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

[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.