At the end of March a sensational news story started to hit the headlines of the red-tops in the UK. Had scientists discovered that there was life on Mars? If so it would be one of the biggest stories ever!
Not only that - was the life that was found mushrooms? Imagine all the lovely alliterative headlines - Magic Mushrooms from Mars, and such like.
The new study claims that 15 fungi specimens were photographed by NASA growing out of the ground on the red planet in just three days. The study states that some experts believe this image shows lichens growing on Mars. Dr Regina Dass, of the Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, India, claims that the photos do not show any fungi species that grow on Earth. “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,” Dr Dass said.
“In fact, fifteen specimens were photographed by NASA growing out of the ground in just three days.”
It could be life Jim, just as we in the mushroom industry know it.
Instead of mushrooms, NASA calls them 'blueberries', but unlike the authors of the new paper, no one at the space agency actually thinks these tiny spheres are a sign of life, let alone a growing fruit or vegetable.
In 2004, the Opportunity rover discovered millions of these 'blueberries', and upon analysis they were determined to be composed of the iron oxide, hematite.
