Scientists said they have detected in the harshly acidic clouds of Venus a gas called phosphine that indicates microbes may inhabit Earth’s inhospitable neighbour, a tantalising sign of potential life beyond Earth. The researchers did not discover actual life forms, but noted that on Earth phosphine is produced by bacteria thriving in oxygen-starved environments. Earth-based telescopes like those used in this research help scientists study the chemistry and other characteristics of celestial objects. To produce phosphine, Earth bacteria take up phosphate from minerals or biological material and add hydrogen. With our current knowledge of phosphine, and Venus, and geochemistry, we cannot explain the presence of phosphine in the clouds of Venus.

Source: The Irish Times September 14, 2020 15:11 UTC