Kolkata scientists plan to study Russian meteorite bits

Kolkata, Feb 20 (IANS) Scientists in Kolkata plan to buy fragments of the meteorite that rained in on parts of Russia Feb 15 to investigate the mysteries of the "origin of life".

"We believe that complex molecules originated in space and meteorites could provide insights into the origin of life. We would like to buy and study pieces of the Russian meteorite to gain valuable insights," S.K. Chakrabarti, honorary professor at Indian Centre for Space Physics (ICSP), Kolkata, told IANS.

To unlock the mysteries of the origin of life, ICSP scientists are trying to purchase state-of-the-art equipment from the US to study the meteorite, that crashed into remote parts of the Ural mountains in Russia, injuring over a thousand.

"We are trying to procure a very expensive piece of equipment that can examine objects as fine as a hair. It will cost around Rs.3 crore. By March end we will know if we are able to procure it or not," Chakrabarti said.

"Once we have the equipment we will buy pieces of the meteorite to study it," added Chakrabarti, who also doubles as a senior professor at the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata.