Fossils found in space rock

[naomi24]

A couple of days ago I asked a question at the end of a thread, but there are no answers so I’ll ask it separately here.

I seem to recall that some years ago fossils of micro-organisms were found in a piece of space rock thought to have originated on Mars – or something like that. Does anyone else remember it - or am I mistaken?

[Calibax]

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/life_mars.html

[jake-the-peg]

No there was a big todo abut it

Still very contraversial

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Hills_84001

Might be less so in a week or two when NASA hold's its press conference - who knows?

[naomi24]

Thanks chaps. I knew I'd seen something like that. I wait with bated breath for that press conference.

[DTCwordfan]

I await the announcement next week.....the interesting thing, if it is life, (as it could be water), will be its form and if it is similar to microbe life here on Earth, ancient or modern.

[naomi24]

DT, this could be the start of something BIG!! Potentially very exciting. I hope we're not disappointed by the release of only a damp squib. Splutt! :o)

[DTCwordfan]

What would be big is if they have found evidence of Ed's predecessors, in the form of a Martian gnome with a fishing rod.

[DTCwordfan]

In fact, with my Clearwater, Houston, connections, I have obtained a prview photograph from Boxie's "Rover":

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3129/2402003303_10c178941d_z.jpg?zz=1

[LazyGun]

Damp Squibs going splutt conjure up some rather disturbing images for us more gentle and easily shocked souls Naomi ;)

Good link from Calibax, and JtP - I had thought the hypothesis that this meteorite showed evidence of organic life had been discounted.

[DTCwordfan]

Liquid water would be something too.......

[naomi24]

LG, I usually 'sperlatt', but on this occasion 'splutt' seemed more appropriate somehow. ;o)

[sandyRoe]

Imagine if they have found evidence of life there. People would look at the heavens with renewed awe. What we thought to be a lifeless desert could be pullulating with life.

[LazyGun]

@Sandy - Nice use of pullulating :)

[DTCwordfan]

I haven't heard that word use in decades......

[boxtops]

I'll have to talk to Rover, he never mentioned meeting Ab Editor on his travels. ;)

[Teddio]

The "fossil" in question was found inside a martian meteorite.
Firstly it must be accepted that the piece of space rock was originally a part of the martian surface which was hurled into space, and into the path of the Earth, by a meteorite impact.
Secondly the tiny "fossil" was analysed using a scanning electron microscope. This requires the sample being coated with a thin layer of gold in a vacuum chamber. The "fossil" is almost certainly an artefact.
If the fossil was genuine it would point to life having existed on Mars, albeit in primitive form.
Aliens beyond the Solar System, if they exist at all, might be incredibly exotic creatures beyond the comprehension of Man. Imagine humanity with a billion years of evolution added!

[vascop]

//Imagine humanity with a billion years of evolution added!//
All dead do you mean?

[Canary42]

How can a rock found on Earth indicate life on Mars ?


"Oh, that's easy, we'll say the rock came from Mars, no doubt transported by early Martians who now live amongst us disguised as Earthpeople. No, that's too unbelievable, we'll just say an explosion on Mars blew it here - OK chaps"

[jomifl]

Glad you understood it canary.

[Old_Geezer]

As I recall ther was something microscopic that looked as if it could only be produced by living processes, but that since then doubt has been cast and the appearance may just be coincidental.