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Mumma_110504.1 Detection and mapping of Methane and Water on Mars: Evidence for intense local enhancements in Methane. Michael J. Mumma Goddard Center.

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Presentation on theme: "Mumma_110504.1 Detection and mapping of Methane and Water on Mars: Evidence for intense local enhancements in Methane. Michael J. Mumma Goddard Center."— Presentation transcript:

1 mumma_110504.1 Detection and mapping of Methane and Water on Mars: Evidence for intense local enhancements in Methane. Michael J. Mumma Goddard Center for Astrobiology NASA GSFC Robert A. Novak (Iona College) Michael A. DiSanti (NASA GSFC) Boncho P. Bonev (Univ. of Toledo at GSFC) Neil Dello Russo (CUA at GSFC) Tilak Hewagama (Univ. of Maryland at GSFC Michael Smith (NASA GSFC)

2 Why is Earth WET ? (and ALIVE?) mumma_100903.2

3 Mars was WET - Was it also alive? Is it now alive? HST: Mars in 1995 mumma_100903.3

4 mjm_110904.4 Long-slit mapping of Methane and Water on Mars

5 mjm_080604.5

6 mjm_110904.6 Methane and Water on Mars Klassen et al. Icarus 138:36-48 (1999)

7 Methane and Water on Mars UT 20.8 March 2003 (L s = 155 o) S.E. lat = -7.4 o, long = 275-325 o 7.0 arc-sec diameter NASA/IRTF CSHELL 0.5 arc-sec slit WFPC2 Image: 1 May 1999 (L s = 132 o ) S.E. lat = +19 o, long = 285 o STSCI-PRC99-27D (Bell, Wolff, et al.) mjm_111704.7

8 CSHELL slit position 20 March 2003 H 2 O -- |------ |-- CH 4 R1 | Methane and Water on Mars mjm_080604.8 Wavenumber, cm -1

9 Methane and Water on Mars UT 8.4 May 2003 L s = 181 o S.E. lat = 17.5 o S, long = 58-85 o W 10.0 arc-sec diameter Image: UT 9.24 May 2003 S.E. long = 42 o W ACS-030509-658-502-435 J. Bell and M. Wolff Sub-solar point mjm_111704.9 Gemini South/Phoenix 0.17 arc-sec slit

10 CH 4 ---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|---- H 2 O --- |----------|-------------------|---------------|------- -- R1 R0 mjm_080604.10 Methane and Water on Mars Gemini-South/Phoenix 8 May 2003 L s = 181 o : CML 58-85 o W Difference spectrum: 25º N - 18º S slit position

11 mjm_110504.11 Methane on Mars: Gemini-South/Phoenix 8 May 2003 CML 58-85 o W Wavenumber, cm -1

12 mjm_110504.12

13 mjm_110504.13 Methane and Water on Mars

14 mjm_110504.14 Methane and Water on Mars

15 mjm_110504.15 Methane and Water on Mars

16 mjm_110504.16 Methane and Water on Mars CML 304 o

17 Methane and Water on Mars mjm_110504.17

18 mjm_110504.18

19 mjm_110904.19 Methane and Water on Mars CH 4 on Mars : Present work; Formisano et al. (PFS); Krasnopolsky et al. (CFHT); Its presence requires ongoing recent release (300 yr photochemical lifetime). This Work: Two CH 4 spectral lines (R0, R1) are detected. Quantitative abundances agree. Quiescent levels range from 20 ppb to 60 ppb (at high latitudes). Two regions of major enhancement are found: 250 ppb and (up to) 800 ppb. Discrete source regions are needed. The production/release mechanism is related to temperature. A more-efficient destruction mechanism may be implied (gas-grain chemistry?) Possible abiotic origins of locally released methane: Geothermal activity (ala serpentization on Earth) - no supporting evidence. Test by C x. Release of methane hydrate (from juvenile Mars?) - why now? Test by D/H ratio. Possible biotic origin of locally released methane: Methanogens? - test by 13 C/ 12 C ratio in CH 4 ; higher order organics. Release of methane hydrate (from deep biosphere?) - Test by D/H ratio. Next steps: Firm up spatial variations - analyze additional maps, acquire additional data. Examine dependence on season, temperature, correlation with water, etc. Conduct in situ studies: orbital (e.g., MARVEL, OOO-2), airplane (e.g., ARES), landers.

20 End

21 mjm_110904.21 Methane and Water on Mars

22 mjm_110904.22 Methane and Water on Mars

23 mjm_110904.23 Methane and Water on Mars


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