NASA Curiosity rover did not find traces of methane that be a sign of primitive life on Mars. The findings were contrary to the evidence that gas detected by the Mars orbiter before.
The new findings of NASA's rover has added the hot debate over whether there is methane on Mars. Although recent evidence confirms the absence of methane on Mars, some scientists are not discouraged.
The first attempt to search for life on Mars was the Viking missions which is launched in 1975. That mission failed to find organic compounds in the Martian soil, and cross out the possibility of life on the planet.
 |
| NASA's Curiosity rover continues to reveal more and more about Mars as it treks across the rocky surface. Now, it's shown that the Martian environment lacks methane. This surprising finding flies in the face of previous data reported by U.S. and international scientists. (Picture from: http://www.scienceworldreport.com/) |
However, the Mars orbiter and telescopes on Earth to detect substances like methane gas clumps in the planet in the last decade. Alleged discovery of a colorless, odorless gas, which is also the simplest organic molecule, the support chances of life hidden beneath the soil of Mars.
On the Earth, most methane in the atmosphere is released by biological activity of living organisms, such as cattle. Scientists suspect the methane in the Martian atmosphere is only stable for 300 years, so whatever that produces gas just newly produce it.
The latest findings of Curiosity rover that published in the Science journal on September 19, 2013 shows that the traces of methane on Mars is only slightly. "Our results certainly disappoint a lot of people," said Christopher Webster, scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
However, the findings were still a riddle for the scientists. "It's a mystery that surrounded by a riddle," says Jan-Peter Muller of University College London, which is the Curiosity rover science team member. "This is clearly contrary to what has been measured from space and Earth." *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SPACE | ERWIN Z | KORAN TEMPO 4354]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
