A group of scientists may have just detected a mysterious source of methane, a gas mostly produced by microbes, on Mars, and NASA’s Curiosity rover may be there.
–
Since Curiosity landed in Gale Crater in 2012, it has been measuring the amount of methane in the area. He saw spikes in the methane level six times.
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology used modeling techniques to determine the six methane peaks found since May 2017. one of them will be located near Curiosity. Taking into account the wind speed and direction when detected, the team returned the methane package in time to the possible emission point. The latest is only in ” some ten kilometers ” Curiosity.
According to the researchers, Most of the methane in Earth’s atmosphere comes from biological sources, suggesting that the detection of methane on Mars may be an indication of life on an arid planet. When the rover was nine years old on Mars, it recently allowed scientists to own it a better picture of where to look for traces of life thanks to eroded rock.
Methane, a new clue to life on Mars?
Curiosity’s discovery of traces of methane on Mars shows possible sign of the presence of life, because methane is mainly produced by living things on Earth. Indeed, most global emissions will also come from livestock gas. According to Mars, microbes could be the source of this methane.
On Earth, methane has an observable lifespan of 330 years, and is then completely destroyed by exposure to sunlight. The methane on Mars may indicate that the planet recently hosted living organisms. However, its presence is not a definite sign of life..
Although methane is produced by non-biological processes, this may indicate geological activity closely related to the presence of liquid water, an essential element for the development of life now or in the present. A new underground lake has also been discovered under the red planet’s south pole..
Source: new scientist
–
–
“Friendly foodie. Very charming explorer. Zombie nerds. Unapologetic web fans. Falls often.”
—
–
