Are there 'signs of life' on Venus?

Earlier this year, Venus was in the spotlight because a group of international scientists said they found something peculiar in the Venusian clouds, the discovery would lead to new interest and excitement about potential robotic missions to Earth’s nearest neighbor.

A study published in the journal Nature Astronomy reported a potential bio signature, or something that might indicate life is present, had been found in the clouds of Venus. The team of astronomers, led by Professor Jane Greaves of Cardiff University, said they had found a gas called phosphine in the clouds of Venus.

It was a big deal because this particular kind of gas is thought to be made in only a few ways on rocky planets and those usually involve life.

But then things got complicated.

This week on WKMG and Graham Media's Space Curious podcast, National Geographic contributor Nadia Drake and Johns Hopkins University planetary scientist Dr. Sarah Horst help break down this complicated topic and what it takes to confirm great discoveries.

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