Is it possible for a scent to resemble sunshine?

Absolutely, sunshine can have a scent! You can associate smells with almost anything: rainbows, kittens, or even happy memories. The key is that the scent isn’t intrinsic to the object but tied to your personal associations. For example, a rainbow might evoke the smell of rain since it often appears after a storm. Similarly, the student loan you took out for a classical languages degree might remind you of burning cash.

From this perspective, yes, sunshine can have a smell. Think of laundry dried outdoors, the scent of your baby nephew, or even that student loan. It’s all about perception. In one study, participants initially enjoyed the smell of Parmesan cheese, but when told it was vomit a week later, they found the same scent repulsive [source: Wack].

In reality, the sun doesn’t emit a scent—or if it does, we’re unable to detect it. What we perceive as the "smell" of sunshine is actually the aroma of outdoor air. This phenomenon becomes fascinating when you consider how air carries distinct scents depending on the weather. On warm, sunny days, odor molecules move freely, while on cold days, they travel more slowly [source: Sohn].

Essentially, warmer days amplify scents. This concept isn’t far-fetched when you consider your morning coffee. A freshly brewed cup emits an inviting aroma, but by afternoon, the cold remnants lose their appeal. This principle explains why seasons seem to have unique smells. A sudden temperature drop from 80°F (27°C) to 60°F (16°C) can make us notice the change in season as scents become less pronounced.

Shifting focus to space, while the sun’s scent remains elusive, scientists have discovered something intriguing about the galaxy’s core. At the Milky Way’s center lies a massive cloud of dust and gas. Researchers initially sought amino acids as signs of life but instead found ethyl formate, the compound responsible for the flavors and aromas of raspberries and rum [source: Sample].

Surprisingly, the universe might smell like a mix of fruity punch. To some, that could very well resemble the scent of sunshine.