* Carbon dioxide (CO2): This makes up a whopping 96.5% of the atmosphere.
* Nitrogen (N2): The second most abundant gas, making up 3.5%.
Other trace gases include:
* Sulfur dioxide (SO2): Contributes to the planet's thick clouds and sulfuric acid rain.
* Argon (Ar): Present in small amounts.
* Water vapor (H2O): Found in very low concentrations due to the extreme heat.
It's important to note:
* Dense and Hot: Venus's atmosphere is incredibly dense, about 90 times denser than Earth's, and extremely hot, with an average surface temperature of 464°C (867°F).
* Runaway Greenhouse Effect: The thick CO2 atmosphere traps heat, causing a runaway greenhouse effect that makes Venus the hottest planet in our solar system.
This unique atmospheric composition makes Venus a very different place from Earth, with extreme conditions that would be impossible for humans to survive.