Space & Astronomy

Biosignature gases in the clouds of Venus hint at presence of alien life

By T.K. Randall
July 20, 2024

Image: Global View of the Surface of Venus (1991)
Credit: (PD) NASA/JPL With surface temperatures exceeding 860 degrees and crushing atmospheric pressures that are more than 100 times those found on our own planet, the conditions on Venus are undeniably hellish.

But while the likelihood of finding signs of life on its surface remains low, scientists have long speculated that primitive life forms could potentially eke out an existence high up in the clouds.

Now it seems that the likelihood of this being the case has been given something of a boost thanks to the discovery of what appears to be phosphine and ammonia in the clouds of Venus.

These two gases are typically indicative of life and nobody can find any non-biological process that could account for their presence there.

"Our findings suggest that when the atmosphere is bathed in sunlight the phosphine is destroyed," said Dr Dave Clements of Imperial College London. "All that we can say is that phosphine is there. We don't know what's producing it."

Despite the excitement surrounding the finds, however, there is no guarantee that the presence of these gases in the atmosphere of Venus means that there is alien life there.

It will also be necessary to determine that the findings themselves are correct.

"If they really confirm phosphine and ammonia robustly it raises the chances of biological origin," said Prof Nikku Madhusudhan of the University of Cambridge.

"The natural next thing will be new people will look at it and give support or counter-arguments. The story will be resolved by more data."

"All of this is grounds for optimism. If they can demonstrate the signals are there, good for them."

Source: The Guardian

Tags: Venus