The second planet from the sun and the hottest. The brightest object in the sky other than the sun and moon, it was once known as the evening and morning star. Has an atmosphere rich in Carbon Dioxide and a runaway greenhouse. Has extreme surface pressure, continent-sized highlands, and soft, gooey surface of melted rocks. Once thought to have had a global ocean that was lost. Most features volcanic in origin, entire surface periodically thought to erupt at once. Upper altitudes are thought to be favorable to life. Rains sulfuric acid. Visited by early Russian landers and orbiters. Orbited and mapped by Pioneer Venus and Magellan. Currently orbited by Venus Express.