New research suggests that Venus, which is Earth’s closest neighbor, probably never had oceans. Although Venus is similar to Earth in size and composition, scientists discovered that its interior is very dry. They analyzed volcanic gases in Venus’s atmosphere and found that its interior contains little water. It is believed that Venus’s surface was once covered in molten rock, which prevented liquid water from forming. Unlike Earth, where volcanic gases are mostly water vapor (over 60%), volcanic gases on Venus have less than 6% water, indicating a dry past. This finding challenges earlier theories of hidden water and confirms that Venus’s harsh surface conditions make it uninhabitable.

The study provides important insights into how planets develop and become suitable for life. It shows that two planets with similar characteristics can evolve in very different ways due to their early conditions. Venus has extreme temperatures of 465°C, pressure 90 times that of Earth, and clouds of sulfuric acid, making life impossible. In contrast, Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, shows signs of past liquid water. Future missions like NASA’s DAVINCI and ESA’s EnVision will explore Venus to help us understand its different path from Earth.