Scientists from NASA have revealed that great plumes of methane have been discovered in the Martian atmosphere, a sign that microbial life might be present deep below the surface of the planet. Three regions in the northern hemisphere have been said to be releasing “a very large amount” of methane.

The presence of methane could indicate that methane-producing microbes are present far below the frozen surface, where liquid water is likely present. However, it is important to note that methane is also produced by some geological processes, including the oxidation of iron.

What it reveals, according to NASA’s Michael Meyer, is that:

Mars is active. Now, whether or not it’s because of geology or biology or both, we don’t know.

[Reuters]

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