NASA: Methane 'belches' detected on Mars

[wehateporn]

The US space agency's (Nasa) Curiosity rover has detected the intermittent "belching" of methane gas on Mars.

The robot sees very low-level amounts constantly in the background, but it also has monitored a number of short-lived spikes that are 10 times higher.

Methane on the Red Planet is intriguing because here on Earth, 95% of the gas comes from microbial organisms.

Researchers have hung on to the hope that the molecule's signature at Mars might also indicate a life presence.

The Curiosity team cannot identify the source of its methane, but the leading candidate is underground stores that are periodically disturbed.

Continued BBC News - Methane 'belches' detected on Mars

[2MuchMark]

That would be awesome if it turns out to be right. Good luck Nasa!

[aka123]

Aliens, ruuuunn!!!!!!!!! You know, farts stink.

Fascinating of course.

[DraX]

Run for your life fools!

[seeandsee]

Interesting

Some time in future, with people crew on mars, maybe we find much more.

But i expect nuclear war on earth, and end of all shit...

[pornmasta]

who farted ?

[FriendsForNow]

Methane is everywhere. Most Bermuda triangle disasters are caused by Methane.

[EddyTheDog]

Oops - Sorry...

[WDF]

Being men are from Mars I think "Belch" is a poor choice of words.

[fappingJack]

In the near furture people will live there.

[SilentKnight]

In the near furture people will live there.

We're not talkin' about Uranus.

[mikesouth]

In the near furture people will live there.

that depends on how you define the "near future" we have some HUGE hurdles first is the whole radiation thing, then comes the length of the trip, not saying it cant be done but we are talking 40-50 years out minimum and more likely a lot longer. In ecological terms thats certainly the near future in lifetime terms...not so much

methane is rather common in space Jupiter has a moon that has many liquid methane lakes.....while i wouldnt argue that there is an abundance of life beyond earth I would argue that life is the main source of methane

[2MuchMark]

that depends on how you define the "near future" we have some HUGE hurdles first is the whole radiation thing, then comes the length of the trip, not saying it cant be done but we are talking 40-50 years out minimum and more likely a lot longer.

That's exactly right. A long trip would expose travellers to lots of radiation. The ship would have to be huge to carry supplies just to keep people alive for the trip, and the crew would have to be very carefully picked to make sure no one went nuts on the way there.

The ship would also have to bring enough supplies to keep the crew alive on Mars once they got there, plus supplies to build a habitat.

Of course if a probe could find water, everything would change. If they found water, it would reduce the need to bring so much water with them. Water could be used to drink, help plants grow, and be converted to fuel. Everything is feasible, just extremely expensive.

[Phoenix]

That's exactly right. A long trip would expose travellers to lots of radiation. The ship would have to be huge to carry supplies just to keep people alive for the trip, and the crew would have to be very carefully picked to make sure no one went nuts on the way there.

The ship would also have to bring enough supplies to keep the crew alive on Mars once they got there, plus supplies to build a habitat.

Of course if a probe could find water, everything would change. If they found water, it would reduce the need to bring so much water with them. Water could be used to drink, help plants grow, and be converted to fuel. Everything is feasible, just extremely expensive.

I think that most of the supplies would already be on the ground before the martians left earth. Domes ready to be assembled. Water. Food sources...multiple safety vessels landed as back up shelters

[WDF]

Wow, a actual discussion is breaking out on GFY!

I would think any manned mission would be after Multiple Supply/Building Material unmanned missions with remote controlled vehicles and/or robots.

[thecatwrites]

Barbecue and marshmallow party!

[fappingJack]

that depends on how you define the "near future" we have some HUGE hurdles first is the whole radiation thing, then comes the length of the trip, not saying it cant be done but we are talking 40-50 years out minimum and more likely a lot longer. In ecological terms thats certainly the near future in lifetime terms...not so much

methane is rather common in space Jupiter has a moon that has many liquid methane lakes.....while i wouldnt argue that there is an abundance of life beyond earth I would argue that life is the main source of methane

"near future" for me is tomorrow. LOL kidding aside, we might consider the fact that we are not alone in this universe.

[MiamiBoyz]

"near future" for me is tomorrow. LOL kidding aside, we might consider the fact that we are not alone in this universe.

Honestly I don't give a shit if we are alone or not.

I am sure that if aliens showed up tomorrow I would hate them just as much as I hate most everyone I have ever met.

[just a punk]

Sounds like a good news!

[PaperstreetWinston]

I am sure that if aliens showed up tomorrow I would hate them just as much as I hate most everyone I have ever met.

This shall be a common sentiment that soon will too come to pass.