Phosphine is a molecule composed of phosphorus and hydrogen that is unstable in the atmosphere. In gas giants such as Jupiter and Saturn, it forms deep within the planets and rises upward faster than it disappears. This explains why it is found here and at Wolf 1130C at a concentration of about 0.1 ppm, as predicted by models.
However, many brown dwarfs do not contain phosphine, and the reason is unknown. One explanation has to do with its chemical composition: Wolf 1130C, Jupiter, and Saturn have low amounts of “heavy elements,” which facilitate the formation of phosphine and make it easier to detect.
In early 2020, Jane Greaves’ group reported that phosphine on Venus indicated a biological origin. However, this hypothesis is controversial because phosphine can also be formed by non-biological processes. And this study only confirms that Venus is not necessarily inhabited.
As the discovery at Wolf 1130C shows, phosphine can also occur “naturally” on other celestial bodies.
Source: Ferra
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
