Lesson 11: Phosphine on Venus
Key Learning Objectives:
Learn about the key ways scientists communicate information
Identify the typical information in a scientific paper
Identify and practice strategies for reading scientific paper effectively
Discuss what makes a good and bad biosignature based on a literature paper
In this lesson you'll find...
Reading scientific papers
An example paper and topic
Goldilocks and the three planets
In 2020, scientists announced the potential detection of phosphine (PH3) in the atmosphere of Venus, a gas that on Earth is often associated with biological processes. This discovery sparked excitement and curiosity because it hinted at the possibility of some form of life or habitability on our neighbouring planet.
The implications for the search for non-intelligent extraterrestrial life were significant. Detecting a compound like phosphine, which is commonly linked to living organisms on Earth, raised the tantalising prospect that similar processes might be occurring on Venus. This finding suggested that our understanding of where and how life could exist in the cosmos might need to be expanded.
However, the analysis faced limitations and has been a subject of scientific debate. Some scientists questioned the methodology used to identify phosphine, suggesting that the observed signal might be due to other unknown chemical processes or measurement errors. The controversy underscored the complexity of analyzing data from distant planets and the challenges in drawing definitive conclusions about the presence of certain molecules, especially those associated with potential signs of life. Ongoing scientific discussions and further observations are essential to either validate or refute the initial claims and deepen our understanding of Venus and the potential for life beyond Earth.
Below is a chronological table outlining the back-and-forth process behind the potential detection of phosphine on Venus.
Below you'll find some science communication articles outlining this potential detection, highlighting the limitations associated with the methodology employed and its large-scale scientific implications.
The discovery of phosphine in the acidic clouds of Venus can't be explaned by any known chemical or geological processes.
Considering what we know about the key ingredients for life's formation on Earth, here are three explanations for how this process may have occurred on our sister planet.
News that Venus may harbour life has swept the globe. So how to we find out for sure? A planetary scientists explains what's next.