As already posted this morning on the Planetaria twitter as breaking news, there is a report of new data concerning the much-debated Allen Hills Meteorite (ALH84001) which originated from Mars and previously thought to possibly contain fossilized remains of bacteria-like organisms (and announced at the White House press conference in 1996); the findings were later cast into doubt by other scientists but now the new report provides compelling evidence that the original biological explanation was correct after all. From the article:
“Now, 13 years after the Martian meteorite life story emerged, the science team finally feels vindicated. Their data shows the meteorite is no smoking gun but is full of evidence that supports the existence of life on the surface of Mars, or in subsurface water pools, early in the planet's history.
The new data are expected to be addressed publicly within days by NASA Headquarters in Washington, where they could become part of the political debate on future NASA mission directions.”
Stay tuned...
Posted by Paul Scott Anderson on November 25, 2009 at 6:58 pm
One of the possible micro-fossils as originally photographed.
© NASA
