Astronauts report that outer space smells like seared steak and hot metal
Outer space itself is a vacuum, so there's nothing to smell in it — but astronauts returning from spacewalks consistently report a distinctive smell on their suits: a sharp, metallic odour often described as seared steak, hot metal, or welding fumes. Scientists believe the smell comes from high-energy particles from dying stars interacting with the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in the interstellar medium — essentially, the smell of the cosmic chemistry that built our solar system.
Space feels abstract and sensory-less — a void. Discovering it has a smell, and that the smell is weirdly specific and domestic (seared steak), makes the universe feel simultaneously stranger and more familiar.
“Astronauts say outer space smells like seared steak and hot metal. The smell comes from high-energy cosmic particles interacting with interstellar matter that clings to their suits. 🌌🥩 #OddlyHuman”