The first hints of life on Mars have been discovered by Nasa.
The Curiosity Rover has recorded what have been described as “burps” of methane.
“What is interesting is that these spikes of methane are coming and going. They are transient,” said Dr Paul Mahaffy at Nasa. “At the moment we can’t really tell anything, but these burps are intriguing. We have to keep an open mind. We don’t want to eliminate anything, and potentially it could indicate life or evidence of ancient methane trapped which could show ancient life. But it’s interesting to think about why it comes and goes. It seems to be suggestive of a localised source”
What can generate methane?
Naturally occurring methane is mainly produced by the process of methanogenesis. This multistep process is used by microorganisms as an energy source.
Methane could also be produced by a non-biological process called serpentinization involving water, carbon dioxide, and the mineral olivine, which is known to be common on Mars
Asteroids contain methane which could be released on impact. But no recent strikes have been recorded near the crater. But the fact that it is a crater, albeit an ancient one, points to a past impact.
The Curiosity Rover has recorded what have been described as “burps” of methane.
“What is interesting is that these spikes of methane are coming and going. They are transient,” said Dr Paul Mahaffy at Nasa. “At the moment we can’t really tell anything, but these burps are intriguing. We have to keep an open mind. We don’t want to eliminate anything, and potentially it could indicate life or evidence of ancient methane trapped which could show ancient life. But it’s interesting to think about why it comes and goes. It seems to be suggestive of a localised source”
What can generate methane?
Naturally occurring methane is mainly produced by the process of methanogenesis. This multistep process is used by microorganisms as an energy source.
Methane could also be produced by a non-biological process called serpentinization involving water, carbon dioxide, and the mineral olivine, which is known to be common on Mars
Asteroids contain methane which could be released on impact. But no recent strikes have been recorded near the crater. But the fact that it is a crater, albeit an ancient one, points to a past impact.