Life on Venus? presence of phosphine gas raises doubts among scientist

Scientists suspect the presence of life on Venus, the second planet in the Solar System. The discovery of the presence of phosphine gas in Venus’ atmosphere has prompted researchers to consider such a possibility.

Phosphine is produced as a result of the decomposition of organic matter on Earth. That is why the scientific community is wondering whether the presence of this gas on Earth’s nearest planet, Venus, is a sign of life.

Experts detected the presence of phosphine through telescopes installed in Hawaii and the Atacama Desert in Chile.

It observes the outer clouds of Venus at a radius of 60 km. The day time temperature on Venus is such that lead can melt and most of the atmosphere is carbon dioxide.

For these reasons, the surface of Venus was considered lifeless. It is in this context that the presence of phosphine sheds new ray of hope.

But researchers say in an article on Nature Astronomy says that the presence of phosphine, a combination of phosphorus and hydrogen, does not guarantee the existence of a gene on Venus. They suggest that phosphine may be produced as a result of activity other than biological.

Jane Greaves, an expert at Cardiff University’s School of Physics and Astronomy, says that although the presence of phosphorus on Venus is high, the potential for biodiversity is high due to high temperatures.

The rotation of Venus is opposite to that of the Earth. In addition, the length of the day on Venus is 243 times that of the Earth.