Welcome to Atheist Discussion, a new community created by former members of The Thinking Atheist forum.

Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
#1

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
https://www.space.com/venus-phosphine-al...study.html

Quote:The detection of a possible sign of life in Venus' clouds is just the beginning.

On Monday (Sept. 14), researchers announced that they'd spotted the fingerprint of phosphine in Venus' atmosphere, at an altitude where temperatures and pressures are similar to those here on Earth at sea level.

On our planet, phosphine is produced only by microbes and by human industrial activity, as far as we can tell. So, finding the gas on another world, in an environment that astrobiologists had already flagged as potentially habitable, is exciting news indeed.

But it's unclear at the moment what the new results actually mean, discovery team members stressed. Venusian microbes may be emitting the phosphine, but it's also possible that the stuff is being generated by exotic chemical reactions that we don't understand, and that have nothing to do with life.
“For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.” -Carl Sagan.
The following 5 users Like GenesisNemesis's post:
  • Bcat, skyking, Aliza, brewerb, Paleophyte
Reply
#2

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
It's interesting news. I still wonder how they could survive in such a corrosive atmosphere.
On hiatus.
The following 2 users Like Thumpalumpacus's post:
  • GenesisNemesis, Deesse23
Reply
#3

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
Let me know if they find Zsa Zsa Gabor.
Robert G. Ingersoll : “No man with a sense of humor ever founded a religion.”
The following 3 users Like Minimalist's post:
  • SYZ, GenesisNemesis, brunumb
Reply
#4

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
A good post explaining what this might mean:
[Via U/Andromeda321 from Reddit]

Quote:Astronomer here! Here is what is going on!

For many years, astronomers have speculated that the most likely way to find evidence of extraterrestrial life is via biosignatures, which are basically substances that provide evidence of life. Probably the most famous example of this would be oxygen- it rapidly oxidizes in just a few thousand years, so to have large quantities of oxygen in an atmosphere you need something to constantly be putting it there (in Earth's case, from trees). Another one that's been suggested as a great biosignature is phosphine- a gas we can only make on Earth in the lab, or via organic matter decomposing (typically in a water-rich environment, which Venus is not). So, to be abundantly clear, the argument here is to the best of our knowledge you should only get this concentration of phosphine if there is life.

What did this group discover? Is the signal legit? These scientists basically pointed a submillimeter radio telescope towards Venus to look for a signature of phosphine, which was not even a very technologically advanced radio telescope for this sort of thing, but they just wanted to get a good benchmark for future observations. And... they found a phosphine signature. They then pointed another, better radio telescope at it (ALMA- hands down best in the world for this kind of observation) and measured this signal even better. I am a radio astronomer myself, and looking at the paper, I have no reason to think this is not the signature from phosphine they say it is. They spend a lot of time estimating other contaminants they might be picking up, such as sulfur dioxide, but honestly those are really small compared to the phosphine signal. There's also a lot on the instrumentation, but they do seem to understand and have considered all possible effects there.

Can this phosphine be created by non-life? The authors also basically spend half the paper going through allllll the different possible ways to get phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus. If you go check "extended data Figure 10" in the paper they go through all of the options, from potential volcanic activity to being brought in from meteorites to lightning... and all those methods are either impossible in this case, or would not produce you the concentration levels needed to explain the signature by several orders of magnitude (like, literally a million times too little). As I said, these guys were very thorough, and brought on a lot of experts in other fields to do this legwork to rule options out! And the only thing they have not been able to rule out so far is the most fantastic option. Smile The point is, either we don’t get something basic about rocky planets, or life is putting this up there.

(Mind, the way science goes I am sure by end of the week someone will have thought up an idea on how to explain phosphine in Venus's atmosphere. Whether that idea is a good one remains to be seen.)

To give one example, It should be noted at this point that phosphine has apparently been detected in comets- specifically, it’s thought to be behind in the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko by the Rosetta mission- paper link. Comets have long been known to have a ton of organic compounds and are water rich- some suggest life on Earth was seeded by comets a long time ago- but it’s also present in the coma of comets as they are near the sun, which are very different conditions than the Venusian atmosphere. (It’s basically water ice sublimating as it warms up in a comet, so an active process is occurring in a water-rich environment to create phosphine.) However, the amounts created are nowhere near what is needed for the amounts of phosphine seen in Venus, we do not have water anywhere near the levels on Venus to make these amounts of phosphine, and we have detailed radar mapping to show us there was no recent cometary impact of Venus. As such, it appears highly unlikely that what puts phospine into Venus’s atmosphere is the same as what puts it into a comet’s coma. Research into this also indicates that, surprise surprise, cometary environments are very different than rocky ones, and only life can put it in the atmosphere of a rocky planet.

How can life exist on Venus? I thought it was a hell hole! The surface of Venus is indeed not a nice place to live- a runaway greenhouse effect means the surface is hot enough to melt lead, it rains sulfuric acid, and the Russian probes that landed there in didn't last more than a few hours. (No one has bothered since the 1980s.) However, if you go about 50 km up Venus's atmosphere is the most Earth-like there is in the Solar System, and this is where this signal is located. What's more, unlike the crushing pressure and hot temperatures on the surface, you have the same atmospheric pressure as on Earth, temps varying from 0-50 C, and pretty similar gravity to here. People have suggested we could even build cloud cities there. And this is the region this biosignature is coming from- not the surface, but tens of km up in the pretty darn nice area to float around in.

