Null Hypothesis http://www.null-hypothesis.co.uk// The Journal of Unlikely Science Life on Mars Found on Mars http://www.null-hypothesis.co.uk/science/spoof/news-flash/life_on_mars_discovered_astronomy?from=rss » Read more on this story

]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2007 10:00:59 GMT Top Ten Animal Mysteries: The Alien http://www.null-hypothesis.co.uk/science///unexplained_mysteries_universe_alien_ufo?from=rss
An artist's impression of a distinctly humanoid alien that looks like it might have a bit of trouble reproducing.
More than a cryptid but an infinite universe of cryptids, no hypothetical being has caused as much ado as the alien.

Numerous things are embodied by this term, from UFOs and crop circles to little green men, microscopic extra-terrestrial bacteria and nightmarish, host-seeking parasites care of Ridley Scott, The Village of the Damned etc etc.

The possibility of alien life has been discussed in form or another ever since humans have taken thinking seriously. It was chewed over by Thales, the first of the philosophers, Plato and Aristotle wouldn’t believe in the existence of other worlds, but the followers of Copernicus and Keplar would have been right behind it.

However, it’s been the last century that’s really seen an explosion in reported alien behaviour.

There are many famed conspiracies of supposed alien encounter, most notably the Roswell Incident of 1947 where a suspected UFO crash landed yet was purportedly hushed up the United States government.

With so much furore over the concept of alien life, some potentially factual and others decidedly not so, coneheads, anyone?, only one thing can be said: as we continue to explore our universe, who knows what we might find?

Last seen: about three seconds ago, oh no wait, there’s another one.

Lost likely to be: drunkenness; madness; too much X-files and a terrible need to believe that humans aren’t the pinnacle of 13.7 billion years of existence.

Some alien resources:
Back to the Top Ten Animal Mysteries
Image: W

 ]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2007 00:56:58 GMT Top Ten Animal Mysteries: The Loch Ness Monster http://www.null-hypothesis.co.uk/science///anomalies_loch_ness_monster_nessie?from=rss Nicknamed ‘Nessie’, the Loch Ness Monster and its existence is one of the most debated cryptozoological issues of all time. It is believed by some to be a surviving plesiosaur or ancient long-necked water reptile, others say it is nothing more than a myth created through the combination of the misidentification and fairytale.

Extensive surveys using sonar and submersibles have failed to find any trace of the Nessie. Yet sightings continue to take place and research continues to be conducted. Recent findings suggest the presence of a massive underwater cavern, dubbed ‘Nessie’s Lair’, that could potentially lead to a whole network of caves, housing numerous Nessies. Many believers anticipate further research into this new development.

Of marginal interest was a real spate of sightings in the 1930’s, which were later claimed to be a local circus elephant that used to enjoy a quick dip in the loch when it was passing.

Latest sighting: May 2007, just in time to stir up interest for the tourist season, the latest blurry film was taken by an ‘amateur scientist’. (view it below)

Most likely to be: who knows. Our favourite explanation, apart from the elephant, is Maurice Burton’s assertion that the sightings could actually be the fermenting logs of Scots pines rising to the surface.

If a rotting log can’t release the gases caused by decay due to high levels of resin sealing the gas in then there will be a build up of pressure within the log. Eventually the gas pressure will rupture the resin seal at one end of the log propelling it through the water, maybe even to the surface. Have a look at that latest video – plesiosaur or tree trunk?



 More nessinformation:
Back to the Top Ten Animal Mysteries


]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2007 00:50:19 GMT Top Ten Animal Mysteries http://www.null-hypothesis.co.uk/science/strange-but-true//top_ten_mysterious_animals_cryptozoology?from=rss » Read more on this story

]]> Thu, 16 Aug 2007 23:04:04 GMT