Why is the supposedly unreactive gas xenon depleted in the atmospheres of Earth and Mars, in contrast to its relatives neon, argon, and krypton? Could it possibly be reacting with silicate minerals in the crusts of these planets? On page 1174 of this issue, Sanloup et al. present high-pressure, high-temperature experimental results that suggest this could be the case. If so, another unexpected chapter in the already surprising story of this element might be beginning.
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