Assessing Panspermia Hypothesis by Microorganisms Collected from The High Altitude Atmosphere

Abstract

Microbiology at the high altitude atmosphere is imp or t ant for asse ssing the chanc e s and limits of microbial transfer from the earth to extraterrestrial bodies. Among the microorganisms isolated from the high- atmospheric samples, spore formers and vegetative Deinococci were highly resistant against harsh environment at high altitude. From limited knowledge available to date, it is suggested that terrestrial microorganisms may have had chances to be ejected and transferred to outer space. Survival of these organisms during their space travel and proliferation on other planets might be also feasible. Directed Panspermia from Earth to extraterrestrial bodies is discussed on the basis of findings reported in literatures. ©2009 Jpn. Soc. Biol. Sci. Space; Article ID: 092303017