posted on Jul, 18 2004 @ 08:13 PM
I just realized a different more probable (and thus by Ocham's razor more truthful) solution.
On Earth, methane hydrates form from biological activity on the sea-beds, however Mars is not Earth so the geological method can not be assumed to be
the only method.
A methane hydrate is a molecule of methane trapped in a crystal of ice.
Now there are two possibilities, probably a combination of both.
Ancient volcanic activity and bolides introducing methane into the atmosphere.
Then like seeds for precipitation, the methane acts as a seed for ice-crystals to form (which there is in the Martian atmosphere) and thus trap the
There is no reason that the sensors on the space craft would detect methane hydrates versus methane, it is simply seeking for the methane
There is also no reason to believe that methane hydrates would be quickly vaporized releasing the methane, and even if it were, it could be recaptured
again in the Martian atmosphere by vaporized water crystalizing into a methane hydrate.
Thus, the water-ice in the Martian atmosphere, may actually be a larger concentration of methane hydrates.
Just as on Earth, rain forms around a dust particle, so could the water-ice crystalize around the methane molecule.
This would mean that methane could survive in the Atmosphere much longer than assumed by this thread.
Also it will help to explain why there is any water-ice in the atmosphere at all, considering H2O is much less mass than CO2, water should be blown
off the planet by solar activity and simple kinetics.
However if most of the water in the atmosphere is methane hydrates, it becomes much "heavier" and will not be so easily blown out to space.
Ixataar, this is my career field, read it and cry, I sadly just know more than you do about this science. I'm sick of you trying to "belittle" my
character. It is not my fault that you have no clue what you are talking about, and exist in a dream world.
Methane Hydrates is the most logical explaination of the methane being detected, it would not surprise me if that is exactly the cause posted when the
journal is published.