Posted on 08/14/2019 7:11:55 AM PDT by BenLurkin
A few months after detecting an "unusually high" level of methane on Mars, researchers have yet to figure out what's causing the spike.
According to a study published in Scientific Reports, researchers from Newcastle University in the U.K. have ruled out that the spike could have been caused by wind erosion of rocks that had trapped the methane from fluid inclusions and fractures on the Red Planet's surface.
"The questions are -- where is this methane coming from, and is the source biological?" principal investigator Dr. Jon Telling said
Telling added that over the last decade, winds on Mars have driven more sand movement than previously thought and that the erosions could be similar to those of sand dunes seen on Earth. Using the data they had, they found that wind erosion was not the source of the methane spikes and is coming from another source.
The Mars methane spike has surprised experts. Researchers used Curiosity’s onboard laboratory to “sniff” methane in the Martian atmosphere 12 times over a 20-month period that ended in 2014.
Sudden spikes of methane also have been recorded, but scientists don’t know how long these “transient plumes” last or why they differ from seasonal patterns.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Massive cow sandworms!
Yes. Cow farts what else?
Shai-Hulud!!!
Mars pharts
or it could be from Marsquakes
Ping.
Get the thumpers.
Martian cows are green.
Looks like we’ve found the vents for the underground cities.
first of all, does the presence of methane necessitate the hypothesis that the source is biological?
If I recall correctly, there are satellites in our solar system with atmospheres that have a lot of methane in them. Certain moons of Jupiter or Saturn. I’d have to look it up.
Secondly, methane could be trapped in the upper crust due to a more distant past of biological activity.
I think I recall reading that at one time Mars had a much more significant atmosphere than it currently does and the climate may have been warmer.
The Spice must flow...
I, for one, welcome our bovine overlords.
Clearly a Mars Green New Deal is necessary. There’s only 11.5 years left.
Scientists can not only detect methane on Mars, but how much there is ?
FREDO’s BS pile is growing?
someone quick call aoc, if that gas escapes for the back side of the planet , it could push mars into earth. /s
I’m sure Brian Williams would know, right?
I knew this thread was going to be fun!
“does the presence of methane necessitate the hypothesis that the source is biological”
No, methane is one of the very simple hydrocarbons that can form naturally.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.