Scientists have officially detected atomic oxygen in the atmosphere of Venus during daylight. This newfound insight into the circulation patterns and dynamics of the Venusian atmosphere comes from direct detections by astronomers. In a recent study led by physicist Heinz-Wilhelm Hübers from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the team confirmed the presence of atomic oxygen on Venus’ dayside, complementing previous detections on the planet’s nightside.
Venus, often likened to Earth, starkly differs with its toxic atmosphere and scorching temperatures. The planet’s thick carbon dioxide clouds form a blistering greenhouse environment that results in staggering average surface temperatures of approximately 464 degrees Celsius (867 Fahrenheit).
Winds on Venus can reach speeds of over 700 kilometers per hour, surpassing Earth’s maximum recorded wind speed of 407 kilometers per hour. Scientists are eager to understand the factors that led Venus and Earth on such disparate paths.
Atomic oxygen’s role in the Venusian atmosphere is crucial. Unlike the molecular oxygen we breathe (O2), atomic oxygen is highly reactive and exists as single, lone atoms. Exposure to sunlight leads to the breakdown of carbon dioxide molecules in Venus’ atmosphere, resulting in the presence of atomic oxygen. These atoms recombine during Venus’ nightside, emitting a faint glow. While this process was understood to occur on the nightside, daylight detection was a new revelation.
By analyzing data collected by SOFIA probing Venus’ atmosphere from Earth’s high atmosphere, the researchers identified atomic oxygen in 17 locations on Venus. Notably, these detections peaked at an altitude of about 100 kilometers, aligning with the transitional zone between dominant atmospheric circulation patterns.
The team concludes that further observations of atomic oxygen in the Venusian atmosphere can enhance our understanding of the marked differences between the atmospheres of Venus and Earth. Their research, published in Nature Communications, paves the way for future space missions and deeper insights into our neighboring planet.
