# Can the claimed phosphine be reconciled with the upper limits from other instruments? · Phosphine in the clouds of Venus > Three answers have been proposed. The upper limits exclude phosphine at the claimed levels. leads, with evidence 1 for, 1 against: partly supported by… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/venus-phosphine/questions/QST0CQY1TZC4EZE/can-the-claimed-phosphine-be-reconciled-with-the-upper Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:59:05+00:00 --- **0** # Can the claimed phosphine be reconciled with the upper limits from other instruments? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [If the line is real, is it phosphine or sulphur dioxide?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/venus-phosphine/questions/QST0CQY1TQJ1W8Q/if-the-line-is-real-is-it-phosphine-or-sulphur-dioxide)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: the upper limits exclude phosphine at the claimed levels** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. The upper limits exclude phosphine at the claimed levels. leads, with evidence 1 for, 1 against: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters Upper limits from SOFIA, IRTF and Venus Express sit at or below the claimed abundances⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1KN03DN2/phosphine-in-the-venusian-atmosphere-a-strict-upper-limit)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1J645WRC/a-stringent-upper-limit-of-the-ph3-abundance-at-the-cloud)⁠[[3]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1JDY5BVQ/phosphine-in-venus-atmosphere-detection-attempts-and-upper). The detection survives only if phosphine varies strongly with altitude, time or place⁠[[4]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1H6W1K9Y/reply-to-no-evidence-of-phosphine-in-the-atmosphere-of-venus). ## Answers 3 [**The upper limits exclude phosphine at the claimed levels.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/venus-phosphine/answers/ANS0CQY221Y38RV/the-upper-limits-exclude-phosphine-at-the-claimed-levels) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/venus-phosphine/answers/ANS0CQY22SC3DVD/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**Phosphine varies with altitude and time, destroyed by sunlight high up and more abundant within the clouds,…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/venus-phosphine/answers/ANS0CQY21AG099B/phosphine-varies-with-altitude-and-time-destroyed-by) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 2 for Still possible ## History 1. 2021[Greaves et al. puts forward: phosphine varies with altitude and time, destroyed by sunlight high up and more abundant within the clouds,…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1H6W1K9Y/reply-to-no-evidence-of-phosphine-in-the-atmosphere-of-venus) 1. 2021[Greaves et al.: independent measurements suggest under about 5 ppb above 60 km and up to about 100 ppb near 50 km.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1H6W1K9Y/reply-to-no-evidence-of-phosphine-in-the-atmosphere-of-venus)For: Phosphine varies with altitude and time, destroyed by sunlight high up and more abundant within the clouds,… 1. 2022[Cordiner et al. puts forward: the upper limits exclude phosphine at the claimed levels.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1KN03DN2/phosphine-in-the-venusian-atmosphere-a-strict-upper-limit) 1. 2022[Cordiner et al.: sOFIA's 0.8 ppb limit is more stringent than earlier ground-based studies.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1KN03DN2/phosphine-in-the-venusian-atmosphere-a-strict-upper-limit)For: The upper limits exclude phosphine at the claimed levels. 1. 2023[Greaves et al.: the detection team disputes the SOFIA analysis.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1KWT6GY3/comment-on-phosphine-in-the-venusian-atmosphere-a-strict)Against: The upper limits exclude phosphine at the claimed levels. 1. 2026[Tang et al.: jCMT-Venus finds SO2 and H2O vary over years and with local solar time.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1MW2501X/jcmt-venus-long-term-monitoring-of-chemical-variability-in)For: Phosphine varies with altitude and time, destroyed by sunlight high up and more abundant within the clouds,… 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/venus-phosphine/questions/QST0CQY1TZC4EZE/can-the-claimed-phosphine-be-reconciled-with-the-upper%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/venus-phosphine/questions/QST0CQY1TZC4EZE/can-the-claimed-phosphine-be-reconciled-with-the-upper%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/venus-phosphine/questions/QST0CQY1TZC4EZE/can-the-claimed-phosphine-be-reconciled-with-the-upper%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/venus-phosphine/questions/QST0CQY1TZC4EZE/can-the-claimed-phosphine-be-reconciled-with-the-upper%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/venus-phosphine/questions/QST0CQY1TZC4EZE/can-the-claimed-phosphine-be-reconciled-with-the-upper%23add-source) Where it fits Phosphine in the clouds of Venus [**If the line is real, is it phosphine or sulphur dioxide?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/venus-phosphine/questions/QST0CQY1TQJ1W8Q/if-the-line-is-real-is-it-phosphine-or-sulphur-dioxide)3 answers, inconclusive **Can the claimed phosphine be reconciled with the upper limits from other instruments?** You're here · the upper limits exclude phosphine at the claimed levels [ Ask a question under this one ]