In the year 2015, 100 years after Fred Hoyle was born, the ideas relating to the cosmic origins of life are slowly gaining credence in scientific circles. Once regarded as outrageous heresy, evidence from a variety of disciplines -- astronomy, geology, biology -- is converging to support these once heretical ideas. This volume opens with recent review articles pointing incontrovertibly towards our cosmic heritage, followed by a collection of published articles tracing the development of the theory throughout the years. The discovery that microorganisms -- bacteria and viruses -- are incredibly resistant to the harshest conditions of space, along with the detection of an estimated 144 billion habitable planets around other star systems in our galaxy alone, makes it virtually impossible to maintain that life on one planet will not interact with life elsewhere. The emerging position is that life arose exceedingly rarely, possibly only once, in the history of the cosmos, but its subsequent spread was unstoppable. "Panspermiology" can no longer be described as an eccentric doctrine, but rather is the only doctrine supported by an overwhelming body of evidence. Fred Hoyle's work in this area may in the fullness of time come to be regarded as his most important scientific contribution.

In the year 2015, 100 years after Fred Hoyle was born, the ideas relating to the cosmic origins of life are slowly gaining credence in scientific circles. Once regarded as outrageous heresy, evidence from a variety of disciplines — astronomy, geology, biology — is converging to support these once heretical ideas. This volume opens with recent review articles pointing incontrovertibly towards our cosmic heritage, followed by a collection of published articles tracing the development of the theory throughout the years. The discovery that microorganisms — bacteria and viruses — are incredibly resistant to the harshest conditions of space, along with the detection of an estimated 144 billion habitable planets around other star systems in our galaxy alone, makes it virtually impossible to maintain that life on one planet will not interact with life elsewhere. The emerging position is that life arose exceedingly rarely, possibly only once, in the history of the cosmos, but its subsequent spread was unstoppable. "Panspermiology" can no longer be described as an eccentric doctrine, but rather is the only doctrine supported by an overwhelming body of evidence. Fred Hoyle's work in this area may in the fullness of time come to be regarded as his most important scientific contribution. Contents:Recent ReviewsPapers from 2000–2014Papers from 1990–2000Papers from 1980–1990Papers from 1970–1980Prospects for the Future Readership: University students, researchers and historian of science interested in astrobiology or the work of Sir Fred Hoyle. Key Features:Compiled by the foremost proponent of the theory of panspermiaTraces the history of development of the idea of cometary panspermia from the time of its first proposal in 1979 to the present timeKeywords:Cosmic Theory of Life;Origin of Life;Fred Hoyle;Panspermia;Comets;Interstellar Dust;Evolution

Astrophilosopy, Exotheology, and Cosmic Religion: Extraterrestrial Life in a Process Universe applies Alfred North Whitehead’s process philosophy and the associated process philosophies of Henri Bergson, Teilhard de Chardin, and others to the interdisciplinary layers of astrobiology, extraterrestrial life, and the impact of discovery. This collection, edited by Andrew M. Davis and Roland Faber, asks questions such as “How have process thinkers imagined universal creative evolution and its implications for philosophies, theologies, and religions beyond earth?” and “How might their claims as to the primacy of organism, temporality, novelty, value, and mind enrich current discussions and debates across disciplines?” As experts in their fields, the contributors are informed by, but not limited to, process conceptualities. The chapters not only advance recent discussions in astrobiology, cosmology, and evolution but also consider a constellation of philosophical topics, from shared extraterrestrial knowledge and values to the possibilities or limitations afforded by A.I. technology, the Fermi Paradox, the Drake Equation, and the increasing need to nurture the cosmic dimensions of theological and religious traditions.

