Quote:
|
Originally Posted by granolaeater
On the cloud decks, 50 km above the surface, where an unknown UV-absorber can be seen, where unknown processes seem to destroy carbon monoxide and produce carbonyl sulfide, and non spherical cloud particles of unknown composition were detected, the temperature is about 70°C.
So, no, temperature is not a problem..
|
Sounds plausible enough, but for the reason stated in the first part below:
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by granolaeater
A real problem might be the scarcity of of elements like phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and calcium in the atmosphere. But perhaps ash from volcanic eruptions might help here.
|
Has anyone tried to formally "debunk" or marginalize such a possibility yet ? The extremophile comparison work is relatively new, but I would have thought such an "evolved" form of bacterium (tiny, yet loft-capable spore, long dormant/growth phases, extreme temperature resistance, etc.) would have to have been initiated by a more archaic, less specialized, and less hardy species. Also, wouldn't these flying colonies need to be huge to be detected and isolated as UV-absorbing, and non-spheroid ?