Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Methane Survey Reveals Mars Is Far From 'Dead'

Posted by Soulskill on from the mars-has-a-secret-cow-level dept.

astroengine writes "The first planet-wide studies of methane on Mars — incorporating billions of measurements made by NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft — shows gas concentrations peak in autumn and plummet in winter. Scientists have found significantly higher methane concentrations in the Tharsis, Elysium and Arabia Terrae regions. Tharsis and Elysium are home to Mars' most massive volcanoes and Arabia Terrae has large quantities of subterranean frozen water. This indicates the gas could be generated by geological or biological activity. 'It could be geology or biology, but it is not coming from another source. There is a seasonal pattern, so it could only be a local origin,' Sergio Fonti, with Italy's Universita del Salento, told Discovery News."

4 of 171 comments (clear)

  1. Nice way to narrow it down. by IndustrialComplex · · Score: 3, Insightful

    FTFA: 'It could be geology or biology, but it is not coming from another source.'

    Another source like what? Comets hitting the planet? Isn't geology pretty freaking broad for a category?

    That's like looking at a rock on the Earth and saying "Well, we are pretty sure that it either formed here on earth, or it is a meteorite."

    --
    Out of modpoints but really liked a post? 1BDkF6TtmmeZ3yqXbz9yhdYVqRYnwFoXDj
  2. Re:OH COME ON by arth1 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I think it's pretty certain that there is life on Mars now, as NASA didn't take any extraordinary measures to eradicate all possible forms of life from the probes until 1995 and the Mars Orbiter. Earlier, a memo was issued, but not much was done. Up to 10^5 possibly surviving microbes were permissible on the earlier crafts, if I remember correctly.

    It's a shame, as the planet can never be uncontaminated and studied as a truly lifeless planet.

  3. Re:OH COME ON by MightyMartian · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If life is responsible for the seasonal methane fluctuations, I doubt very much that it could be explained by anything hitching a ride on our spacecraft.

    --
    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  4. Re:Good news by saider · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It would be another step back from the "we-are-the-sole-reason-for-the-universe's-existence" mindset. Reducing humanities self-centered leanings leaves some more room for a "we-are-a-part-of-the-universe" attitude that tends to promote a more responsible approach to resource management.

    --


    Remember, You are unique...just like everyone else.