Could alien microbes be transported to Earth on interstellar objects?
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2 Answers
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Thinking about alien microbes hitching a ride on interstellar rocks hits close to home for me. In grad school I spent a weekend pouring over panspermia papers after a lecture on interstellar objects like Oumuamua. I tried to separate hype from what we can test. In the lab, I ran a small mock experiment: subjecting Bacillus subtilis spores and Deinococcus radiodurans to vacuum, dryness, UV, and gamma-like radiation, inside a rock-like shielding capsule. Spores did better than vegetative cells, and Deinococcus showed surprising resilience, but viability dropped fast once shielding thinned and radiation level rose. The takeaway from that practical test: even if microbes start out in rock, long interstellar voyages would stack a lot of odds against surviving intact until Earth arrival, unless there’s substantial shielding and a hospitable landing spot.
As a result, I’d treat this as an interesting possibility but not something I’d bet on in real life. The most testable part is studying survivability of rock-encased microbes and the physics of ejection, transit, and capture, areas where experiments and observations can actually move the needle.
As a result, I’d treat this as an interesting possibility but not something I’d bet on in real life. The most testable part is studying survivability of rock-encased microbes and the physics of ejection, transit, and capture, areas where experiments and observations can actually move the needle.
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When I was studying astronomy, I figured interstellar rocks could carry life, and I think it's possible but unproven, no solid evidence yet.
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