Methane on Other Planets
In my previous article, we summarized the possibility of extreme life forms on Saturn’s moon Titan, including methanogenic microorganisms that produce methane by breaking down organic matter and thrive in anaerobic environments where there is no oxygen. You can read the article here: Titan: Is Life Possible?
Reports
According to a report by New Scientist, there are regions kilometers beneath the surface of Mars where methane-producing bacteria might exist!
NASA’s Curiosity rover has repeatedly identified the presence of methane during its research using its laser spectrometer instrument. At first, scientists speculated that the methane could either be produced through biological activity, much like on Earth, or if the methane wasn’t released by living organisms, its presence could be linked to geological activity associated with liquid water, which would also be a significant discovery.
Andrea Butturini, a microbial ecologist at the University of Barcelona, and his team have been looking for underground regions on Mars that could still be habitable today. They focused on the darker regions of Acidalia Planitia in the northern part of the red planet, a large plain.
These newly discovered areas could help future research, and the underground ice deposits might become a valuable resource for upcoming Mars missions!
Scientists believe that billions of years ago, a massive ocean could have covered this region, and active volcanic activity may have occurred there as well.
Tools Searching for Methane and Life
According to Earth.com, the European Space Agency (ESA) plans to launch a rover called Rosalind Franklin in 2028.
However, this launch might be delayed because the rover was originally planned to be launched in cooperation with Russia. Since ESA has canceled its contract with Russia, they are now looking for a new launch site. This rover will be equipped with a drill capable of penetrating more than 2 meters deep into the Martian surface. It will study underground layers and minerals using specialized laser tools directly on-site. The mission could provide valuable insights into the geological evolution of Mars’s crust, the development of its atmosphere and climate, and might even detect organic compounds and biological activity!
You can read more detailed descriptions of the Franklin Rover here.
More space exploration news here: Space exploration
