Space may be silent, but it isn’t scentless. According to Marina Barcenilla, a space scientist and fragrance designer, different celestial bodies give off a surprising range of smells. For example, Jupiter has cloud layers filled with chemicals like ammonia and sulfur, which could smell like cat urine or rotten eggs. Deeper layers, those closer to the planet’s core, might smell oily and garlicky due to phosphorus and tholins, complex organic molecules that can smell like gasoline.
Barcenilla, who recreates cosmic scents for exhibitions, says these smells provide clues about the composition of planets and moons. For instance, the atmosphere of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, is believed to smell like a mix of bitter almonds, petrol, and rotten fish. Other planets and moons have been described as emitting odors that smell like gunpowder or burning plastic.
Astronauts have also reported distinctive smells during space missions. Helen Sharman, the UK’s first astronaut, recalls a strong metallic scent inside the spacecraft after spacewalks. Scientists believe this comes from atomic oxygen reacting with materials on spacesuits, which produces ozone, a sharp smell commonly noticed after thunderstorms.
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太空也許寂靜，但它並非無味。根據太空科學家兼香氛設計師瑪麗娜．巴塞尼拉的說法，不同的天體散發出的氣味多樣到令人驚訝。例如，木星的雲層中充滿了像氨和硫這類的化學物質，可能聞起來像貓尿或臭掉的雞蛋。而更深層、靠近行星核心的部分，則因含有磷和托林（複雜有機分子，聞起來可能像汽油）而可能聞起來油膩且帶有大蒜味。
巴塞尼拉為展覽重現這些宇宙氣味，她表示，這些氣味能為關於行星和衛星的組成提供線索。舉例來說，據信土星最大的衛星泰坦的大氣聞起來像是混合了苦杏仁、汽油和腐爛的魚。其他行星與衛星也被描述為散發出聞起來像火藥或燃燒塑膠的氣味。
太空人在太空任務中也曾回報過一些獨特的氣味。英國首位太空人海倫．沙曼回憶，在太空漫步回到太空艙後聞到一股強烈的金屬味。科學家認為，這是原子氧與太空衣材料反應所產生的臭氧味──人們常在雷雨過後聞到這種刺鼻的氣味。
Photos: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
Words in Use
1. scentless a. 無氣味的
The flower looks pretty but is completely scentless.
這朵花看起來很漂亮，但完全沒有味道。
2. molecule n. 分子
Each water molecule contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
每個水分子都含有兩個氫原子和一個氧原子。
3. composition n. 組成
The scientists studied the composition of a planet’s atmosphere.
科學家研究行星大氣的組成。
Practical Phrases
1. give off. . . 發出……（氣味、光、熱等）
The flowers give off a sweet scent in the evening.
這些花在傍晚時會散發出甜美的香氣。
2. describe A as B 把 A 描述為 B
Many people describe the girl as kind and hardworking.
許多人形容那個女孩既善良又勤奮。
3. react with. . . 與……起反應
Baking soda reacts with vinegar to produce bubbles.
小蘇打和醋會起反應，產生氣泡。
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本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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