Curiosity finds organic materials on Mars, including fluctuating levels of methane
Data from Curiosity has found both organic chemicals in the surface of Mars as well as quickly changing levels of methane in the nearby atmosphere.
NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover has measured a tenfold spike in methane, an organic chemical, in the atmosphere around it and detected other organic molecules in a rock-powder sample collected by the robotic laboratory’s drill. “This temporary increase in methane — sharply up and then back down — tells us there must be some relatively localized source,” said Sushil Atreya of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and Curiosity rover science team. “There are many possible sources, biological or non-biological, such as interaction of water and rock.”
The organic material does not prove there is or was ever life on Mars. What it shows is that conditions on Mars could have once supported life. The methane detection, however, is a more significant finding, as it suggests that something very nearby to Curiosity is causing the spike. It could be life, or it could be chemical activity, but in either case, it means there is activity.
The one caveat is that the spike still did not amount to much, 7 parts per billion. Whatever is causing it is not really doing very much.
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In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
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Data from Curiosity has found both organic chemicals in the surface of Mars as well as quickly changing levels of methane in the nearby atmosphere.
NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover has measured a tenfold spike in methane, an organic chemical, in the atmosphere around it and detected other organic molecules in a rock-powder sample collected by the robotic laboratory’s drill. “This temporary increase in methane — sharply up and then back down — tells us there must be some relatively localized source,” said Sushil Atreya of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and Curiosity rover science team. “There are many possible sources, biological or non-biological, such as interaction of water and rock.”
The organic material does not prove there is or was ever life on Mars. What it shows is that conditions on Mars could have once supported life. The methane detection, however, is a more significant finding, as it suggests that something very nearby to Curiosity is causing the spike. It could be life, or it could be chemical activity, but in either case, it means there is activity.
The one caveat is that the spike still did not amount to much, 7 parts per billion. Whatever is causing it is not really doing very much.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Mr. Zimmerman, related to my abduction comments earlier, my computer was apparently stuck at that Ave Maria video for the past week or so for some reason and it lead me assume that something was amiss.
Right now my computer has decided to reorient my monitor view 90 degrees and that is how I am writing this message and I am unable to turn it back. So it was not you, it was me. Just to clarify.
I will either figure it out or have to buy a new computer.
Have a good holiday.
Some people have reported problems to me in viewing the website, only to discover that they needed to clear the cache in their browser. BtB was running fine.
FYI, a sideways view of life is often the best way to view it.
Just for general information:
I solved the 90 degree from normal orientation on my screen by unplugging the HDMI cable that I feed my flat screen with. Un plug it and the screen is in the normal position, plug the HDMI cable back in and it goes to 90 degrees. I have no idea why, it just decided to be that way. I have cleared the cache and everything other than the screen situation seems fine, thanks for the suggestion.
As for your suggestion about viewing life in the 90 degree orientation, I agree, most times its best to be able to change ones point of view in order to “properly” interpret existence.
JEB BUSH- 2016! (sarcasm for Edward)
Thanks for the sarcasm alert.
A couple of years ago, I also had a hiccough with BtB, but maybe I had restarted my browser, because it magically became up to date, and I had a couple of days worth of catching up to do. :-(
Sorry about the sideways view of life. I really only do that when I am sick in bed, so this view of life has never seemed so rosy. Maybe I should try it while I am up and about — and healthy. Physically, I mean; it is far too late for mental health. ;-)
If Curiosity is kicking up small amounts of liquid or solid (frozen) methane from below the surface and exposing them to sunlight, might they boil or sublimate and be picked up by the robot’s sensors? Just sayin’…
Ah, interesting. It is very possible that during Curiosity’s travels it passed over concentrations of frozen methane and kicked them up. Then again, I don’t know the properties of methane that well. Can it be frozen on or close to the surface of Mars. I suspect not but would love to hear an educated opinion.