Detection of methane in the martian atmosphere: evidence for life?

Krasnopolsky, V. A.; Maillard, Jean; Owen, Tobias

doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2004.07.004

Cited by 486 publications

(349 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…It controls the stability of the atmosphere, dominates the atmospheric chemistry, and has a radiative impact through , Krasnopolsky et al (2004), Mumma et al (2009). b , Smith (2004), Smith et al (2009a).…”

Section: Water Cyclementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The reports of methane observations from ground-based observatories (Krasnopolsky et al 2004;Mumma et al 2009), from space-borne instruments (Fonti and Marzo 2010;Geminale et al 2011), and in-situ (Webster et al 2015) pose fundamental challenges to our understanding of the chemistry taking place in the Martian atmosphere (Zahnle et al 2011). These studies showed high spatial and temporal variability, which cannot immediately be explained by models (Lefèvre and Forget 2009).…”

Section: Organicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

NOMAD, an Integrated Suite of Three Spectrometers for the ExoMars Trace Gas Mission: Technical Description, Science Objectives and Expected Performance

Vandaele¹,

Moreno²,

Patel³

et al. 2018

Space Sci Rev

113

117

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The NOMAD ("Nadir and Occultation for MArs Discovery") spectrometer suite on board the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) has been designed to investigate the comThis paper is dedicated to the memory of M. Allen, V. Formisano, and J. McConnell. position of Mars' atmosphere, with a particular focus on trace gases, clouds and dust. The detection sensitivity for trace gases is considerably improved compared to previous Mars missions, compliant with the science objectives of the TGO mission. This will allow for a major leap in our knowledge and understanding of the Martian atmospheric composition and the related physical and chemical processes. The instrument is a combination of three spectrometers, covering a spectral range from the UV to the mid-IR, and can perform solar occultation, nadir and limb observations. In this paper, we present the science objectives of the instrument and explain the technical principles of the three spectrometers. We also discuss the expected performance of the instrument in terms of spatial and temporal coverage and detection sensitivity.

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Section: Water Cyclementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Organicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

NOMAD, an Integrated Suite of Three Spectrometers for the ExoMars Trace Gas Mission: Technical Description, Science Objectives and Expected Performance

Vandaele¹,

Moreno²,

Patel³

et al. 2018

Space Sci Rev

113

117

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“…The Mars atmosphere is largely CO 2 , however contains a small amount of other constituents [19][20][21]. It is also of interest for improved understanding of the possible history of life on Mars to consider the evolution and possible changes of the Martian atmosphere and their impact on radiation effects for possible life in the past.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Description of light ion production cross sections and fluxes on the Mars surface using the QMSFRG model

Cucinotta

Kim

Schneider

et al. 2007

Radiat Environ Biophys

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The atmosphere of Mars significantly attenuates the heavy ion component of the primary galactic cosmic rays (GCR), however increases the fluence of secondary light ions (neutrons, and hydrogen and helium isotopes) because of particle production processes.We describe results of the quantum multiple scattering fragmentation (QMSFRG) model for the production of light nuclei through the distinct mechanisms of nuclear abrasion and ablation, coalescence, and cluster knockout. The QMSFRG model is shown to be in excellent agreement with available experimental data for nuclear fragmentation cross sections. We use the QMSFRG model and the space radiation transport code, HZETRN to make predictions of the light particle environment on the Martian surface at solar minimum and maximum. The radiation assessment detector (RAD) experiment will be launched in 2009 as part of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). We make predictions of the expected results for time dependent count-rates to be observed by RAD experiment.Finally, we consider sensitivity assessments of the impact of the Martian atmospheric composition on particle fluxes at the surface.https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search

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“…The excitement over methane started to build in 2003 and 2004, when three groups [1][2][3] spotted methane in the atmosphere of Mars using spectroscopic measurements from telescopes on Earth and data from the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft. The amounts of methane detected by the teams differed, but the planetary average was estimated to be about 10 parts per billion by volume 3 , an extremely low level.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Planetary science: A whiff of mystery on Mars

Sanderson¹

2010

Nature

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Detection of methane in the martian atmosphere: evidence for life?

Cited by 486 publications

References 35 publications

NOMAD, an Integrated Suite of Three Spectrometers for the ExoMars Trace Gas Mission: Technical Description, Science Objectives and Expected Performance

NOMAD, an Integrated Suite of Three Spectrometers for the ExoMars Trace Gas Mission: Technical Description, Science Objectives and Expected Performance

Description of light ion production cross sections and fluxes on the Mars surface using the QMSFRG model

Planetary science: A whiff of mystery on Mars

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