Scientists finally have detected atomic oxygen in the atmosphere of the planet Mars. The last attempt at finding the element in the atmosphere of the planet was made 40 years ago.
According to NASA's website, the atoms of oxygen were discovered in the upper layers of the Martian atmosphere, called the mesosphere. The discovery has been presented in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics. This important finding will enable scientists to better understand Mars' atmosphere and the planet's history.
Atomic oxygen can also enable scientists study Mars' atmospheric erosion and understand how other gases escape the planet's atmosphere. Oxygen also affects the Martian thermosphere located above the mesosphere, especially the phenomenon of radiative cooling from the carbon-dioxide bands.
The atomic oxygen was discovered with the help of an instrument on board of SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. SOFIA is a Boeing 747SP jet modified to carry a 100-inch diameter telescope for research purposes.
In the past, with space missions such as the Viking and Mariner missions of the 1970s, it was difficult to detect atomic oxygen in the Martian atmosphere. Back at the time, scientists did not have instruments capable to measure accurately the wavelengths associated with atomic oxygen.
CNN reports that the SOFIA team working with the German Aerospace Center was able to observe the far-infrared wavelengths while the SOFIA jet was flying between 37,000 feet to 45,000 feet. That altitude allowed the instruments to avoid the moisture in Earth's atmosphere that blocks infrared wavelength detection.
Researchers were able to distinguish between oxygen from the Martian atmosphere and that of our atmosphere. But most likely due to variations in the atmosphere itself, they discovered only half the amount of atomic oxygen expected. Scientists will continue to study the Martian atmosphere using SOFIA.
According to Business Insider, atomic oxygen is very different from the one we breathe. However, it may affect how easily gases escape the Martian atmosphere. Those protective gases enveloping Mars may have played a critical role if the planet ever supported life.
