Its Atmosphere Could Contain Life
Venus's atmosphere could contain life. But after the early 1960s, when it became apparent that the circumstances on Venus' surface are harsh in comparison to those on Earth, speculation over the likelihood of life on Venus' surface rapidly reduced. Because of Venus's high temperatures and pressure, it is doubtful that there would be any water-based life as we know it.
The upper, cooler, more acidic layers of Venus' atmosphere may contain thermoacidophile extremophile microbes, according to some scientists. Such conjectures date back to 1967, when Carl Sagan and Harold J. Morowitz wrote in a Nature article that they thought microscopic things seen in Venus' clouds might be bacteria-like life (which are of approximately the same size).
In September 2020, a group of astronomers led by Jane Greaves from Cardiff University reported that they were likely to have found phosphine in the planet's higher clouds. This gas is not known to be formed by any known chemical reactions on the surface or atmosphere of Venus. Living things are one suggested source for this phosphine. Phosphine was only found in mid-latitudes and at altitudes of at least 30 miles above the surface; it was not found at the poles. According to NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, the discovery of phosphine is "the most significant development yet in establishing the case for life off Earth," and he used it to publicly urge for a renewed emphasis on Venus research.
