Astrobiology Research Conference
2015
Book of Abstracts
21-23 August
Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Organized by
International Research Centre
University of Peradeniya
©International Research Centre
Proceedings of the Astrobiology Research Conference
(AbReCon) - 2015
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University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message from the Vice Chancellor ........................................................... i
Message from the High Commissioner ..................................................... ii
Message from the Director InRC .............................................................. iii
Message from the Conference Chair ........................................................ iv
Message from the Oak Bay, BC, Canada ................................................... v
Keynote Address
Page No
SEARCH FOR ALIEN PLANETS AND ALIEN INTELLIGENCE
Chandra Wickramasinghe
1
REVIVING MAN’S ANCIENT CONNECTION WITH THE UNIVERSE
Deepak Bhimani
2
Abstracts
THE RED RAIN PHENOMENON AND ITS IMPLICATIONS IN
ASTROBIOLOGY AND PANSPERMIA
Godfrey Louis
3
POLONNARUWA AND ANURADHAPURA METEORITES AND THE
RED RAIN OF SRI LANKA
A.D.M. Damayanthi, Nalin Silva, Milton Wainwright, Jamie
Wallis, Keerthi Wickramaratne and Chandra Wickramasinghe
4
A FLUORESCENT MINERAL SHIELD: PROTECTION AND ENERGY
SOURCE FOR PHOTOSYNTHETIC MICROBES AGAINST HARMFUL
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATIONS
Tareq L. Omairi and Milton Wainwright
5
BUDDHISM AND COSMOLOGY
A. A. C. Wijewardhana
7
A CANONICAL REVIEW ON THE BUDDHIST TEACHINGS OF
COSMIC LIFE
Mahawela Rathanapala and Iromi Ariyaratne
9
PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON THE PARABOLIC PRIMARY MIRROR
MAKING STUDY FOR THE APPLICATION IN NEWTONIAN
REFLECTING TELESCOPE
H. S. D. Amaradasa, S. S. Abeywickrama, E. M. Ranatunga and
G. D. K. Mahanama
11
2015 THE HOYLE SHIELD – A FEASIBILITY STUDY
William E. (Bill) Smith
12
THE DISCOVERY OF AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL MACROORGANISM
ON EARTH
Robert Flome
13
EXTREMOPHILES IN SRI LANKAN DARK CAVES: A REVIEW BY
LANKA INSTITUTE OF CAVE SCIENCE (LICAS)
Wasantha Sena Weliange, Pathmakumara Jayasingha, R.
Armstrong L. Osborne, A.S. Dandeniy, A.K. Prageeth P. Algiriya,
Nayomi Sayanara Prasannajith , Saman Senanayake and
Mahesh Champika
15
PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS ON THE UNKNOWN MATERIAL
SUSPECTED BE A METEORITE
Rohana Chandrajith, L. R. K. Perera and Atula Senaratne
17
TYPICAL METEORITIC WORM-LIKE FORMS SEEN IN THE
POLONNARUWA METEORITE
Milton Wainwright, Christopher E. Rose, Alexander J. Baker,
Briston K.J. and Chandra Wickramasinghe
18
PLUTO’S SURPRISES: MOUNTAIN TECTONICS, METHANE AND
EVIDENCE OF BIOLOGY
M.K. Wallis and Chandra Wickramasinghe
19
ROSETTA IMAGES OF COMET 67P/CHURYUMOV–
GERASIMENKO:
Max Wallis and Chandra Wickramasinghe
20
A MAN WHO CHANGED THE WAY WE SEE THE WORLD
THE CENTENARY OF SIR FRED HOYLE (1915-2015)
Kamala Wickramasinghe
22
LIQUID WATER IN COMETS:THEORY, EVIDENCE AND
IMPLICATIONS
Janaki T. Wickramasinghe, Chandra Wickramasinghe
23
FROM GEOCENTRIC BIOLOGY TO THE THEORY OF COSMIC LIFE
Chandra Wickramasinghe
24
ASTROBIOLOGY AND ALGAE
Sudharma Yatigammana
25
Message from the High Commissioner
Her Excellency Shelley Whiting
High Commissioner of Canada to Sri Lanka and
Maldives
Dear Conference Attendees :
Please accept my apologises for not being able to personally attend
your conference
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has confirmed to the media
on August 2, 2015, that he asked Governor General David Johnston to
dissolve the Canadian Parliament for a general election to be held
Monday, Oct. 19. As a result, Canadian Representatives Abroad,
including Heads of Missions (like myself) and senior officials, are
discourage to engage in outreach activities regardless of topic, until the
election has concluded and the new government is sworn in. In this
regards, as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka I must regretfully decline
your invitation.
