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Venus Express Mission Reveals Dramatic Changes in Venus's Atmosphere
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Researchers using ESA's Venus Express discovered unexpected increases in H2O and HDO, water molecules with different isotopes, in Venus's middle atmosphere. The ratio of HDO to H2O surged significantly, suggesting a history of water loss and potential past habitability.
Venus, now harsh and dry, might once have had abundant water like Earth. The high HDO/H2O ratio, 120 times what's seen on Earth, indicates heavy water loss due to hydrogen's light weight, allowing it to escape into space.
A proposed mechanism for this involves sulfuric acid aerosols forming above the clouds, which then rise, heat up, and release more HDO than H2O, starting a cycle that enriches the atmosphere in deuterium.
These findings, crucial for understanding planetary habitability, were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
| Scores | Value | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Objectivity | 7 | Comprehensive reporting with balanced viewpoints and in-depth analysis. |
| Social Impact | 4 | Sparks strong social discussion, influencing some public opinion. |
| Credibility | 6 | Credible and verified independently by multiple sources. |
| Potential | 5 | High potential to trigger significant scientific and planetary exploration discussions. |
| Practicality | 4 | Highly practical, directly applicable to planetary science research. |
| Entertainment Value | 2 | Slightly monotonous but includes scientific interest. |