Life on Mars theory goes up in a puff: Scientists find methane gas would make planet poisonous



The discovery of seasonal plumes of methane on Mars was embraced as evidence of life on the red planet.

With most of the methane on Earth produced by living organisms, the Nasa finding earlier this year was a tantalising sign we may not be alone in the universe.

But alas, it now seems it could actually be the opposite.



Are we alone? Scientists believed methane gas on Mars was proof of life on the planet - but now that theory could be wrong

French scientists say the methane means Mars would be a very difficult place to live - even for the hardiest bacterial alien.

Their calculations suggest the methane in the plumes is being broken down extremely quickly, probably by aggressive chemicals on the planet's surface.

Any living organisms would also fall foul of the 'chemical weapons', the journal Nature reports.



The researchers, from the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris, said: 'This would suggest an extraordinarily harsh environment for the survival of organics on the planet.

'This would leave little hope that life as we know it can exist at present or that evidence of past life can be preserved in the shallow surface layer.'

Dr Robert Massey, of the Royal Astronomical Society, said: 'The surface is very cold and the atmosphere, such as it is, is not only very thin but would be poisonous to us.'

But he added life could be hanging on below the surface.



'It is just possible that if you drilled down 10 or 20 or 100 metres, you would find it,' Dr Massey said.



'If you want to settle the debate, it means sending probes, or ultimately, people, to the source of the methane to check it out.



'Everybody wants to know if there is life elsewhere in the Universe and finding life on Mars is a big start.'



Mark Sephton, a University College London scientist who is researching life detection instruments for a 2018 European robotic mission to Mars, said: 'I am one of those people who believes life is a natural consequence of the environment.



'I think there probably was something on Mars in the early days and we will hopefully find the remains of that life.'



Last month, Buzz Aldrin, said the Moon race was dead and Nasa should focus its energies on Mars instead.



The second man to walk on the Moon said: 'America helped to take the world to the moon 40 years ago and America certainly can help lead the world in the direction of Mars.



'All we need it determination, imagination and willingness.'



