Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 396, С. 111810 - 111810
Опубликована: Июль 1, 2023
Язык: Английский
Chemical Engineering Journal, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 160282 - 160282
Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
0
arXiv (Cornell University), Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown
Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024
Scientists have long speculated about the potential habitability of Venus, not at 700K surface, but in cloud layers located 48-60 km altitudes, where temperatures match those found on Earth's surface. However, prevailing belief has been that Venus' clouds cannot support life due to chemical composition concentrated sulfuric acid-a highly aggressive solvent. In this work, we study 20 biogenic amino acids range acid concentrations (81% and 98% w/w, rest water) temperatures. We find 19 tested are either unreactive (13 w/w 12 81% w/w) or chemically modified side chain only, after 4 weeks. Our major finding, therefore, is backbone remains intact acid. These findings significantly broaden biologically relevant molecules could be components a biochemistry based
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
3
Aerospace, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 9(7), С. 359 - 359
Опубликована: Июль 6, 2022
Venus is known for its extreme surface temperature and sulfuric acid clouds. But the cloud layers on have similar pressure conditions to those of Earth are conjectured be a possible habitat microscopic life forms. We propose mission concept explore clouds up 30 days evaluate habitability search signs life. The baseline targets 2026 launch opportunity. A super-pressure variable float altitude balloon aerobot cycles between altitudes 48 60 km, i.e., primarily traversing lower, middle, part upper layers. instrument suite carried by gondola design derived from Pioneer Large Probe vessel. transmits data via an orbiter relay combined with direct-to-Earth link. captured into 6-h retrograde orbit low, roughly 170-degree, inclination. total mass entry probe estimated 640 kg. An alternate constant also discussed as lower complexity option compared version. proposed would complement other planned missions could help elucidate limits role unknown chemistry or possibly itself in atmosphere.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
15
Universe, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 8(1), С. 54 - 54
Опубликована: Янв. 17, 2022
The initial reports of the presence phosphine in cloud decks Venus has led to suggestion that volcanism was source phosphine, through volcanic phosphides ejected into clouds. Here we examine idea mantle plume volcanism, bringing material from deep surface, could generate observed amounts interaction explosively erupted phosphide with sulfuric acid Direct eruption is unphysical, but shallower contain traces phosphide, and be surface. Explosive efficiently transported clouds would require ocean:magma interactions or subduction hydrated oceanic crust, neither which occur on modern Venus. transport altitudes coinciding observations consequently very inefficient. Using model proposed by Truong Lunine as a base case, estimate an volume at least 21,600 km3/year required explain 1 ppb This greater than any historical terrestrial rate, have several detectable consequences for remote situ confirm. More realistic lithospheric mineralogy, volcano mechanics atmospheric photochemistry even more volcanism.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
14
Life Sciences in Space Research, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 37, С. 18 - 24
Опубликована: Фев. 4, 2023
The Committee on Space Research's (COSPAR) Planetary Protection Policy states that all types of missions to Venus are classified as Category II, the planet has significant research interest relative processes chemical evolution and origin life, but there is only a remote chance terrestrial contamination can proliferate compromise future investigations. "Remote chance" essentially implies absence environments where organisms could survive replicate. Hence, II require simplified planetary protection documentation, including plan outlines intended or potential impact targets, brief Pre- Post-launch analyses detailing strategies, Post-encounter End-of-Mission Report. These requirements were applied in previous foreseen for numerous new international planned exploration Venus, which include NASA's VERITAS DAVINCI missions, ESA's EnVision mission. There also several proposed India's Shukrayaan-1, Russia's Venera-D. multiple plans spacecraft coincide with recent within scientific community regarding cloud layers have been suggested by some be habitable environments. proposed, privately funded, MIT/Rocket Lab Life Finder mission specifically designed assess habitability Venusian clouds search signs life. It includes up three atmospheric probes, first one targeting launch 2023. COSPAR Panel evaluated data underpins implications this current policy. done thorough review knowledge planet's conditions prevailing clouds. Based existing literature, we conclude environmental orders magnitude drier more acidic than tolerated survival limits any known extremophile organism. Because orbital, landed entry probe do not extra measures. This recommendation may revised if observations reanalysis past show increment, magnitude, water content pH layer.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
