Panspermia and Exogenesis
I have heard of Panspermia and always found it to be an interesting theory, but upon reading more about it I had found that it sort of transcends its meaning.
Panspermia:
Panspermia (Gk. πάς/πάν (pas/pan, all) σπέρμα (sperma, seed)) is the hypothesis that “seeds” of life exist already all over the Universe, that life on Earth may have originated through these “seeds”, and that they may deliver or have delivered life to other habitable bodies.
Exogenesis:
Exogenesis (Gk. “outside origin”) is a more limited hypothesis that proposes life on Earth was transferred from elsewhere in the Universe but makes no prediction about how widespread it is. Because the term “panspermia” is more well-known, it tends to be used in reference to what would properly be called exogenesis.
Basically Exogenesis is what most are thinking of when they think of this theory. Exogenesis only accounts for the delivery of life to Earth and is a leaner Orovo version, while Panspermia takes a much broader scope.
Both theories are more or less debunked, but remain a bit of folklore used in science-fiction and some whacky religions. Even so the theory is rather ingenious for early thinkers I must say. More on the history of these theories can be found in this Wiki.
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Filed under: Space by JMH
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