On Earth, methane is produced mostly by microbes, although the gas can also be generated by relatively simple geological processes underground. Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Trace Gas Orbiter has already photographed the Martian atmosphere. Space engineers have since been altering that orbit – by repeatedly skimming the Martian atmosphere – so that the craft now circles the planet about 250 miles above the surface. In 2004, Europe’s Mars Express orbiter detected levels of methane in the atmosphere at about 10 parts in a billion. “Life could still be clinging on under the Martian surface,” said Svedhem.

Source: The Guardian April 28, 2018 12:11 UTC