Scientists report the discovery of glycine – an essential building block of protein – in the atmosphere of Venus. This is the first time that this amino acid has been discovered on a planet other than Earth.
In mid-September, a team of researchers announced that they had detected phosphine in the upper atmosphere of Venus, at an altitude where temperatures and pressures are similar to those here recorded at sea level on Earth. The announcement made headlines, as on our planet, these molecules can be produced by anaerobic bacteria.
However, simply isolating the spectral signature of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus does not necessarily mean that extraterrestrial life has been discovered. It is indeed also possible that the substance is generated by other exotic chemical reactions.
A few weeks ago, another team of researchers also suggested that phosphides formed in the mantle of Venus could be brought to the surface by volcanism, before d be ejected into the atmosphere. Here they could then react with water or sulfuric acid to form phosphine.
That said, a team of astronomers relying on the Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Antenna Array of the Atacama (Chile), today announces the discovery of a new piece in the complicated puzzle of the Venusian atmosphere:wisteria. This amino acid is believed to have been isolated at mid-latitudes, near the planet's equator.
There are about 500 known amino acids, but only twenty are present in the genetic code. Glycine is one of them. It is also the "simplest". Although glycine and other amino acids are not biosignatures, they are instead building blocks of life. Glycine is particularly important for the development of proteins.
It should be noted that the detection of this wisteria is a further clue to the possible existence of life on Venus, but again, it is not strong evidence . "Although on Earth, glycine is produced by biological processes, it is possible that on Venus, this amino acid is produced by other photochemical or geochemical means, not common on Earth" , warn the researchers of the Department of Physics of Midnapore College (India), at the origin of this work.
In addition, remember that glycine has already been detected on comets and meteorites where there really is no hope of life.
Finally, note that the document itself does not has not yet been peer reviewed. Several limitations can also be highlighted. The spectroscopic signal of glycine, for example, is very close to that of sulfur oxide. Also, it is possible that there is an error in the interpretation of the results. These observations, like that of phosphine, have also not been duplicated or verified.
Could Venus' clouds harbor life? The best way to find out would be to go and see on the spot. That's good, that's exactly what Rocket Lab intends to do.
