First direct evidence: researchers discover oxygen on Venus

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How exactly life develops on a planet is still largely unclear to scientists. But one thing is certain: oxygen (O₂) plays an important role – at least on Earth. About 20 percent of our atmosphere consists of the element that forms the basis for plant and animal life.

Scientists from Germany wanted to determine whether oxygen also occurs on other planets. And to everyone’s surprise, they found out: the supposed elixir of life also exists on Venus. The planet looks more like a nest of embers. With temperatures around 450 degrees and a thick, toxic atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide (CO₂), the planet is anything but hospitable.

Atmosphere full of oxygen

As “Spiegel” reports, oxygen on Venus also has a different form. While on Earth the element exists in molecular form (O₂) with two bonded atoms, on Venus it is atomic. Means: The atoms are individual. According to the paper, this unstable shape is only possible under certain conditions – such as in the high layers of Venus’ atmosphere. The element is created there by chemical reactions under the influence of light.

The physicist Heinz-Wilhelm Hübers was involved in the research that could detect oxygen. Using a flying infrared observatory, he and his team examined 17 points of Venus’ atmosphere. They were able to detect the element on both the day and night sides of the planet and make it visible in the form of spectral lines. The element was concentrated at an altitude of about 100 kilometers.

“Our measurements are an indication that atomic oxygen is distributed in an atmospheric layer over the entire Venus,” Hübers told the newspaper. In the same breath he also emphasizes: “This knowledge cannot be used to conclude that life is possible.”

The results are still valuable for researchers, explains astrophysicist Miriam Rengel: ‘This oxygen says nothing about life on Venus. But that does not matter! Because it can do something different: it opens a new window to study the circulation of the wind and the dynamics of the atmosphere.» According to the scientist, the clue for such observations so far has been the substance carbon monoxide (CO). “Now we have another tracer.”

Venus as a natural laboratory

Oxygen also likes to combine with other elements. This allows researchers to learn more about chemical processes on Venus. “By tracking it, we can discover where and when molecules are formed.”

The astrophysicist therefore sees Venus as a kind of ‘natural laboratory’ that allows researchers to learn more about the evolution of planets and the origins of life. “Of course we are interested in finding life beyond Earth. But it is also exciting to first understand the conditions under which a celestial body actually becomes a habitable planet – or not.”

Several companies plan to send probes to Venus to search for signs of life. But Rengel thinks it is unlikely that they will find what they are looking for: “Even though I don’t believe there are any traces of life to be found, I wish them the best of luck.” (Mrs)

Source: Blick