Home of the evil Mekon

■The atmospheric pressures on Venus are 90 times higher than those on Earth

■Temperatures average 450C (842F) and winds blow at hurricane force

■The atmosphere is mainly carbon dioxide and thick clouds of sulphuric acid

■Because it shines so bright, it is the only planet named after a woman, the Roman goddess of love and beauty

■Venus was home to the Mekon (left) adversary of comic book hero Dan Dare