Astronomy Practice Exam

True or False: Venus spins in the opposite direction of 7 other planets.

1. True

2. False

3. Only during certain seasons

4. Only during equinoxes

The correct answer is: True

The statement is true. Venus is indeed unique among the planets in our solar system because it rotates on its axis in a direction opposite to that of most other planets. This is called retrograde rotation. While the majority of planets, including Earth, rotate counterclockwise when viewed from above their north poles, Venus rotates clockwise. In our solar system, out of the eight planets, only Venus and Uranus have unusual rotational directions; however, Uranus's rotation is also tilted significantly on its side. So when referring specifically to Venus's rotation being opposite to that of seven other planets, it is accurate to state that it spins in the opposite direction. This unique rotation may contribute to several interesting phenomena regarding its atmosphere and climate, which differ significantly from those of Earth and other planets. Thus, the correct response accurately reflects the unique characteristics of Venus's rotation.