2023-11-14 05:00:15
In the depths of the Venusian atmosphere, a layer of atomic oxygen was detected, revealing an unexpected aspect of this planet often described as inhospitable. Venus, characterized by corrosive air and toxic clouds, seems to contain, between these layers of harmful gases, a thin stratum of unbound oxygen.
Historically, Venus has received less scientific attention than Mars, the nearest terrestrial neighbor. However, recent reports on the possible presence of phosphine (Phosphine is the common name for phosphorus hydride (IUPAC name: phosphane).), an organic compound (A chemical compound is said to be organic when it contains at least one carbon atom…), in the Venusian clouds have revived interest in this planet (A planet is a celestial body orbiting the Sun or another star of…).
A false-color view of Venus.
Credit: NASA/JPL/USGS
NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a Boeing 747, also nicknamed Jumbo Jet , is an airliner designed by the aircraft manufacturer…) equipped with a 2.7 meter infrared telescope, has enabled new German astrophysicists analyzed data from SOFIA, focusing on 17 positions in the atmosphere. have several meanings 🙂 Venusian, both on the day and night sides of the planet. They detected atomic oxygen in all these areas. These results, published November 7 in the journal Nature Communications, are remarkable.
However, this atomic oxygen differs from breathable oxygen on Earth. While terrestrial oxygen is made up of two bonded oxygen atoms (O2), atomic oxygen is made up of individual, free-floating oxygen atoms. If breathed in, it would react too easily with lung tissues without reaching the bloodstream.
The presence of oxygen has been observed before on the night side of Venus, but this is the first time it has been detected in regions illuminated by the Sun. Researchers suspect that atomic oxygen accumulates when solar heat breaks down molecules of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide (Carbon monoxide is one of the oxides of carbon. Its raw formula is written CO and its formula. ..). High atmospheric winds then carry this oxygen to the night side of the planet, where the free oxygen atoms gradually react with other elements.
This layer of atomic oxygen might slightly cool the upper layers of the Venusian atmosphere. Although this modest cooling is not enough to counter the planet’s runaway greenhouse effect, it suggests a more forgiving past for Venus.
This discovery highlights how many mysteries still surround Earth’s “hostile twin.” With two upcoming NASA missions, as well as a mission led by the European Space Agency, Venus is likely to soon receive increased attention, potentially heralding future discoveries.
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