Mars Express links water and methane
Posted: Tue, Sep 21, 2004, 8:58 AM ET (1258 GMT)
Scientists announced Monday that they have linked traces of methane in the Martian atmosphere with concentrations of ice beneath the Martian surface, raising the possibility that the methane has been generated biologically. The analysis is based on data collected by ESA's Mars Express spacecraft, whose spectrometer has detected traces of methane in the planet's atmosphere. That data showed that both methane and water vapor in the atmosphere are not spread uniformly but instead are concentrated closer to the surface over those regions where NASA's Mary Odyssey spacecraft detected subsurface water ice. This has led scientists to believe that the release of both water ice and methane in the atmosphere are linked, although they don't know enough to determine whether that process is geological or biological in nature. Vittorio Formisano, the scientist who led the study, has also reportedly detected traces of other compounds in the Martian atmosphere that could have biogenic origins, including hydrogen sulfide and formaldehyde, but those results have not yet been published.
Scientists announced Monday that they have linked traces of methane in the Martian atmosphere with concentrations of ice beneath the Martian surface, raising the possibility that the methane has been generated biologically. The analysis is based on data collected by ESA's Mars Express spacecraft, whose spectrometer has detected traces of methane in the planet's atmosphere. That data showed that both methane and water vapor in the atmosphere are not spread uniformly but instead are concentrated closer to the surface over those regions where NASA's Mary Odyssey spacecraft detected subsurface water ice. This has led scientists to believe that the release of both water ice and methane in the atmosphere are linked, although they don't know enough to determine whether that process is geological or biological in nature. Vittorio Formisano, the scientist who led the study, has also reportedly detected traces of other compounds in the Martian atmosphere that could have biogenic origins, including hydrogen sulfide and formaldehyde, but those results have not yet been published.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, November 4
Space42 Expands SAR Constellation
Aviation Week — 7:04 am ET (1204 GMT) Intuitive Machines to Acquire Lanteris Space Systems, Creating the Next-Generation Commercial, Civil, and National Security Space Prime
Intuitive Machines — 7:02 am ET (1202 GMT) As Florida doubles down on its support of space discovery, FIU takes a lead in exploring critical governance and security issues
Florida International Univ. — 7:01 am ET (1201 GMT) Why Do We Celebrate UCF Space Week? Because Discovery Starts Here
Univ. of Central Florida — 7:01 am ET (1201 GMT) MDA Space investing in $10 million in Maritime Launch Services
Canadian Press — 6:59 am ET (1159 GMT) |
