MUMBAI: Two years ago, almost to the date, three US-based Indian scientists, along with two others had indicated the possibility of life in Venus.
In their paper published in the magazine Astrobiology on September 12, 2018, Sanjay Limaye, Rakesh Mogul, Parag Vaishampyan, Gazegorg Slowik and David J. Smith had stated, “The lower cloud layer of Venus (47.5-50.5 kms) is an exceptional target for exploration due to its favourable conditions for microbial life, including moderate temperatures and pressures.”
Their prediction titled Venus Spectral Signatures and the Potential For Life In the Clouds, now assumes significance in the context of Mondays announcement by the Royal Astronomical Society about the discovery of phosphine in Venuss atmosphere, suggesting the possibility of life. The milestone detection was made by the worlds largest radio telescope at Atacama in Chile and the Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii.
According to the five scientists, “conditions are favourable regarding the potential for microorganisms to survive in Venuss lower clouds”. They said that the habitability of Venus clouds has been a subject of discussion for several decades, yet has gained limited traction as a popular target in astrobiology research.
Investigations into the actual habitability of Venuss clouds would ideally benefit from a mixture of orbiter, lander, airplane/balloons and a sample return mission, they opined.
Speaking to ToI on Monday, Pune-born Limaye, known as the Venus Man among Indian space scientists, however, sounded a note of caution and advised against reaching any hasty conclusions. “More samplings may be needed of the Venusian atmoRead More – Source
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