# Were the remote detections of 2003–2006 real? · Mars methane puzzle > Three answers have been proposed. The early remote detections were not secure. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mars-methane/questions/QST0D7EXXPW2F4B/were-the-remote-detections-of-20032006-real Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:00+00:00 --- **0** # Were the remote detections of 2003–2006 real? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [If the methane is real, where does it come from?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mars-methane/questions/QST0D7EXXF26RFA/if-the-methane-is-real-where-does-it-come-from)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: the early remote detections were not secure** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. The early remote detections were not secure. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters The Mars Express and ground-based reports of 10 ppbv and plumes of thousands of tonnes would, if real, show releases far larger than anything seen since⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7EXJZ43D7Z/detection-of-methane-in-the-atmosphere-of-mars)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7EXKER331J/strong-release-of-methane-on-mars-in-northern-summer-2003). ## Answers 3 [**The early remote detections were not secure.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mars-methane/answers/ANS0D7EY5924K5D/the-early-remote-detections-were-not-secure) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**Methane was present at the reported levels in 2003–2006 and has since declined or become rarer.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mars-methane/answers/ANS0D7EY4HM4YRK/methane-was-present-at-the-reported-levels-in-20032006-and) Tested, but the results don't decide it Evidence: 2 for Disputed [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mars-methane/answers/ANS0D7EY5RP24GV/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible ## History 1. 2004[Formisano et al.: pFS reported a global average of 10 ± 5 ppbv, varying from 0 to 30 ppbv.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7EXJZ43D7Z/detection-of-methane-in-the-atmosphere-of-mars)For: Methane was present at the reported levels in 2003–2006 and has since declined or become rarer. 1. 2009[Mumma et al. puts forward: methane was present at the reported levels in 2003–2006 and has since declined or become rarer.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7EXKER331J/strong-release-of-methane-on-mars-in-northern-summer-2003) 1. 2009[Mumma et al.: ground-based spectra showed plumes, the largest about 19,000 tonnes.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7EXKER331J/strong-release-of-methane-on-mars-in-northern-summer-2003)For: Methane was present at the reported levels in 2003–2006 and has since declined or become rarer. 1. 2011[Zahnle et al. puts forward: the early remote detections were not secure.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7EXKYC3V8P/is-there-methane-on-mars) 1. 2019[Korablev et al.: the orbiter's 2018–2021 limits are 10 to 100 times below earlier detections.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7EXMNT4W0Z/no-detection-of-methane-on-mars-from-early-exomars-trace-gas)For: The early remote detections were not secure. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/mars-methane/questions/QST0D7EXXPW2F4B/were-the-remote-detections-of-20032006-real%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/mars-methane/questions/QST0D7EXXPW2F4B/were-the-remote-detections-of-20032006-real%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/mars-methane/questions/QST0D7EXXPW2F4B/were-the-remote-detections-of-20032006-real%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/mars-methane/questions/QST0D7EXXPW2F4B/were-the-remote-detections-of-20032006-real%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/mars-methane/questions/QST0D7EXXPW2F4B/were-the-remote-detections-of-20032006-real%23add-source) Where it fits Mars methane puzzle [**If the methane is real, where does it come from?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mars-methane/questions/QST0D7EXXF26RFA/if-the-methane-is-real-where-does-it-come-from)Key question · 3 answers, inconclusive **Were the remote detections of 2003–2006 real?** You're here · the early remote detections were not secure [ Ask a question under this one ]