Latest news with #JaneGreaves
Gizmodo
10-07-2025
- Science
- Gizmodo
A Bold Mission to Hunt for Aliens on Venus Is Actually Happening
A UK-based mission is aiming to settle, once and for all, whether life exists on Venus. The mission plans to send a probe to the planet in search of microbial life, not on the surface, of course, but in the Venusian clouds. Over the past half-decade, scientists have detected the presence of phosphine and ammonia—two potential signs of biological activity—in Venus's clouds. On Earth, both gases are produced only by biological activity and industrial processes, and scientists are unsure of their origin on Venus. Given the planet's thick, toxic atmosphere, scorching surface temperatures, and crushing surface pressure, a booming industrial economy seems unlikely. But microbes—which can thrive in Earth's hottest, most toxic environments—might be able to survive on Venus and produce these gases, researchers posit. 'Our latest data has found more evidence of ammonia on Venus, with the potential for it to exist in the habitable parts of the planet's clouds,' Jane Greaves, an astronomer at the University of Cardiff, said in a statement. 'There are no known chemical processes for the production of either ammonia or phosphine, so the only way to know for sure what is responsible for them is to go there.' At this year's Royal Astronomical Society National Astronomy Meeting, researchers from the University of Cardiff presented their plan to search for and map phosphine, ammonia, and other hydrogen-rich gases that might indicate the presence of microbial life on Earth's twin. The mission, called the Venus Explorer for Reduced Vapours in the Environment (VERVE), will send a CubeSat-sized probe aboard the European Space Agency's EnVision mission—a larger mission designed to probe Venus's surface and interior, scheduled for launch in 2031. VERVE will detach upon arrival and carry out an independent atmospheric survey. Researchers first detected phosphine in Venus's clouds in 2020. The finding was controversial, however, as follow-up studies failed to replicate the results. But a subsequent project, JCMT–Venus, designed to study the molecular composition of Venus's atmosphere using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii, offered a possible explanation for these disparate findings. Researchers tracked the phosphine signature over time and found it could only be detected at night, as it was destroyed by sunlight. They also discovered that the amount of gas in Venus's atmosphere varied over time. Last year, at the National Astronomy Meeting, researchers also reported the detection of ammonia in Venus's atmosphere. Although surface temperatures on Venus reach around 450 degrees Celsius, conditions become much more reasonable about 31 miles (50 kilometers) above the surface, where temperatures range from 30 degrees Celsius to 70 degrees Celsius. Researchers believe it may be possible for extremophiles—like those found in Earth's hydrothermal vents and deep-sea trenches—to survive in these conditions.
Forbes
10-07-2025
- Science
- Forbes
New U.K. Mission Could Prove Signs Of Alien Life On Venus
In 2020, astronomers discovered that phosphine was present in the atmosphere of Venus. Is there life on Venus? A new space mission led by the U.K. could soon answer one of the most tantalizing questions in planetary science by seeking to confirm whether alien microbes are producing trace gases in the planet's atmosphere. The proposal is from the same scientists that first detected phosphine (PH3) in the Venusian atmosphere in 2020, detected it again in 2023, then found ammonia (NH3) in 2024. The mission, called VERVE (the Venus Explorer for Reduced Vapours in the Environment), was revealed at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting 2025 in Durham, U.K., this week. It comes as the Trump Administration's proposed budget cuts could spell the end of NASA's DAVINCI mission, an orbiter and atmospheric probe that was due to launch in 2030 and could have detected phosphine and ammonia. Life on Venus: Phosphine And Ammonia Phosphine and ammonia are potential biomarkers — signs of microbial life. On Earth, these two gases can only be produced by biological activity and industrial processes. The discovery has fueled speculation about potential life in the planet's upper atmosphere. 'Our latest data has found more evidence of ammonia on Venus, with the potential for it to exist in the habitable parts of the planet's clouds,' said Jane Greaves, a professor at Cardiff University in Wales, U.K., who made the original detection of phosphine at Venus. 'There are no known chemical processes for the production of either ammonia or phosphine, so the only way to know for sure what is responsible for them is to go there.' Life on Venus: VERVE Mission The proposed VERVE mission would comprise a probe about the size of a CubeSat that would piggyback aboard the European Space Agency's EnVision mission — a Venus oprbiter — which is slated for launch in 2031. With a projected budget of $58 million, VERVE would detach from EnVision on arrival and conduct an independent atmospheric survey. Its primary goal would be to map the presence and distribution of phosphine, ammonia, and other hydrogen-rich gases. 