We are used to thinking that among the planets of the solar system, only Mars, if, of course, do not take into account the Earth itself, could once have been a haven for life. However, according to the latest data, our larger neighbor, Venus, may also once have oceans of water. New computer simulations, the results of which are described in the scientific journal Journal of Geological Research: Planets, suggest that Venus is an excellent example of the result of the so-called "runaway" greenhouse effect and could once have a giant ocean on its surface.
The publication reports that if there was an optimal combination of the atmosphere of early Venus, in which there would be carbon dioxide and water, the planet would be suitable for life. Earlier studies conducted last year by Goddard Institute for Space Research astrophysicist Michael Way have also performed similar computer simulations. Then they showed that with a slower rotation of Venus around its axis, which was 116 Earth days (the current figure is 146 days), this feature would allow a rather dense cloud layer over the planet to form about 715 million years ago, with an average surface temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. Given that the current surface temperature of Venus is 460 degrees, it is not surprising that this possibility is very interested in scientists.
Continuing to explore this issue, planetary scientist Emmanuelle Marsic of the University of Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (France) and his colleagues used computer simulations to see how particles of cooled molten lava could interact with streams of sunlight passing through the planet's evolving atmosphere. The results showed that even with the current level of carbon dioxide, Venus needed only 10 percent of the mass of the Earth's water in order to form an ocean on its surface.
“This work aims to better understand the habitability potential of exoplanets,” Way said in an interview with Science News.
Marsicus, in turn, added that the question of whether Venus once had oceans is still a subject of heated debate.
Nikolay Khizhnyak
