Chapter
Methane on Mars: Biological or Chemical Origin?
42:50 - 45:36 (02:45)
Methane detected on Mars may be of biological or chemical origin, but NASA analyzed the atmosphere for methane six times and only found no more than 1.3 parts per billion.
Clips
Martian soil has a high leaching property which allows it to absorb water from the atmosphere and store it.
42:50 - 43:54 (01:03)
Mars
Summary
Martian soil has a high leaching property which allows it to absorb water from the atmosphere and store it. This discovery could potentially lead to extracting two pints of water from every cubic foot of soil mined on Mars, but perichlorate contamination would need to be addressed before it could be safely consumed or used for rocket fuel.
ChapterMethane on Mars: Biological or Chemical Origin?
EpisodeSelects: How Mars Works
PodcastStuff You Should Know
The podcast discusses the discovery of methane on Mars and the potential for it to be produced by biological means.
43:55 - 45:36 (01:41)
Methane
Summary
The podcast discusses the discovery of methane on Mars and the potential for it to be produced by biological means. Termites on Earth were also mentioned as a contributor to methane emissions.