Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

It's distance to the sun is part of the problem. Most of the carbon is trapped in the atmosphere contributing to the "runaway greenhouse effect Venus experiences. The same would probably happen to us if it were not for most of our carbon molecules are trapped in the Earth itself. I believe our current atmospheric carbon levels globally are around 380. Scientists would like that number to be below 350. The increase in global climatic instability over the last 20-30 years is believed by many scientists to be caused by the increase in carbon emissions.

Putting that aside, even if by chance we could terraform Venus, it is believed that the conditions would revert back to as we see Venus now in a few years or decades. Surface temperatures due to its proximity to the sun would sublimate (release carbon from rocks) and boil surface waters leading to increased water vapor in the atmosphere contributing to solar radiation build up (heat) - reverting back to a runway greenhouse effect. Venus is a cautionary example of our fate if we as a species continue to aid natural greenhouse occurrences here on earth.

Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

380...what? parts per thousand? Parts per billion? Moles per Liter? Grams per Quart? Pounds per Cubic Mile?

Maybe.

I don't think you need to worry about that. The only liquids left on Venus' surface at the moment are metals. Water (as in conc. H2SO4) completely evaporates about 25km above ground, let alone on the ground.

Not really. I doubt any process we could imagine up could increase our atmospheric pressure 93-fold.

Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

380 ppm...what else would it be? Come on guy, I know you are educated enough to know atmospheric carbon emissions are measured in parts per million. My 11 year old knows that - give me a break.

Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

Many atmospheric contaminants are also measured in parts per billion. As for parts per thousand...I have no idea, but I would presume it's common enough. Granted, the last two are a bit outlandish, but it's just for the point of demonstration.

Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

Erm, try millions. But that's not the main reason why it's so hot at the surface, for it is hotter than Mercury on average, despite being twice as far away from the sun. Its extremely dense atmosphere, containing high concentrations of greenhouse gases, is frequently used by climate change proponents as the ultimate evidence of the greenhouse effect. It is believed that billions of years ago the atmosphere of Venus might have been much less severe, even pleasant, and may have supported liquid water on its surface. That, clearly, is no longer the case.

Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

This quote is probably the best thing I've read all week. Keep up the good work!

Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

Public education.

yay.

Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

How do you get pressure levels so high on a relatively same sized planet as Earth?

Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

Heavier atmosphere.

Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

So there is just more gas packed on the planet?

Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

Yes. There is, in fact, so much air packed on the planet that even though winds are only a few km/hr on the ground, it would be very difficult to walk purely because there is so much air pushing you.

Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

Well, that and the fact that the surface temperature is hot enough to melt lead.

Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

I sort of wrote that statement meaning that if you disregarded all that, you know, the searing heat, the acidic oxides in the air, all that stuff...

Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

So Venus is out for a secondary home planet?

Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

Very, very much. This is a fairly good summary of the atmosphere:

http://www.daviddarling.info/images/...atmosphere.jpg

Re: 32 New Planets Found
 

I would be excited to see if we could live on one of those planets.. but so far, no.