Life has been detected on three meteorites in the form of tiny fossilized bacteria by a NASA scientist.
Neighbors? (Picture courtesy: dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com)
Findings have also shown that these bacteria don't belong to our planet. The research has opened doors for several speculations, including that the very base of existence of life on earth may have begun elsewhere in the solar system. However, a confirmation on the same is awaited.
Astrobiologist, Richard Hoover, based at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, has spent his years in the study of microscopic life-forms that can survive extreme environments such as glaciers, permafrost and geysers. His observations state that microfossils similar to cyanobacteria – blue-green algae (pond scum) have been traced on the unearthed corners of the meteorites. In a report published in Reuters, Hoover stated that typical of earthly bacteria, these too had lots of carbon and zero nitrogen in them. Nitrogen in these, however, is suspected to have turned into gaseous form over the years of its existence.
However, the relic of we having neighbors in the universe isn't an exclusive one. In 1996, life on Mars was indicated after NASA presented a 4-billion year old meteorite that was found in Antarctica.
It now remains to be researched further to really know if we’re alone, or not!
For more authorised info : Tech2
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