I’m just going to put all of these in one place, so I can reference them. Previous entries here, here & here.

There’s a new article (well, new to me) on Space.com from a Peruvian scientist who says it really is a meteorite and has, gosh darn it, actual evidence.

While I wouldn’t say it is the final word on the topic, it is the first report I’ve read that actually quotes scientists on site. It also clarifies some numbers: 200 people supposedly sickened, and the crater is 65 feet wide and 15 feet deep. Of course, these numbers fluctuate with every telling of the tale.

Jose Mechare, a scientist with Peru’s Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Institute, said a geologist had confirmed that it was a “rocky meteorite,” based on the fragments analyzed.

If it is good enough for Mechare, it is good enough for me. I guess by rocky, he means stony. He suggests that the meteorite impact could have led to water — or whatever chemical — vaporizing at the site, which might explain the illnesses.

That’s a nice theory,  but it turns out there’s no sign of illness. In fact, I sense a big sign of vindication around here…

But a team of doctors sent to the isolated site, 3 1/2 hours travel from the state capital of Puno, said they found no evidence the meteorite had sickened people, the Lima newspaper El Comercio reported Wednesday.

Modesto Montoya, a member of the team, was quoted as saying doctors also had found no sign of radioactive contamination among families living nearby, but had taken blood samples from 19 people to be sure.

He said fear may have provoked psychosomatic ailments.

While, I can’t claim total victory for the mass hysteria idea, I do want to point out that most of the reporting involved here circled around a few (often highly) educated guesses — well, in addition to pure sensationalism. Here we have tons of media coverage surrounding an odd event in a remote place, with little in the way of first hand accounts. It pays to be skeptical.

Then again, this could just mean that space rocks can hypnotize! Everybody panic again!!!1!!1!!

The Skeptical Inquirer has a bit more on the delusions of crowds, with examples through history. For another example, although not specifically about mass hysteria, the Skeptic’s Dictionary, tells the tale of the Indian Monkey Man panic. Turns out, the perp was just a fakir.

Here are some “good” links (quotes to indicate link to Pravda) , on the story thus far, as reported.

Wiki has a good summary page on the goings on.

Yahoo/Space.com: A not-erroneous alternative explanation.

Pravda: Pravda means truth, nyet!

Space.com: Fodder for the space nerd demographic, a sci-fi twist.

It think it is safe to assume no zombies, for now. And if you’ll excuse me, I have to think of where I’m going to put all these cans of Chef Boyardee and boxes of shotgun shells.