Panspermia/A critique of Panspermia—true or false

(Review Paper) Cited in Panspermia/A critique of Panspermia—true or false

Panspermia is not reproducible edit

Scientists Wickramasighe and Bhargava conducted a cryosampler experiment to prove or dismay the theory of Panspermia. Sixteen samples were collected from the cryosampler at various altitudes and split between the two scientists to prove the proposed theory. Wickramasighe stated to have detected microorganisms present from the cryosampler samples. However, Bhargava was unable to produce the same results. This is possibly a fluke that Wickramasighe found any living microorganisms. When asked to reproduce the same results, Wickramasighe declined[1].

Methods edit

To determine if Panspermia can exist in space, the scientists utilized various elements (such as dirt, water, etc) from the earth to conduct the experiment. They created a balloon-like object called a Cryosampler to lift into the atmosphere and ultimately create a simulation of a comet[1].

Another experiment conducted to disprove the theory of Panspermia suggests that once bacteria and lichens exit the atmosphere, one of two events occur; bacteria is unable to survive while lichens are able to. Once the shuttle re-enters the atmosphere, the lichens burn up with no possibility of survival. This helps prove that bacteria is unable to survive in space. Therefore, Pansperima does not exist[2].

Results edit

To determine if Panspermia can exist in space, Bhargava conducted the same experiment as Wickramasighe and was unable to produce the same results. To prove his theory wrong, Bhargava requested that Wickramasighe reproduce his findings. This request was declined thus causing a possible controversy and/or cover up of existence of Panspermia[1].

Being able to reproduce an outcome to an experiment is a logical way to prove a theory. If Wickramasighe and his team are not willing to reproduce their findings, it can only be concluded that they do not have a valid argument. Thus, disproving the theory of Panspermia.

References edit

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bhargava, Pushpa M (08/2003).Panspermia—true or false?. The Lancet (British edition) (0140-6736), 362 (9381), 407
  2. De La Torrea, R., Sanchob, L., Horneckc, G., De Los Ríos, A., Wierzchosd, J., ...Demets, R. (2010). Survival of lichens and bacteria exposed to outer space conditions – Results of the Lithopanspermia experiments. Icarus, 208, 735-748. http://library.mtroyal.ca:2097/science/article/pii/S0019103510001120