Scientists Detect Oxygen in Venus: Certainly! The recent discovery of atomic oxygen in Venus’s atmosphere has unveiled new insights into the composition and dynamics of our neighboring planet. Scientists, using the SOFIA airborne observatory, detected a thin layer of atomic oxygen sandwiched between two atmospheric layers on Venus. This finding marks the first direct detection of oxygen on the side of Venus facing the sun, where it is produced through solar UV radiation breaking down atmospheric carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Venus, unlike Earth, has a thick atmosphere dominated by carbon dioxide (96.5%), with negligible amounts of oxygen. The dense atmosphere, combined with a runaway greenhouse effect, makes Venus inhospitable for known Earthly organisms. The newfound oxygen is crucial evidence of photochemistry in action, initiated by solar UV radiation, with resulting products transported by Venus’s atmospheric winds.
The research sheds light on the complex atmospheric processes on Venus, from the dense sulfuric acid clouds at around 65 km altitude to hurricane-force winds at different layers. The detected oxygen concentration lies at an altitude of about 100 km, situated between these turbulent layers. The temperature of the oxygen varies from approximately minus 120°C on the planet’s day side to minus 160°C on its night side.
This discovery adds a significant piece to the puzzle of Venus’s atmospheric evolution. While Earth resides comfortably in the habitable zone around the sun, Venus, just inside this boundary, presents a stark contrast. Scientists acknowledge that we are still in the early stages of unraveling the mysteries of Venus and understanding why it differs so profoundly from Earth.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Was there oxygen on Venus?
Oxygen has been directly detected by researchers on the side of Venus that faces the sun, where it is produced in the atmosphere. This marks the first time that oxygen has been detected in this location. Additionally, oxygen was also detected on the side of Venus facing away from the sun, which had previously been spotted by a ground-based telescope in Hawaii. These findings provide valuable insights into the atmospheric composition of Venus and its potential for supporting life.
What have scientists found on Venus?
Upon re-analyzing the in situ data collected by Pioneer Venus Multiprobe in 1978, it was discovered that phosphine and its dissociation products were present in the atmosphere of Venus. More recently, in 2021, a further analysis detected trace amounts of ethane, hydrogen sulfide, nitrite, nitrate, hydrogen cyanide, and potentially ammonia. These findings shed new light on the composition of Venus’ atmosphere and provide valuable insights for future research.
What has NASA found on Venus?
In 1994, NASA’s Magellan spacecraft completed a five-year mission to Venus, where it utilized radar to map the planet’s scorching surface. The data collected by Magellan revealed a landscape characterized by intense volcanic activity, with a relatively youthful surface that had undergone recent geological transformations. Additionally, the spacecraft identified towering mountain ranges that stretched across the planet’s terrain.
Which planet was found with oxygen?
Recent findings from a decommissioned NASA telescope reveal the presence of atomic oxygen in Venus’ atmosphere. While previous studies have hinted at this, this marks the first time it has been directly detected on the planet’s day side.