It’s that time of year again when those gorgeous autumn yellows and reds are starting to blanket the ground. A northerly wind sends a shiver down the spine and reminds us that winter is right around the corner. Everybody’s favorite tropical vacation spots are booked solid for months. But you just finished work on that big Peterson account and you just want to get away for a few days! Why not try Venus?
Chilly winds and bulky winter clothes will be but a distant memory as you bask in the hottest temperatures in the solar system. Thanks to a billion years of runaway greenhouse effect, surface temps on Venus hover around 863° F. That’s hot enough to melt lead, but your titanium golf clubs should be fine (see picture above). Don’t bother to pack your umbrella – the sulfuric acid rain that forms in the upper atmosphere rarely makes it all the way to the surface. Volcano-induced lightning is a concern but is pretty localized. Just avoid the higher peaks, where a bit of lead sulfide snow could make for slippery conditions.
What’s that? Oh, you’re looking for somewhere cool to relax in the evening. How about Mercury, where the temperature contrast from day to night can be more than 1,000° F! And being the only planet where a day (or night!) is longer than a year ensures that you’ll be partying forever.
If you want something a bit more mild, let’s talk about Mars. A gravity about 1/3 the strength of Earth’s means you’ll rule the basketball court from the start. Temperatures near the equator can reach a pleasant 95° F, perfect for lounging. Just avoid the poles, where temps can dip below -200° F. A little dry carbon dioxide snow can’t be ruled out in the winter, and dust storms occasionally encompass the entire globe.
Plenty of space is still available on the solar system’s largest planets, Jupiter and Saturn. Okay, technically neither one has a real “surface” to stand on but they say swimming is the best exercise. The Great Red Spot (see image above), an Earth-sized cyclone packing winds of 200+mph, has been rolling across the atmosphere of Jupiter for at least 350 years. And there are lightning strikes 1,000 times more powerful than their earthly counterparts. Ask your agent about travel insurance options. Saturn is the only planet where you’ll find the warmest temperatures at the South pole. You’ll just have to contend with the gigantic, permanent hurricane that swirls there.
Those who want a vacation on the edge might like Neptune. Winds there exceed 1,300 mph at times, nearly supersonic, great for kite surfing on scenic frozen methane seas. And if you’re already looking ahead to an escape from the dog days of summer, reserve a lodge on the ice giant, Uranus. The solar system’s coldest temperatures, as low as -371° F, should make for a perfect powder.