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SURPRISING CLUE ABOUT VENUS’ PAST FOUND IN ITS ATMOSPHERE
The secret lies in the ratio of two specific elements
Reported by Victoria Corless
Scientists have observed something unexpected in Venus’ atmosphere – an increase in the level of deuterium relative to hydrogen. The consequences of this discovery could upend our current understanding of the amber world. As it turns out, it would affect our assumption that Venus is a perpetually barren, inhospitable planet. “Venus is often called Earth’s twin due to its similar size,” said Hiroki Karyu, a researcher at Tohoku University and one of the new study’s scientists. “Despite the similarities between the two planets, it has evolved differently. Unlike Earth, Venus has extreme surface conditions.”