The idea that life is a cosmic, rather than a purely terrestrial phenomenon, has progressed from scientific heresy to mainstream science within the short timespan of a few decades. The theory of cometary panspermia developed by Fred Hoyle and the present author in the 1970's has been vindicated by a spate of new discoveries in astronomy and biology, and also with startling new evidence of microbial fossils in meteorites and micrometeorites. The recent Kepler Telescope searches for exoplanets have indicated the presence of over 100 billion habitable planets separated by only a few light years, thus making panspermia and the transfer of microbial life between such planets an inevitable fact. The book presents a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the Hoyle–Wickramasinghe theory of cometary panspermia in a manner accessible to a wide general readership. Contents:The Genesis of PanspermiaThe Primordial Soup and EvolutionCosmological ContextFrom Dust to LifeCometsCosmic Viruses in Our GenesEvidence from EpidemicsMicroorganisms Entering the EarthPlanets of Life in the Solar SystemSearch for ExoplanetsSearch for Extraterrestrial IntelligenceMeteorite CluesComet Impacts and CivilisationThe Mystery of the Red Rain Readership: General public. Key Features:The recent estimate of some 140 billion habitable planets around red dwarf stars in the galaxy makes panspermia inevitable, so a reassessment of panspermia theories is timelyThe book is written by one of the foremost pioneers of the theory of cometary panspermia and is thus of interest to scientists across many fields, as well as to historians of scienceThe intended readership of the book ranges from science buffs to the general public with a general interest in scienceKeywords:Panspermia;Astrobiology;Comets;Origin of Life;Extraterrestrial LifeReviews: “The author is today's foremost expert on panspermia, having inherited that mantle from the iconic astronomer of the 20th century Sir Fred Hoyle who, with Wickramasinghe as his pupil, strongly re-introduced the subject in the early 1970's. He makes a compelling case for panspermia conveying a cosmic imperative for biology.” Gilbert V Levin Principal Investigator of NASA's Mars Viking Mission of 1976 Discoverer of evidence for Microbial Life on Mars Arizona State University “The book is accessible to those interested in an appreciation of a central question that spans all ages, and scientists and science students, who are seeking coverage of this pioneering subject matter. The historical approach to the subject will be appreciated by readers. The book will take you on an intellectual trek and can transform how you think about humans and the universe. Hopefully it will encourage the next generation of scholars to continue seeking an understanding of the origin of life, one of the most profound challenges for humanity.” Professor J T Trevors University of Guelph, Canada

This curated collection of scientific papers on the origin and global spread of COVID-19 is a unique project that offers explanations at odds with mainstream views as the theme mainly focuses on Panspermia (viruses, microorganisms and their spores, and cometary arrival of even more complex cellular organisms).No other scientific group has paid attention to the temporal unfolding scientific order at the many required levels of understanding — astrobiological and astrophysical, geographical and the temporal order of global proportions, yet regional epidemics, the immunologic dimensions to the infection and epidemic data, the genetics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as it adapted, varied and appeared in different human populations in the crucial first few months of the pandemic. This in-depth analysis, over a two-year period, allows a better understanding of what engulfed the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, how it happened and the most plausible way.There are many lessons for future generations that can be distilled from the contributions found in this book.

In Cosmic Biology, Louis Irwin and Dirk Schulze-Makuch guide readers through the range of planetary habitats found in our Solar System and those likely to be found throughout the universe. Based on our current knowledge of chemistry, energy, and evolutionary tendencies, the authors envision a variety of possible life forms. These range from the familiar species found on Earth to increasingly exotic examples possible under the different conditions of other planets and their satellites. Discussions of the great variety of life forms that could evolve in these diverse environments have become particularly relevant in recent years with the discovery of around 300 exoplanets in orbit around other stars and the possibilities for the existence of life in these planetary systems. The book also posits a taxonomic classification of the various forms of life that might be found, including speculation on the relative abundance of different forms and the generic fate of living systems. The fate and future of life on Earth will also be considered. The closing passages address the Fermi Paradox, and conclude with philosophical reflections on the possible place of Homo sapiens in the potentially vast stream of life across the galaxies.

With the rapid growth of new evidence from astronomy, space science and biology that supports the theory of life as a cosmic rather than terrestrial phenomenon, this book discusses a set of crucial data and pictures showing that life is still arriving at our planet. Although it could spark controversy among the most hardened sceptics this book will have an important role in shaping future science in this area.