London: European Space Agency (ESA) in an investigation has
discovered that the atmosphere of planet Venus has an ozone
layer too. Comparing its properties with those of the equivalent
layers on Earth and Mars will help astronomers refine their
search for life on other planets. The space probe, Venus
Express, made the discovery while watching stars seen right at
the edge of the planet set through its atmosphere. The ozone -
which has a molecule containing three oxygen atoms, was
detectable because it absorbed some of the ultraviolet rays from
the starlight, reports say. According to computer models, the
ozone on Venus is formed when sunlight breaks up carbon dioxide
molecules, releasing oxygen atoms, according to an EPA
statement. "This detection gives us an important constraint on
understanding the chemistry of Venus' atmosphere," says Franck
Montmessin, of the ESA, who led the research. It may also offer
a useful comparison for searching for life on other worlds.
Ozone has only been previously detected in t