Venus’s atmosphere harbors 5-20 parts per billion of phosphine—far more than Earth’s atmosphere.
Key Takeaways
- Scientists have detected traces of phosphine, a potential biomarker, in Venus’s clouds.
- Phosphine’s presence might suggest microbial life or unknown chemical processes in Venus’s atmosphere.
- Venus’s clouds, despite being highly acidic, have temperatures and pressures similar to Earth’s surface.
- The discovery was made using data from two powerful radio telescopes between 2017 and 2019.
- While promising, researchers emphasize the need for further studies to confirm these findings.
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Traces of Life? Phosphine Found in Venus’s Atmosphere
For decades, Venus’s hostile environment has overshadowed its potential to harbor life. However, recent findings of phosphine—a molecule potentially linked to life—may put Venus back in the spotlight. Researchers from Cardiff University, MIT, and other institutions revealed their findings in Nature Astronomy and Astrobiology, sparking renewed interest in the planet’s acidic clouds.
Phosphine (PH₃), a compound of one phosphorus atom and three hydrogen atoms, is notable because it’s typically produced by biological activity or under extreme conditions. Anaerobic microbes on Earth generate phosphine, and the gas is found in the cores of Jupiter and Saturn, where intense pressure and heat create it. However, Venus lacks these extreme conditions, raising the possibility of life or unknown geochemical processes.
A Closer Look at Venus’s Clouds
Venus’s surface is a scorching 800°F with crushing pressures, making it inhospitable. However, 31 miles above the surface, conditions change drastically. At this altitude, temperatures hover around 86°F, and atmospheric pressure is Earth-like. Despite these favorable conditions, the environment is still highly acidic due to sulfuric acid clouds.
The phosphine discovery began in 2017, using Hawaii’s James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. In 2019, the team confirmed their findings with Chile’s Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA). They found 5-20 parts per billion of phosphine in Venus’s atmosphere—much higher than expected.
Some experts are skeptical, suggesting potential errors in data collection or unknown non-biological processes as the source. John Carpenter from ALMA noted that while the data was thoroughly verified, additional research is needed to confirm the findings.
Renewed Interest in Venus Exploration
This discovery aligns with past speculations by scientists like Carl Sagan, who theorized in 1967 that Venus’s clouds could support life. However, Venus has historically received less attention compared to Mars. Notable missions include NASA’s Magellan spacecraft in 1989 and the ongoing Japanese Akatsuki orbiter.
Venus might soon gain more attention. NASA is reviewing two potential missions: DAVINCI+, which will study Venus’s atmosphere, and VERITAS, which aims to map its surface. The Indian Space Research Organization and private company Rocket Lab also plan Venus missions.
Peter Beck of Rocket Lab highlights the significance of these efforts: “If you could find life in the clouds of Venus, it could mean life is prolific throughout the universe.” While the findings are not definitive, they represent an exciting step in the search for extraterrestrial life.
