Signs of two gases in clouds of Venus could indicate life, scientists say
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Re: Signs of two gases in clouds of Venus could indicate life, scientists say
#2Re: Signs of two gases in clouds of Venus could indicate life, scientists say
#3This seems really optimistic.
Re: Signs of two gases in clouds of Venus could indicate life, scientists say
#4This seems really optimistic.
“Our findings suggest that when the atmosphere is bathed in sunlight the phosphine is destroyed,” Clements said. “All that we can say is that phosphine is there. We don’t know what’s producing it. It may be chemistry that we don’t understand. Or possibly life.”
Either way, the discovery of the source or mechanism should prove highly illuminating to the study of exobiology. Pretty exciting, imo.
Re: Signs of two gases in clouds of Venus could indicate life, scientists say
#5https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB835915673862027500
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Re: Signs of two gases in clouds of Venus could indicate life, scientists say
#6This seems really optimistic.
Indeed,
“If they really confirm phosphine and ammonia robustly it raises the chances of biological origin. The natural next thing will be new people will look at it and give support or counter-arguments. The story will be resolved by more data.”
He added: “All of this is grounds for optimism. If they can demonstrate the signals are there, good for them.”
Re: Signs of two gases in clouds of Venus could indicate life, scientists say
#7Makes me think the Soviets may have been correct in their obsession over Venus, if only by sheer luck.
Re: Signs of two gases in clouds of Venus could indicate life, scientists say
#8We had a false alarm about Venusian phosphine (as the article mentions) a few years back. It would be very exciting to get these tentative detections confirmed.
There is a lot of microbial life on Earth living in clouds, almost all of it uncharacterized. Microbes have been found living high up into the stratosphere. At the very least, a search for life in the clouds of Venus would prompt us to learn more about this fascinating ecosystem here at home.
Review article on terrestrial life in the stratosphere for those interested: https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/38/1/8
Re: Signs of two gases in clouds of Venus could indicate life, scientists say
#9Here’s an annoying question: how would one play the discovery of Venusian life into personal gain? I’m thinking “startup/invest in space” as a starting point, but surely there’s a more fun/rediculous way.
Let’s assume that these signals are indeed based in life, and that that life is mostly boring to laymen — some type of bacteria or lava tube denizen with minimal complexity, say
Re: Signs of two gases in clouds of Venus could indicate life, scientists say
#10Hasn't phosphine been ruled out as sulphur dioxide? (Very similar peak in spectrum)