Scientists have recently detected phosphine, a molecule linked with biological activity on Earth, at a deeper level in the atmosphere of Venus than ever before. This discovery was made using the James Clark Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) situated at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii. Previously, phosphine gas had been discovered in Venus’s clouds in 2020 which generated much discussion and speculation about possible life on Venus, given phosphine’s association with living organisms on our planet.
Does Life Exist on Venus?
On Earth, phosphine is generally synthesized by bacteria that thrive in environments with extremely low levels of oxygen. Similar traces of this molecule have now been detected deeper within the cloud layers of Venus. While the scientific community acknowledges that the presence of phosphine could indicate biological activity, it also suggests that other mechanisms not yet fully understood could be responsible for its formation. One widespread theory is that phosphine could be created by introducing phosphorus-containing rocks into the upper atmosphere and exposing them to erosion through processes involving water, acid, and other elements, resulting in the production of phosphine gas.
What is Phosphine (PH3)?
In essence, phosphine is a compound comprised of one atom of phosphorus with three atoms of hydrogen attached. It is highly toxic to humans. On rocky planets like Venus and Earth, phosphine can only be produced by life, whether it is human or microbial in nature. Certain species of anaerobic bacteria that live in oxygen-deprived environments such as landfills, marshlands, and even animal digestive tracts can naturally produce this toxic gas. These bacteria acquire phosphate from minerals or biological material, and then add hydrogen to create phosphine. The gas is also produced non-biologically in certain industrial scenarios. For instance, it was used as a chemical weapon during World War I and is currently used as an agricultural fumigant, in the semiconductor industry, and as a by-product of methamphetamine labs.
Key Facts About Venus
Venus is Earth’s closest planetary neighbor and is often referred to as our planet’s twin. It is structurally similar but slightly smaller in size than Earth, and it is the second planet from the Sun. Its thick and toxic atmosphere traps in heat, creating surface temperatures that can reach up to a searing 880 degrees Fahrenheit – hot enough to melt lead. This makes Venus the hottest planet in the solar system. Venus also has a highly dense atmosphere, with 65 miles of cloud and haze resulting in atmospheric pressure over 90 times greater than what we experience on Earth’s surface. This harsh atmosphere is primarily composed of suffocating carbon dioxide and clouds of sulfuric acid.
