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Organic molecules on mars are nothing new. Methane had been shown in very low concentrations using remote sensing (spectral) methods, but had not been detected
by phreeza 14y ago
Organic molecules on mars are nothing new. Methane had been shown in very low concentrations using remote sensing (spectral) methods, but had not been detected directly on Mars so far by Curiosity. This might mean that it has now detected methane after all.
The reason why methane would be exciting is that it is broken down by UV radiation, so there must be some persistent source of it on the planet for a sustained presence.
- rpm4321 14y agoApparently, it's quite uncertain how much (if any) current volcanic activity there is, which would make organisms a possible source: http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-amp-space/article/2009-01/methane-may-point-life-mars http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-amp-space/article/20... http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-09/mars-methane-changes-seasons-and-scientists-wonder-why http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-09/mars-methane-c...