Astronomers observing the atmosphere of Venus have found clear signs that oxygen is floating above its toxic clouds. This is the first time this has been directly confirmed. the presence of oxygen atoms on our neighboring planet.
This does not mean that you can breathe on Venus. The oxygen detected is different from Earth’s. Astronomers have found atomic oxygenwhich consists of one oxygen atom instead of two, as on the surface of the Earth.
Scientists made this discovery thanks to data collected in November 2021 by NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). The mission used a Boeing 747SP aircraft that was modified to carry a 2.5-meter reflecting telescope built by the German space agency DLR. His work ended last year.
Atomic oxygen was discovered in a thin layer of the atmosphere, between the mesosphere and thermosphere of Venus. The study, published this week in the journal Natural communications, explains that oxygen is produced on the dayside of the planet. This is caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun, which breaks down atmospheric carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into oxygen atoms and other chemicals. Some of the oxygen is then carried by winds to the night side of Venus.
A day on Venus is very long: it lasts 243 Earth days. It lasts longer than the Venusian year: the planet revolves around the Sun in just 225 Earth days. Its dense atmosphere, dominated by carbon dioxide, traps heat as a result of the runaway greenhouse effect., making it the hottest planet in our solar system. Their surface temperature is so high that they can melt lead.
What does the presence of oxygen on Venus mean?
Until now, Thanks to indirect methods, it was assumed that Venus has atomic oxygen. These were based on measurements of other molecules combined with photochemical models.
Venus has a layer of clouds containing sulfuric acid about 65 kilometers above its surface. Hurricane-force winds were recorded there, blowing in the direction opposite to the rotation of the planet. And higher up, about 120 kilometers above the earth, strong winds blow in the same direction as its rotational motion.
Oxygen was discovered between these two chaotic layers at an altitude of approximately 100 kilometers. Oxygen temperatures ranged from -120°C on the day side to -256°C on the night side.
Finding evidence for the existence of oxygen in its elemental form has been difficult because of its reactivity: it tends to quickly bond with other elements it encounters. The method used to study them, the team emphasizes, will allow for a detailed study of the atmosphere of Venus, which will contribute to future space missions to Venus.
Venus is the second planet from the Sun and our closest planetary neighbor. It is similar in structure and size to Earth, but rotates slowly in the opposite direction to most planets.
Source: Hiper Textual
