Introduction
Panspermia is the theory that life exists throughout the universe and was “seeded” on Earth from space. Some conspiracies claim this fact is hidden by governments or scientific elites.
Origins
First proposed by Greek philosophers, panspermia was developed scientifically by Svante Arrhenius in the early 20th century. Today, it fascinates both scientists and UFO enthusiasts.
Key Examples
- Theory that meteorites or comets delivered life to Earth.
- Claims of microbial life found on Mars or the moon.
- Links to “ancient astronaut” and directed panspermia theories.
Critical Analysis
No direct evidence supports panspermia, but it remains a subject of legitimate debate in astrobiology.
Influential Literature: Pro & Contra
- Fred Hoyle & Chandra Wickramasinghe – “Evolution from Space” – Simon & Schuster, 1981. Hoyle & Wickramasinghe, Evolution from Space. S&S, 1981.
- Stephen Hawking – “Brief Answers to the Big Questions” – Bantam, 2018. Hawking, Brief Answers to the Big Questions. Bantam, 2018.
- Michael Marshall – “The Genesis Quest” – Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2020. Marshall, The Genesis Quest. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2020.
- Jan Harold Brunvand – “Encyclopedia of Urban Legends” – W.W. Norton, 2001. Brunvand, Encyclopedia of Urban Legends. Norton, 2001.
- Michael Barkun – “A Culture of Conspiracy” – University of California Press, 2013. Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy. UCP, 2013.
- Colin Wilson – “Atlantis and the Kingdom of the Neanderthals” – Bear & Co, 2006. Wilson, Atlantis and the Kingdom. Bear, 2006.
- Lynne Kelly – “The Skeptic’s Guide to the Paranormal” – Allen & Unwin, 2004. Kelly, Skeptic’s Guide to the Paranormal. Allen & Unwin, 2004.
- David Clarke – “Supernatural” – Hodder & Stoughton, 2011. Clarke, Supernatural. Hodder, 2011.
- Chris Aubeck & Martin Shough – “Return to Magonia” – Anomalist Books, 2015. Aubeck & Shough, Return to Magonia. Anomalist, 2015.