Scientists have discovered a new planet. The planet is in a solar system whose star is similar in size to the sun and is about as far from the star as Venus is from the sun. The planet is similar in size to Earth, and its atmosphere is similar in thickness to Earth’s atmosphere. The atmosphere is composed almost entirely of carbon dioxide and methane. In three to five sentences, make a hypothesis about the temperature on the planet’s surface. Explain your answer using information about the planet’s location and atmosphere.
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Based on the information provided, it can be hypothesized that the temperature on the surface of the newly discovered planet is likely to be extremely high. This is because the planet is located at a similar distance from its star as Venus, which has a surface temperature of about 900 degrees Fahrenheit (475 degrees Celsius). Furthermore, the planet's atmosphere is composed mostly of carbon dioxide and methane, both of which are greenhouse gases that can trap heat. This suggests that the greenhouse effect on this planet would be significant, leading to even hotter surface temperatures.
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