However I am deeply honored and thankful for your reaching out, and
wish to confirm my plan to visit the University in Peradeinya once the
guidelines from the Prime Minister’s office are lifted. Like most
Canadians, I was amazed at the announcements by NASA in 2013 as a
result of the Kepler Mission. It seems the latest 2015 estimates are that
nearly every star in the galaxy has exoplanets. Recent announcements
say that every star even has exoplants in the habitable zone. I am
personally conscious that the younger generation world-wide now
universally accept the idea of cosmic life. Sri Lanka’s Professor Chandra
Wickramasinghe has been hypothesizing this for so many years and is
well known for his view that “Life is a Cosmic Phenomenon”.
i
Today it is with much pleasure that I salute the University of
Peradeinya’s vision of holding this conference : I especially noticed and
was intrigued by your “tag line” – “Transition from Earth-Centred
Biology to Cosmic Biology” . I appreciate the significance of making this
statement and making it at the International Research Centre at the
University of Peradeinya, in Sri Lanka.
I hope the attendees all have a very productive and enjoyable time, and
that those from abroad take the time to visit Polonnaruwa the site of
the famous Polonnaruwa Meteorite which Professor Chandra
Wickramasinghe has been so expertly analysing over the past 3 years.
This is indeed the start of a new era in cosmic biology, and I am proud
to be connected with your efforts to lead this consciousness change. As
I learn more about this wonderful country, I can see why the people of
Sri Lanka are most comfortable making this transition.
Representing Canada, I am delighted that the Cattle Point Foundation,
led by Oak Bay Municipality Mayor Nils Jensen, has donated a fine art
piece by the famous “First Nations” Salish Artist Chris Paul.
This art donation is designed to honour the conference, the University
and the IRC. We also hope it will motivate students to learn more about
Space Science and especially Astrobiology.
The painting depicts existing life on Earth welcoming new life coming in
bound to earth on a comet. The traditional animals of Canada’s Pacific
North-West, the herring, the salmon, the orca and the thunderbird,
reach up to the sky and to the comet, welcoming the continual inflow
of life to Earth.
I hope this piece, a second of a pair, the first of which I understand was
recently hung at Churchill College, Cambridge University, will begin a
connection between astrobiologists and all scientists of our three
countries. Perhaps when I do attend the University in the near future,
we can have a second informal “unveiling”.
Message from the Vice Chancellor
Prof. Upul Dissanayake
The Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya
It is with great pleasure that I pen this message for the Astrobiology
Research Conference 2015.
The University of Peradeniya being renowned for its excellence in
research, has taken yet another step towards diversifying its research
efforts. Astrobiology has received much attention in the recent past,
with Sri Lanka experiencing various phenomena of astrobiological
interest.
The astrobiology research group has been working actively towards
understanding these phenomena and has evolved into a formidable
team, with affiliations from scholars around the world.
This conference will set the platform to bring together academicians
from various fields of expertise and demonstrate how their work ties
with this emerging field. The launch of the Astrobiology Research Centre
which will be the first of its kind in the country, will channel all the
relevant expertise into the understanding of the origin of the building
blocks of life, how these biogenic compounds combine to create life,
how life affects and is affected by the environment from which it arose,
and of course, whether and how life expands beyond its planet of origin.
It is my immense pleasure to see this Conference materialize and to
witness the inception of research collaborations and projects that will
have remarkable significance on our understanding of some basic
questions that have been around since the dawn of mankind.
ii
Message from Director, InRC
Dr. Nanda Gunawardhana
Director, International Research Centre
Are we alone in the universe? Is there life out there? This has been a
question that we have always had, and a question that science and some
religions have tried to answer. With the development of new technology
and research we are beginning to realize that there truly may be life
elsewhere.
The International Research Centre initiated this conference with the
guidance of Prof. Chandra Wickramasinghe. We believed that the
University of Peradeniya would be the ideal setting for this conference
given that the wide array of areas of research that is catered to here
would serve to encompass the diverse field of astrobiological study.