Plus, honestly, you know what I’m happy about that will come out of this? More space exploration of Venus! It is a fascinating planet that is criminally under-studied despite arguably some of the most interesting geology and atmosphere there is that we know of. (My favorite- Venus’s day is longer than its year, and it rotates “backwards” compared to all the other planets. But we think that’s not because of the way it formed, but because some gigantic planet-sized object hit it in the early days and basically flipped it upside down and slowed its spin. Isn’t that so cool?!) But we just wrote it off because the surface is really tough with old Soviet technology, and NASA hasn’t even sent a dedicated mission in over 30 years despite it being literally the closest planet to us. I imagine that is going to change fast and I am really excited for it- bring on the Venus drones!

So, aliens? I mean, personally if you're asking my opinion as a scientist... I think I will always remember this discovery as the first step in learning how common life is in the universe. Smile To be clear, the "problem" with a biosignature is it does not tell you what is putting that phosphine into the Venusian atmosphere- something microbial seems a good bet (we have great radar mapping of Venus and there are def no cloud cities or large artificial structures), but as to what, your guess is as good as mine. We do know that billions of microbes live high up in the Earth's atmosphere, feeding as they pass through clouds and found as high as 10km up. So I see no reason the same can't be happening on Venus! (It would be life still pretty darn ok with sulfuric acid clouds everywhere, mind, but we have extremophiles on Earth in crazy environments too so I can’t think of a good reason why it’s impossible).

If you want to know where the smoking gun is, well here's the thing... Hollywood has well trained you to think otherwise, but I have always argued that discovering life elsewhere in the universe was going to be like discovering water on Mars. Where, as you might recall, first there were some signatures that there was water on Mars but that wasn't conclusive on its own that it existed, then a little more evidence came in, and some more... and finally today, everyone knows there is water on Mars. There was no reason to think the discovery of life wouldn't play out the same, because that's how science operates. (This is also why I always thought people were far too simplistic in assuming we would all just drop everything and unite as one just because life was discovered elsewhere- there'd be no smoking gun, and we'd all do what we all are doing now, get on social media to chat about it.) But put it this way- today we have taken a really big first step. And I think it is so amazing that this was first discovered not only next door, but on a planet not really thought of as great for life- it shows there's a good chance life in some for is ubiquitous! And I for one cannot wait until we can get a drone of some sort into the Venusian atmosphere to measure this better- provided, of course, we can do it in a way that ensures our own microbes don't hitch a ride.

TL;DR- if you count microbes, which I do, we are (probably) not alone. Big Grin
The following 4 users Like OakTree500's post:
  • GenesisNemesis, skyking, Dānu, Paleophyte
Reply
#5

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
(09-16-2020, 03:30 AM)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: ... I still wonder how they could survive in such a corrosive atmosphere ...

Now that they've been found further investigation will reveal they're simply emigrees from the next planet over who've escaped a really corrosive atmosphere  Tongue
The following 3 users Like airportkid's post:
  • GenesisNemesis, Thumpalumpacus, skyking
Reply
#6

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
Call me ill-informed or of simple mind, but rather than spending billions of dollars investigating
the possibility of life on other planets, or that there might be a population of Venusians on that
planet, shouldn't we rather be spending that sort of money on solving the problems of the Earth's
potentially devastating global climatic changes?  Who—at this point in time—really gives a fuck
about any microorganisms living on Venus?      That potentiality would help us how, exactly?
I'm a creationist;   I believe that man created God.
Reply
#7

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
(09-16-2020, 12:04 PM)SYZ Wrote: Call me ill-informed or of simple mind, but rather than spending billions of dollars investigating
the possibility of life on other planets, or that there might be a population of Venusians on that
planet, shouldn't we rather be spending that sort of money on solving the problems of the Earth's
potentially devastating global climatic changes?  Who—at this point in time—really gives a fuck
about any microorganisms living on Venus?      That potentiality would help us how, exactly?

1. Other scientists need jobs too.
2. You can't stop other scientists from investigating these fundamental questions about the Universe even if you tried (not even sure how you would do that). Human curiosity wins out in the end.
“For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.” -Carl Sagan.
The following 2 users Like GenesisNemesis's post:
  • SYZ, skyking
Reply
#8

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
It was the study of Venus that gave us the concept of runaway greenhouse effect in the first place, back in the 60s. Science often bears fruit far afield from its aims.
On hiatus.
The following 7 users Like Thumpalumpacus's post:
  • GenesisNemesis, SYZ, Deesse23, Fireball, skyking, Dānu, Paleophyte
Reply
#9

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
Quote:shouldn't we rather be spending that sort of money on solving the problems of the Earth's potentially devastating global climatic changes?


