Venus on Earth? The sunniest spot on our planet is in Chile

tech.hindustantimes.com:

Venus is a planet known for its un-Earthly temperatures. NASA says surface temperatures on Venus are about 900 degrees Fahrenheit (475 degrees Celsius). However, on planet Earth, there is a sun-soaked hellish place on our planet too and it is nestled in the heart of Chile and it is as sunny as the surface of Venus. But it is not the temperature that makes it so, it is the radiation hazard.

Scientists have recently disclosed that a desert in the vicinity of the Andes Mountains officially holds the title of the sunniest place on Earth. Situated in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, the Chajnantor Plateau, standing tall at over 15,700 feet (4,800 meters) above sea level, boasts unparalleled levels of sunlight due to its remarkably cloudless conditions, according to a Washington Post report.

The intensity of sunlight on the Chajnantor Plateau is so potent that being there is akin to experiencing the solar radiance found on the planet Venus. This astonishing revelation stems from an analysis conducted by researchers from the University of Santiago, who examined the region's climate and weather patterns.

The Atacama Desert, with its exceptionally arid and rainless conditions, experiences minimal cloud cover. Consequently, the Chajnantor Plain receives an abundance of sunlight.

During the summer months, average temperatures hover slightly above 39.2°F (4°C) due to the adjacent Pacific Ocean receiving frigid water currents from Antarctica. This mitigates the desert heat, making it a relatively chilly desert by day, despite its immense sunlight. However, this desert location is not an ideal spot for leisurely sunbathing.

In such extreme conditions, conventional sunscreens like Factor 20 prove inadequate to protect against sunburn.