Methane on Mars – June 2019

Mars Society Australia Media Statement: 23rd June 2019

NASA’s announcement about further discoveries of methane on Mars hints at the possibility of past or present life on Mars, but more investigation is needed.

“The new results on methane gas in the Martian atmosphere are the latest instalment in a scientific quest doing back almost 15 years.” Said Dr. Jon Clarke, Mars Society Australia President.

“Methane gas on Earth is often the result of biological processes. It’s been detected on Mars by ground-based telescopes, the Mars Express spacecraft in orbit round Mars, and the Curiosity rover on the surface.”

But successful observations have often been followed by unsuccessful ones, leading to the presence of methane on Mars being questioned.

In June 2018 the Martian rover, Curiosity, rover found methane levels around Gale crater that fluctuate with the seasons.

In April this year Curiosity confirmed methane in the atmosphere on the Martian surface at Gale crater plus the Mars Express obiter also found methane from overhead in the same place while in orbit above Mars.

However, the failure of the Trace Gas Orbiter to detect methane gas around the same time continues to raise questions about what the measurements mean.

Does methane on Mars mean there’s life on Mars?

“The detection of methane on Mars raises important implications for the search for past and present life on Mars. It is not confirmation of life on Mars, but rather points humanity to sites that need further investigation.” Continued Dr. Clarke.

Methane may be released by current biological activity, as it is on Earth. 

It could also be could be seeping from underground reservoirs formed by past lie, again as is the case on Earth.  A third possibility is that the methane may be the result of purely biological processes but could be an energy source for Martian organisms.  This again is a process we observe on Earth. 

“The discovery of specific sites of methane activity therefore would therefore highlight places where future missions could be sent to look for life.” Concluded Dr. Clarke.

Mars Society Australia (MSA) is a not for profit research institute that is active in research, education, and outreach related to the exploration of Mars. It has members in all Australian states with links with scientific and space research bodies throughout the world. You can read more about the Mars Society Australia and its activities at marssociety.org.au

The following Mars Society Australia directors are available for further expert media commentary:

Dr. Jon Clarke, President – jon@marssociety.org.au   – 0418 401 612

Earl White, Vice-President – earl@marssociety.org.au – 0407 021 171

Guy Murphy – Secretary – guy@marssociety.org.au – 0416 794 688