Published on 20 Sep 2013 By TheLifebeyondearth
Large alien organisms have been found in Wakefield -- and they are definitely not funny-shaped sticks of rhubarb.
The Yorkshire city, famous for producing the pink vegetable, was the landing site for a balloon which brought back the extra-terrestrial particles after a trip to the edge of space.
Molecular biologist Prof Milton Wainwright, who led the project, said the find could prove revolutionary.
He added: "People might assume these biological particles drifted up from Earth but a particle of the size we found cannot be lifted to such heights."
The balloon, launched near Chester by the Sheffield University team, carried sensors which were only exposed after it was between 14 and 17 miles above the Earth.
When it touched down in West Yorkshire it had picked up an algae fragment and "biological entities" said to be of an unusual size.
Prof Wainwright said: "If life does continue to arrive from space then we have to completely change our view of biology and evolution.
"In the absence of a mechanism by which large particles like these can be transported to the stratosphere, we can only conclude that the biological entities originated from space.
"Our conclusion is that life is continually arriving to Earth from space. Life is not restricted to this planet and it almost certainly did not originate here."
The team will try the test again next month to coincide with a meteorite shower when there will be large amounts of cosmic dust.
"It is hoped more unusual organisms will be found, confirming the experiment's success.
The Yorkshire city, famous for producing the pink vegetable, was the landing site for a balloon which brought back the extra-terrestrial particles after a trip to the edge of space.
Molecular biologist Prof Milton Wainwright, who led the project, said the find could prove revolutionary.
He added: "People might assume these biological particles drifted up from Earth but a particle of the size we found cannot be lifted to such heights."
The balloon, launched near Chester by the Sheffield University team, carried sensors which were only exposed after it was between 14 and 17 miles above the Earth.
When it touched down in West Yorkshire it had picked up an algae fragment and "biological entities" said to be of an unusual size.
Prof Wainwright said: "If life does continue to arrive from space then we have to completely change our view of biology and evolution.
"In the absence of a mechanism by which large particles like these can be transported to the stratosphere, we can only conclude that the biological entities originated from space.
"Our conclusion is that life is continually arriving to Earth from space. Life is not restricted to this planet and it almost certainly did not originate here."
The team will try the test again next month to coincide with a meteorite shower when there will be large amounts of cosmic dust.
"It is hoped more unusual organisms will be found, confirming the experiment's success.
