Arctic “shrimp” found
April 22, 2010
Arctic “shrimp” found!
ŠÁRKA PECHOVÁ/CTK If a creature similar to a shrimp can live under ice in Antarctica, why could therenot be similar higher organisms in similar conditions on other planets?
The NASA scientists were shocked, when they found a creature similar to a shrimp under the ice in Antarctica.
According to recent observations, no “complicated organisms” could be living in these conditions.
“There could be similar forms of life
on one of Jupiter´s moons!!”
“This is the first time, we made such a discovery, said Cynan Ellis-Evans, British microbiologists.
But he admitted, that it might be a coincidence and the creature came by mistake and the cold environment is not his natural home.
After drilling a 200 m long tunnel in the ice, the underwater cameras found a piece of a medusa and a 8cm long creature which looked like a shrimp.
„It was a shrimp you’d enjoy having on your plate.”
The scientists were left in shock after such a discovery.
“We were operating on the presumption that nothing’s there,” said NASA ice scientist Robert Bindschadler, who will be presenting the initial findings and a video at an American Geophysical Union. “It was a shrimp you’d enjoy having on your plate.”
The question remains, what is the source of nutrients for these creatures, because the sea is so deep, that there isn´t even any sunlight!
This discovery is very important, because it again brings up the topic, if there is and can be life in other planets.
The AP Agency reported that after this discovery the scientists are seriously considering that there could be a life in the icebergs in Europa, a moon of Jupiter.
DISCOVERY: A small shrimp-like creature was captured on camera as scientists worked beneath an ice sheet in Antarctica. (Photo: NASA/AP)
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Interview with Cynan Ellis-Evans
