Natural methane on Mars

Natural methane on Mars refers to reports of detection of methane (CH4) in Mars’ atmosphere. The potential presence of methane in the atmosphere of Mars may indicate the presence of microbial life or geological activity.

Mars orbiters and rovers, as well as Earth-based telescopes, have used infrared spectroscopy to search for trace amounts of methane in Mars' atmosphere. Measurements of methane from 60 ppbv to under the detection limit (<0.05 ppbv) have been reported, but there is no scientific consensus on whether these observations genuinely corroborate the existence of methane on Mars.

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