New preliminary evidence for phosphine and ammonia in Venus's atmosphere deepens the mystery behind what is producing these gases. The puzzling origin of phosphine and now ammonia means that the idea that these chemicals may have a biological source on Venus is under serious consideration by some scientists.
Venus seems like an unlikely place to find life due to its blisteringly hot surface temperatures sufficient to melt lead and its fearsome surface pressure. The presence of phosphine and ammonia in the clouds of the second planet from the sun and the hottest planet in the solar system implies that if life could exist there, it would be found high above the Venusian surface.
