In September, researchers reported discovering signs of phosphine—a toxic compound that on Earth is made in significant amounts only by microbes and chemists—in radio emissions from Venus9s atmosphere. The unexpected detection could point to a microbial biosphere floating in the venusian clouds. But those results have since come under scrutiny, including from the original discovery team, which, citing a calibration error in one telescope it used, has downgraded the strength of its claim. Although the proponents remain confident of a phosphine detection, other astronomers have suggested that sulfur dioxide, which makes up most clouds on Venus, could have caused a similar absorption, among other critiques. Further observations next year will likely be needed to resolve the debate.

中文翻译：

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金星上的潜在生命迹象正在迅速消失

9 月，研究人员报告说，在金星大气层的无线电辐射中发现了磷化氢的迹象——一种有毒化合物，在地球上只有微生物和化学家才能大量制造。意外的发现可能指向漂浮在金星云中的微生物生物圈。但这些结果后来受到审查，包括最初的发现团队，该团队以其使用的一台望远镜的校准错误为由，降低了其主张的强度。尽管支持者仍然对磷化氢探测充满信心，但其他天文学家认为，构成金星上大部分云的二氧化硫可能会引起类似的吸收，以及其他批评。明年可能需要进一步观察才能解决争论。