It seems that nowadays the question isn’t if there is life elsewhere in space but rather where it is. According to leading astronomers, some of the mysterious features of the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko comet can be tagged as Aliens. Researchers point towards the organic-rich black crust and that there might be living organisms beneath an icy surface.
Mysteriously, the Rosetta spacecraft which is orbiting this strange comet has picked up abnormal clusters of organic material which according to scientists, resemble viral particles.
Astronomer and astrobiologist Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe said: “I wanted to include a very inexpensive life-detection experiment. At the time it was thought this was a bizarre proposition.”
The views of Professor Wickramasinghe are shared by colleague Dr Max Wallis, from the University of Cardiff, who believes that comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenkoand others like it might be a suitable “home” for microbes which are similar in nature to the “extremophiles” which inhabit most of the inhospitable regions of the Earth.
Computer simulations have demonstrated that Professor Wickramasinghe and Dr Max Wallis are right about the presence of life beneath the surface of the Comet.
Prof Wickramasinghe said: “What we’re saying is that data coming from the comet seems to unequivocally, in my opinion, point to micro-organisms being involved in the formation of the icy structures, the preponderance of aromatic hydrocarbons, and the very dark surface.
“These are not easily explained in terms of pre-biotic chemistry.
“The dark material is being constantly replenished as it is boiled off by heat from the Sun. Something must be doing that at a fairly prolific rate.”
“They might be viral particles,” said Prof Wickramasinghe.
“The current estimate for the number of extra-solar planets in the galaxy is 140 billion plus. Planets that can harbour life are really quite abundant in the galaxy, and the next neighbouring system to us is only spitting distance away. I think it’s inevitable that life is going to be a cosmic phenomenon.
“Five hundred years ago it was a struggle to have people accept that the Earth was not the centre of the universe. After that revolution our thinking has remained Earth-centred in relation to life and biology.
“It’s deeply ingrained in our scientific culture and it will take a lot of evidence to kick it over.”
