Traditional research does state that while meteorites cause methane emissions and evidence does show right here on Earth, the most recent collisions on Mars’ surface are actually not the cause of the documented concentrations shown of very real sources of methane.
So then where did all that methane come from? As research was conducted to determine the possibilities, there came two distinct answers with one or both being true: one, the presence of this methane gas could be the result of microorganisms on the surface of Mars; or two, Martian volcanic rock and water react to form the by-product of methane gas. You know what that spells? a possible sign of life.
Think about the implications here: if this is now documented proof that water exists on Mars, you can bet there might be some signs of life reminiscent of some of the first generations of Earth’s life starting in the oceans. Moreover, microorganisms are a definite in terms of life signs.
The reason for scientists’ belief that the meteorites colliding with Mars’ surface are not the reason for all the methane proven to be shown there is the fact that methane gas has a rather short life span. What was odd to scientists was the research on Mars’ surface showing that the amount of methane was constantly being replenished! What was supplying Mars’ with its methane gas, they didn’t know. Clearly, though, the collisions of meteorites weren’t the cause.
This arises many more questions and possibilities of resources on Mars that could benefit Earth, such as the simply use of methane as a fuel source. Further signs of water and other deposits give rise to the real chance that after all this time life does really exist on Mars beyond that of even microorganisms. The possibilities are staggering.
One thing’s for certain, NASA and other organizations with their professionals will be keeping a close eye on the Red Planet as the rest of its history unfolds and they get more answers.