A team of scientists found possible signs of life in the clouds of Venus

Researchers have presented new evidence for the presence of two gases closely related to life in the atmosphere of Venus. These recent discoveries have sparked great scientific interest, although they are still far from definitive proof of life on this hellishly hot and dense planet.

Juan Manuel Godoy

According to The Guardian, at a recent National Astronomy Meeting in the United Kingdom, scientists announced the temporary detection of ammonia in the clouds above the planet's surface, primarily the result of biological activity on Earth. Likewise, in 2020 a different group found new evidence for the existence of phosphine, which has been hotly debated since its announcement.

“This is not incontrovertible evidence of life on Venus,” the scientists insist, but these signals are intriguing data points in our efforts to probe the celestial environment for signs of current or ancient life.

One possibility that intrigues the scientific community is that life may have flourished in the planet's ancient past. “If Venus went through a warm, humid phase in the past and runaway global warming took hold, it would have evolved in the only place it could survive: the clouds,” said astrophysicist Dave Clements. at Imperial College London

While the surface of Venus is hot enough to melt lead, the clouds above 30 miles (48 kilometers) enjoy temperatures and pressure conditions that are more benign than those on Earth. Although phosphine can be produced by volcanic activity, it is significantly more abundant as a result of bacteria in oxygen-deficient environments. That is why it is called biosine gas.

The existence of this gas is the subject of intense debate. In September 2020, a team of researchers led by Jane Greaves of Cardiff University in the United Kingdom announced the discovery of significant evidence of phosphine on Venus, turning the scientific world upside down. However, these results were quickly questioned.

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