SOFIA detects oxygen on Venus

• Scientists have now detected atomic oxygen in a thin layer sandwiched between two other layers of the Venusian atmosphere.
• They noted that this atomic oxygen, which consists of a single oxygen atom, differs from molecular oxygen, which consists of two oxygen atoms and is breathable.
• The oxygen is produced on the planet’s day side by ultraviolet radiation from the sun that breaks down atmospheric carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into oxygen atoms and other chemicals. Some of the oxygen is then transported by winds to the Venusian night side.
• They used an instrument aboard the SOFIA airborne observatory.

ABOUT VENUS

• Also called Earth’s twin.
• Venus, with a diameter of about 7,500 miles (12,000 km), is slightly smaller than Earth.
• Unlike Earth, where oxygen makes up about 21% of the atmosphere, Venus has a thick and noxious atmosphere dominated by carbon dioxide (96.5%), with smaller amounts of nitrogen and trace gases.
• It has no moons and rotates clockwise (east to west).
• It is the hottest planet due to “runaway greenhouse effect”.

ABOUT SOFIA

• It is a Boeing 747SP aircraft modified to carry an infrared telescope.
• It is a joint project between NASA and the German Aerospace Center.