Confirmed: Oxygen Detected in Venus' Atmosphere, Day and Night

A team of astrophysicists has directly observed atomic oxygen in the day side atmosphere of Venus for the first time. Using data from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), the researchers found evidence of atomic oxygen in 17 points in Venus' atmosphere. The presence of atomic oxygen on both the day and night sides suggests that it is formed by the sun's energy breaking apart carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide molecules. The researchers also suggest that atomic oxygen has a cooling effect on Venus' upper atmosphere.