mumma_110504. 1

1. Detection and mapping of Methane and Water on Mars: Evidence for intense local enhancements in Methane. Michael J. Mumma Goddard Center for Astrobiology NASA GSFC Robert A. Novak (Iona College) Michael A. DiSanti (NASA GSFC) Boncho P. Bonev (Univ. of Toledo at GSFC) Neil Dello Russo (CUA at GSFC) Tilak Hewagama (Univ. of Maryland at GSFC Michael Smith (NASA GSFC) mumma_110504.1

2. Why is Earth WET ? (and ALIVE?) mumma_100903.2

3. HST: Mars in 1995 Mars was WET - Was it also alive? Is it now alive? mumma_100903.3

4. Long-slit mapping of Methane and Water on Mars mjm_110904.4

5. Long-slit mapping of Methane and Water on Mars mjm_080604.5

6. Methane and Water on Mars Klassen et al. Icarus 138:36-48 (1999) mjm_110904.6

7. Methane and Water on Mars NASA/IRTF CSHELL 0.5 arc-sec slit UT 20.8 March 2003 (Ls = 155o) S.E. lat = -7.4o, long = 275-325o 7.0 arc-sec diameter WFPC2 Image: 1 May 1999 (Ls = 132o) S.E. lat = +19o, long = 285o STSCI-PRC99-27D (Bell, Wolff, et al.) mjm_111704.7

8. Methane and Water on Mars CSHELL slit position 20 March 2003 CH4 R1 | H2O --|------ |-- Wavenumber, cm-1 mjm_080604.8

9. Methane and Water on Mars Gemini South/Phoenix 0.17 arc-sec slit UT 8.4 May 2003 Ls = 181o S.E. lat = 17.5o S, long = 58-85o W 10.0 arc-sec diameter Sub-solar point Image: UT 9.24 May 2003 S.E. long = 42o W ACS-030509-658-502-435 J. Bell and M. Wolff mjm_111704.9

10. Methane and Water on Mars Gemini-South/Phoenix 8 May 2003 Ls = 181o : CML 58-85o W slit position Difference spectrum: 25º N - 18º S CH4---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|---- R0 R1 H2O ---|----------|-------------------|---------------|--------- mjm_080604.10

11. Methane on Mars: Gemini-South/Phoenix 8 May 2003 CML 58-85o W Wavenumber, cm-1 Wavenumber, cm-1 mjm_110504.11

12. mjm_110504.12

13. Methane and Water on Mars <——Hellas basin——> mjm_110504.13

14. Methane and Water on Mars <——Hellas basin——> mjm_110504.14

15. Methane and Water on Mars mjm_110504.15

16. Methane and Water on Mars CML 304o mjm_110504.16

17. Methane and Water on Mars mjm_110504.17

18. <——Valles Marineris——> mjm_110504.18

19. Methane and Water on Mars CH4 on Mars : Present work; Formisano et al. (PFS); Krasnopolsky et al. (CFHT); Its presence requires ongoing recent release (300 yr photochemical lifetime). This Work: Two CH4 spectral lines (R0, R1) are detected. Quantitative abundances agree. Quiescent levels range from 20 ppb to 60 ppb (at high latitudes). Two regions of major enhancement are found: 250 ppb and (up to) 800 ppb. Discrete source regions are needed. The production/release mechanism is related to temperature. A more-efficient destruction mechanism may be implied (gas-grain chemistry?) Possible abiotic origins of locally released methane: Geothermal activity (ala serpentization on Earth) - no supporting evidence. Test by Cx. Release of methane hydrate (from juvenile Mars?) - why now? Test by D/H ratio. Possible biotic origin of locally released methane: Methanogens? - test by d13C/12C ratio in CH4; higher order organics. Release of methane hydrate (from deep biosphere?) - Test by D/H ratio. Next steps: Firm up spatial variations - analyze additional maps, acquire additional data. Examine dependence on season, temperature, correlation with water, etc. Conduct in situ studies: orbital (e.g., MARVEL, OOO-2), airplane (e.g., ARES), landers. mjm_110904.19

20. End

21. Methane and Water on Mars mjm_110904.21

22. Methane and Water on Mars mjm_110904.22

23. Methane and Water on Mars mjm_110904.23