There are a handful of spectral windows in the near-IR through which we can see down to Venus’ surface on the night side of the planet.
Venus
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Press Release, Venus
There Is No Phosphine On Venus According To SOFIA
Phosphine is a gas found in Earth’s atmosphere, but the announcement of phosphine discovered above Venus’s clouds made headlines in 2020.
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Venus
Massive Volcanism May Have Altered Ancient Venus’ Climate
Volcanic activity lasting hundreds to thousands of centuries and erupting massive amounts of material may have helped transform Venus from a temperate and wet world to the acidic hothouse it […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Tricorders & Sensors, Venus
Tricorder Tech: Venus Life Finder Habitability Mission: Motivation, Science Objectives, And Instrumentation
For over half a century, scientists have contemplated the potential existence of life within the clouds of Venus. Unknown chemistry leaves open the possibility that certain regions of the Venusian […]
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release, Venus
Recovery of Phosphine In Venus’ Atmosphere From SOFIA Observations
Searches for phosphine in Venus’ atmosphere have sparked a debate. Cordiner et al. 2022 analyse spectra from the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) and infer <0.8 ppb of PH3.
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Venus
Ammonia And Phosphine In The Clouds Of Venus As Potentially Biological Anomalies
We are of the opinion that several anomalies in the atmosphere of Venus provide evidence of yet-unknown processes and systems that are out of equilibrium.
Posted inImaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Venus
Spectropolarimetry as a Means to Address Cloud Composition and Habitability for a Cloudy Exoplanetary Atmosphere in the Habitable Zone
In our solar system, the densely cloud-covered atmosphere of Venus stands out as an example of how polarimetry can be used to gain information on cloud composition and particle mean […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Venus
Direct In-Situ Capture, Separation and Visualization of Biological Particles with Fluid-Screen in the Context of Venus Life Finder Mission Concept Study
Evidence of chemical disequilibria and other anomalous observations in the Venusian atmosphere motivate the search for life within the planet’s temperate clouds. To find signs of a Venusian aerial biosphere, […]
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release, Venus
Phosphine In The Venusian Atmosphere: A Strict Upper Limit From SOFIA GREAT Observations
The presence of phosphine (PH3) in the atmosphere of Venus was reported by Greaves et al. (2021a), based on observations of the J=1-0 transition at 267 GHz using ground-based, millimeter-wave […]
Posted inHabitable Zones, Press Release, Venus
Noble Gases And Stable Isotopes Track The Origin And Early Evolution Of The Venus Atmosphere
The composition the atmosphere of Venus results from the integration of many processes entering into play over the entire geological history of the planet.