When it comes to supporting life and habitability on its surface – Venus could potentially be at the very bottom of the list. The planet, already christened 'hellish' for its incredibly hostile surface temperatures, is slowly grabbing everyone's attention with studies pointing at its flickering potential to host life.
If the detection of phosphine higher in its atmosphere last year wasn't absurd enough, a new study led by biochemist Rakesh Mogul of California State Polytechnic University has claimed that photosynthesis could be possible in the Venusian atmosphere.
"Our study provides tangible support for the potential for phototrophy and/or chemotrophy by microorganisms in Venus's clouds," said Mogul.
"We believe that Venus' clouds would make a great target for habitability or life detection missions, like those currently planned for Mars and Europa," he added.
The study has been published in the journal Astrobiology.
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