Venus’ clouds are thought to be composed of trace elements such as sulfuric acid and iron-containing compounds. The concentration of each of these compounds varies with height in the thick atmosphere of our neighboring planet. In a new study, researchers at the University of Cambridge have synthesized an iron-bearing sulfate mineral that is stable under the harsh chemical conditions of Venus’ clouds. Their spectroscopic analysis revealed that a combination of his two minerals, rhinoclase and acidic ferric sulfate, could explain the mysterious ultraviolet (UV) absorption features in Venus’ atmosphere.
Jean other. They hypothesize that there is an abundant, poorly understood, heterogeneous chemistry within Venusian cloud droplets that significantly influences cloud optical properties and the behavior of trace gas species throughout Venus’ atmosphere. I am. Image credit: Matthias Malmar / NASA.
There are several mysteries surrounding Venus’ clouds. They extend from 48 km to about 65 km and are located in the lower atmosphere (<48 km) と、光化学と力学が関係する上層大気 (>65 km).
In order to understand the chemical cycles between the Venusian atmosphere and its volcanic surfaces and to accurately interpret potential biosignatures, increasing research efforts are being focused on generating complete modeling frameworks for the Venusian atmosphere.
Dr Paul Rimmer, a researcher at the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, said: “The only data available on cloud composition has been collected by spacecraft, which reveals some strange aspects of clouds that have so far not been fully explained.'' “We have clarified the nature of this.'' .
“In particular, when examined under ultraviolet light, Venus’ clouds showed a specific pattern of ultraviolet absorption.”
“What elements, compounds, and minerals are involved in such observations?”
Rimmer and his colleagues synthesized several iron-bearing sulfate minerals in their aqueous geochemistry laboratory based on Venus’ atmospheric chemistry.
By suspending the synthesized material in various concentrations of sulfuric acid and monitoring chemical and mineralogical changes, we narrowed down the candidate minerals to rhinoclase and acidic ferric sulfate, and characterized their spectroscopic characteristics in a manner similar to that of the sun. examined under a light source specifically designed to mimic the spectrum. flare.
In an attempt to mimic even more extreme Venusian clouds, the authors measured the UV absorbance pattern of ferric sulfate under extremely acidic conditions.
“The pattern and level of absorption exhibited by the combination of these two mineral phases is consistent with the dark UV patches observed in the clouds of Venus,” said researcher Dr. Clancy Jijiang Jiang from the University of Cambridge.
“These targeted experiments reveal a complex chemical network in the atmosphere and shed light on elemental cycling on Venus’ surface.”
“Venus is our closest neighbor, but it remains mysterious,” Dr. Rimmer says.
“Future NASA and ESA missions will explore its atmosphere, clouds, and surface, giving us the opportunity to learn more about this planet in the coming years.”
“This study sets the stage for future exploration.”
team’s paper appear in the diary scientific progress.
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Clancy Jean Jean other. 2024. Iron and sulfur chemistry can explain ultraviolet absorbers in Venus’ clouds. Scientific Advances 10 (1); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adg8826
Source: www.sci.news