Yes.  But ( there's always a "but") we have "leaders" who insist that it is a hoax and who are in bed with the polluters.  May as well start looking around for another planet we can fuck up.
Robert G. Ingersoll : “No man with a sense of humor ever founded a religion.”
The following 1 user Likes Minimalist's post:
  • SYZ
Reply
#10

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
Russian probe contamination. 

Dirty bastards!
Being told you're delusional does not necessarily mean you're mental. 
Reply
#11

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
(09-16-2020, 03:30 AM)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: It's interesting news. I still wonder how they could survive in such a corrosive atmosphere.

Well, we have tube worms that live at the maws of hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor where it's blistering hot, and they "eat" hydrogen sulfide through a symbiotic relationship with a bacterium.
If you get to thinking you’re a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else’s dog around.
The following 2 users Like Fireball's post:
  • Deesse23, Thumpalumpacus
Reply
#12

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
(09-16-2020, 03:30 AM)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: It's interesting news. I still wonder how they could survive in such a corrosive atmosphere.

the post quoted by @OakTree500 mentioned extremophiles. Here is the best example of that here on earth.

https://ocean.si.edu/ecosystems/deep-sea...ts-pumping

acidty? check
Extreme heat? check
extreme pressure? ditto
The following 2 users Like skyking's post:
  • Thumpalumpacus, OakTree500
Reply
#13

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
(09-16-2020, 05:01 PM)Fireball Wrote:
(09-16-2020, 03:30 AM)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: It's interesting news. I still wonder how they could survive in such a corrosive atmosphere.

Well, we have tube worms that live at the maws of hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor where it's blistering hot, and they "eat" hydrogen sulfide through a symbiotic relationship with a bacterium.

Sure, it's not that it's impossible, but it certainly increases the difficulties, seems to me. Sulfuric acid is pretty hydrophilic and will suck tissues dry. That microbe better have a healthy cell-wall!
On hiatus.
The following 1 user Likes Thumpalumpacus's post:
  • Fireball
Reply
#14

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
(09-16-2020, 12:04 PM)SYZ Wrote: Call me ill-informed or of simple mind, but rather than spending billions of dollars investigating
the possibility of life on other planets, or that there might be a population of Venusians on that
planet, shouldn't we rather be spending that sort of money on solving the problems of the Earth's
potentially devastating global climatic changes?  Who—at this point in time—really gives a fuck
about any microorganisms living on Venus?      That potentiality would help us how, exactly?

We can do a fuck-ton of exploration robotically with an investment that's little more than a rounding error to most major governments.

From this we get lots of scientific advances that help us understand earth better and can help us advance technology to remediate issues on earth.

It tends to unite humanity in a common interest and experience and endeavor.

I agree that colonies on Mars or in the clouds of Venus or anywhere else really is a fool's errand unless there's some way to make it economically self sustaining with respect to earth. But robotic exploration along with judicious human exploration has always returned good dividends for humanity.
The following 4 users Like mordant's post:
  • Thumpalumpacus, SYZ, GenesisNemesis, Paleophyte
Reply
#15

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
I think it's fascinating that science has figured out a way to look for those indications from here. I have a decent understanding of science, but these scientists just amaze me.
The following 2 users Like skyking's post:
  • GenesisNemesis, Thumpalumpacus
Reply
#16

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
(09-16-2020, 12:04 PM)SYZ Wrote: Call me ill-informed or of simple mind, but rather than spending billions of dollars investigating
the possibility of life on other planets, or that there might be a population of Venusians on that
planet, shouldn't we rather be spending that sort of money on solving the problems of the Earth's
potentially devastating global climatic changes?  Who—at this point in time—really gives a fuck
about any microorganisms living on Venus?      That potentiality would help us how, exactly?

It is possible to do more than one thing at a time.
[Image: M-Spr20-Weapons-FEATURED-1-1200x350-c-default.jpg]
The following 1 user Likes Gawdzilla Sama's post:
  • GenesisNemesis
Reply
#17

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature
(09-16-2020, 12:04 PM)SYZ Wrote: Call me ill-informed or of simple mind, but rather than spending billions of dollars investigating
the possibility of life on other planets, or that there might be a population of Venusians on that
planet, shouldn't we rather be spending that sort of money on solving the problems of the Earth's
potentially devastating global climatic changes?  Who—at this point in time—really gives a fuck
about any microorganisms living on Venus?      That potentiality would help us how, exactly?
No one in 1958 would have answered "cell phones" when asked what the Space Race would bring about, but there it is.  "What's in it for me/us" is the wrong way to approach basic research.  However, putting on my prognostication hat...

... how about an understanding of a biochemistry that can process atmospheric chemicals we consider pollutants, like sulfur dioxide?

But again, that's the wrong question forward.  Since we don't know what we might find -- and we might only find a weird atmospheric chemistry, not a weird atmospheric biology -- asking "how will that help" is simply not a question that needs to be on the table yet.
"Aliens?  Us?  Is this one of your Earth jokes?"  -- Kro-Bar, The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
The following 5 users Like trdsf's post:
  • GenesisNemesis, skyking, Thumpalumpacus, Inkubus, Paleophyte
Reply




Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)