Scientists Directly Detect Atomic Oxygen on Both Dayside and Nightside of Venus for the First Time

Detection facilitated by SOFIA airborne observatory offers insights into atmospheric dynamics and composition of Venus, offers potential for better understanding of future climate changes on Earth.

Scientists have directly detected atomic oxygen on the dayside of Venus for the first time, using the SOFIA airborne observatory, complementing previous detection on the nightside.
The detection of atomic oxygen in Venus’s atmosphere offers insights into how the carbon dioxide that predominates the planet's atmosphere is created and reformed.
Atomic oxygen, which is highly reactive and usually bonds to other atoms, is abundant at high altitudes on Earth but seems to be much more abundant on Venus.
The atomic oxygen on Venus is produced by ultraviolet radiation from the sun that decomposes atmospheric carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, and subsequently transported by wind to Venus’s nightside.
The discovery of atomic oxygen, particularly on the planet's dayside, could help scientists understand how Venus came to be so dramatically different from Earth.