Mars can still be a living planet

A group of NASA researchers and universities have for the first time discovered methane in Mars's atmosphere. This finding shows that the planet is still biologically or geologically active.

The team discovered methane in Mars's atmosphere by carefully watching for several years Mars with NASA's Infrared Telescope and WM Keck Telescope, both located in Mauna Kea, Hawaii. The team used spectroscopy on telescopes to divide light into component colors, like a prism reflecting white light into a rainbow.The team found that three spectral properties called suction lines are a clear sign of methane.

Michael Mumma of the Goddard Space Center at Greenbelt, Md said: 'The Mekong was quickly destroyed in the Martian atmosphere in many ways, so the discovery of significant methane in the Northern Hemisphere of Mars in 2003 for see some process taking place to release this gas. In the middle of the north, methane was released at a rate comparable to the amount of hydrocarbons seeping in Cape Coal Oil, Santa Barbara, Calif. " Mumma is the main author of the paper describing this research published in the journal Science Express

Methane, four hydrogen atoms linked to a carbon atom, is the main component of natural gas on Earth. Astronomers are very interested in this data because organisms release a large part of Earth's methane as they digest nutrients.However, geological processes, such as iron oxidation, also release methane.

Mumma said: 'Currently, we do not have enough information to determine whether it is biology or geology or - or both - creating methane on Mars. But this tells us that this planet is still active, at least geologically. As if Mars is challenging us ', find out the meaning of this phenomenon'.

If the microbial life on Mars produces methane, they can lie deep beneath the surface of the place warm enough for liquid water to exist. Liquid water is necessary for all life forms, and is a source of energy and carbon.

The picture shows the concentration of methane discovered on Mars. (Photo: NASA)

Mumma said: 'On Earth, microorganisms develop networks at a depth of 1.2 to 1.9 miles below the Witwatersrand basin, South Africa, where natural radioactivity divides water molecules into hydrogen molecules and oxygen. Microorganisms use hydrogen for energy. It is very likely that similar microorganisms can survive for billions of years beneath the icy surface of Hao, where liquid, radioactive water supplies carbon energy, and carbon dioxide provides carbon. Gas, like methane, accumulates from such underground areas that can be released into the atmosphere if cracks occur during warm seasons, linking deep underground areas to the atmosphere. '

It is possible that a geological process creates methane on Mars. On Earth, the conversion of iron oxide into a group of pentecectin minerals produces methane, and on Mars this process can occur using water, carbon dioxide and the planet's internal heat. Although there is no evidence of volcanic activity on Mars today, methane trapped in ice sheets called clathrates can be released.

Co-author Geronimo Villanueva of the US Catholic University in Washington said: 'We have observed and graphed many places that concentrate methane on Mars, one of which releases about 19,000 tons of methane. Methane is released during the warm, spring and summer seasons, probably because the ice covers the melted cracks to allow methane to leak into the air. '

According to the team, areas of methane concentration are observed in areas where there is evidence of ancient bottom ice or flowing water. These areas appear in the northern hemisphere regions of Mars such as eastern Arabia Terra, the Nili Fossae region, the southeast quadrant of Syrtis Major, an ancient volcano that extends 745 miles.

One method to test whether life produces methane is to check the isotope ratio. Isotopes of an element have different chemical properties, and living organisms often use lighter isotopes. A chemical called deuterium is a heavier version of hydrogen. Methane and water released on Mars have a distinct proportion of hydrogen and carbon isotopes if life is the cause of methane release. Future efforts, like NASA's Mars science lab, are needed to understand the source of methane on Mars.

The study was conducted by Planet Astronomy Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington and the Institute of Astrobiology at NASA's Ames Research Center at Field, Calif. The University of Hawaii is responsible for managing NASA's Infrared Telescope.