Carl Sagan once said that Venus is the most hell-like planet in our solar system. So when do we return? Astronomers on Monday reported the detection of a chemical in Venus’ acidic clouds, phosphine, which may be a possible sign of life. That has some planetary scientists eager to return to the second planet from the sun, especially those who feel that Venus has long been overlooked in favor of Mars and other destinations.
“If this planet is active and producing phosphine, and something is doing it in the atmosphere of Venus, then by God almighty, forget this nonsense about Mars,” said Paul Byrne, planetary scientist at Carolina State University. from North. “We need a lander, an orbiter, we need a program.”