SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-venus-hottest

Which planet is the hottest in our solar system?

Venus, even though Mercury is closer to the Sun.

Start playing free

  1. Mercury
  2. Venus ✔
  3. Mars

Why: Venus has a thick atmosphere that traps heat in a runaway greenhouse effect. Its surface is about 872 degrees F, hot enough to melt lead. Mercury is closer to the Sun but cannot hold heat the same way.

Huh, didn't know that: Venus is our closest planetary neighbor and is sometimes called Earth's twin because it is a similar size.

The dad joke
Why did Venus win the chili contest? It brought the most heat.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Venus. Venus has a thick atmosphere that traps heat in a runaway greenhouse effect. Its surface is about 872 degrees F, hot enough to melt lead. Mercury is closer to the Sun but cannot hold heat the same way.

  1. NASA Science: Venus Facts science.nasa.gov/venus/facts
    It's the hottest planet in our solar system, and is sometimes called Earth's twin.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Flying & DronesWhich planet has the hottest surface?Flying & DronesUnder the 2006 IAU rules, what must a planet do that a dwarf planet has not done?Flying & DronesIn what year was Pluto reclassified as a dwarf planet?

That's stuff everyone should know.