2006-10-12 22:21:34 · 3 answers · asked by deb b 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The previous responders only answer half the question. The answer is yes, the rotation of Venus is in the opposite direction. As to why, that is another matter.
Venus is in a very odd situation because it is in close orbit with two larger masses, the sun and the earth and moon. The effect of the sun on Venus is pretty much constant and unchanging, as Venus' orbit is almost circular, but every year, Venus swings by the earth and the combined gravity of the earth and the moon give Venus a gentle tug on the side of Venus that was closest to the earth. Over a period of billions of years, that gentle tug slowed Venus' original rotation to a standstill and then put it into a very slight reverse direction.
2006-10-13 03:45:29 · answer #1 · answered by sparc77 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is. Here is a quote from the source:
Venus' rotation is somewhat unusual in that it is both very slow (243 Earth days per Venus day, slightly longer than Venus' year) and retrograde. In addition, the periods of Venus' rotation and of its orbit are synchronized such that it always presents the same face toward Earth when the two planets are at their closest approach. Whether this is a resonance effect or merely a coincidence is not known.
2006-10-13 02:07:54 · answer #2 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The guy above me quoted the exact same thing that I had copied to paste. Dang it I was too slow. Nice job guy above me.
b
2006-10-13 02:31:42 · answer #3 · answered by Bacchus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