Cambridge Journals Online

Research Article

Bloody rain again! Red rain and meteors in history and myth

P. McCaffertya1 a1 Irish and Celtic Studies, Queens University Belfast, 9 University Square, Belfast BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland and Armagh Observatory. College Hill, Armagh BT61 9DG, Northern Ireland e-mail: pmccafferty03@qub.ac.uk

Article author query mccafferty p

Abstract

In July 2001, red rain fell over Kerala in India shortly after reports of a meteor. When analysed, this red rain appeared to contain red cells, apparently demonstrating that such cells must exist in space and that the theory of panspermia is correct. However, doubts have been expressed about whether reports of a meteor were merely a coincidence. This paper examines historical and mythical accounts of red rain, to establish if these, too, show a connection with meteors.

(Received April 03 2007)

(Accepted June 13 2007)

(Online publication January 21 2008)

Key Words: astrobiology; cometomythology; history; meteors; myth; red rain