spacetoday.net: Microbes could exist in Venusian atmosphere

Microbes could exist in Venusian atmosphere

Posted: Mon, Sep 30, 2002, 8:03 AM ET (1203 GMT)
Two scientists believe that microbes could exist in water droplets found high in the atmosphere of Venus, New Scientist reported this week. The German and American researchers noted that data from Russian and American spacecraft showed a lack of carbon monoxide in the upper atmosphere, as well as the presence of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. The latter two compounds are reactive gases that could only exist if something is producing them. The scientists argue that microbes, living in water droplets, could be the source of the gases.