Scientists discovered phosphine in Venus atmosphere

An international team of astronomers announced the discovery of phosphine gas in the atmosphere of Venus, arousing enthusiasm for the possibility of the presence of life forms on this planet.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020

Key-Points

A team of scientists have reported traces of phosphine in a concentration of approximately 20 parts per billion, thousands to millions of times more than what could otherwise be expected.

Apart from being produced in industrial processes, phosphine, a colourless but smelly gas, is known to be made only by some species of bacteria that survive in the absence of oxygen.

This is the most credible evidence yet for the possibility of life away from Earth. Scientists say it is more significant, for example, than the discovery of water on the Moon or Mars.

The finding can further ignite interest in space missions to Venus. In fact, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is also planning a mission to Venus, tentatively called Shukrayaan, in the near future. As of now, the plan is still on the drawing board.