A new investigation published in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters suggests that certain fractures on the surface of Venus may preserve traces of ancient oceans. The study is based on radar images obtained by the Magellan mission, where networks of polygons may correspond to sediments that contracted after accumulating underwater.
The discovery reopens questions about the habitability of the neighboring planet, although researchers emphasize that this does not prove that Venus harbored life. The idea still requires additional measurements capable of distinguishing specific materials to be confirmed.
The article calls for the need to separate three distinct questions: whether there was liquid water on Venus, whether habitable conditions existed on the planet, and whether life emerged. These questions are often confused in discussions on the topic.
This investigation joins other recent studies that point to evidence of possible life in Venus's past, renewing scientific interest in a planet that was long considered too hostile to host any form of life.
