Scientists have identified a water-loss mechanism on Venus that could explain how the once water-rich world became completely parched.
In the newly identified process, linked to a previously overlooked molecule high in Venus’ atmosphere, water escaped Venus at double the rate previously estimated. As faster water loss means less time is needed to boil away the planet’s water reservoir, scientists say Venus may have harbored oceans — and potentially habitable conditions — for longer than previously thought before the drying process began.
“This would provide more time for possible life to arise,” study co-author Eryn Cangi, a research scientist at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) in Colorado, wrote in The Conversation. “Our results don’t mean oceans or life were definitely present, though — answering that question will require lots more science over many years.”
“Writer Fuel” is a series of cool real-world stories that might inspire your little writer heart. Check out our Writer Fuel page on the LimFic blog for more inspiration.
