Recent research has uncovered a new water-loss mechanism on Venus that could hold the key to the planet’s transformation from a potentially habitable world to the parched desert it is today.
Scientists have long been puzzled by how Venus lost its water, and a study published in the journal “Science” sheds light on this mystery. The study reveals that a previously overlooked molecule high in Venus’ atmosphere, HCO+, is responsible for water escaping the planet at a much faster rate than previously thought.
This accelerated water loss could mean that Venus may have once had oceans and conditions suitable for life for longer than previously believed. The study suggests that Venus and Earth both received similar amounts of water early in their history, but Venus lost most of it due to receiving more sunlight.
The mechanism, known as HCO+ dissociative recombination, is believed to have played a crucial role in removing the last bits of water on Venus. Computer models show that this mechanism helps bridge the gap between the expected and observed water loss on the planet.
Despite the significance of this discovery, scientists have not yet detected the HCO+ molecule on Venus, and upcoming missions to the planet are not equipped to do so. The lead author of the study emphasizes the need for further research to confirm the presence of HCO+ and to gain a better understanding of Venus’ history.
Ultimately, unraveling this new water-loss mechanism on Venus could provide valuable insights into the planet’s evolution and help scientists better understand the fate of water on other rocky planets in our solar system.
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