Space-based telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope have detected chemicals in the atmospheres of distant exoplanets. One intriguing case is K2-18b, a planet 120 light years away, which may contain dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a molecule primarily produced by marine life on Earth. This suggests the potential presence of life beneath its ocean-covered surface.
Despite these alien aromas, the most memorable scent for many astronauts remains that of the Earth itself. Sharman vividly recalls the smell of crushed wormwood after landing in Kazakhstan, a scent that brought back the unique comfort and warmth of home.
像是詹姆斯．韋伯太空望遠鏡這類太空望遠鏡曾在遙遠系外行星的大氣中探測出化學物質。其中一個引人入勝的例子是位在一百二十光年外的行星 K2-18b，可能含有二甲基硫醚，這是一種主要由地球海洋生物產生的分子。這暗示了其被海洋覆蓋的表面底下可能存在生命。
儘管太空中有這些陌生的氣味，但對許多太空人而言，最令人難忘的氣味仍是地球本身的氣味。沙曼清楚記得在哈薩克斯坦著陸後聞到被壓碎的苦艾草的氣味，一種喚起家的獨特溫暖與慰藉的氣味。
What Did You Learn?
1. How can smells help scientists learn about celestial bodies?
2. What could the discovery of life-related molecules on the exoplanet mentioned indicate?
參考答案 :
1. They provide clues about the composition of planets and moons.
2. It suggests the potential presence of life beneath its ocean-covered surface.
這座火山噴出煙與灰燼到天空中。
5. astronaut n. 太空人
The astronaut spent six months aboard the space station.
這位太空人在太空站待了六個月。
The smell of the ocean brings back memories of my childhood.
海洋的味道喚起了我童年的回憶。