'The hope is that we can establish whether the gases are abundant or in trace amounts and whether their source is on the planetary surface, for example, in the form of volcanic ejecta,' said Greaves. 'Or whether there is something in the atmosphere, potentially microbes that are producing ammonia to neutralize the acid in the Venusian clouds.' Life on Venus: Controversy The initial detection of phosphine is part of the JCMT-Venus project, which aims to study the molecular content of Venus' atmosphere using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii. It was controversial, with researchers later confirming that the gas's presence varied with time and location — often disappearing during daylight, suggesting it was broken down by sunlight. 'This may explain some of the apparently contradictory studies and is not a surprise given that many other chemical species, like sulfur dioxide and water, have varying abundances and may eventually give us clues to how phosphine is produced,' said Dr. Dave Clements, of Imperial College London, who is the leader of the JCMT-Venus project. Life on Venus: Context The temperature on the surface of Venus is around 842 degrees Fahrenheit (450 degrees Celsius), but at an altitude of around 31 miles (50 kilometers), it can be as cold as 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), with atmospheric pressure similar to that of Earth's surface. It's thought that 'extremophile' microbes could potentially thrive in these temperate cloud layers. Whether gases are signs of biological activity or an unknown chemical process, researchers say only a dedicated probe can provide answers. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
CTV News
11-05-2025
- Science
- CTV News
Soviet-era spacecraft plunges to Earth after 53 years stuck in orbit
This photo provided by researcher Jane Greaves shows the planet Venus, seen from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Akatsuki probe in May 2016. (J. Greaves/Cardiff University/JAXA via AP) A Soviet-era spacecraft plunged to Earth on Saturday, more than a half-century after its failed launch to Venus. Its uncontrolled entry was confirmed by both the Russian Space Agency and European Union Space Surveillance and Tracking. The Russians indicated it came down over the Indian Ocean, but some experts were not so sure of the precise location. The European Space Agency's space debris office also tracked the spacecraft's doom after it failed to appear over a German radar station. It was not immediately known how much, if any, of the half-ton spacecraft survived the fiery descent from orbit. Experts said ahead of time that some if not all of it might come crashing down, given it was built to withstand a landing on Venus, the solar system's hottest planet. The chances of anyone getting clobbered by spacecraft debris were exceedingly low, scientists said. Launched in 1972 by the Soviet Union, the spacecraft known as Kosmos 482 was part of a series of missions bound for Venus. But this one never made it out of orbit around Earth, stranded there by a rocket malfunction. Much of the spacecraft came tumbling back to Earth within a decade of the failed launch. No longer able to resist gravity's tug as its orbit dwindled, the spherical lander — an estimated three feet (one metre) across — was the last part of the spacecraft to come down. The lander was encased in titanium, according to experts, and weighed more than 1,000 pounds (495 kilograms). Any surviving wreckage will belong to Russia, under a United Nations treaty. After following the spacecraft's downward spiral, scientists, military experts and others could not pinpoint in advance precisely when or where the spacecraft might come down. Solar activity added to the uncertainty as well as the spacecraft's deteriorating condition after so long in space. As of late Saturday morning, the U.S. Space Command had yet to confirm the spacecraft's demise as it collected and analyzed data from orbit. The U.S. Space Command routinely monitors dozens of reentries each month. What set Kosmos 482 apart — and earned it extra attention from government and private space trackers — was that it was more likely to survive reentry, according to officials. It was also coming in uncontrolled, without any intervention by flight controllers who normally target the Pacific and other vast expanses of water for old satellites and other space debris. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Marcia Dunn, The Associated Press
Yomiuri Shimbun
11-05-2025
- Science
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Soviet-Era Spacecraft Plunges to Earth after 53 Years Stuck in Orbit
