We can’t smell space directly, because our noses don’t work in a vacuum. But astronauts aboard the ISS have reported that they notice a metallic aroma – like the smell of welding fumes – on the surface of their spacesuits once the airlock has re-pressurised. The Rosetta spacecraft also detected compounds responsible for the smell of rotten eggs, bitter almonds and cat urine, boiling off from the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
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Astronauts' reports of a metallic aroma in space and the detection of various compounds on the surface of celestial bodies like comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko provide fascinating insights into the olfactory experiences beyond Earth's atmosphere. This intriguing phenomenon stems from the interaction of cosmic elements and the human sensory system.
Firstly, the detection of a metallic smell by astronauts upon re-pressurization of their spacesuits after a spacewalk can be attributed to the unique environment of space. When they venture outside the International Space Station (ISS), their suits are exposed to the vacuum of space, devoid of an atmosphere. Upon returning to the airlock and re-pressurizing, residual substances on the suit's surface react with the newly introduced oxygen. This interaction creates distinct odors resembling welding fumes due to the oxidation of metallic components on the spacesuit or other chemical reactions caused by exposure to cosmic radiation.
Regarding the Rosetta spacecraft's findings on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, the detection of compounds responsible for the odors of rotten eggs, bitter almonds, and cat urine offers valuable insights into the composition of these celestial bodies. These odors likely originate from the sublimation or vaporization of various compounds present on the comet's surface when exposed to solar radiation. For instance, the detection of hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs), hydrogen cyanide (bitter almonds), and ammonia (cat urine) highlights the complex chemical makeup of comets, shedding light on their formation and evolution.
The ability to detect such odors in space not only broadens our understanding of extraterrestrial environments but also underscores the intricate relationship between chemistry, astrophysics, and sensory perception. This interdisciplinary approach allows us to glean information about distant cosmic objects and the fundamental processes occurring in the vastness of space.
As for the concepts referenced in the article:
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Olfactory Perception in Space: The absence of atmosphere affects how smells are perceived in space, leading to unique olfactory experiences.
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Spacesuit Interaction with Space Environment: Exposure to vacuum and cosmic elements can cause chemical reactions on spacesuits, resulting in distinct odors upon re-pressurization.
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Chemical Composition of Celestial Bodies: Analysis of compounds on comet surfaces provides insights into their composition, aiding in understanding their formation and evolution.
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Sublimation and Vaporization: Substances on celestial bodies undergo sublimation or vaporization when exposed to solar radiation, releasing detectable odors.
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Interdisciplinary Science: The study of space odors involves multiple disciplines like chemistry, astrophysics, and sensory perception to comprehend extraterrestrial environments.
The exploration of space and the detection of odors therein serve as intriguing avenues for scientific inquiry, offering glimpses into the mysteries of the universe beyond our home planet.
FAQs
Other astronauts have described it in similar yet varying ways: "burning metal," "a distinct odor of ozone, an acrid smell," "walnuts and brake pads," "gunpowder" and even "burnt almond cookie." Much like all wine connoisseurs smell something a bit different in the bottle, astronaut reports differ slightly in their " ...
What does the space smell like? ›
We can't smell space directly, because our noses don't work in a vacuum. But astronauts aboard the ISS have reported that they notice a metallic aroma – like the smell of welding fumes – on the surface of their spacesuits once the airlock has re-pressurised.
Does space smell like burnt toast? ›
This would explain the sour, metallic smell. So what about the other odors? There's probably something else going on. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), found in charred food like burnt toast and barbecued meat, also occur routinely in space.
Does space smell like burnt steak? ›
On the other hand, those who traversed the International Space Station compared the smell to burnt steak. Space scientists have said that the source of the metallic, burnt meat stink can be attributed to Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), found in charred foods on Earth. They routinely occur in outer space.
How can you smell in space if there is no oxygen? ›
Space is mostly a vacuum, meaning there is no air to breathe or smell. However, when astronauts go to the International Space Station, it is pressurised with air so they can breathe, which means they can also smell.
What do galaxies smell like? ›
Based strictly on chemical analysis, some scientists have concluded that the center of our galaxy smells like raspberries, and tastes like rum.
What does Mars smell like? ›
Morie suspects that the predominant Mars odor is a slightly acrid, gassy smell of sulfur compounds, with a chalky, sweet overtone punching through. This scent would become a big part of Red Planet settlers' lives.
What do planets smell like? ›
Mercury has a very sparse atmosphere and so would not have much of a smell at all. Venus and Mars, much like Uranus, have substantial quantities of eggy hydrogen sulphide. For Jupiter, the smell would depend on where you were in the atmosphere.
What does space taste like? ›
raspberries (potentially). This may sound ludicrous at first, but in 2009, a team of astronomers discovered the raspberry-like quality of a dust cloud near the centre of our galaxy, known as Sagittarius B2.
Does your blood boil in space? ›
First, the good news: Your blood won't boil. On Earth, liquids boil at a lower temperature when there's less atmospheric pressure; outer space is a vacuum, with no pressure at all; hence the blood boiling idea.
No, you cannot hear any sounds in near-empty regions of space. Sound travels through the vibration of atoms and molecules in a medium (such as air or water). In space, where there is no air, sound has no way to travel.
What does the sun smell like? ›
But the truth is that the sun itself doesn't have a smell — or if it does, we can't get a whiff of it. So what we're left with is the "smell" of outside air. And that's where the story gets interesting, because it turns out that air really does smell differently based on whether it's a warm, sunny day or a cold one.
Why is space black? ›
In space or on the Moon there is no atmosphere to scatter light. The light from the sun travels a straight line without scattering and all the colors stay together. Looking toward the sun we thus see a brilliant white light while looking away we would see only the darkness of empty space.
What would happen if you tried to breathe in space? ›
All living organisms require energy to grow, move and survive. In space, there's not enough breathable oxygen to allow these processes to happen. Plus, in a low-pressure environment like space, even if someone did have air in their lungs, it's likely the air would expand quickly, and their lungs would burst.
Does space have a bottom? ›
there is no top, or bottom or left, or right, or front or back to the universe… it just keeps going forever in every direction.
What do astronauts think space smells like? ›
"Space definitely has a smell that's different than anything else," said astronaut Dominic "Tony" Antonelli in 2009. According to Space, those who have participated in the Apollo moon landing and those who have worked at the International Space Station both said that the moon smells like gunpowder and burnt steak.
What does Earth smell like to astronauts? ›
It kind of stinks. "When astronauts return from space walks and remove their helmets, they are welcomed back with a peculiar smell. An odor that is distinct and weird: something, astronauts have described it, like "seared steak." And also: "hot metal." And also: "welding fumes." (What Space Smells Like ).
Does space smell like fried chicken? ›
Astronauts have reported smelling “burned” or “fried” steak after a space walk, and they aren't just dreaming of a home-cooked meal. The smell of space is so distinct that, three years ago, NASA reached out to Steven Pearce of the fragrance maker Omega Ingredients to re-create the odor for its training simulations.
