Signs of Martian life?
鈥淲e believe that wherever this meteorite originated, something lived,鈥� says The New York Times, quoting scientists involved in discovering that a meteorite contained complex hydrocarbons and the imprint of fossil 鈥渓ife forms鈥�.
But it鈥檚 not meteorite ALH84001 and it鈥檚 not even 1996. The meteorite is called Orgueil, the year is 1961 and the world is having its first encounter with claims of extraterrestrial life carried aboard meteorites. By 1975 the debate was over. It was clear the 鈥渓ife forms鈥� were not 鈥渆xtraterrestrial microfossils鈥�.
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So does a similar fate await ALH84001, the latest meteorite to show possible signs of Martian life? Following the initial enthusiasm, will each piece of evidence for life on Mars gradually be taken apart until nothing is left? There is certainly room for doubt.
Think of the implications if it really is fossil life from Mars. We have looked at rocks on only two planets, Earth and Mars, and both contain life 鈥� a 100 per cent success rate. Life should be common throughout our galaxy. That鈥檚 a huge shock or a thrill, depending on taste. But, just a moment. If life is so common, why has the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, or SETI, drawn a blank? Why do we see no extraterrestrial artefacts on Earth or in the solar system?
We seem left with the depressing conclusion that advanced civilisations must be very rare. Even if life existed on Mars it died out quickly, and the lesson from ALH84001 may be that it is easier to create life than it is for it to evolve to an advanced stage. If ALH84001 really contains Martian life forms, their message may be a lonely one.
From New 杏吧原创, 17 August 1996