Discovery of Phosphine Gas: Life on Venus?

• A team of scientists have reported traces of phosphine gas in the atmosphere of Venus. The discovery has triggered global excitement about the possibility of the presence of lifeforms on the neighbouring planet.
• They have reported traces of phosphine in concentration of approximately 20 parts per billion, which is thousands to millions of times more than what could otherwise be expected at Venus without any life.

Phosphine: Biomarker of Life

• A molecule of phosphine gas consists of a phosphorus atom surrounded by three hydrogen atoms, just like ammonia consists of a nitrogen atom surrounded by three hydrogen atoms.
• On Earth, this ....