The question of whether or not we are alone in the universe has long captivated both the scientific community and the public. However, a recent paper published in the International Journal of Astrobiology is raising a different question: could alien fossils or minerals already be present on Earth? According to the paper’s author, University of Tokyo astronomy professor Tomonori Totani, it is possible that sub-micron-sized alien fossils or minerals are present on our planet, potentially resulting from asteroid impacts on other planets. These particles may be hiding in our oceans or under Antarctica’s ice sheets.
Totani’s paper suggests that identifying these particles could help to establish alien biosignatures that traditional methods of searching for extraterrestrial life, such as searching for radio signals or analyzing exoplanet atmospheres, may miss. He estimates that around 100,000 of these grains may be falling on Earth every year, and identifying a biosignature from even one of these grains could significantly alter our understanding of life in the universe.
The Weird Science
While the concept of panspermia, or the idea that evidence of aliens may be flying through space and landing on unsuspecting planets, is not a popular theory among researchers, Totani argues that it is still possible. He writes that living aliens are not necessary to identify that alien life exists at all.
The challenge lies in identifying and differentiating these tiny dust particles from those native to Earth. Totani proposes two different approaches in his paper: collecting the dust in space before it reaches Earth, or probing places on Earth where these particles may have been preserved. While both approaches have their challenges, determining which may be more feasible or advantageous will require further discussion amongst experts in the field.
In addition to the possibility of alien fossils being present on Earth, back in 2014, a mysterious interstellar object crashed on Earth off the coast of Papua New Guinea. Harvard University Professor Avi Loeb plans to recover this object, which he believes could potentially be an alien probe of some sort.
Alien technology and Professor Loeb
Loeb, a theoretical physicist and cosmologist, has previously made headlines for his controversial theories on extraterrestrial life and the possibility of alien technology being present in our solar system. He believes that one similar interstellar object, the first ever found, ‘Oumuamua, may have been artificially constructed and sent by an extraterrestrial civilization.
While ‘Oumuamua has been a subject of fascination among scientists since its discovery in 2017, Loeb’s theories have faced skepticism from many in the scientific community. However, he remains undeterred in his pursuit of further research and investigation into the object, which he believes could hold crucial insights into the existence of alien life.
Together, these developments raise intriguing questions about the possibility of alien life and its potential presence on our planet. As scientists continue to explore these questions, the search for answers could lead to groundbreaking discoveries and new understandings of our place in the universe.
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