Scientists have determined¹ that the atmosphere above the planet Uranus² is full of a gas that makes the distant planet smell like rotten eggs.

科学家们已经确定，天王星上方的大气层中充满着一种气体，使这个遥远星球闻起来气味类似臭鸡蛋。

A new study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, established the chemical composition of Uranus' upper cloud deck for the first time.

发表在《自然-天文学》杂志上的一项新研究，首次确定了天王星的高空云的化学成分。

Using an instrument called the Near-Infrared Integral Field Spectrometer (NIFS) at the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii, researchers determined that Uranus' cloud cover is composed of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas, which is what gives rotten eggs their distinctive³, noxious⁴ scent⁵.

研究人员借助了位于夏威夷、搭载了一种称为近红外积分场光谱仪的仪器的北双子座望远镜，确定了天王星的云层是由硫化氢气体组成的，而这种气体具备臭鸡蛋独特的有毒气味。

Hydrogen sulfide is a "colorless, flammable, extremely hazardous⁶ gas with a 'rotten egg' smell," according to the Occupational Health And Safety Administration.

据职业健康与安全管理局介绍，硫化氢是一种“无色、易燃、极具毒性、有臭鸡蛋味的气体”。

Scientists had speculated that Uranus and Neptune's clouds could also exhibit ammonia ice, as on gas giants Jupiter and Saturn⁷, but previous observations from both ground telescopes and the Voyager 2 spacecraft⁸ were inconclusive.

科学家们推测，天王星和海王星的云层也可能表现出氨冰，就像木星和土星一样，但地面望远镜和旅行者2号航天器的观测结果是不确定的.

The new study revealed atmospheric⁹ differences between the gas and ice giants that could answer questions about the planets' early history, scientists said.

科学家们表示，这项新研究揭示了气体和冰巨星之间的大气差异，可以回答有关行星早期历史的问题。