Scientists Discover Gases Escaping from Venus’ Atmosphere
New research using data from the European BepiColombo probe has revealed that gases, including carbon and oxygen, are leaking from the atmosphere of Venus. This finding sheds light on the dynamics of Venus’ atmosphere and the processes that have shaped it over billions of years.
Unlike Earth, Venus does not have a stable magnetic field that protects its atmosphere from escaping into outer space in large quantities. However, the Venus ionosphere acts as a barrier, separating the lower atmosphere from the solar wind. When the solar wind interacts with the charged particles in the upper atmosphere of Venus, it creates an “induced magnetosphere” around the planet.
In August 2021, the BepiColombo probe, on its way to explore Mercury, passed through Venus’ weak magnetosphere for about 90 minutes. Scientists analyzed the data collected during this flyby and discovered that sunlight accelerates atmospheric molecules to high speeds, causing charged particles and ions to escape from Venus.
Early Venus had similarities with Earth, including the presence of liquid water in the past. However, interactions with the solar wind over time led to the loss of most of the water, leaving behind an atmosphere dominated by carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and trace materials.
While scientists have previously detected trace amounts of oxygen on Venus, this new research marks the first observation of positively charged carbon ions escaping from the planet’s atmosphere. Understanding how these molecules are lost is crucial for unraveling the evolution of Venus’ atmosphere and the ongoing loss of water.
In the coming years, several spacecraft missions are planned to explore Venus, including ESA’s EnVision project, NASA’s VERITAS orbiter and DAVINCI probe, and India’s Shukrayaan orbiter. These missions aim to provide comprehensive images of Venus’ surface and internal environment, furthering our understanding of the planet.
As for BepiColombo, it is set to arrive at Mercury by the end of 2025, concluding its seven-year voyage. The findings from the probe’s flyby of Venus have been published in the journal Nature Astronomy, offering valuable insights into the planetary processes at play in our neighboring planet’s atmosphere.