Answer · Mars methane puzzle
The rover's methane readings are an instrumental artefact, chiefly methane leaking from the foreoptics…
The rover's methane readings are an instrumental artefact, chiefly methane leaking from the foreoptics chamber into the sample cell.
Where it stands
Still possibleIts tests haven't settled it: two pieces of evidence for, one against. It needs two reviews to be accepted.
What it predicts
- Cell methane correlates with foreoptics methane and pressure changes.
- Fitting the full triplet pattern rather than averaging lines removes or reduces the signal.
- The orbiter continues to see no methane at any altitude it can reach.
What would rule it out
- A controlled test showing no transfer from foreoptics to cell, together with an independent surface instrument confirming methane.
Evidence 2 for · 1 against
FOR
FOR
AGAINST
The questions it answers
Open3 answers, none ahead
Cite it
Mysteries Department. (2026). The rover's methane readings are an instrumental artefact, chiefly methane leaking from the foreoptics… [Answer ANS0D7EXZNC60BA]. https://mysteriesdept.com/r/ANS0D7EXZNC60BA
@misc{mysteriesdept_ans0d7exznc60ba,
title = {The rover's methane readings are an instrumental artefact, chiefly methane leaking from the foreoptics…},
author = {{Mysteries Department}},
year = {2026},
note = {Answer, catalog key ANS0D7EXZNC60BA},
url = {https://mysteriesdept.com/r/ANS0D7EXZNC60BA}
}