March 5, 2011 2:01 PM

NASA scientist: Evidence of alien life on meteorite

By
Charles Cooper
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In The News

Richard B. Hoover: Fossils of cyanobacteria found in meteorites

(Credit: Journal of Cosmology)

In what's sure to rekindle the debate over the question of life beyond Earth, a scientist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center says he has fossil evidence of bacterial life inside of a rare class of meteorites .

Writing in the March edition of the Journal of Cosmology, Richard B. Hoover argues that an examination of a collection of 9 meteorites - called CI1 carbonaceous meteorites - contain "indigenous fossils" of bacterial life.

"The complex filaments found embedded in the CI1 carbonaceous meteorites represent the remains of indigenous microfossils of cyanobacteria," according to Hoover.

That matter-of-fact sentence also underscores the shout-out-loud implication that the detection of fossils of cyanobacteria in the CI1 meteorites raises the possibility of life on comets. And Hoover does not shy away from offering that very conclusion.

Skeptics will doubtless weigh in soon with questions. Still, Hoover's proposition may have stirred more controversy several years ago. More recently, though, some scientists have suggested that meteors and comets slamming into the Earth brought with them the very integuments of life, including water and a host of complex organic chemicals.

If he's right, Hoover may have evidence to support that theory. He argues that the complex filaments he found embedded in the meteors are micro-fossils of extraterrestrial life forms that existed on the meteorites a long time ago prior to the meteorites' entry into the Earth's atmosphere.

"This finding has direct implications to the distribution of life in the Cosmos and the possibility of microbial life on in liquid water regimes of cometary nuclei as the travel within the orbit of Mars and in icy moons with liquid water oceans such as Europa and Enceladus," he writes.

In an accompanying comment, Rudy Schild, the journal's editor-in-chief and a member of the Harvard-Smithsonian's Center for Astrophysics, announced that the publication has sent out a "general invitation" to more than 5000 scientists to review the paper.

"We believe the best way to advance science, is to promote debate and discussion," he wrote.


  • Charles Cooper is an executive editor at CNET News. He has covered technology and business for more than 25 years, working at CBSNews.com, the Associated Press, Computer & Software News, Computer Shopper, PC Week, and ZDNet. E-mail Charlie.

Add a Comment See all 114 Comments
by Eraice March 19, 2011 10:07 PM EDT
It's theoretically impossible for there not to be life in the universe, due to the number of stars and planets estimated to be orbiting them even the current count increasing daily within our own milky way. Regardless if this rock is really proof or not it takes away no shred of proof that there is in fact some life elsewhere in this universe and that it is not a barren lifeless wasteland in fact it may well be possible that our own solar system holds the keys to life on the very moons within reach that we could see in our lifetime. One day it's likely we may well have to use these places as well, because this earth cannot hold us forever and the human race has a nature that makes us wish to explore to push on and go farther then those before us always wanting to be better greater faster and stronger. As long as that desire lives on in our race will find some trace of life it may not be some advanced human it may be nothing more then a pool of pond scum, it might be something so alien it resembles a fish and never leaves the water, how are we to know? What we do know is that life will grow where circumstances are right. But what circumstances those require what are those rules we are still drawing up a list and until we know we cannot go about ruling the whole infinite universe out like it was nothing more then empty blank space. Think about that next time.
Reply to this comment
by cbsnewstech April 5, 2011 10:17 AM EDT
The universe is not barren, there is life, just not the type you hope for. Good imagination, suitable for a cheap sci-fi novella, but if you esteem to become an author start with using the word than instead of then where appropriate. Also you may want to not use such terms as "there is in fact some life elsewhere" until that has been established as an actual fact. You have a right to an opinion, just don't get your opinion confused with actual fact. We certainly won't.
by slownewsdayomewannagohome March 8, 2011 2:26 PM EST
by greensboro78 March 7, 2011 2:30 PM EST
unfortunately man's ego (the same ego that made us think the stars and sun revolved around the earth) will never allow us to accept that life can exist outside of earth even if its staring us in the face. Because if proven there is life out there it raises many profound questions having to do with religion and our place in the universe.

=======

Well put.
Reply to this comment
by Reality-Checker March 8, 2011 10:29 AM EST
I still believe this meteor actually came from Earth during an earlier era and was ejected into space upon an asteroid or major meteor impact. The rock floated in space orbiting for millions of yeras before returning back to Earth. What I see from this, is the best evidence of a form of time travel, where a creature leaves and returns to it's own future, although in fossilized form.
Reply to this comment
by ocdana March 8, 2011 7:55 AM EST
It's utterly Ignorant to think Earth is the only planet with Life. There are untold undiscovered planets in the Universe that have been in Existence for millions of years. Even our Ocean Floors remain undiscovered. So, how can you say with any accuracy - that there are no other planets with Life? Prove it...............
Reply to this comment
by xjug1987-2009 March 8, 2011 8:46 AM EST
Prove there is! This isn't proof...
by WeHappyFew March 8, 2011 6:17 AM EST
Why are most people obsessed with ETs being some mammalian/reptilian life form. Most likely, life sustained in our universe will be bacteriological.
Reply to this comment
by ebneila March 7, 2011 10:53 PM EST
I aliens found only one rock from Earth, would they assume that life here was still in its primeval state? While scientist are mulling over microscopic fossils in meteors, they outwardly ignore aerial sightings of advanced space craft(UFO)seen in the skies everyday.
The universe is teeming with life. To think all ETs are out to kill humans is silly. If they wanted to destroy humans, some could without ever being noticed
Reply to this comment
by kansas1946 March 7, 2011 9:08 PM EST
Although, I am not a religious person, there is really no inconsistancy between Genesis and the idea of life, any kind of life, on other planets.
Reply to this comment
by Sloughfoot March 7, 2011 8:08 PM EST
What's the source of the meterorites? Has Earthen ejecta returning to earth as meterorites been ruled out?
Reply to this comment
by greensboro78 March 7, 2011 2:30 PM EST
unfortunately man's ego (the same ego that made us think the stars and sun revolved around the earth) will never allow us to accept that life can exist outside of earth even if its staring us in the face. Because if proven there is life out there it raises many profound questions having to do with religion and our place in the universe.
Reply to this comment
by meatrex1 March 7, 2011 1:39 PM EST
E.T "can you hear me now?"
Reply to this comment
by WeHappyFew March 8, 2011 6:21 AM EST
No, hes with AT&T.
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