NASAs 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. Researchers used Curiosity’s onboard Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) laboratory a dozen times in a 20-month period to sniff methane in the atmosphere. During two of those months, in late 2013 and early 2014, four measurements averaged seven parts per billion. Before and after that, readings averaged only one-tenth that level. The Deep Space Network provides communication and tracking services to NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover. nasa.gov/press/2014/december/nasa-rover-finds-active-ancient-organic-chemistry-on-mars/index.html#.VJCeaSvF9Hw
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 21:08:13 +0000
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