Scientists have shattered the idea that Venus could once have supported life, revealing that its neighboring planet was always a hot and hostile world. A team from the University of Cambridge studied the chemical composition of Venus’ atmosphere, concluding that water oceans never existed on its surface.
The researchers examined how rapidly chemicals are destroyed in Venus’ atmosphere and found that it’s too dry for the planet to have ever had enough water to supply oceans at its surface. This finding casts doubt on the theory that Venus may have been habitable billions of years ago.
The team’s results also have implications beyond our solar system, assisting astronomers in selecting exoplanets most likely to be habitable. NASA’s DAVINCI mission, launching in 2029, aims to study Venus’ atmosphere and surface with a probe, providing valuable data on the planet’s composition and potential for life.
Contrary to popular theories, Venus was never a twin to Earth in terms of its evolution, and its extreme conditions make it unlikely that any form of life as we know it could have existed. The discovery serves as a reminder that the search for extraterrestrial life is crucial, with scientists focusing on planets more likely to support life.
Source: https://www.space.com/venus-earth-twin-no-surface-water