Life on Venus might be a possibility, or so this new discovery reveals

The search for life on Venus has witnessed a significant breakthrough following the detection of phosphine gas in the Venusian atmosphere that suggests the existence of a biosignature on the planet. Here's a breakdown of what that means.

What

In 2020, scientists made an intriguing discovery of phosphine gas in the clouds of Venus, which sparked debates and excitement due to phosphine's association with biological activity on Earth. However, subsequent attempts to replicate the findings were unsuccessful, leading to scepticism.

• In a recent development, Professor Jane Greaves and her team, led by Cardiff University, employed the James Clark Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) at Mauna Kea Observatory, Hawaii, to detect phosphine at a deeper level in Venus' atmosphere than ever before.
• This breakthrough was achieved after studying the findings for over a year, and the team publicly presented their results at the National Astronomy Meeting in 2023.

Why is phosphine of any significance?

Phosphine, a compound of hydrogen and phosphorus, is a flammable and toxic gas on Earth typically associated with microorganisms living in low-oxygen environments. The presence of phosphine on Venus suggests the existence of bacteria or, at the very least, unexplained chemistry. 

Essentially, phosphine is usually produced by tiny organisms in environments with very little oxygen. Finding phosphine on Venus suggests that conditions suitable for bacteria might exist there, or there could be some unknown chemical processes happening.

The gas in the clouds

The gas was found to be present deep within the Venusian clouds, where conditions are more temperate and Earth-like compared to the inhospitable surface.

• On Earth, phosphine is predominantly generated by microorganisms in low-oxygen environments, making it a potential biosignature. This led to widespread interest in the initial discovery of phosphine on Venus.
• However, the presence of phosphine alone does not guarantee the existence of life, as abiotic processes or unknown chemistry could also account for its presence.

While the surface of Venus is known for its extreme temperatures, reaching up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit (475 degrees Celsius), the clouds situated about 30 miles (50 kilometres) above offer a more moderate and potentially habitable environment.

Nonetheless, these clouds consist of 90% sulfuric acid, categorising any potential microbes as "extremophiles" that would need to be both airborne and acid-resistant.

Volcanic activity has been proposed as one potential source of phosphine; however, the intensity required for phosphine production makes this scenario unlikely.

As research progresses, a better understanding of the phosphorus cycle on Venus is crucial to determining the origin of phosphine and its possible association with life.

• So, finding phosphine doesn't necessarily mean there is life on Venus, but it shows that there are things happening on the planet that we still don't fully understand.

The scientists behind the research

The recent detections of phosphine on Venus have been significantly expanded, with extensive additional findings presented at the National Astronomy Meeting in 2023.

These findings resulted from 200 hours of observations using the JCMT in Hawaii and additional data from NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) airplane.

Professor Jane Greaves, leading the research team, expressed confidence in the steady source of phosphine based on multiple detections from various instruments and data processing methods. 

Greaves also highlighted the presence of "wings" in the data, representing absorption lines in the atmosphere indicating molecular movement within the Venusian clouds. This observation marks the first time such detailed analysis has been possible.

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Moreover, Greaves hinted at potential traces of phosphine in archive data from NASA's Pioneer Venus 1 mission conducted in 1978, adding further intriguing possibilities for the presence of phosphine on Venus.

Although the search for life on Venus continues, the detection of phosphine gas at deeper levels in the planet's atmosphere represents a significant breakthrough. It reinforces the need for further exploration and investigation to understand the complex chemistry and potential habitability of Earth's neighbouring planet.

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