Possible Signs of Life Found On Venus. Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos Presumably Annoyed They Didn't Find Them First. An international team of scientists reports the discovery of a gas that could indicate the existence of live microbes on the desert-like planet.

By Kenny Herzog Edited by Dan Bova

SCIEPRO | Getty Images

For all Elon Musk and Jeff Bezo's efforts to pioneer the colonization of other planets, a team of wonky scientific researchers has broken the news that life may exist on Venus. Sort of.

The 19-member international cohort of astronomers and astrophysicists published a study in the journal Nature Astronomy today headlined simply, "Phosphine gas in the cloud decks of Venus." That title, while sounding like the name of a Tangerine Dream album, actually underscores their chief discovery: that phosphine, a toxic gas produced on Earth by oxygen-deprived bacteria, is evident in Venus's atmosphere.

Related: SpaceX Successfully Returns NASA Astronauts to Earth

Several Earth-based telescopes confirmed the finding. Though the researchers were quick to differentiate between trace concentrations of phosphine and any assurances about little green men.

In an interview with Reuters, Massachusetts Institute of Technology molecular astrophysicist and study co-author Clara Sousa-Silva explained, "With what we currently know of Venus, the most plausible explanation for phosphine, as fantastical as it might sound, is life," before adding, "I can only speculate on what life might survive on Venus, if indeed it is there. No life would be able to survive on the surface of Venus, because it is completely inhospitable, even for biochemistries completely different from ours. But a long time ago, Venus could have had life on its surface, before a runaway greenhouse effect left the majority of the planet completely uninhabitable."

Musk and Bezos have yet to comment on the news, though one assumes they already have a team diligently working on designing bigger telescopes.

Kenny Herzog

Entrepreneur Staff

Digital Content Director

Kenny Herzog is currently Digital Content Director at Entrepreneur Media. Previously, he has served as Editor in Chief or Managing Editor for several online and print publications, and contributed his byline to outlets including Rolling Stone, New York Magazine/Vulture, Esquire, The Ringer, Men's Health, TimeOut New York, A.V. Club, Men's Journal, Mic, Mel, Nylon and many more.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

JPMorgan Shuts Down Internal Message Board Comments After Employees React to Return-to-Office Mandate

Employees were given the option to leave comments about the RTO mandate with their first and last names on display — and they did not hold back.

Innovation

4 Ways Market Leaders Use Innovation to Foster Business Growth

Forward-thinkers constantly strive to diversify and streamline their products and services, turning novelties into commodities desired by many.

Business News

The FTC Is Readying a Case Against the Largest U.S. Apartment Landlord. Here's Why.

The issue is with fees that allegedly weren't disclosed in advertisements for rental units.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Franchise

Turn Your Passion for Pets into a Business with a Wag N' Wash Franchise

Wag N' Wash is a store where pets can be cherished every day by feeding, washing, and spoiling them just how they like it.

Business Culture

What Every Business Leader Can Learn From Dutch Bros' People-First Culture

The coffee chain is turning employees into owners of the customer experience.