Air is Earth’s unique gaseous delight, but a team of astrophysicists has made a satisfying discovery. It directly observed atomic oxygen on the dayside of Venus, confirming that the element important to our existence exists on both sides of this hellish planet.
The second planet from the sun’s atmosphere is made up of about 96% carbon dioxide and other gases such as nitrogen, with very little oxygen.But there is ~ Several Oxygen, and some of the elements, were previously discovered on the dark side of Venus. Well, the same can be said about the scorching sun side of the world.
Observations conducted over three days in 2021 (including this day two years ago) revealed the existence of atomic oxygen at 17 different locations on Earth (including 7 locations on the dayside). Became. The oxygen was discovered about 62 miles (100 km) above the surface of Venus, sandwiched between Venus’ sulfuric acid clouds and strong winds blowing about 120 km (120 km) above the surface. The team’s research published This week nature communications.
The researchers believe that Venus’ oxygen probably comes from carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide molecules, which are broken down by energy from the sun and transported to the planet’s dark side by strong winds in Venus’ upper atmosphere. .
Helmut Wiesemeyer, an astrophysicist at the Planck Institute for Radio Studies, said: “The detection of atomic oxygen on Venus is due to photochemical effects caused by the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and its products being transported by winds in Venus’ atmosphere.” This is direct evidence that this will happen.” Astronomer and co-author of the paper, told Reuters.
Venus wasn’t always such a hospitable place, with an average temperature of 850 degrees Fahrenheit and a toxic atmosphere full of sulfuric acid clouds. Due to the similarities and obvious differences between the two worlds, this planet is sometimes referred to as Earth’s fraternal twin.Venus There may have once been an oceanevaporated when Earth went into a runaway greenhouse effect (although later research showed it may have been an ocean of water) It was actually a lava lake).
“Venus is not hospitable to life, at least as we know it from Earth,” Heinz Wilhelm Hubers, a physicist at the German Aerospace Center and lead author of the study, told Reuters. Ta. “We’re still just beginning to understand the evolution of Venus and why it’s so different from Earth.”
In quick succession in spring 2021, NASA and ESA announced three missions focused on Venus. The US space agency has given the green light to VERITAS and DAVINCI+, while Europe has announced the Venus orbiter EnVision.Since then, VERITAS’ mission has been to Delayed due to funding issuesBut the space agency remains committed to a deeper understanding of the yellowish world, which could provide insight into Earth’s own evolution over its 4.6 billion year existence.
In other words, we are preparing for a completely new picture of the second planet from the Sun, which will come into focus around 2030.
more: Why Venus will soon become the most exciting place in the solar system