cover of episode 528: We Are the Aliens | Life's Interstellar Journey to Earth: Panspermia

528: We Are the Aliens | Life's Interstellar Journey to Earth: Panspermia

2024/2/5
logo of podcast The Why Files: Operation Podcast

The Why Files: Operation Podcast

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The episode begins by introducing the concept of panspermia, a theory suggesting that life on Earth originated from microbes transported from space. It delves into the history of this theory, highlighting the work of Svante Arrhenius, a Nobel Prize-winning chemist who challenged the then-accepted theory of abiogenesis.

Shownotes Transcript

Imagine the possibility that life on Earth didn't start here, but arrived from the vastness of space. We explore the captivating concept of panspermia, which suggests microbes traveling across the cosmos could be the ancestors of all life on our planet. 

This journey takes us through the scientific arguments supporting this idea, and the skepticism it faces. We'll also discuss how recent discoveries in space exploration and biology are reshaping our understanding of life's origins. 

The notion challenges our perspective on humanity's place in the universe. Join us as we navigate this intriguing and potentially revolutionary idea, opening doors to a new understanding of our cosmic neighborhood.