The astrobiology community is all abuzz about some recent findings indicating outbursts of methane gas on the planet Mars. The source of this methane is currently unknown, and one theory suggests it may be biological in origin. The mighty Carl Zimmer gives a more detailed account, including liveblogging the NASA press conference.
Methane is a simple gas, a carbon atom bonded to four hydrogens. It's present in interstellar nebulae and the atmospheres of the outer gas giants. But Mars is too small to have held onto its primordial methane. Methane is often released in volcanic eruptions on Earth -- but apparently the Mars gas emissions don't have any of the other gases you'd expect to find in a volcanic event. No water vapor, no nitrogen oxides, no ammonia, no cyanide. Just methane.
The other source of methane, of course, is biological activity. Earth's natural gas wells are all methane (and other hydrocarbons) produced by ancient life and trapped in the rocks. So this Martian methane may indicate either current or ancient life on the Red Planet.
Apparently this discovery has prompted some hurried changes in plan for upcoming Mars probes. Discovering the origin the Martian methane now enjoys a high priority. Of course, the logistics of doing what would amount to deep gas drilling on another world sound pretty daunting. Still, it's an important new finding and we'll be paying close attention to any new developments.
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