Life on Inhospitable Venus?
- 82newsbulletin
- Sep 22, 2020
- 2 min read
Written by Aditya Gupta
Of all the celestial bodies conjectured to support life in our Solar System, Venus was probably only ahead of the actual Sun. With an incredibly inhospitable atmosphere containing 96% Carbon Dioxide, a mean surface temperature of 464 °C, and the literal clouds of Sulphuric acid, scientists did not expect to find Phosphines at such large concentrations in its atmosphere. These new findings are not conclusive of, but strongly indicative of, biological mechanisms and life in Venus.
Phosphine is a biomarker on Earth and is extremely similar to Ammonia in terms of its chemical composition. Using spectral data from high up in Venus’ atmosphere, scientists estimate that the atmosphere of Venus contains 20 parts per billion of Phosphine, far beyond the theoretical estimate. While Phosphine is found on Earth in swamps and dung heaps, it is so reactive that it disappears almost immediately. For it to exist in such large quantities, it needs to have been replenished by life constantly.
Researchers considered multiple alternative sources for Phosphine in the atmosphere. Gas, lightning, volcanoes, and even meteors would not explain it at that abundance. On Earth, phosphine is either created by industrial processes, or biological organisms. While scientists would refrain from making extremely conclusive statements, erring on the side of caution, they are optimistic. It would take more detailed models of the atmosphere on Venus, but a probe is being sent to Venus to sample its environment better. Venus has now become one of the closest spots in the universe to investigate whether life exists beyond our own planet.
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