Sri Lanka has experienced some attention in the past due to certain
events that were of astrobiological interest, which has lead to much
interesting research among scholars in Sri Lanka. Therefore this
conference focuses on a broad field of themes, including Complex
Organic Molecules in Space, Recent Studies of Comets, Meteorites and
Red Rain, Survival of Bacteria and Viruses under Extreme Conditions,
Recovery of Microorganisms from the Stratosphere, Buddhism and
Cosmic Life, Fred Hoyle's contributions to science. It is our firm belief
that this will serve to lay the foundation for future research in
Astrobiology and will bring together scholars in Sri Lanka and around the
world to further study these phenomena.
The Astrobiology Centre which is launched today will continue this work
and create and maintain a network among all Sri Lankan universities and
international partner universities to support and streamline astrobiology
research. We welcome all scholars to join us and be a part of the noble
effort.
iii
Message from the Conference Chair
Prof. Chandra Wickramasinghe
Professor, University of Buckingham, UK
Visiting Professor, University of Peradeniya
The birth of astrobiology as an exciting new branch of science has
intimate connections with Sri Lanka. On April 27th 1982, I delivered the
Inaugural Lecture of the newly-formed Institute of Fundamental Studies
to a packed audience of science enthusiasts in Colombo. The title of my
talk was “Is life an astronomical phenomenon?” and was one of the
earliest lectures delivered on this subject. This was followed in
December 1982 by the publication of “Proofs that Life is Cosmic” which
appeared as the No.1 title of Memoirs of the Institute of Fundamental
Studies. Co-authored with the late Fred Hoyle, it was printed by the
Government Printer of Sri Lanka. My own joint researches with the late
Sir Fred Hoyle that led to these events were the undoubted beginnings
of astrobiology. It is now fitting that 33 years (1/3 of a century) later, a
meeting takes place here in Peradeniya to celebrate this work and our
progress.
iv
“New ideas, fragile as spring flowers, easily bruised by the tread of the
multitude, may yet be cherished by the solitary wanderer”
-Sir Fred Hoyle, The Black Cloud, 1957, p142
“There’s something going on in time and space, and beyond time and
space, which, whether we like it or not, spells duty”
-Winston Churchill
“Amongst a myriad stars; I stand along and wonder; How much life and
love is there tonight?”
-Chandra Wickramasinghe, as a young man in Sri Lanka
Message from the Oak Bay, BC, Canada
Mayor Nils Jensen
Oak Bay Municipal, BC, Canada
I am delighted to support Bill Smith’s efforts in his work on behalf of the
Cattle Point Foundation. Cattle Point is a location in Oak, Bay, British
Columbia, Canada, designated as a Canadian National Star Park focussed
on the importance of preserving DARK SKIES. Bill has told me much
about Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe and his 40 years collaboration
with another great Commonwealth scientist Sir Fred Hoyle. I am
impressed that the University has shown such vision. Your is
Astrobiology Research Conference tag line “Transition from Earthcentred Biology to Cosmic Biology” reflects this vision both of Chandra
Wickramasinghe and of your University.
It was only in reading todays New Scientist that I realized quite how
important Chandra’s life-time work has been. The theme of the August
2015 issue is "Discoveries that would transform what it means to be
human".
I hope the University and its students will enjoy this art piece by one of
Canada’s great First Nations artists Chris Paul.
On Canada Day, July 1, 2015, we presented a sister piece at Churchill
College, Cambridge, where Professor Chandra is also a fellow. I thought I
would just remind you of the words we crafted on the accompanying
plaques.
v
Key Note Speakers
21-23 August 2015
FROM GEOCENTRIC BIOLOGY TO COSMIC LIFE
Chandra Wickramasinghe1
1
Buckingham Centre for Astrobiology, University of Buckingham, UK
The idea that life is a phenomenon centred on the Earth has
dominated Western science and philosophy for many centuries.
Until half a millennium ago it was held with great fervour that the
Earth was the physical centre of the entire universe. Abandoning this
position involved a struggle that lasted for centuries. From the
beginning of the 20th century our physical position in the Universe
has diminished to the point of utter insignificance in a world of
almost unimaginable proportions. Despite this transformation the
role of biology as an Earth-centred phenomenon has been
maintained against all the odds, and against a rising tide of contrary
evidence. We discuss evidence from Astronomy, Geology and
biology that shows our cosmic connection. It is shown in this lecture
that life could only have arisen in a cosmic context. Evidence is
presented that makes this new position inescapable. The
transformation of human psychology that would follow from the
acceptance of the cosmic nature of life will be explored
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REVIVING MAN’S ANCIENT CONNECTION WITH THE UNIVERSE
Deepak Bhimani
Astronomy is the most ancient of the sciences practiced mostly by
observations by the earliest humans on the planet Earth. The crop
planting, seasons changing, celebrations of spring, harvesting the
crops, hunting season, setting of winter, it was all times by looking at
the vast calendar, the canopy above us. We have in the meantime
forgotten to see up and recognize these great celestial objects.
