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    Venus only slightly closer to sun, so expect about
    same initial composition 
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    Venus only slightly smaller than Earth, so expect
    about same heat flow 
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    Venus atmosphere is dramatically different 
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    Very thick CO2 atmosphere 
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    Virtually no water in atmosphere or on surface 
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    Venus shows relatively recent volcanic activity, but no plate
    tectonics 
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    Both probably related to its slightly closer position
    to the sun 
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    which caused loss of its critical water 
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    Thick
    atmosphere and clouds block direct view so information from: 
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    Orbiting
    radar missions  (Magellan in early
    90s) 
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    Russian
    landers (as in previous photo) 
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