Venus , the second planet from the Sun , is classified as a terrestrial planet . It is sometimes called Earth's "sister planet" due to their similar size, gravity, and bulk composition (Venus is both the closest planet to Earth and the planet closest in size to Earth). The surface of Venus is covered by a dense atmosphere and presents clear evidence of former violent volcanic activity. It has shield and composite volcanoes similar to those found on Earth.
5-507: Cytherean valleys are called by the Latin term valles , and are named after river goddesses or after words for the planet Venus (including terms for the morning star or evening star specifically) in various languages. Undae , dune fields, are named after desert goddesses. Tesserae are areas of polygonal terrain. They are named after goddesses in world mythologies. Scarps on Venus are called rupes and are named after goddesses of
10-497: The goddess and later, due to word taboo , to the planet Venus that had been named after the goddess. When planetary scientists began to have a need to discuss Venus in detail, an adjective was needed. Based on the principles of Latin names in English , the regular adjectival form of the name is Venerean (or Venerian , either pronounced / v ɪ ˈ n ɪər i ə n / ). However, these forms have an unfortunate similarity to
15-567: The hearth. Cytherean Cytherean / s ɪ θ ə ˈ r iː ə n / is an adjective literally meaning of Cythera (Latin Cytherēa , from the Greek adjective Κυθέρεια Kythereia , from Κύθηρα Kythēra 'Cythera'). Cythera is a small Greek island, southeast of the Peloponnesus , and a legendary birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite (Venus). The word Cytherean was first applied to
20-462: The related word venereal , as in venereal disease (related to "Venerean" as martial is to "Martian"), and is not generally used by astronomers. The term " Venusian " is etymologically messy (similar to saying "Earthian" or "Jupiterian"), and a "cleaner" version was desired. Since Venus has a Greek name, as well as a Roman one, this could be used; however, the adjectival form of Aphrodite , "Aphrodisian" / æ f r oʊ ˈ d ɪ z i ə n / ,
25-623: Was felt to be unfortunately similar to " aphrodisiac ", again evoking sex rather than astronomy. A compromise was reached. In Greek mythology , the goddess Aphrodite was said to have been born from the sea, from which she emerged on a seashell at the island of Cythera; thus she was sometimes referred to as Cytherēa . The adjective Cytherean was taken from this name and remained popular in scientific literature for some time. Its perhaps forgotten usage in 18th century erotica did not interfere with this choice. The term has since fallen out of common use. Venusian / v ɪ ˈ nj uː ʒ ( i ) ə n /
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