Scientists have discovered the potential for biological activity in Venus’ atmosphere. While researchers didn’t see little alien boys flying around the planet in their spaceships, a recent magazine study reveals the existence of phosphine in the planet’s atmosphere. Not only that, but Rakesh Mogul and other researchers at Cal Poly Pomona suggest that “biologically relevant chemicals” exist in the air around Venus.
Here on Earth, phosphine is, of course, a chemical largely produced by living organisms. That, combined with the aforementioned biologically relevant chemicals, has left scientists scratching their heads as to whether life could be living on Venus.
“We have re-examined the archived data obtained by the Pioneer Venus Large Probe Neutral Mass Spectrometer,” write Mogul and his team in their abstract, published in the March issue of. Promotion of Earth and Space Science. “Our results reveal the presence of several minor chemical species in the clouds of Venus, including phosphine, hydrogen sulfide, nitrous acid (nitrite), nitric acid (nitrate), hydrogen cyanide and possibly ammonia.”
The team adds, “ The presence of these chemicals suggests that Venus’ clouds are not in equilibrium; this illuminates the potential for chemistry yet to be discovered. Furthermore, looking at the potential habitability of Venus’ clouds, our work reveals a possible signature. of anaerobic phosphorus metabolism (phosphine), along with important chemical contributions to anoxygenic photosynthesis (nitrite) and the terrestrial nitrogen cycle (nitrate, nitrite, possibly ammonia and N2). “
What exactly does all this mean? At the very least, it means that Venus’ atmosphere simply contains some of the same chemicals that are produced by living things here on Earth. Whether or not those same chemicals can be produced by Venus-bound objects – living or otherwise – remains to be seen.
However, Mogul and his team say the existence of these chemicals could be evidence redox imbalance, processes that suggest the existence of life in some form, manner, or form, even if it means that microorganisms live in the atmosphere.
“The focus on the minor and trace [chemical] kind was minimal, ”Mogul said recently The Planetary Society. “That’s what we realized after looking at the archival data and associated publications. We immediately found signals in data that other publications had not discussed or mentioned. That was all we needed to motivate us to continue.”
The full study can be read here.
Cover photo by Photo12 / Universal Images Group via Getty Images