Planetary scientists have been scratching their heads over apparent discrepancies between methane concentrations enter by the Curiosity Rover and the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter . It was assumed that one must be wrong , but there was fierce divergence over which . New research shows both reading were proper ; the difference represented the timing of their measurements .
The news will be a great easing to those responsible for each machine , and is a necessary step towards finding whether the methane is a by - Cartesian product of life or the termination of some geological unconscious process .
wonder has been immortalise spikes in methane concentrationfor age . On Earth methane is often , but not always , a by - Cartesian product of methanogenic germ so these have arouse great turmoil . However , when the Orbiter did n’t memorialise the same thing , speculation arose the sensor was malfunctioning . There was even a theory Curiositywas releasingthe methane it was report – smell its own farts , one might say .
However , York University Canada’sDr John Mooresnoted Curiosity ’s samples were taken in the midriff of the dark , while ExoMars measure in daylight , and wondered if there was a everyday practice , in addition to the antecedently identified annual cycle . Moores persuade the Curiosity team to take meter reading just before first light , and demonstrated his hunch was correct .
InGeophysical Research LettersMoores andProfessor Penny Kingof the Australian National University tally the observance together . King explicate to IFLScience that during the Martian daytime convection have air to rise and the atmosphere to expand , before contracting again at night . “ solid ground ’s atmosphere does the same , ” she added , “ but to a much lesser degree . ” This phenomenon was well known , but no one else connected it to the methane measuring .
The night - time atmospherical shrinkage concentrates the small amount of methane present in Mars ’ atmosphere near the ground where Curiosity try out it , explain its higher meter reading . King evidence IFLScience Curiosity took its measurements at night because many of its other function only function in day , so physical process that can happen at any time are shunt to the hours of darkness to quash interpose .
Moores and King used the combined data from the two sets of measurements to cipher that Gale Crater , which Curiosity is explore , is releasing 2.8 kilograms ( 6.2 pounds ) of methane every Martian day . grant Gale ’s 154 - kilometer ( 100 - mile ) diameter , that ’s a lilliputian but substantial amount in the thin Martian ambience .
As to what is behind the methane , we still do n’t know . “ Some germ on Earth can make it without oxygen , late underground , and release methane as part of their waste , ” King tell in astatement . “ The methane on Mars has other potential sources , such as water system - rock-and-roll reactions or break up materials containing methane . ” Now , however , we are much better placed to get looking .