Rather our curiosity to find our origin and to fathom the great
distances and to solve many mysteries have relatively diminished
with ever fast changing technologies and day to day survival in the
competitive world. The breed of Amateur Astronomers whose
enormous contribution towards discovering the comets or novas or
chasing total solar eclipses and observing subtle changes on moon,
planets and distant objects etc. is rather less active in developing
world. There is tremendous fun in developing this hobby and at the
same time contributing to the science by reviving man’s ancient
connection with the universe.
2
Abstracts
21-23 August 2015
THE RED RAIN PHENOMENON AND ITS IMPLICATIONS IN
ASTROBIOLOGY AND PANSPERMIA
Godfrey Louis1
1
Astrobiology Division, Department of Physics,
Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin , India
The red rain phenomenon happened in Kerala, India as a widely
noticed event in July – September months of 2001. Minor incidents
were noticed in Kerala during following years. Red rain occurred as a
major event again in November- December months of 2012 in
various locations in Sri Lanka. In this talk, a review is presented on
the findings about this mysterious phenomenon and the implications
of these findings in Astrobiology and Panspermia are discussed.
Keywords: Red rain, Astrobiology, Panspermia
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POLONNARUWA AND ANURADHAPURA METEORITES AND THE RED
RAIN OF SRI LANKA
A.D.M. Damayanthi1, Nalin Silva1, Milton Wainwright2, Jamie
Wallis3, Keerthi Wickramaratne4 and Chandra Wickramasinghe3
1
Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, Sri Lanka
2
University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
3
University of Buckingham
4
Medical Research Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Meteorite events that took place in December 2012 near
Polonnaruwa and in December 2013 near Anuradhapura have
yielded stones of very similar general characteristics, notably
displaying a high degree of porosity. Both stones under electron
microscopy have shown evidence of C, N, O-rich bio morphs, of
particular interest being an unmistakable range of diatom
morphologies. All these structures appear to be indigenous to the
meteorites, not contaminants. Some evidence of cells resembling
red rain cells (which fell prior to the meteorite events) was also
found in the Polonnaruwa meteorite. Analysis of stable oxygen
isotopes yielded results that are inconsistent with a terrestrial origin
of these stones.
Keywords:Meteorite, porosity
4
21-23 August 2015
A FLUORESCENT MINERAL SHIELD: PROTECTION AND ENERGY
SOURCE FOR PHOTOSYNTHETIC MICROBES AGAINST HARMFUL
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATIONS
Tareq L. Omairi1and Milton Wainwright1
1
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University Of
Sheffield, UK
Earliest life forms emerged shortly following Earth’s formation some
4.5 Billion years ago, while photosynthetic life is estimated to have
appeared early, possibly correlating with first life forms around 3.8
billion years ago. However, the early Earth lacked ozone due to low
oxygen levels in the stratosphere, thus posing the question of how
did photosynthetic life use sunlight while avoiding harmful ultraviolet
radiation? The question is particularly relevant since the surface of
the planet was extremely hot and UV exposure were 10000 times
what they are now, and lethal dosages of this radiation source was
able to penetrate 5-10 meters, into water thus making it unlikely that
life formed and thrived in Darwin's famous "warm little ponds".
Although some studies have showed that phototrophs can survive
UV by shielding within porous rocks, these facts obviously impose
limits on the amount of sunlight early microbes would receive. A
novel approach will be motioned here which could explain how the
early Earth, and other planetary systems could be habitable for
photosynthetic life in an environment that is exposed to lethal doses
of UV. Fluorescent rock minerals can convert damaging UV light to
visible light, thereby allowing photosynthetic microorganisms to
survive and grow in UV-rich environments without the need for a
direct light source. Fluorescent rocks made of calcite, pyrite and
fluorite were inoculated with green algae (Chlorella variabilis and
Dunaliellatertiolecta) and Cyanobacteria (Synechococcuselongatus
and Nostoc commune ), and exposed to the three types of UV-A, B
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Astrobiology Research Conference - 2015
and C for the duration of the incubation period, growth was later
calculated by optical density and chlorophyll a measurement. Results
showed that microbes within the rocks not only survived the
radiation, but also harnessed the generated visible light from
fluorescence in order to grow. Our findings suggest that high dosages
of UV reaching the planet’s surface might be favorable for
photosynthetic life and not a limiting factor, thus offering new
considerations when searching for habitable planets, and also
suggests that life on Earth may have had an earlier starting date than
is generally believed.
