MB> KK> Andrew, it may have something to do with the fact that the surface
MB> KK> of Venus is at about 800 degrees F -- hot enough to melt lead.
MB> The surface of the Earth was once that hot.  But really now, the
MB> surface of Venus is really only averaging a temperature closer to
MB> 450 degrees F.
I may have misremembered the number.  Are you sure you don't mean 450 C?
At this temperature _now_ certain types of bacteria
MB> _thrive_ now on Earth in the deep ocean at volcanic vents.
I recall that those bugs (archaeobacteria) can function at temps
slightly above boiling.  I'm not sure they can survive at 450 F.
And this
MB> at a place where oxygen is poisonous to this type of bacteria.
MB> The earth has, in fact, an oxygen rich atmosphere _because_ early
MB> bacteria excreted oxygen as a waste product.
Right.  That's one thing that suggests that either life never got
started on Venus, or it got started and isn't doing much, or if it
exists it's very different from life here:  Venus's atmosphere is
high in CO2 and low in oxygen.
MB>... Explain counter-clockwise to someone with a digital watch.
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MB>
 * SLMR 2.1a *   Nature bats last.
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