What does space smell like? This perfume-making astrobiologist is trying to find out

The intriguing question of what space smells like has captured the imagination of many, including fragrance designer turned astrobiologist, Marina Barcenilla. With a background in creating designer perfumes, Barcenilla decided to explore the chemical makeup of outer space by studying astrochemistry at university. This led her to the realization that she could combine her two passions by recreating the smells of space.

In an interview with As It Happens, Barcenilla explained her fascination with the idea of capturing the essence of celestial bodies through scent. “Whenever I see something new, the first question is: I wonder what that smells like,” she said. “One day I thought: Actually, this molecule that I’m studying? I have it in my perfume lab. And this smell that I am imagining? I could actually create it.”

Currently a doctoral researcher in astrobiology at the University of Westminster in London, Barcenilla has created a variety of space-inspired scents. Some of her creations include the sulfuric stench of Jupiter’s deepest clouds and the pungent alcohol-like aroma found at the center of the Milky Way. These unique fragrances are now on display at the London Natural History Museum as part of an exhibit exploring the possibility of life beyond Earth.

When asked about the actual scent of space, Barcenilla admitted that it may not be pleasant. Canadian astronaut Julie Payette described it as “cold” and “antiseptic,” while astronaut Chris Hatfield likened it to the smell of burnt steak and gunpowder. Barcenilla explained that the smell of space can vary depending on the specific location, with some planets and moons having distinct odors due to the presence of different gases and compounds.

For the museum exhibit, Barcenilla created scents representing Mars, Titan, Bennu, and Earth as it was billions of years ago. The early Earth scent, in particular, combines earthy and sulphury notes to evoke the nascent stages of life on our planet. Despite the fact that these scents cannot be experienced in space, Barcenilla aims to recreate the chemistry found in various celestial bodies to spark curiosity and bring the wonders of space closer to Earth.

Through her work, Barcenilla hopes to show that everything we encounter on Earth has origins in space. Whether it’s the smell of ammonia and sulphur in Jupiter’s clouds or the fruity aroma of Ethyl formate at the center of our galaxy, she emphasizes that we are all interconnected with the cosmos. “We are part of the whole great cosmos,” she said. “There’s this saying that goes around that we are all stardust, and it is true. Everything that we are made of, everything we smell here on Earth, has originally come from space.”