Scientists have found an important clue about life on Mars after successfully extracting methane from Martian rock. Researchers crushed samples of meteorites known to have come from Mars and found that six different meteorites - representing volcanic rock from the red planet - all contained methane. The discovery is significant because it suggests that the gas could be used as a food source by simple life beneath the Martian surface, in the same way as it is on Earth. Professor John Parnell of the University of Aberdeen, who led the research, said: 'One of the most exciting developments in the exploration of Mars has been the suggestion of methane in the Martian atmosphere.Research led by University of Aberdeen studied Martian meteoritesThe scientists found that they all contained methaneThis could have been used by simple organisms on the red planetIt suggests that life could survive under the surface of Mars
The team also examined two non-_ meteorites, which contained lesser amounts of methane.