How Do Scientists Know There's No Oxygen in Space?
Ever wondered how scientists figured out there's no oxygen in space? Discover the intriguing clues that reveal space is a void of air in this compelling article.
Ever stop to think about how scientists figured out there's no oxygen floating around in outer space? It’s actually quite an interesting tale!
Gravitational Clues
Back in the 1600s, scientists like Newton observed the movements of planets and noticed something peculiar. If there was any air out there, it would create a drag on planets, slowing them down or altering their orbits. But since the planets kept plugging along perfectly fine, it was clear there was nothing to slow them down – a pretty solid hint that space is a friction-free zone without air.
Light as a Detective
Stars and other celestial bodies provide valuable clues, too. When scientists look at the spectrum of light from stars passing through or reflecting off a planet’s atmosphere (or lack thereof), they can deduce the presence of elements like oxygen. The moon, for instance, doesn’t dim the stars when they pass behind it, unlike how Earth scatters light due to its atmosphere. That’s another clue telling us space is void of air.
The Pressure is Off
Even simple experiments demonstrate how atmosphere pressure decreases with altitude. Historically, as folks trekked to higher elevations, they noticed breathing became tougher – less air, less oxygen. Instruments like specially designed jars showed pressure differences and reinforced the notion that the upper atmosphere thins out, again pointing to a space devoid of air.
Modern Measurements
Today’s scientists use sophisticated tools like RF telescopes to scan for signals emitted by elements such as oxygen. If they don’t detect the radio waves associated with oxygen frequencies, it indicates its absence. This aligns with what earlier scientists hypothesized from earthly observations.
So, even though we can’t visibly see "nothing," scientists have been building a case for centuries using smart observations and clever experiments, proving once and for all, out there in the vastness of space, air—and oxygen—are MIA.
