New research reveals that Venus, Earth’s nearest planetary neighbor, likely never harbored oceans. Despite its similarity in size and rocky composition to Earth, the study found that Venus’s interior is markedly dry. The research analyzed the chemical composition of volcanic gases in Venus’s atmosphere, indicating an interior with minimal water content. Scientists propose that Venus’s surface was once dominated by molten rock, which prevented the condensation of liquid water. Unlike Earth, where volcanic gases contain over 60% water vapor, Venusian volcanic gases contain no more than 6%, suggesting a parched history. This evidence undermines earlier hypotheses of subsurface water reservoirs and emphasizes that Venus’s extreme surface conditions have rendered it uninhabitable.

The study has profound implications for understanding planetary evolution and habitability. It underscores how two planets with similar characteristics can diverge dramatically due to differences in their early conditions. Venus’s scorching surface temperatures of 465°C, dense atmospheric pressure 90 times that of Earth, and clouds of sulfuric acid illustrate its inhospitable nature. By contrast, evidence from Mars, the fourth planet from the sun, suggests a history of liquid water, with potential subsurface reservoirs. Planned missions such as NASA’s DAVINCI and the European Space Agency’s EnVision aim to deepen understanding of Venus by exploring its atmosphere and surface. These missions may provide valuable insights into why Venus and Earth, often called sister planets, followed such contrasting evolutionary trajectories.