Astrobiology

Is the Phosphine Biosignature on Venus a Calibration Error?

The already tentative detection of phosphine is under heavy scrutiny from the scientific community. A problem with the ALMA data hasn't helped.

Pioneer Venus

Solar System

Did Pioneer Venus Find Phosphine First?

NASA's Pioneer Venus mission, which launched in 1978, found the first tantalizing clues of phosphine, a potential biosignature gas — but it took 40 years to realize it!

EnVision Orbiter

Astrobiology

Race to Venus: How We’ll Verify Phosphine

Confirming phosphine's presence on Venus is difficult from Earth . . . and that makes a good case for a mission to our sister planet.

Gibbous Venus from Akatsuki

Astrobiology

Potential Biosignature Found in Venus’s Clouds

Astronomers might have found a potential indication of life in the clouds of Venus.