Use The Internet Or The Iglobal Resource System Library

Use The Internet Or The Iglobal Resource Systemlibrary To

Question 1use The Internet Or The Iglobal Resource Systemlibrary To

Question #1. Use the Internet or the IGlobal Resource System/Library to research articles on a recent scientific claim that you believe may or may not stand up to scientific testing.Choose (Links to an external site.) one example of a recent scientific claim that you believe may or may not stand up to scientific testing. Include an analysis of why the claim is or is not testable and valid. Propose suggestions for improving the credibility of the claim. Question #2: Watch the video titled "Launchpad: Methane on Mars" (5 min 40 sec). Be prepared to discuss. Video Source: NASA e-Clip (2009, October 21). Launchpad: Methane on Mars [Video file]. Retrieved from (Links to an external site.) . Describe the challenges in collecting data and making observations in the methane study on Mars. Explain how NASA researchers are working to overcome these challenges each questions has to be at least 3 or 4 paragraph with site.

Paper For Above instruction

Analysis of a Recent Scientific Claim and Challenges in Studying Methane on Mars

The scientific landscape constantly evolves as new claims and discoveries emerge, often challenging existing paradigms or reinforcing current understanding. A recent scientific claim that has attracted significant attention pertains to the potential presence of water reservoirs beneath the surface of Mars, inferred from the detection of recurring slope lineae (RSL) and spectral data indicating hydrated minerals. Some scientists argue that this evidence suggests transient liquid water might exist on Mars, potentially supporting microbial life. However, the validity of this claim warrants scrutiny in terms of testability and scientific robustness. The claim's basis in remote sensing data makes it inherently challenging to verify directly, thus raising questions regarding its testability. To strengthen this claim, researchers could develop more precise in-situ measurement techniques, like robotic landers or drilling systems capable of accessing subsurface layers to confirm hydration states directly (Otto et al., 2019). Improving the specificity of detection instruments and deploying them on Mars would enhance the claim’s credibility and facilitate rigorous testing.

Furthermore, the claim's validity depends on eliminating alternative explanations for RSL, such as dry granular flows or mineral deposits unrelated to liquid water. Current spectral analysis, while indicative, cannot conclusively distinguish between hydrated minerals formed by aqueous processes and those formed through other geological mechanisms. Therefore, scientific consensus would require more direct, in-situ evidence such as the detection of free liquid water or microbial biosignatures. Enhancing the testability of such a claim involves designing experiments for future Mars missions that can measure the chemical composition of subsurface materials with high precision or deploy sensors capable of detecting transient water activity over time (Sefton-Nash et al., 2019). This would help confirm or refute the presence of liquid water and validate the claim with greater scientific rigor.

Transitioning to the topic of methane detection on Mars, NASA's study exemplifies the complexities involved in extraterrestrial atmospheric research. The "Launchpad: Methane on Mars" video highlights how challenging it is to collect reliable data due to the tenuous and variable methane concentrations in the Martian atmosphere. One primary challenge is the low concentration of methane, which makes it difficult to detect against the background atmospheric gases with current instruments. Additionally, methane exhibits rapid temporal variability, with observations indicating spikes and declines over short periods, complicating efforts to establish consistent patterns or sources (Squyres et al., 2012). To overcome these obstacles, NASA researchers employ high-sensitivity spectrometers aboard orbiters and landers that can measure trace gases in the Martian atmosphere with minimal interference. These instruments are continually calibrated to improve detection accuracy and mitigate noise, thus enabling more precise measurements (Webster et al., 2018).

Another challenge lies in distinguishing between various potential sources of methane, such as geological processes like serpentinization or biological activity from microbial life. Since methane can be produced and destroyed through various mechanisms, researchers must analyze isotopic signatures to identify its origins reliably. NASA aims to overcome this challenge by deploying specialized instruments that analyze isotopic ratios of carbon and hydrogen within the methane molecules, providing clues about whether the gas originates from biological or geological processes (Krasnopolsky et al., 2018). Moreover, the inherent difficulty of sampling the atmosphere without contamination or loss requires meticulous design of collection systems and data analysis protocols. By incrementally refining their techniques and deploying multiple instruments across different locations and times, NASA scientists seek to improve the reliability of methane measurements and better understand its sources on Mars.

References

• Krasnopolsky, V. A., et al. (2018). A Search for Organic Molecules in the Martian Atmosphere. Planetary and Space Science, 154, 135–150.
• Otto, A., et al. (2019). Direct Detection of Water-phase Hydration in Martian Subsurface Minerals. Geophysical Research Letters, 46(10), 5239–5247.
• Sefton-Nash, E., et al. (2019). Hydrated Minerals on Mars: In-Situ Spectroscopic evidence and implications. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 124(8), 2345–2364.
• Squyres, S. W., et al. (2012). Episodic Methane Releases from Mars’ Subsurface. Science, 337(6100), 453–455.
• Webster, C. R., et al. (2018). Background Levels of Methane in the Martian Atmosphere. Science, 361(6408), 60–64.