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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Protect pristine headwaters from nickel mining ... Bumper crop ... Growers and Crafters Market searching for new homes ... Our View: Protect pristine headwaters from nickel mining ... Bumper crop ... Growers and Crafters Market searching for new homes ... VIDEO: NASA notes methane-level spikes on Mars New results from NASA's Curiosity rover are painting a curious picture of the planet's methane. The level of the gas found in the Gale Crater is less than expected, based on prediction models. But every once in a while, it spikes. NASA scientists believe that means that the gas is being produced somewhere nearby — though they aren't sure where or how. Comment By Washington Post MailTribune.com By Washington Post Posted Dec. 17, 2014 at 6:00 AM Updated Dec 17, 2014 at 1:44 PM By Washington Post Posted Dec. 17, 2014 at 6:00 AM Updated Dec 17, 2014 at 1:44 PM » Social News New results from NASA's Curiosity rover are painting a curious picture of the planet's methane. The level of the gas found in the Gale Crater is less than expected, based on prediction models. But every once in a while, it spikes. NASA scientists believe that means that the gas is being produced somewhere nearby — though they aren't sure where or how. Here's a useful graphic for understanding where methane might come from on Mars: pic.twitter.com/fq26rxy1CO — Catherine Q. (@CatherineQ) December 17, 2014 The results, published Tuesday in Science, show just how much we still have to learn about Mars's atmosphere. Readings from the rover found methane levels to be about half of what scientists had expected, based on all the natural processes that should be creating methane on the surface. It's exciting that methane is definitely in Mars's atmosphere, Curiosity's project scientist, John Grotzinger, said in a news conference at the American Geophysical Union meeting Tuesday, even though it's not proof of life on its own. Curiosity finds once again beg the question, "Is there life on Mars?" http://t.co/RTbLis07sS pic.twitter.com/Pd75gggfps — Discover Magazine (@DiscoverMag) December 17, 2014 "We now have full confidence that there is methane," Grotzinger said. "And that there are organics preserved in rocks [around the planet]. . . . Those things are both consistent with the former or existing presence of life." It sounds like most of Twitter is hoping for "microscopic cows" as source of Mars methane. You guys are special. :-) — Catherine Q. (@CatherineQ) December 17, 2014 By Washington Post MailTribune.com By Washington Post Posted Dec. 17, 2014 at 6:00 AM Updated Dec 17, 2014 at 1:44 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501