Astrophysical and Biological Constraints on Radiopanspermia

Details Astrophysical and Biological Constraints on Radiopanspermia Astrophysical and Biological Constraints on Radiopanspermia

1996-07-26

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9607139v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

LaTeX file, 10 pages, no figures, uses aaspp4.sty; To appear in JRASC (Aug. 1996); also available from http://www.sci.wsu.ed

Scientific paper

We have carried out a series of calculations involving bacteria and viruses embedded in dust grains, which are ejected from our solar system by radiation pressure, and travel through space to other star systems. Under many conditions, this kind of panspermia is impractical, primarily because the ultraviolet (UV) radiation of the present Sun inactivates the micro-organisms. However, if the organisms are shielded by an absorbing material like carbon, and if ejection takes place in the late-Sun (red-giant) phase of a one-solar-mass star like our Sun, there is a significant probability that these micro-organisms can reach another star system alive (i.e., with only sub-lethal damage from UV and ionizing radiation). In addition to panspermia with viable micro-organisms, we note that it is possible to seed the Galaxy with inactivated ones, whose DNA and RNA fragments may provide the initial information necessary to start biological evolution in favorable environments.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Astrophysical and Biological Constraints on Radiopanspermia does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Astrophysical and Biological Constraints on Radiopanspermia, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Astrophysical and Biological Constraints on Radiopanspermia will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-603995