Sharmila Kuthunur is a Seattle-based science journalist covering astronomy, astrophysics and space exploration. Follow her on X @skuthunur.
MIT researchers have found that amino acids are stable in highly concentrated sulfuric acid. Their results support the idea that these same molecules may be stable in Venus' highly sulfuric clouds.If Venus hosts lifeforms in its toxic clouds, they likely won't be deprived of amino acids, one of the essential building blocks of life . At least, that's what scientists say is the result of a new lab experiment.
Along those lines, a new lab experiment, conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , found that 19 amino acids surprisingly persisted for at least a month in a sulfuric acid solution that included some water. This solution's sulfuric acid concentration was similar to what's found in Venusian clouds. The results show sulfuric acid is not universally hostile to organic chemistry we find on"It doesn't mean that life there will be the same as here.
"People have this perception that concentrated sulfuric acid is an extremely aggressive solvent that will chop everything to pieces," said study co-author Janusz Petkowski of MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences ."But we are finding this is not necessarily true.
"I think we are just more happy than anything that this latest result adds one more 'yes' for the possibility of life on Venus," said Sara Seager, who's also the mission's principal investigator.to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at:
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