A recent discovery by researchers suggests that atmospheric pressure pulsations may be responsible for releasing methane from underground reservoirs on Mars. Studies have shown that changes in atmospheric pressure, which extract gases from beneath the surface, may be responsible for releasing methane from underground reservoirs and introducing it into the atmosphere. Understanding the timing and location of methane emissions could assist the Curiosity rover in its search for signs of life.
According to doctoral student John Ortiz from the Los Alamos National Laboratory, who conducted the research, “Understanding methane variations on Mars has been recognized by the NASA team responsible for the Curiosity rover as a crucial step towards determining its source. There are many challenges associated with achieving this goal, and one of the most significant is determining the appropriate time to conduct atmospheric sampling experiments by the Curiosity rover during a given sol (Martian day).”
According to a study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, NASA’s primary objective in their Mars missions, including the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers, is to detect and understand past or present signs of life, such as methane. However, the source of methane on Mars is likely located underground, posing a challenge for research due to the short-term variations in atmospheric methane levels.
To better understand the level of methane on Mars, Ortiz and his team used high-performance computer clusters to simulate how methane migrates from underground networks of fissures to the surface and is released into the atmosphere, where it mixes within the atmospheric column. They also modeled how methane is adsorbed onto rock pores, a temperature-dependent process that can contribute to fluctuations in methane levels.
Their simulations predicted methane pulsations from the surface to the atmosphere just before sunrise on Mars during the northern summer season, which recently ended. This confirms earlier data collected by rovers suggesting that methane levels fluctuated not only seasonally but also daily.
These valuable insights help the Curiosity rover in continuing its sample collection campaign.
Ortiz emphasizes that “Our research suggests several key time windows during which the Curiosity rover can collect data. We believe that these windows provide the best chance of determining the schedule of methane fluctuations and, hopefully, bring us closer to understanding its source on Mars.”
FAQs about Methane on Mars
Q: What is the source of methane on Mars?
A: The source of methane on Mars is likely located underground.
Q: Why is understanding methane variations on Mars important?
A: Understanding methane variations on Mars is a crucial step towards determining its source and may assist in the search for signs of life.
Q: What are the challenges associated with methane research on Mars?
A: One of the challenges is determining the appropriate time to conduct atmospheric sampling experiments by the Curiosity rover.
Q: What is NASA’s main objective in their Mars missions?
A: NASA’s primary objective in their Mars missions is to detect and understand past or present signs of life, such as methane.
Q: How do researchers simulate methane migration on Mars?
A: Researchers use computer clusters to simulate how methane migrates from underground networks of fissures to the surface and is released into the atmosphere.
Q: Does methane fluctuate seasonally on Mars?
A: Yes, data suggests that methane levels on Mars fluctuate both seasonally and daily.
Q: What are the key time windows for sample collection by the Curiosity rover?
A: According to the research, there are specific time windows that provide the best chance for data collection and determining the schedule of methane fluctuations.
Q: What is the significance of these discoveries for the Curiosity rover mission?
A: These valuable insights assist the Curiosity rover in continuing its sample collection campaign and bring us closer to understanding the source of methane on Mars.
Definitions:
– Methane: Derived from volcanic gases or fossil fuel extraction, methane is a gas that can indicate the presence of life on Mars.
– Atmosphere: The layer of gases surrounding a planet, which is a primary area of focus for scientists involved in space missions.
– NASA Mission: The space program run by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, aimed at exploring the Solar System and searching for signs of life on Mars and other planets.
– Curiosity Rover: The rover described in the article, which is part of NASA’s Mars mission aimed at investigating past or present life, such as methane.
The source of the article is from the blog coletivometranca.com.br