methane and organics

[jay]

It isn't quite a smoking gun, but... there's too much methane on Mars. Several recent papers have addressed the Mars Express results, looking at necessary conditions for both biogenic and abiogenic generation mechanisms. Problem is, we have searched and haven't found any of the abiogenic sources (hydrothermal vents, current volcanics, etc. No one quite wants to claim that this favors the biogenic explanation... too controversial.

And since radiation destroys even chondrites on the surface in a few million years... one has to go down at least a meter under the Martian surface to find any possible surviving organics in the soil. This gives a boost to the need for drilling in future missions... subsurface access in multiple locations was what the surface science working group here listed as its highest priority today.

Comments

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

w00t!

[cyan-blue.livejournal.com]

Ok... so if I'm understanding the implications here, the excess methane is a sign in favor of life on Mars, and drilling is the way to find out, and therefore since your team does drilling, this is a good sign for your future job security?

Excellent, if so!

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

True, although IMO my employment is insignificant next to the possible existence of life there...

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

:-)

And... w00t!

[cyan-blue.livejournal.com]

Well, yeah :-) But both are Good Things.

methane and organics

[twoglass.livejournal.com]

In my day we would say either Cool! or Keen! Either way it is very interesting.

[mary919.livejournal.com]

Hiya. Do you know of a theory that says that the act of observing something affects what is observed? I'm trying to figure out if that theory has a name. Thanks!

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

Usually just referred to as "the observer principle" as far as I've heard, with side references to Schrodinger's cat... :)

[mary919.livejournal.com]

I thought Schrodinger's cat was almost dead. Or do I have my cats confused?

Here's the paragraph I wanted the theory for and how I got it in there without ever finding a name for that theory:

"There is a physics theory that says that observing something changes whatever is being observed. In order to collect data you have to manipulate it. The filmmakers responsible for 'Capote' turn a discerning eye on how well that theory translates from hard science to journalism."

I love using farfetched analogies. I don't know how this popped into my head-- it's probably in something Capote says in the movie. I'll have to watch it again and see :).

[hot-turkey.livejournal.com]

Oh! I missed this post earlier. Very cool!

So, when does the drilling on Mars start for real?

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

There's a little drill (5cm) on the Mars Science Lander in 2009, a 1-2m drill planned for the ESA ExoMars mission in 2011...