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Phosphine gas found in Venus’ atmosphere may be ‘a possible sign of life’

Astronomers detected signs of a smelly, toxic gas that microbes can make in the planet’s clouds

Akatsuki spacecraft

Venus’ atmosphere, shown here in a false-color image from Japan’s Akatsuki spacecraft, is best known for choking clouds of sulfuric acid. But surprisingly, the clouds seem to contain phosphine, a potential sign of life.

Akatsuki Project Team/ISAS/JAXA

By Lisa Grossman

- More than 2 years ago

Venus’ clouds appear to contain a smelly, toxic gas that could be produced by bacteria, a new study suggests.