Emily Johnson
While there is no concrete evidence of mushrooms on meteorites, the idea of a connection between mushrooms and outer space is not new. In popular culture, for example, in the show Clarkson's Farm, Jeremy and colleagues suggest that mushrooms are from outer space. This is not the first time such a claim has been made; ancient folklore and medieval literature also associate celestial phenomena with fungi. More recently, a study found fossil evidence of fungi in the Siljan impact structure in Sweden, Europe's largest meteorite crater. The fungi were estimated to be around 39 million years old, having colonized the crater long after the meteorite impact. While this doesn't suggest that mushrooms originated in space, it does demonstrate the resilience and adaptability of fungal species.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms found in meteorites | No firm evidence of mushrooms in meteorites |
| Mushrooms formed in space | No evidence of space-formed mushrooms |
| Life in outer space | No evidence of life in outer space |
| Fungi in meteorite craters | Fossil evidence of fungi in Europe's largest meteorite crater, the Siljan impact structure in Sweden |
| Age of fungi fossils | Around 39 million years old |
| Fungi and methane production | Fungi seem to have fueled methane production in the Siljan crater |
| Fungal spores and propagules | Found in geological formations around the world |
| Cultural use of mushrooms | Consumed by locals in the State of Veracruz in Mexico |
| Mushrooms in literature | References to meteors and jelly fungi in medieval, Renaissance, and Shakespearean literature |
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What You'll Learn
There is no evidence of mushrooms on meteorites
There is currently no evidence of mushrooms on meteorites. While there have been various claims and theories about the presence of extraterrestrial life, including fungi, on celestial bodies like meteorites, these remain speculative and unsupported by scientific evidence.
The idea of mushrooms originating from space is an intriguing concept, but it lacks substantiation. NASA, for instance, asserts that "so far, the only life we know of is right here on our planet Earth," indicating that there is no concrete proof of mushrooms or other life forms on meteorites or elsewhere in the universe besides Earth.
It is important to distinguish between the presence of space-formed amino acids and organic molecules, which do arrive on Earth via meteorites, and the existence of fully grown space mushrooms. While these molecules may contribute to the formation of life, there is strong evidence suggesting they are the result of chemical processes rather than biological ones.
Additionally, the association between meteors and fungi in folklore and literature does not constitute scientific evidence. References to celestial phenomena and fungi in medieval, Renaissance, and Shakespearean literature, as well as the perception of fungi falling from the sky in Estonia, are intriguing cultural aspects. However, they do not provide empirical support for the presence of mushrooms on meteorites.
While there have been findings of ancient fungi in the Siljan impact structure in Sweden, Europe's largest meteorite crater, these fungi are not directly associated with the meteorites themselves. The fungal fossils are estimated to be around 39 million years old, dating to more than 300 million years after the meteorite impact. This discovery suggests that the fungi colonized the deep parts of the impact crater long after the meteorite struck, taking advantage of the optimal conditions created by the impact structure.
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Ancient fungi fossils found in Europe's largest meteorite crater
In a study published in Communications Earth & Environment, researchers have discovered fossil evidence of fungi in Europe's largest meteorite crater, the Siljan impact structure in Sweden. The impact crater, with a diameter of more than 50 km, is estimated to have formed approximately 400 million years ago.
By examining bore cores from deep drillings into the crater, the team found fine filamentous structures in the fractured rock at a depth of 540 meters. Laboratory analysis confirmed that these filaments were the fossilized remains of fungi, indicating that fungi had colonized the deep parts of the crater.
The fungi are believed to have fueled methane production in the crater, possibly through the decomposition of organic bituminous material. Radioisotopic dating of calcite crystals formed by microbial methane revealed that the fungi fossils are approximately 39 million years old, dating to more than 300 million years after the meteorite impact.
This discovery provides valuable insights into the deep colonization of microbial communities in impact craters and the potential involvement of anaerobic fungi in methanogenesis at great depths in the continental crust. The unique environment of the impact structure, with its fractured rock and energy sources in the form of organics and hydrocarbons, has been optimal for the growth and preservation of fungal fossils.
