<p>I was wondering, if we measured the carbon isotopic ratio of methane on Mars and found that it was very negative (i.e. it contained more carbon-12 than carbon-13), would this provide definitive proof that life exists on Mars.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-17T23:35:29.270Z
When we search for life on Mars, are looking at the ratio c14:c12 or c13:c12?
Bell
<mars><methane>
Carbon Isotopic Ratio of Methane on Mars
Bell
# Carbon Isotopic Ratio of Methane on Mars

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-10-15)

I was wondering, if we measured the carbon isotopic ratio of methane on Mars and found that it was very negative (i.e. it contained more carbon-12 than carbon-13), would this provide definitive proof that life exists on Mars.

**Tags:** mars, methane

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: When we search for life on Mars, are looking at the ratio c14:c12 or c13:c12?  

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