Report an accessibility problem
Buseck Center for Meteorite Studies

Methane in Martian Meteorites!

In a new article in the journal Nature Communications, researchers detail their findings of methane in 6 Martian meteorites.

marsAccording to the authors, "The occurrence of methane in Martian rock samples adds strong weight to models whereby any life on Mars is/was likely to be resident in a subsurface habitat, where methane could be a source of energy and carbon for microbial activity."

The Curiosity Mars Rover recently detected methane in the Martian atmosphere, as well as organic molecules in Martian rocks.

 

Mars image credit: NASA, J. Bell and M. Wolff.

Read the full Nature Communications paper here!

Read about Curiosity's recent measurements of methane on Mars here!