Unlikely to provide a strong confirmation or repudiation of the current data because it’s instruments are not designed for it.
What’s more interesting is RocketLabs planned probe, which would actually enter the atmosphere. I’m amazed they can get even a small probe to Venus with their booster. If they do that will be very impressive.
> Unlikely to provide a strong confirmation or repudiation of the current data because it’s instruments are not designed for it.
Next year's fly-by has a better chance of confirming it as it will be much closer (although it will still be barely within the abilities of the instruments).
the adjustment of these fly-bys are about independently confirming the phosphine presence, which might or might not indicate life (through unknown physical processes)
The original nature article says unknown geological forces or chemistry was a possible explanation too...which seems more likely. Unfortunately popular science articles are more likely to write headlines as "Aliens!" than admit ignorance of geology or chemistry.
So remember when you're feeling very small and insecure
How amazingly unlikely is your birth
And pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space
Cause there's bugger-all down here on Earth
Why would it be "a complete fluke"? I mean, it is lucky that we get a Venus flyby so close to the announcement about phosphine, but it's not like the capsule was on that way by mistake or had no other purpose...
What’s more interesting is RocketLabs planned probe, which would actually enter the atmosphere. I’m amazed they can get even a small probe to Venus with their booster. If they do that will be very impressive.
Next year's fly-by has a better chance of confirming it as it will be much closer (although it will still be barely within the abilities of the instruments).