After much analysis, the scientists assert that something now alive is the only explanation for the chemical’s source.
The World Holds its Breath
(Daily Mail – UK) Scientists detected traces of phosphine gas that could be coming from MICROBES in clouds swirling high in the planet’s atmosphere. What does this mean?
Experts from the UK, however, found signs of phosphine in Venus’ atmosphere — suggesting the planet must support unknown chemical processes, or even life.
The second-closest planet to the Sun, Venus is inhospitable — with a surface temperature around 867°F (464°C) and pressure 92 times that of on the Earth.
However, its upper cloud deck — 33–38 miles (53–62 kilometres) above the surface — is a more temperate 120°F (50°C), with a pressure equal to that at Earth sea level.
The clouds are also highly acidic — meaning that the phosphine would be broken down very quickly and must therefore be being continually replenished.
(NYTimes) The researchers have cautioned, however, that life is only one possible explanation for the source of the phosphine — with further investigation needed.
NASA is presently considering two missions to Venus that propose to study the planet’s atmosphere and geochemistry — dubbed ‘DAVINCI’ and ‘VERITAS’.
Why not? “Life” can take many forms, presumably, that bear little or no resemblance to Earth life.
We only look for life that bears a resemblance to life on Earth. Otherwise, how would we possibly know what to look for?
Seen and intriguing. Didn’t Velikovsky suggest that macrobial life came to earth via Venus?
It’s an ugly word bu panspermia might have something to it.
Edgar Rice Burroughs (A Princess of Mars) predicted life on Mars. He also predicted life on Venus. The Amtor or Venus Series consisted of four novels. But chemicals in the clouds was not part of his prediction.
ERB had a vivid imagination and is fun to read. Both series, by the way, can be found on the Australian version of Project Gutenberg.
Do you have to wear a mask if you move there?
I think that you’d need a full pressure suit (think body condom). If you volunteer, please take your emergency clown nose with you. There is no telling what you might encounter, but they’d likely respect the clown motif.
Tucker covered this with a UFOologist. That was dumb.
It’s not a UFO thing is it?
Reality can be such a killjoy. Venus was much more fun back when it was a jungle planet with intelligent humanoid native life. Still, the possibility of life on other planets is fascinating.
The atmosphere is primarily sulfuric acid – I think.
Meh (1st time I’ve used that)…while interesting it’s grasping at however “life” is defined. Maybe I’m just cynical…academics/scientists are always looking for the “new” discovery to gain published fame with their peers.
Publish or perish.
Exactly…says everything about that world, tenured mutual admiration.
Oops…wrong “reply” line.
Phosphine, PH3, is horrible, nasty stuff.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphine
The NFPA “Fires Diamond” you see on trucks and railcars is “4-4-2”, which means lethal in small doses, and extremely flammable.
Whatever can exist around the stuff is most definitely “alien life”.
Will it be life-caused or just a chemical process that produces PH3? What are the odds, DRJIM?
It’s possibly made in the Venusian atmosphere. The temperature and pressures are high enough, especially at the surface.
The only biological production occurs during decay of a once living organism.
There are bacteria and other organisms here on Earth that flourish on the ocean floor near geothermal vents, and bacteria that thrive in the highly alkaline, extremely hot springs and geysers of Yellowstone.
And who’s to say, given the extreme conditions found off-planet, that only the Carbon Cycle can produce “life”…..seems a little Geocentric to me….
We do have a vested interest in Carbon here. However, if there is a silicon or sulphur based system that can be considered to be alive, it will be the find of science that would be difficult to equal in our lifetimes.
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