Discovery of phosphine and ammonia on Venus ignites debate on the potential for life
Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery by detecting two crucial gases, phosphine, and ammonia, in the atmosphere of Venus. This finding has intensified discussions about the possibility of life on the planet.
Phosphine: a potential biosignature
The detection of phosphine has particularly puzzled scientists, as its presence significantly raises the potential for life in the planet’s clouds. Phosphine is considered a biosignature, indicating that life could exist.
Since the initial discovery, several follow-up investigations have confirmed the presence of phosphine in Venus’s atmosphere. The latest evidence, presented by the research team, indicates the molecule is located deeper in the clouds and is accompanied by ammonia.
Unexplained phenomena in Venus’s atmosphere
“We haven’t properly sorted out the atmospheric modeling for this yet, but there are some broad lines at the level that suggest parts per million level of phosphine at around 55, 56, 57-kilometer altitude, consistent with the Pioneer Venus probe data,” Dr. Dave Clements from Imperial College London told IFLScience.
“There are a number of weirdnesses in Venus’s atmosphere. Phosphine is just a new one that’s come along,” he added. “Amongst the other strange things is the way that the amount of water and the amount of SO2 in the atmosphere vary over time. It’s not known why. The variations haven’t been monitored to a great extent, but it’s known that there are variations on time scales from at least days to years.”
Ammonia: a significant discovery
Ammonia, detected in small amounts in the clouds of Venus, could be the next big discovery. Its presence is seen as a strong biosignature, as there are no significant known sources of ammonia in terrestrial worlds without life.
“There are other models coming along all the time, other explanations saying ‘Oh, you could get ammonia and phosphine and all sorts of other unexpected chemicals this way unrelated to life’ so we’re trying not to overstate, but yeah, it’s really exciting,” Professor Jane Greaves from the University of Cardiff told IFLScience.
“If there are any microbes in the Venus clouds, they might make certain gases that you wouldn’t expect. And ammonia came up as they could use it as a way to neutralize the acid,” Professor Greaves added. “We’ve detected it slightly above the region which we think is warm enough for life. Either it hasn’t got anything to do with life or the gas is perhaps produced by something living but it drifts upwards where it’s a bit easier for us to detect.”