Scientists are recreating the smells of planets to better understand their composition. Marina Barcenilla, a space scientist at the University of Westminster, is leading efforts to reconstruct planetary odors using known molecular compositions.
Jupiter, a gas giant, has a complex scent profile due to its varying cloud layers. According to Barcenilla, the top cloud layer smells like cat urine, while deeper layers transition to rotten eggs, gasoline, and a hint of garlic. These varying scents are due to the presence of ammonia ice, ammonium sulfide, and organic molecules called tholins.
Titan, Saturn's largest moon, is believed to emit a fragrance reminiscent of sweet almonds, gasoline, and rotting fish. By recreating these scents, scientists aim to make the chemical makeup of these distant worlds more relatable and understandable to both the scientific community and the public. The exercise helps translate abstract data into sensory experiences.