Why is n't Venus 's rotation similar to other planets of the Solar system?

Answer 1

Astronomers think a large impact caused Venus to spin in the opposite direction as the rest of the solar system.

It originally spun the same direction as the rest of the planets, because they all formed out of the same mass of orbiting, spinning gas, which due to conservation of angular momentum would not suddenly change direction. The only physics theory that would account for the change in spin direction would be for some large mass to hit it and transfer enough energy to alter the spin. Since Venus is so tectonically active, however, the crater caused by the impact has long since been subducted under Venus' crust.

Answer 2

Venus is the second closest planet to our Sun at an average distance 67 million miles. It revolves around the Sun every 225 Earth days, but its rotation takes 243 Earth days. One other interesting note is that Venus rotates clockwise, the only planet in our solar system to do so, and contrary to its own orbit around the Sun. New research suggests that the "backward" rotation is caused by tides which are raised in the thick atmosphere by the Sun, and with friction interaction between the atmosphere and planet itself. It is hypothesized that these interactions caused Venus's rotation to slow, stop, and then reverse. This is somewhat similar to what is happening here on Earth, as our Moon's pull on our oceans causes tides whose subsequent friction is gradually slowing Earth's rotation. Venus is one of only three planets in our solar system which has a perfect circular sphere (the other two being Mercury and Pluto).

Answer 3

Venus's orbit is the most circular of all the planets' orbits, and the orbital plane is tilted slightly more than 3 degrees with respect to the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun. As seen from Earth, Venus is never more than 48 degrees away from the Sun, which is why we always see it in the early morning or early evening.

Average distance from the Sun 108.2x106 km (67.2 million miles, 0.723 astronomical units)
Orbital eccentricity 0.0068 (most circular orbit of all planets)
Mean orbital speed 35.0 km/s (21.8 miles/s)
Sidereal period 224.70 Earth days (0.6152 years)
Synodic period 583.92 days
Inclination of orbit to the ecliptic 3.39 degrees
Maximum or greatest elongation 46 to 48 degrees
Inclination of equator to orbital plane 177.2 degrees
Rotation period (retrograde) 243.08 Earth days
Solar rotation period (noontime to noontime, or one Venusian day) 116.67 Earth days



The rotation period of Venus could not be measured until the 1960's because its thick clouds prevent us from seeing any feature on the surface. In 1962 radar waves were bounced off the surface of Venus and the rotation period was finally determined. It was also discovered that Venus rotates with retrograde motion, that is, in the opposite sense most of the other planets.

Venus has no seasons because its rotation axis is tilted only 3 degrees from the perpendicular to its orbital plane around the Sun. If you compare Venus's period of revolution around the Sun (sidereal period) and its rotation period (day and night) you can see that they are almost the same. This is due to the tidal forces of the Sun on Venus.

Answer 4

Two current theories: giant impact with small planet-sized object billions of years ago or gravitational tides. The latter is the most accepted. People at NASA may be able to answer your question. Search: NASA Venus and find the expert at NASA.

Answer 5

Maybe some space debris went through the gas cloud it formed from.

Answer 6

When the dust cloud condensed to form the planet, that is just how it happened to form.

Answer 7

My guess? It's probably on a different axis? I don't know for sure. Good Question!

Answer 8

why should it ?