* Carbon dioxide (CO2): This makes up a whopping 96.5% of the Venusian atmosphere, making it incredibly dense and contributing to the extreme greenhouse effect.
* Nitrogen (N2): This comes in at a distant second, making up about 3.5% of the atmosphere.
There are trace amounts of other gases present, including:
* Sulfur dioxide (SO2): This gas is responsible for the sulfuric acid clouds that blanket Venus.
* Argon (Ar): Found in very small quantities.
* Carbon monoxide (CO): Also found in trace amounts.
* Water vapor (H2O): Exists in extremely small quantities due to the extreme heat.
It's important to note that while Venus has a significant amount of carbon dioxide, it has virtually no oxygen (O2), making it impossible to breathe on the planet.