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Why don’t we search for microbial life in Venus’ atmosphere?
I’ve seen a bit of discussion lately regarding some scientists who speculate that dark, UV-absorbing patches in Venus’ atmosphere may be caused by airborne microbial life, living in the planet’s upper atmosphere.
Yet despite these speculations, I haven’t been able to find much information on any actual proposals or plans to further investigate this hypothesis.
Given that we already currently have probes orbiting Venus, and we have previously landed probes on the harsh surface of Venus (albeit only for a few hours), it seems like having a probe perform direct atmospheric research should be relatively easy, especially if there exists the possibility of discovering microbial life.
Here’s one of the articles I’m referring to
7 Answers
- Tom SLv 71 year ago
The probes which have been sent there, function for very brief amount of time, the temperature and pressure is inhospitable for our current technology. Maybe some day.
- az_lenderLv 71 year ago
The article to which you provided a link contains the immediate answer to your question. A different type of vehicle with different equipment would be needed to investigate this matter. I am sure Dr. Limaye has prepared proposals to get the project funded. There is no such thing as "scientists" speculating without requesting the funding to find out.
- 1 year ago
What for?
If we want to study microbial life, it makes sense to go where we know it can thrive. I would suggest places like forest floors, stagnant water, tide pools, soil, river beds, and in many different foodstuffs. Microbes are all around us. No need to go off up into space to find them.
And what exactly are we supposed to do, if at great expense, microbes were for some improbable reason found in the air at Venus?
- Anonymous1 year ago
Most likely cost is the limiting factor. Moon missions, Moon base, Mars missions, Mars colonization, Venus missions, Jupiter missions, Jupiter moon missions, etc, etc. Billions in USD for each launch.
- ?Lv 71 year ago
My guess is that the technology doesn't exist to be able to take a sample of the atmosphere. It would be the only way to prove that any kind of life exists there. Conditions on Venus are extreme.
