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Venus Clouds May Harbor Water, Defying Acid Theory

10/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Reanalysis of Pioneer Venus data suggests Venus' clouds hold water, challenging sulfuric acid dominance.
Researchers from Cal Poly Pomona, University of Wisconsin, Arizona State, and NASA led the work.
The analysis used data from the Neutral Mass Spectrometer and Gas Chromatograph aboard the Pioneer Venus Large Probe.
Findings show water is mainly bound in hydrates, undetectable by remote sensing.

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Story summary

Reanalysis of Pioneer Venus data suggests Venus' clouds hold water, challenging sulfuric acid dominance.
Researchers from Cal Poly Pomona, University of Wisconsin, Arizona State, and NASA led the work.
The analysis used data from the Neutral Mass Spectrometer and Gas Chromatograph aboard the Pioneer Venus Large Probe.
Findings show water is mainly bound in hydrates, undetectable by remote sensing.