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Space-formed amino acids arrive on Earth via meteorites
While there is no evidence of mushrooms in outer space, space-formed amino acids and other organic molecules have been found in meteorites that have landed on Earth. These discoveries suggest that the building blocks of life are not unique to Earth and can survive in space and during the journey through the Earth's atmosphere.
The Murchison meteorite, which fell in Australia in 1969, is one such example. It was found to contain amino acids, primarily glycine, and other organic compounds that likely originated from outer space. Since then, other meteorites, such as the Tarda meteorite, have also been discovered to contain amino acids and are considered important relics from the early solar system.
The presence of amino acids in meteorites suggests that these organic molecules could have been delivered to Earth billions of years ago when it was bombarded by asteroids and comets. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that some meteorites exhibit an excess of left-handed amino acids, which is the variety used exclusively by life on Earth.
While the exact formation mechanisms of extraterrestrial amino acids are not yet fully understood, studies of meteorites like Murchison have revealed the presence of new families of amino acids with unique structures. These discoveries provide valuable insights into the chemistry that may have led to the origin of life on Earth.
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Fungi spores and propagules collected from geological formations
While there is no evidence of mushrooms from outer space, fungal spores have been found in geological formations, providing insights into the ancient world. Fungi commonly produce spores during sexual and asexual reproduction, and these spores are usually haploid. The spores of most researched fungal species are transported by wind, and they can also be dispersed by forcible ejection from reproductive structures, allowing them to travel through the air over long distances.
Fungal spores have been identified in microfossils dating back to the Ordovician period, with some spores known to be as old as the Late Silurian. These ancient spores provide valuable information about the flora and paleoecological conditions of the time. For example, helicospores found in southern Alberta, Canada, indicate marshy and swamp-like conditions during the Late Cretaceous.
The study of fossil fungal spores, or palynomorphs, has its challenges. Some spores may be highly pleomorphic, having different forms and names. Additionally, the teleomorph and anamorph of a spore may each have a specific name, and the biological relationship between these forms remains unknown. Furthermore, some fossil spore forms may lack modern analogues as the group that produced them could be extinct.
Despite these challenges, fungal spores have been used in association with other microfossils to define basin geology and interpret paleoecological conditions. They have also been used as proxy indicators to reconstruct ancient flora. For example, the presence of Amphisphaerella dispersella, a fungus typically associated with Populus, has been used to demonstrate the existence of Populus in the past.
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Jeremy Clarkson claims mushrooms come from outer space
In the latest series of Clarkson's Farm, Jeremy Clarkson and his colleagues suggest that mushrooms come from outer space. This claim has sparked a lot of reactions from fans of the show, with some finding it entertaining and others expressing concern that people might take these suggestions seriously.
In the episode, Clarkson and his team make extravagant claims about the origin of fungi, suggesting that they come from outer space and are possibly alien. While the segment provides a catchy marketing tagline for the mushrooms sold in the Diddly Squat Farm Shop, it has also raised questions about the accuracy of the information presented. One viewer, whose wife has an MA in microbiology, expressed that the episode's content was "insane" and "really fking funny," highlighting the discrepancy between the presented information and scientific knowledge.
It is important to note that, currently, there is no firm evidence of life anywhere in the universe besides Earth. While there have been claims of detecting biologically-related molecules on Venus and other planets, nothing substantial has been found to support the existence of fully grown space mushrooms or other life forms. NASA's official statement on the matter aligns with this, acknowledging that "the only life we know of is right here on our planet Earth."
Despite the lack of scientific evidence, Jeremy Clarkson is entitled to his viewpoint, and his suggestion has certainly sparked interesting discussions and reactions among viewers.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no evidence of mushrooms on meteorites. However, there is evidence of space-formed amino acids and organic molecules being transported to Earth via meteorites.
Some people have theorized about the out-of-this-galaxy origin of fungi. Jeremy Clarkson and colleagues have suggested that mushrooms come from outer space.
In Estonia, certain fungi were perceived as having fallen from the sky. Two myxomycetes, Enteridium lycoperdon and F. septica, are referred to as 'caca de luna' or 'moon's excrement' in Mexico.
The Siljan impact structure is the largest meteorite crater in Europe, located in Sweden. Researchers have found fossil evidence of fungi in the crater, suggesting that fungi have colonized deep parts of the crater. The fungi seem to have been fueling methane production in the crater.
