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Abstract:
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A red rain phenomenon occurred in Kerala, India starting from 25th July 2001,
in which the rainwater appeared coloured in various localized places that are spread
over a few hundred kilometers in Kerala. Maximum cases were reported during
the first 10 days and isolated cases were found to occur for about 2 months. The
striking red colouration of the rainwater was found to be due to the suspension
of microscopic red particles having the appearance of biological cells. These particles have no similarity with usual desert dust. An estimated minimum quantity
of 50,000 kg of red particles has fallen from the sky through red rain. An analysis of this strange phenomenon further shows that the conventional atmospheric
transport processes like dust storms etc. cannot explain this phenomenon. The
electron microscopic study of the red particles shows fine cell structure indicat-
ing their biological cell like nature. EDAX analysis shows that the major elements
present in these cell like particles are carbon and oxygen. Strangely, a test for DNA
using Ethidium Bromide dye fluorescence technique indicates absence of DNA in
these cells. In the context of a suspected link between a meteor airburst event and
the red rain, the possibility for the extraterrestrial origin of these particles from
cometary fragments is discussed. |