Waspie_Dwarf Posted July 6, 2015 #1 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Do micro-organisms explain features on comets? Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, studied in detail by the European Space Agency Rosetta and Philae spacecraft since September 2014, is a body with distinct and unexpected features. Now two astronomers have a radical explanation for its properties – micro-organisms that shape cometary activity. Dr Max Wallis of the University of Cardiff set out their ideas today (Monday 6 July) at the National Astronomy Meeting at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, Wales.Rosetta data have revealed an irregular ‘duck shaped’ comet with about 4.3 by 4.1 km in extent. It appears to have a black crust and underlying ice and images show large, smooth ‘seas’, flat-bottomed craters and a surface peppered with mega-boulders. The crater lakes are re-frozen bodies of water overlain with organic debris. Parallel furrows relate to the flexing of the asymmetric and spinning double-lobed body, which generates fractures in the ice beneath. Read more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merc14 Posted July 6, 2015 #2 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Do micro-organisms explain features on comets? This is an amazing hypothesis. Hopefully whoever is planning he next short period comet exploration mission will now include a science package that can test for the micro-organisms indicated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waspie_Dwarf Posted July 6, 2015 Author #3 Share Posted July 6, 2015 (edited) This is an amazing hypothesis. I would add a note of caution. One of the two scientists behind this hypothesis is Chandra Wickramasinghe. He is one of the leading proponents of the panspermia hypothesis. There aren't many things he doesn't see as evidence of extraterrestrial micro-organisms. Edited July 6, 2015 by Waspie_Dwarf 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merc14 Posted July 6, 2015 #4 Share Posted July 6, 2015 I would add a note of caution. One of the two scientists behind this hypothesis is Chandra Wickramasinghe. He is one of the leading proponents of the panspermia hypothesis. There aren't many things he doesn't see as evidence of extraterrestrial micro-organisms. I noticed that after I posted. His enthusiasm for the subject takes some wind out of the sails doesn't it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Hammerclaw Posted July 6, 2015 #5 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Such extremophiles would have an extraordinary lifecycle. It would also explain the almost immediate appearance of life on Earth as soon the oceans formed. It's nothing but speculation, however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waspie_Dwarf Posted July 6, 2015 Author #6 Share Posted July 6, 2015 His enthusiasm for the subject takes some wind out of the sails doesn't it. Just because he is a rebel, just because his interpretation of the facts is somewhat idiosyncratic, just because the evidence doesn't usually support him and just because almost all other experts don't agree with him doesn't mean he is wrong. It makes it improbable that he is right but not impossible. If he shouts "extraterrestrial micro-organisms," frequently enough there is always the chance he will be right one day. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Hammerclaw Posted July 6, 2015 #7 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Waspie either you or Saru once posted a link to a simulation displaying the true size of the Universe in scale and I can't seem to find it. Do you have it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paperdyer Posted July 6, 2015 #8 Share Posted July 6, 2015 If the micros are there, would they survive an entry into an atmosphere such as ours or would they need to be part of a planet forming collision to be viable to produce life and evolve? BTW Waspie - I've been meaning to ask you, is that your cat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DieChecker Posted July 6, 2015 #9 Share Posted July 6, 2015 What makes them think that the organic compounds are being replenished? Perhaps when the compounds on the surface are eroded there is more underneath? How does Dr Wallis know that there is cleaner ice underneath, and a lot more organics on top? Perhaps the organic molecules are too heavy to be blasted from the gravity of the comet? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonofkrypton Posted July 7, 2015 #10 Share Posted July 7, 2015 i do like the panspermia idea, it seems "Simple" and elegant, however with Wickramsinghe involvement it does place a shadow over the findings i don't know about anyone else but Philae has taken on a character all of it's own and i feel extremely attached to little guy (sad i know) unfortunately when the ancient space craft melds with him and he comes back to earth we're in deep trouble haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calibeliever Posted July 8, 2015 #11 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Just to add ... several scientists have responded to this today with strong words of caution. Going so far as to call it "baseless". http://phys.org/news/2015-07-evidence-life-comet-67p.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aearluin Posted July 13, 2015 #12 Share Posted July 13, 2015 It would be amazing if this was true, but, as always, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, which is as yet not available for this story. There would also be some complex questions as to how such microbial life would have originated and evolved in such conditions. A comet will only have liquid water for short periods when close to the sun, maybe some kind of life could begin in those periods, but how would it adapt quickly enough to the extreme conditions that would soon follow? The extremophiles that we know on Earth probably had millions of years to adapt to the current extreme conditions that now survive (and thrive) in. Still, a very interesting story, very much worth following! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brogster31 Posted July 23, 2015 #13 Share Posted July 23, 2015 the truth will come out in time about this 1 the government know more than there letting on about this it shock u all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikko-kun Posted August 29, 2015 #14 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Life should be much more probable to survive anywhere, whether a planet or a comet or a moon or an asteroid, underground. There life's sheltered from the winds and weather, all you need is to breathe, absorb a thing that keeps you going. We all have a right to think whatever we want, it's best to think for yourself so you can't blame anyone else for your own shortcomings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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