Part 2/9:
Initial perceptions of Venus painted it as a potentially Earth-like paradise. Its proximity to the Sun and the visible clouds led many to speculate that it could be a habitable world. As our observational technologies improved, we discovered that beneath its cloudy façade lies a blistering environment with temperatures averaging around 462°C (863°F). Despite early assumptions, Venus is more akin to an oven than a sanctuary for human life.
The surface of Venus teems with volcanic activity, making it the planet with the highest concentration of volcanoes in the solar system. As such, should any life have existed in its past, the chances of finding fossilized evidence are slim due to the periodic resurfacing caused by lava flows.