Mars Methane Mystery

[Graeme1858]

Before identifying the sources of methane on Mars, scientists must settle a question that’s been gnawing at them: Why do some instruments detect the gas while others don’t? NASA’s Curiosity rover, for instance, has repeatedly detected methane right above the surface of Gale Crater. But ESA’s (the European Space Agency) ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter hasn’t detected any methane higher in the Martian atmosphere.


https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/first-you ... ne-mystery

[notFritzArgelander]

It's good to see this making better sense. Thanks.

[GCoyote]

Well my first guess would have been some anomaly at Gale Crater but they don't seem to think that's likely.

[helicon]

Some kind of inversion allowing methane to collect near the surface but not rise into the atmosphere?

[Ylem]

Dilution?
By the time the gas gets into the atmosphere it's practically undetectable?