Why doesn't Oxygen exist in Space

spacehead · May 3, 2005

Stupid question i know. But i don't know so maybe this thread will help me find the answer?

yevaud · May 3, 2005

There *is* some oxygen is space, just like other elements. It's been detected, for example, in interstellar gas clouds, as well as carbon, nitrogen, etc. But it's very thinly spread... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Differential Diagnosis: "I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are." </div>

najab · May 3, 2005

There is free oxygen - both molecular and atomic - in space.

Saiph · May 3, 2005

Yep, oxygen exists in space, in stars, as free oxygen (densities are low so it doesn't have to combine) or more commonly as O2 or O3, or ionized (and thus individual atoms). Steve, I think a word that would work well in your post is: release. Plants release oxygen, as it tends to bind with well, everything. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

centsworth_II · May 3, 2005

Interestingly, your link does not list O2. But elswhere on the same site, oxygen is named as being found in stars. It would exist in stars in its atomic form -- not as part of a compound. When the star gave off the oxygen, I would expect much of it to remain in atomic form from lack of encountering another atom to combine with. But is this the actual case? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Saiph · May 3, 2005

btw, I may be mistaken on the O2 comment, I know there is lots of organics (CO and such)...and I'm a little frazzled from a final right now. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

centsworth_II · May 3, 2005

Since every element of higher atomic weight than lithium is made in stars, and is released in atomic (or ionic) form from those stars, all compounds would have been formed in interstellar space. I would think this to include O2 as well as CO2 or H2O. But I don't know. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

CalliArcale · May 3, 2005

I feel sure I've read about clouds of O2 being discovered out there in space. There are probably clouds of quite a lot of different molecules, the universe being as vast as it is. I know they've found water clouds and alcohol clouds. Oxygen's very reactive, so it's not going to last long (on an astronomical scale) if there's other stuff around for it to react with. But in isolation, it can persist. Oxygen *atoms*, of course, are quite numerous, especially in water. <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /> But that's probably a smart-aleck response. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff." -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

nexium · May 4, 2005

At sea level, there are billions of oxygen atoms per cubic meter of air. For space in our solar system, the average is perhaps one oxygen atom per cubic meter, along with similar quantities of several other elements. At present we have no practical way to concentrate space elements to useful quantities. Neil

yevaud · May 4, 2005

Yes. Mining the Belt and Gas Giants for ice will likely become big business a century from now, all to feed burgeoning colonies... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Differential Diagnosis: "I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are." </div>

Saiph · May 4, 2005

you'd need a lot of comets to accomplish that! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

yevaud · May 4, 2005

You damned sure would. I was thinking along the lines of a several hundred person colony. Might (*might*) be sustainable. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Differential Diagnosis: "I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are." </div>

Saiph · May 4, 2005

oh, I think mining asteroids and comets might sustain a decent sized colony (these things can be quite large afterall...). I was refering to the idea of using them to create a martian atmosphere. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

yevaud · May 4, 2005

Oh yes, that idea. It also involved several hundred km radius mirrors in orbit, to heat the poles, yes? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Differential Diagnosis: "I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are." </div>

Leovinus · May 5, 2005

Isn't it ironic that the oxygen atom itself consists mostly of empty space? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

marsrevealer · May 5, 2005

Now watch it, but the Gestapo may suggest that this belongs in the FORCES OF NATURE posting forum??? Hmmmm..I will tend to agree with this aspect of thought. Now why is this still here?? Oh... cause no Tin Hat Threats to the realities of some others. Ok. I understand now. ;-)

rubicondsrv · May 5, 2005

Yet another humoruous response! thank you! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Saiph · May 6, 2005

steve: I see no reason why 02 requires a biological source...it merely requires large amounts of Oxygen in a dense enough state. Some nebulae could form it, they do form relatively complex hydrocarbons afterall. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

Why doesn't Oxygen exist in Space

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