Whiff of Martian methane offers lively possibilities

Life is a gas on the Red Planet, possibly thanks to below-surface bacteria

No one is suggesting that Mars has flatulent cows, but a new study shows that the Red Planet, like Earth, spews methane. Researchers say it’s possible that the gas could be generated by bacteria living beneath the Martian surface.

METHANE ON MARS Researchers have discovered that Mars spews plumes of methane into its atmosphere.