Slashdot Mirror
Martian Methane May Come From Rocks
An anonymous reader writes "When methane was found in the Martian atmosphere last year, some scientists thought this was indirect evidence of methane-producing bacteria. But minerals such as olivine can create methane in a process known as serpentinization. Geologists calculated that a global, 50-centimetre-thick layer of olivine could account for the methane. One geologist said, 'I'd love to see bugs, but you can't just go on hope. You have to consider the geological options.' Other scientists are unsure whether methane on Mars even exists."
"Cows on Mars." *dunh dunh dunnnhhh*
Look, if a cow can jump over the Moon, it's not much of a stretch to think they can get to Mars. Getting out of the Earth's gravity well is most of the challenge, really.
Maybe that layer is planet wide, and part of a larger living organism that will one day be calling us ugly bags of mostly water.
Well someone had to say it...
alek writes "When methane was found in the Terrestial atmosphere last year, some scientists thought this was indirect evidence of methane-producing bacteria. But animals such as bovines can create methane in a process known as breaking wind. Animalogists calculated that a global herd of 50,000 bovines could account for the methane. One animalogist said, 'I'd love to see udders, but you can't just go on hope. You have to consider the back-end options.' Other scientists are unsure whether methane on Earth even comes from cows."
Hulk SMASH Celiac Disease
my pet rock was also very flatulent