Venus, an Astrobiology Target

• DOI: 10.3847/25c2cfeb.32998123
• Publication Date: 2021-05-27T18:49:09Z
• Authors: Sanjay Limaye; Mark A. Bullock; Kevin H. Baines; Charles Cockell; Jaime A. Cordova; James A. Cutts; Diana Gentry; David Grinspoon; James Head; Kandis-Lea Jessup; Vladimir Kompanic...; Yeon J. Lee; Richard Mathies; Tetyana Milojevic; Rakesh Mogul; Rosalyn A. Pertzborn; Lynn Rothschild; Satoshi Sasaki; Dirk Schulze-Makuch; Sara Seager; David J. Smith; Michael J. Way
• Keywords: Life in extreme environments; Extraterrestrial Environment; Earth, Planet; 104004 Chemical biology; Planets; UPPER-ATMOSPHERE; PIONEER VENUS; 01 natural sciences; Extremophiles; UV ABSORPTION; Exobiology; 0103 physical sciences; MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES; 103004 Astrophysics; Search for life (biosignatures); Extreme environments; 103004 Astrophysik; Venus; 104004 Chemische Biologie; SOLAR-RADIATION; LIFE; SULFUR-DIOXIDE; 13. Climate action; UPPER HAZE; PHOTOCHEMICAL MODEL; UPPER CLOUDS; Venus—Extreme environments—Extremophiles—Lifein extreme environments—Search for life (biosignatures)

We present a case for the exploration of Venus as an astrobiology target-(1) investigations focused on the likelihood that liquid water existed on the surface in the past, leading to the potential for the origin and evolution of life, (2) investigations into the potential for habitable zones within Venus' present-day clouds and Venus-like exo atmospheres, (3) theoretical investigations into how active aerobiology may impact the radiative energy balance of Venus' clouds and Venus-like atmospheres, and (4) application of these investigative approaches toward better understanding the atmospheric dynamics and habitability of exoplanets. The proximity of Venus to Earth, guidance for exoplanet habitability investigations, and access to the potential cloud habitable layer and surface for prolonged in situ extended measurements together make the planet a very attractive target for near term astrobiological exploration.