During observations of the Venusian atmosphere, the onboard telescope was unable to detect signs of a compound, possibly associated with biological activity. Discovery of a potential signal for the presence of phosphine in clouds Venus caused a sensation In 2020 This is because phosphine is a possible biomarker or indicator of potential life.

SOFIAHe made further observations of Venus to confirm or refute the phosphine discovery, a far-infrared telescope mounted on the 747 aircraft to make observations unavailable from ground-based observatories.

according to the statement According to the University Space Research Association (USRA), SOFIA failed to find any traces of phosphine during three flights in November 2021 (opens in new tab).

“Phosphine is a relatively simple chemical compound — a phosphorus atom with just three hydrogen atoms — so you’d think it would be pretty easy to make. “But it’s unknown how this can be done on Venus,” said researcher Martin Cordiner. NASA’s Goddard in Greenbelt, Maryland in astrochemistry and planetary science at the Space Flight Center.

According to the USRA team, using SOFIA on Venus presented some difficulties. The planet was only visible about half an hour after sunset, and the plane had to be in the right place at the right time. Since Venus is in Earth’s orbit, from our point of view the planet has phases like the Moon and is close to the Sun in the sky.

“You don’t want sunlight accidentally hitting your precision telescopes,” Cordiner said. “The sun is the last thing you need in the sky when making such precise observations.” Assisting the international search for phosphine in the Venusian atmosphere was one of SOFIA’s latest scientific endeavors. its effectiveness Finished in September 2022.