Red rain from another planet?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

On July 25, 2001, blood-red rain fell over Kerala. The unusual phenomenon continued for two months, raining crimson, turning clothes pink, burning leaves on trees. In some places, the rain fell in scarlet sheets.

Scientists were shocked, and the government ordered an investigation. Scientists concluded that the rain was red because winds had swept up dust from Arabia and dumped it on Kerala. But Dr Godfrey Louis, a Reader in Physics at the School of Pure and Applied Physics at the Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam, Kerala, was not convinced.

He diligently gathered rain samples and, after months of painstaking research, concluded: 'The red particles, which caused the red rain of Kerala, are of extraterrestrial origin.'

His colleagues -- other scientists and physicists -- frowned at the conclusion. But Dr Louis stuck to his theory. His scientific conclusions have now received international support. Dr Milton Wainwright of the micro-biology Department at Sheffield University in Britain has been examining some of the particles of the red rain samples that hit Kerala. And he has come out in support of Dr Louis' theory that the rains could belong to an alien life form.

"I am indeed thrilled that my scientific conclusions have received international support and recognition," Dr Louis told rediff.com New Scientist Magazine, in its March cover story, has published the red rain phenomenon along with the doctor's theory.

http://ia.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/08gspec.htm

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Alien farts.

[Miranda&James 8]

Is this for real? Cause if so, then freakkyyyy

[Saddle Bronc 124]

And nobody even considered the more prosaic explanation that the red rain could be HOMEGROWN!!!!

The following cities (with major industrial production) are easily close enough to contribute pollutants which could cause it (and Indian environmental laws, already laxer than US, are oft ignored with bribery):

• Mumbai (900 km from closest point of Kerala)
  
• Pune (850 km)
  
• Bangalore (350)
  
• Hyderabad (740)
  
• Chennai (500)
  
• Coimbatore (only 70 km by rail from Palaghat)
  
• Salem (200)
  
• Madurai (80)
  

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

And nobody even considered the more prosaic explanation that the red rain could be HOMEGROWN!!!!

Not being privvy to the finer details of Dr Louis's research, I don't think we can assume that pollution was not considered. In fact, any scientist worth anything would consider that first. The fact that the explanation he arrived at is extra terrestrial speaks volumes.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

And nobody even considered the more prosaic explanation that the red rain could be HOMEGROWN!!!!

Not being privvy to the finer details of Dr Louis's research, I don't think we can assume that pollution was not considered. In fact, any scientist worth anything would consider that first. The fact that the explanation he arrived at is extra terrestrial speaks volumes.

Correction: any scientist worth the term SHOULD consider that first.

Unfortunately, all-too-many scientists will ignore the obvious (such as possibility from homegrown pollution) and go for outside causes (foreign pollution, as Louis' initial idea--or extraterrestrial as his current).

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

And nobody even considered the more prosaic explanation that the red rain could be HOMEGROWN!!!!

Not being privvy to the finer details of Dr Louis's research, I don't think we can assume that pollution was not considered. In fact, any scientist worth anything would consider that first. The fact that the explanation he arrived at is extra terrestrial speaks volumes.

Correction: any scientist worth the term SHOULD consider that first.

What reason do you have to believe that this scientist didn't do what he should have done?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

What reason do you have to believe that this scientist didn't do what he should have done?

Seems more like the onus is on YOU to prove that he did his job correctly.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

What reason do you have to believe that this scientist didn't do what he should have done?

Seems more like the onus is on YOU to prove that he did his job correctly.

Seems to me like neither of us are in the position to make any kind of judgement on this, given that neither of us have access to the actual research itself. Not to mention the fact that neither of us have the scientific expertise to evaluate the research even if we had it. It is the norm that if a study is accepted for publication by a peer-reviewed journal, then it is likely to be credible. I have no idea if the magazine mentioned in the article is peer-reviewed or not.

However, I am still curious - why do you think the scientist didn't do his job properly? Not challenging you, just curious as to what your thought process on this is.

[almaty 19]

i think it was from the great beyond..or maybe, if not..the work of the Muslims

[mercuryroad 0]

Red rain from another planet.....see the women's menstrual cycle thread and find the answers you seek.

[almaty 19]

Red rain from another planet.....see the women's menstrual cycle thread and find the answers you seek.

better answer

[Kajikit 65]

It must have been the martians...

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Seems to me like neither of us are in the position to make any kind of judgement on this, given that neither of us have access to the actual research itself. Not to mention the fact that neither of us have the scientific expertise to evaluate the research even if we had it. It is the norm that if a study is accepted for publication by a peer-reviewed journal, then it is likely to be credible. I have no idea if the magazine mentioned in the article is peer-reviewed or not.

Unfortunately, "newspapers/newsmagazines" (you'll see later why I put it in quotes) don't always choose peer-reviewed journals for "science" articles--and are hardly qualified to actually peer-review them. I can remember my mum oft quoting "science" articles from the Calgary Sun (part of the Canoe group, only-too-well-known for borderline "yellow journalism"; the only proven genuine parts of papers from this group are the comics and the photos--"Sunshine Girl" on page 3, "Sunshine Boy" on page 6--which generate the bulk of the group's "readership").

However, I am still curious - why do you think the scientist didn't do his job properly? Not challenging you, just curious as to what your thought process on this is.

Basically, on science issues, I won't assume the conclusion as valid unless I see the original journal article.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Unfortunately, "newspapers/newsmagazines" (you'll see later why I put it in quotes) don't always choose peer-reviewed journals for "science" articles--and are hardly qualified to actually peer-review them.

[...]

Basically, on science issues, I won't assume the conclusion as valid unless I see the original journal article.

Fair enough.