Methane source on Mars found near Curiosity
A team of scientists has identified the possible location of a methane source on Mars. The Curiosity rover could be right above it, Live Science reports.
Since 2012, Curiosity has recorded bursts of methane on the Red Planet six times. Scientists are very interested in this phenomenon, because methane can be a sign of life – it is emitted by many microorganisms.
But for several years, no one could say where this gas comes from on the Red Planet. To find the answer to this question, representatives of the California Institute of Technology simulated the movement of methane particles.
Taking into account the speed and direction of the wind at the time of their detection, the team reconstructed the path of the particles from the location of detection to the location of the release. The results showed that one of the probable sources is only a few tens of kilometers from the rover.
“The results point to an active area of emissions to the west and southwest of the Curiosity rover at the bottom of the northwest crater,” the scientists said.
Methane is not the most durable element. According to scientists, it collapses after 330 years under the influence of sunlight. This means that the methane source was active in the most recent past or is active for the day.
The discovery of methane has become a milestone for Mars explorers. Even if it is of non-biological origin, it can indicate the geological activity of the Red Planet associated with the presence of liquid water.
Earlier it became known that there may be underground lakes on Mars. They are located under the South Pole.
