In 2007, the European Space Agency’s Venus Express captured images of Venus, revealing the presence of a gas that could potentially be a sign of life. This gas, called phosphine, was initially a subject of controversy, but now, extensive additional detections have confirmed its existence. These new findings were presented at the National Astronomy Meeting 2023 at Cardiff University in Wales, UK. The data primarily comes from observations made by the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) in Hawaii, totaling 200 hours of observation time. The team also incorporated new data from NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) airplane.
Phosphine is a flammable and toxic gas on Earth, commonly associated with swamp gas. On our planet, it is only produced by microorganisms in environments with very low oxygen levels. The presence of phosphine on Venus suggests the existence of bacteria or unexplained chemical reactions. Despite Venus’ scorching surface temperatures, its high clouds maintain a temperature of about 86ºF/30ºC. However, these clouds consist primarily of 90% sulfuric acid, making any potential microbes “extremophiles” that would need to be both airborne and acid-resistant. Therefore, the detection of phosphine on Venus is not evidence of life but highlights our lack of understanding of the phosphorous cycle on the planet.
The latest detections of phosphine by JCMT in February 2022 and May 2023 are significant as they greatly expand upon the initial study. They indicate a consistent source of phosphine within or beneath Venus’ cloud layers. Professor Jane Greaves, an astrobiologist at Cardiff University, explained that the team has made five detections over the past few years using different instruments and data processing methods. This accumulation of evidence aims to determine whether a steady source of phosphine exists. Additionally, the team reanalyzed data from NASA’s SOFIA mission, which previously found no traces of phosphine. However, by making a minor adjustment in data analysis, Greaves’ team identified phosphine in the upper clouds of Venus.
Notably, the continued detections reveal intriguing patterns in the data. Greaves and her team observed “wings” in the atmosphere’s absorption lines, indicating fast-moving molecules. This observation represents the first time scientists have been able to examine molecules within the upper and middle regions of Venus’ clouds. Greaves also mentioned the possibility of finding traces of phosphine in archive data from NASA’s Pioneer Venus 1 mission recorded in 1978.
Currently, no missions have explored the Venusian atmosphere since 1985. However, there is renewed interest in studying this planet, which is the closest to Earth. Greaves emphasizes the importance of studying Venus in the infrared spectrum to search for phosphine and other biomarker gases like ammonia. Although the James Webb Space Telescope possesses this capability, it cannot observe objects near the sun like Venus due to its extreme sensitivity. Thankfully, three missions to Venus are planned for the 2030s – two orbiters and one lander. NASA’s VERITAS mission will map Venus’ surface to determine its geologic history, while ESA’s EnVision mission will explore the planet’s subsurface features and monitor trace gases in the atmosphere. Additional potential in-situ detection of phosphine will come from the DAVINCI+ mission, scheduled to arrive in 2031. During its descent, DAVINCI+ will sample the Venusian atmosphere multiple times, firing lasers to measure its composition. Greaves and her team have made a case for including phosphine in the measurement targets and are awaiting a response.
The observations at JCMT are ongoing, with the remaining 150 hours of data scheduled to be collected this year while Venus is in favorable position. Greaves expressed excitement about the upcoming observations, as Venus is currently approaching Earth, making observations easier. With clear skies and wide eyes, the scientific community eagerly awaits further insights into the mysteries of Venus.
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