Alien life forms may be found within the Earth's crust

Scientists may be unaware of the existence of alien life deep within Earth, which could be based on silicon rather than carbon, like currently known organisms. Dr. Tom Gold, an emeritus professor at Cornell University, suggests that such microorganisms could exist in extreme conditions, raising new questions about life on our planet. While some researchers are skeptical of this theory, others emphasize the need for research into alternative life forms, which could have implications not only for Earth but also for the search for extraterrestrial life.

Alien life may be inside Earth Scientists may be unaware of evidence of alien life inhabiting Earth, according to a leading researcher.

Dr. Tom Gold, an emeritus professor at Cornell University in the US, believes that organisms based on silicon – completely unrelated to all carbon-based life forms known to man – could live at great depths.

In his 1998 book, he suggests that scientists should take this possibility more seriously. Gold, a Fellow of the Royal Society, previously predicted that vast numbers of conventional bacteria live many kilometers below the Earth's surface. Scientists initially rejected this view, but many now agree.

"As long as no one suspects that silicon-based life might exist out there, we may not be smart enough to identify it," Gold said.According to Gold, rocks bearing traces of silicon-based organisms may already be in laboratories, and their significance may be overlooked.

Every known living organism, from bacteria to humans, is based on a carbon compound, which forms complex molecules like DNA, which are crucial to our existence. Scientists believe that if extraterrestrial life is discovered, there's a chance it, too, will be carbon-based.

Silicon shares many chemical properties with carbon, suggesting that scientists and science fiction writers envision new life forms. A giant "space slug" can swallow spaceships in "The Empire Strikes Back," a rock-like alien attacked Captain Kirk's crew in an episode of "Star Trek," and deadly silicon-based parasites emerged in "The X-Files" as scientists explored the interior of a volcano.

Gold's life forms, if they exist, would most likely be microorganisms that could withstand enormous pressures and temperatures, living in tiny pores within rock deep in the Earth's crust. They could draw energy from decomposed gases and envelop the minerals.