8
Aerospace, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 9(6), С. 312 - 312
Опубликована: Июнь 9, 2022
Recent and past observations of chemical physical peculiarities in the atmosphere Venus have renewed speculations about existence life its clouds. To find signs Venusian life, a dedicated astrobiological space exploration mission is required, for this reason Life Finder currently being prepared. A will require specialized instruments to hunt biosignatures habitability indicators. In contribution, we present ORIGIN instrument, laser desorption/laser ablation ionization mass spectrometer. This instrument designed detect large, non-volatile molecules, specifically biomolecules such as amino acids lipids. At same time, it can also be used mode elemental composition analysis. studies with prototype acids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, lipids, salts, metals, sulphur isotopes, microbial are discussed context indicators Venus’s atmosphere. The implementation into discussed, emphasizing low weight power consumption instrument. An design sample handling system presented that make optimal use capabilities highly versatile proven investigate potentially resolve many outstanding questions presence
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
11
Aerospace, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 9(7), С. 363 - 363
Опубликована: Июль 7, 2022
Mounting evidence of chemical disequilibria in the Venusian atmosphere has heightened interest search for life within planet's cloud decks. Balloon systems are currently considered to be superior class aerial platform extended atmospheric sampling clouds, providing highest ratio science return risk. Balloon-based designs depend heavily on payload mass and target altitudes. We present options constant- variable-altitude balloon designed carry out operations inside The Venus Life Finder (VLF) mission study proposes a series missions that require situ analysis material. provide an overview representative architecture, as well gondola accommodate VLF instrument suite. Current architecture asserts launch date 30 July 2026, which would place orbiter entry vehicle at early November 29 same year.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
11
Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 13(1)
Опубликована: Июнь 14, 2022
Life in the clouds of Venus, if present sufficiently high abundance, must be affecting atmospheric chemistry. It has been proposed that abundant Venusian life could obtain energy from its environment using three possible sulfur energy-metabolisms. These metabolisms raise possibility Venus's enigmatic cloud-layer SO$_2$-depletion being caused by life. We here couple each energy-metabolism to a photochemical-kinetics code and self-consistently predict composition atmosphere under scenario produces observed SO$_2$-depletion. Using this photo-bio-chemical kinetics code, we show all can produce SO$_2$-depletions, but do so violating other observational constraints on calculate maximum biomass density sulfur-metabolising clouds, before constraints, $\sim10^{-5}\,-\,10^{-3}\,{\rm mg\,m^{-3}}$. The methods employed are equally applicable aerial biospheres Venus-like exoplanets, planets optimally poised for characterisation near future.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
9
Geophysical Research Letters, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 50(23)
Опубликована: Дек. 6, 2023
Abstract Searches for phosphine in Venus' atmosphere have sparked a debate. Cordiner et al. (2022, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022gl101055 ) analyze spectra from the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) and infer <0.8 ppb of PH 3 . We noticed that some spectral artifacts arose non‐essential calibration‐load signals. By‐passing these signals allows simpler post‐processing 5.7 σ candidate detection, suggesting ∼3 above clouds. Compiling six results hints at an inverted abundance trend: decreasing clouds but rising again mesosphere unexplained source. However, no such extra source is needed if undergoing destruction by sunlight (photolysis), to similar degree as on Earth. Low values/limits are found where viewed part super‐rotating Venusian had passed through sunlight, while high values views moving into sunlight. suggest indeed present, so merits further work models its origins.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
5
Phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon and the related elements, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 197(5-6), С. 438 - 443
Опубликована: Ноя. 8, 2021
The potential detection of ppb levels phosphine (PH3) in the clouds Venus through millimeter-wavelength astronomical observations is extremely surprising as PH3 an unexpected component oxidized environment Venus. A thorough analysis sources suggests that no known process consensus model Venus' atmosphere or geology could produce at anywhere near observed abundance. Therefore, if presence confirmed, it highly likely to be result a not previously considered plausible for Venusian conditions. source atmospheric unknown geo- photochemistry, which would imply on chemistry significantly incomplete. An even more extreme possibility strictly aerial microbial biosphere produces PH3. This paper summarizes discovery and scientific debate arose since original candidate one year ago.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
11