Evidence for DNA Panspermia Theory?

[Moonrat]

What would we be looking for in terms of chemical evidence when this craft returns in 2006 with samples?

Anyone know, and what field of science would know best, chemistry? Biology?

Researchers Surprised by Comet's Craters


By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - When scientists sent a spacecraft to get a close look at a comet, they thought they knew what they'd see. They were wrong. The Stardust spacecraft sent back pictures of broad mesas, craters, pinnacles and canyons with flat floors on the surface of comet Wild 2.

"It's completely unexpected. We were expecting the surface to look more like it was covered with pulverized charcoal," Donald Brownlee, a University of Washington astronomy professor and Stardust's principal investigator, said in a statement.

A description of Wild — pronounced "vilt" — and several analyses of the mission to study it are reported in Friday's issue of the journal Science.


Launched by NASA (news - web sites) in 1999, Stardust collected samples of material coming off the comet during a flyby in January. The spacecraft is bringing the dust back to Earth and landing is expected in 2006.


In addition to Brownlee's report, other papers on the comet describe jets visible on the comet's surface that spew material into space at supersonic speeds. The papers also describe the unexpectedly chaotic distribution of dust particles coming off the comet.

 

[Phobos]

Anyone know, and what field of science would know best, chemistry? Biology?

perhaps molecular biology?

 

[ravenprp]

The DNA Panspermia Theory proposes that life on Earth may have originated from microorganisms or genetic material transported through space on comets or meteorites. Proponents of this theory suggest that evidence of this could be found in the samples collected by the Stardust spacecraft from comet Wild 2.

In terms of chemical evidence, scientists would be looking for organic compounds, particularly amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins and essential for life. They would also be looking for nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA, which carry the genetic information for all living organisms.

Chemists and biologists would both be involved in analyzing the samples collected by the spacecraft. Chemists would be able to identify and characterize the organic compounds present, while biologists would be able to determine if the nucleic acids found are similar to those found in Earth-based life forms.

This type of evidence would support the Panspermia Theory by showing that the building blocks of life are present on comets and could have been transported to Earth. However, further research and analysis would be needed to fully confirm this theory and understand the implications for the origin of life on Earth.