JAXA via AP This photo provided by researcher Jane Greaves shows the planet Venus, seen from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Akatsuki probe in May 2016. A Soviet-era spacecraft plunged to Earth on Saturday, more than a half-century after its failed launch to Venus. Its uncontrolled entry was confirmed by both the Russian Space Agency and European Union Space Surveillance and Tracking. The Russians indicated it came down over the Indian Ocean, but some experts were not so sure of the precise location. The European Space Agency's space debris office also tracked the spacecraft's doom after it failed to appear over a German radar station. It was not immediately known how much, if any, of the half-ton spacecraft survived the fiery descent from orbit. Experts said ahead of time that some if not all of it might come crashing down, given it was built to withstand a landing on Venus, the solar system's hottest planet. The chances of anyone getting clobbered by spacecraft debris were exceedingly low, scientists said. Launched in 1972 by the Soviet Union, the spacecraft known as Kosmos 482 was part of a series of missions bound for Venus. But this one never made it out of orbit around Earth, stranded there by a rocket malfunction. Much of the spacecraft came tumbling back to Earth within a decade of the failed launch. No longer able to resist gravity's tug as its orbit dwindled, the spherical lander — an estimated 3 feet (1 meter) across — was the last part of the spacecraft to come down. The lander was encased in titanium, according to experts, and weighed more than 1,000 pounds (495 kilograms). Any surviving wreckage will belong to Russia under a United Nations treaty. After following the spacecraft's downward spiral, scientists, military experts and others could not pinpoint in advance precisely when or where the spacecraft might come down. Solar activity added to the uncertainty as well as the spacecraft's deteriorating condition after so long in space. After so much anticipation, some observers were disappointed by the lingering uncertainty over the exact whereabouts of the spacecraft's grave. 'If it was over the Indian Ocean, only the whales saw it,' Dutch scientist Marco Langbroek said via X. As of Saturday afternoon, the U.S. Space Command had yet to confirm the spacecraft's demise as it collected and analyzed data from orbit. The U.S. Space Command routinely monitors dozens of reentries each month. What set Kosmos 482 apart — and earned it extra attention from government and private space trackers — was that it was more likely to survive reentry, according to officials. It was also coming in uncontrolled, without any intervention by flight controllers who normally target the Pacific and other vast expanses of water for old satellites and other space debris.
Toronto Sun
10-05-2025
- Science
- Toronto Sun
Soviet-era spacecraft Kosmos 482 plunges to Earth after 53 years stuck in orbit
Published May 10, 2025 • 2 minute read This photo provided by researcher Jane Greaves shows the planet Venus, seen from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Akatsuki probe in May 2016. Photo by J. Greaves/Cardiff University/JAXA via AP / AP A Soviet-era spacecraft plunged to Earth on Saturday, more than a half-century after its failed launch to Venus. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Its uncontrolled entry was confirmed by both the Russian Space Agency and European Union Space Surveillance and Tracking. The Russians indicated it came down over the Indian Ocean, but some experts were not so sure of the precise location. The European Space Agency's space debris office also tracked the spacecraft's doom after it failed to appear over a German radar station. It was not immediately known how much, if any, of the half-ton spacecraft survived the fiery descent from orbit. Experts said ahead of time that some if not all of it might come crashing down, given it was built to withstand a landing on Venus, the solar system's hottest planet. The chances of anyone getting clobbered by spacecraft debris were exceedingly low, scientists said. Launched in 1972 by the Soviet Union, the spacecraft known as Kosmos 482 was part of a series of missions bound for Venus. But this one never made it out of orbit around Earth, stranded there by a rocket malfunction. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Much of the spacecraft came tumbling back to Earth within a decade of the failed launch. No longer able to resist gravity's tug as its orbit dwindled, the spherical lander — an estimated 3 feet (1 metre) across — was the last part of the spacecraft to come down. The lander was encased in titanium, according to experts, and weighed more than 1,000 pounds (495 kilograms). Any surviving wreckage will belong to Russia, under a United Nations treaty. After following the spacecraft's downward spiral, scientists, military experts and others could not pinpoint in advance precisely when or where the spacecraft might come down. Solar activity added to the uncertainty as well as the spacecraft's deteriorating condition after so long in space. As of late Saturday morning, the U.S. Space Command had yet to confirm the spacecraft's demise as it collected and analyzed data from orbit. The U.S. Space Command routinely monitors dozens of reentries each month. What set Kosmos 482 apart — and earned it extra attention from government and private space trackers — was that it was more likely to survive reentry, according to officials. It was also coming in uncontrolled, without any intervention by flight controllers who normally target the Pacific and other vast expanses of water for old satellites and other space debris. Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls Columnists Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs
