Clue in the Martian Dust
The stunning discovery of methane in the Martian atmosphere by NASA almost certainly derives from the metabolic processes of living life forms. Physical evidence leading to the source of this methane might be found floating in the Martian dust. These methane producing life forms are most probabaly utillizing the dust storms on Mars as a seed-dispersal mechanism. The dust particles would act like shields allowing the microscopic-size seeds to safely propagate.
This "cloud-seeding" would mean that protected areas beneath the Martian surface (and inside its recently discovered caves-2008) would be likely places to find the living Martians responsible for the spectacular methane discovery.
As to whether life exists on Mars now, the answer may be blowing in the Martian dust.
James Boyle
Nancy Birnes
2 Comments
Reader Comments (2)
The European Space Agency says, "The presence of methane has been confirmed thanks to the observations of the Planetary Fourier Spectrometer (PFS) on board Mars Express. The amount of methane is very small – about 10 parts in a thousand million, so its production process is probably small. However, the exciting question remains: “Where does this methane come from?”
My guess, from the Mars Express.itself!!
This is very interesting! I must say though it makes me want to sneeze and cough because dust is the main thing I am allergic too. I read up on "kiwi drug" about Flonase over the counter which at least helps me control the sneezing and coughing part. but to know we most likely came from dust ourselves is creepy!