Detection of phosphine in Venus’s clouds ‘indicates potential for life’

Phosphine gas has been discovered in the clouds of Venus (ESO/M. Kornmesser & NASA/JPL/Caltech)

The discovery of phosphine gas in the clouds of Venus could possibly indicate signs of life on the planet, scientists have said.

The gas has been detected in the atmosphere of Venus, suggesting the planet could host unknown photochemical or geochemical processes.