DISTANCE FROM THE SUN AND AVERAGE TEMPERATURES OF EARTH AND ITS NEIGHBORS
FIGURE 14.3 The average temperatures of Mercury, Earth, and Mars show a fairly regular decrease with increased distance from the Sun. The very high temperature of Venus, appearing as a dramatic exception to this pattern, suggests that distance from the nearest source of radiant energy is not the only factor influencing planetary temperatures. (Data from NASA 2013a,b,c,d)