Experts analyzing information from the Curiosity Mars rover announced an important discovery: a high content of methane was recorded in the atmosphere near the surface of the Red Planet.
In the Martian atmosphere, methane molecules, if they appear, should be destroyed by solar ultraviolet radiation in two to three centuries. Thus, the registration of methane molecules could indicate recent biological or volcanic activity. In other words, methane molecules can indicate the presence of life (at least in the relatively recent past).
It is reported that the measurements were taken on June 19, and the data reached Earth on June 20. The very next day, scientists detected a high content of methane in the atmosphere of the Red Planet.
Now experts intend to request additional evidence from Curiosity. If the initial conclusions about the level of methane content are confirmed, this will be a discovery whose significance cannot be overestimated.
We add that the Curiosity rover went to the Red Planet on November 26, 2011, and a soft landing was carried out on August 6, 2012. This robot is the largest and heaviest planetary rover ever created by man.
Source: 3dnews.ru