Curiosity fails to detect methane on Mars
Posted: Fri, Sep 20, 2013, 8:15 AM ET (1215 GMT)
NASA's Curiosity rover has failed to detect methane in the Martian atmosphere, a finding that deals a setback for the prospects of life there. A laser spectrometer on Curiosity failed to detect any methane in the Martian atmosphere in six tests performed since last October, setting an upper limit on any methane in the atmosphere at 1.3 parts per billion. The finding stands in contrast to previous observations, which detected evidence of methane in the atmosphere that could be produced by geological or biological means. However, scientists emphasized the lack of methane detected by Curiosity does not mean the planet is currently devoid of life, since many terrestrial microbes do not produce methane.
NASA's Curiosity rover has failed to detect methane in the Martian atmosphere, a finding that deals a setback for the prospects of life there. A laser spectrometer on Curiosity failed to detect any methane in the Martian atmosphere in six tests performed since last October, setting an upper limit on any methane in the atmosphere at 1.3 parts per billion. The finding stands in contrast to previous observations, which detected evidence of methane in the atmosphere that could be produced by geological or biological means. However, scientists emphasized the lack of methane detected by Curiosity does not mean the planet is currently devoid of life, since many terrestrial microbes do not produce methane.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
FAA restricts hours for commercial launches during shutdown
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 9:05 AM ET (1405 GMT) China postpones Shenzhou-20 return on orbital debris concerns
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 8:58 AM ET (1358 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, November 11
Kazakh farmers put Starlink on horses and dogs to herd livestock
Intellinews — 5:07 am ET (1007 GMT) Rocket Lab Shares Surge With Bigger Launch Planned for 2026
Wall Street Journal — 5:05 am ET (1005 GMT) FAA Order Restricting Launch Hours Could Affect Upcoming SpaceX Missions from Vandenberg
Santa Barbara (CA) Edhat — 5:00 am ET (1000 GMT) SpaceX successfully launches Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Space Coast
WESH-TV Orlando — 5:00 am ET (1000 GMT) Airbus ships fourth European Service Module for Artemis IV
Airbus Group — 4:59 am ET (0959 GMT) |
