By Tim Binnall
An intriguing new scientific paper suggests that there is life on Mars in the form of fungi growing on the surface of the Red Planet. The bold assertion, which sounds similar to arguments made by Martian anomaly hunters in the past, comes courtesy of a peer-reviewed piece in the Journal of Astrobiology and Space Science Reviews. In the paper, titled 'Evidence of Life on Mars?,' the authors posit that various forms of fungi and lichens have been photographed on the Red Planet by NASA rovers and cite a number of images that they believe back up this fantastic theory.
In a press release announcing the paper's publication, one of the authors, Dr. Regina Dass, contends that "there are no geological or other abiogenic forces on Earth which can produce sedimentary structures, by the hundreds, which have mushroom shapes, stems, stalks, and shed what looks like spores on the surrounding surface." She goes on to note that "fifteen specimens were photographed by NASA growing out of the ground in just three days!"
Skeptics of the fungi theory insist that the 'mushrooms' and other 'life forms' seen growing on Mars are merely oddly-shaped rocks being uncovered by the wind. Although another researcher listed as an author on the paper, Dr. Nicolo Cantasano, acknowledged that could be the case, he pointed to photos purportedly showing "masses of black fungi growing on the rovers" as additional evidence for the fantastic theory which cannot be discounted by blaming the wind.
He went on to also note that fluctuations in methane measured on Mars seems to fall in line with what would be observed if there were organic life cycles unfolding on the Red Planet. Looking at all of their research taken together, Dass conceded that "there is no definitive proof, only a lot of evidence which shouts: Biology." As such, Cantasano called for NASA to take the idea seriously and to "retrieve these specimens and return them to Earth" to possibly confirm the controversial hypothesis.