retrograde, opposite most planets The Sun rises in the west. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Retrograde) · Wikipedia: Venus

  2. How long is one rotation?

    1. About 243 Earth days
    2. 24 hours
    3. 10 hours
    4. One year exactly
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. About 243 Earth days Sidereal day. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (243 days) · Wikipedia: Venus

  3. How long is Venus's year?

    1. About 225 Earth days
    2. 365 days
    3. 88 days
    4. 12 years
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. About 225 Earth days Shorter than its rotation. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (225-day year) · Wikipedia: Venus

  4. How long is sunrise to sunrise?

    1. About 117 Earth days
    2. 243 days
    3. 1 day
    4. 1,000 days
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. About 117 Earth days The solar day. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (117-day solar day) · Wikipedia: Venus

  5. Is the cause of its spin settled?

    1. No
    2. Yes
    3. It's caused by rings
    4. It's caused by moons
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. No Impacts and atmosphere are ideas. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Unsettled cause) · Wikipedia: Venus

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Venus." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-132, last updated Dec 20, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/venus/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/venus/ · Last updated

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