A rare molecule -- phosphine -- has been detected in the atmosphere of Venus, an international team of astronomers announced on Monday leading to speculation of life on Earth's nearest planetary neighbour. Astronomers have speculated for decades that high clouds on Venus could offer a home for microbes -- floating free of the scorching surface but needing to tolerate very high acidity. The detection of phosphine could point to such extra-terrestrial "aerial" life. "To our great relief, the conditions were good at ALMA for follow-up observations while Venus was at a suitable angle to Earth. She comments: "Finding phosphine on Venus was an unexpected bonus!

Source: dna September 14, 2020 15:45 UTC