Part 7/9:
Interestingly, Venus's atmosphere bears signs of an ancient past. The presence of deuterium indicates a history of water loss, suggesting that the planet once housed significant amounts of water. However, the current conditions, with water vapor intermingled with sulfuric acid, present a conundrum for potential life forms. This raises further questions about what life might have looked like on early Venus and whether it could adapt to such dramatic shifts.
Notably, the discovery of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus—as proposed by Jane Greaves and her team—sparked debates over the possibility of life in its clouds. Although the evidence remains contentious, it offers a glimmer of hope that life could exist beyond Earth, even in such an adverse environment.