text: It is a challenge, despite how close the planet is to Earth. The fact that Venus is so inhospitable makes astronomers want to solve the problem of the conditions even more. What also makes them fascinated is that Venus once use to be the most like Earth. The author states, "Astronomers are fascinated by Venus because it may well once have been the most Earth-like planet in our solar system." Scientists predicted that Venus was most likely full of oceans and various life forms, just like Earth. This is another reason that scientists want to find out about the mysterious planet.