(NewsNation) — Why did Venus, a planet about the same size as Earth and in just as good a distance from the sun to sustain life, become a lead-melting hellscape?
A new study in the journal Nature suggests that Venus lost all its water thanks to a runaway greenhouse effect caused by a chemical reaction called HCO+ dissociative recombination.
HCO+ is a molecule composed of an atom of hydrogen, an atom of carbon and an atom of oxygen. Scientists believe it was produced high in the atmosphere of Venus and helped push Venus’ water into space.
Because HCO+ lacks the electrons needed to balance its positive charge, the molecule would split when mixed with Venus’ atmosphere. That would send the hydrogen atoms away, possibly into space. And without hydrogen, there can’t be water (H2O).
Venus’ atmosphere today is about 96% carbon dioxide, and its surface temperature is nearly 900 degrees Fahrenheit – hot enough to melt lead and cook any organic material into nothing.
For now, it’s still a theory. To confirm it, scientists hope that NASA and other space agencies will set their sights on Venus. The most important mission coming up is the Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging, also known as “DAVINCI.” It’s set to launch in 2029.
