Skepticism greets claim of possible alien microbes

[Swede]

This came out in January,has anyone heard anything more?


A paper to appear in a scientific journal claims a strange red rain might have dumped microbes from space onto Earth four years ago.

But the report is meeting with a shower of skepticism from scientists who say extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof—and this one hasn’t got it.


The scientists agree on two points, though. The things look like cells, at least superficially. And no one is sure what they are.




http://www.world-science.net/exclusives/060104_specksfrm1.htm

[unpossibles]

1. I remember when this happened and thought it interesting

we still don't know what it is?

[librechik]

2. there was an article at the BBC about this a few days ago

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6146292.stm

snip

e was able to see the recent work of Dr Louis which shows that the red rain can replicate at 300C, an essential attribute of a space micro-organism that might have to endure extreme temperatures.

Animation of Planet Earth Image: BBC
Bacteria might survive the journey through space
All this has convinced Professor Wickramasinghe that the red rain is a form of alien life.

"Before I came I had grave doubts as to whether the red rain was really an indication of life coming from space; new life coming from space," he said.

"But on reflection and after talking to Godfrey, I think I would now fairly firmly believe that it did represent an invasion of microbes from space."

Many scientists remain highly sceptical, however, but if Wickramasinghe and Louis are correct it will be the strongest evidence so far that the theory of Panspermia might be true.

It also raises the intriguing possibility that if life first originated on another planet then it must mean all Earth organisms, including humans, evolved from alien life.

Horizon - We Are The Aliens is broadcast on BBC Two on Tuesday 14 November at 2100 GMT
"

[Occulus]

3. Here's a photo

No nucleus.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. 1000x?

Then aren't those a little small for eukaryotes?

How about some molecular biological testing.