Keywords: Astrobiology, Fluorescent, Photosynthesis, Ultraviolet
6
21-23 August 2015
BUDDHISM AND COSMOLOGY
A. A. C. Wijewardhana1
1
Buddhist Studies, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Cosmology is the science or theory about or the study of the nature
and origin of the universe. In science the terms “cosmos”, “universe”,
and “world” are used to mean more or less the same thing to include
more the physical things than non-physical phenomena. Buddhism in
that the term world according to “LokaSutta” includes everything
that disintegrates or in the corollary everything that is formed
covering both physical and non-physical objects and phenomena.
Today different religious leaders, scientists, historians, astronomers,
biologists, botanists, anthropologists and great thinkers have all
contributed vast new knowledge about the origin of the world. Origin
of the world, the universe, or the cosmos that has vexed the
imagination of humans since antiquity is another aspect of the
interface between science and religion that needs attention.
However, the latest discovery and knowledge is not at all
contradictory to the teaching of the Buddha. As the methodology of
this survey, the both primary and secondary resources were utilized
and the study limitations of the survey were to be bounded on the
base of primary data. As the result of this study, cosmic life and its
connection to life on earth, structure, composition and extinction of
the universe and Planes of Existence in Buddhism were utilized.
Origin of life according to science has taken place as an evolutionary
process starting from some inorganic or organic source on the earth
itself or from some extraterrestrial source. There are many
hypotheses advanced as to how and from what kind of source the
evolutionary process started. They all are still at the level of
speculation though there is strong evidence to support the theory of
evolution formulated by Charles Darwin. Whatever developments
that have taken place in science relating to the origin and evolution
of life, they have not come into any conflict with the teaching in
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Buddhism as in Buddhism too beginning of life is explained as an
evolutionary process with beings coming to the earth from an extraterrestrial source and evolving over millions of years to take the
present life forms as stated in AggannaSutta. In the present paper, I
intend to discuss about the universe and life by comparing Science
with Buddhism. In the final analysis, the teaching of the Buddha goes
beyond the discoveries of modern science. As to the nature of the
universe, the Buddha say that the beginning and the end of the
universe is inconceivable, There is no such thing as complete
destruction of the whole universe at once. This is formed by the
accumulation of molecules, basic elements, gas and numerous
energies, a combination supported by cosmic instinct and gravity.
This is the nature of the cosmic energies. Although the field of
Cosmology is a new emerging field encompassing the study of the
origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe,
already had been presented by the Buddha 2500 years ago that are
acceptable to the modern scientists and intellectuals.
Keywords:Cosmology, Cosmic Life, Extra-Terrestrial Source,
Consciousness, Evolution, Charles Darwin, Evolutionary Process,
Cosmic Energies, Cosmic Instinct and Gravity
8
21-23 August 2015
A CANONICAL REVIEW ON THE BUDDHIST TEACHINGS OFCOSMIC
LIFE
Mahawela Rathanapala1, Iromi Ariyaratne1
1
Department of Buddhist Studies,
Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy, Pallekele, Sri Lanka
The origin and the nature of man and the world could be seen as the
majortopic which has been discussed in the history of Religion and
the Philosophy. Although the religion has a special goal to lead the
people towards the spiritual attainment, each religion contains a
doctrine regarding the origin and the nature of the world and the
human life. Buddhism emphasizes the importance of getting rid of
the dukkhato stop the samsaric cycle and to attain the nibbānaas its
main objective. Therefore, Buddhism does not encourage followers
to seek the origin and the ambit of the universe as its irrelevancy for
the path of the liberation. Though the applicability is less for the
liberation, Buddha had to preach about the universe quite a few
times to disillusionment of the followers who were entrapped by
contemporary dogmas. Considering the contemporary religious and
philosophical ideas, it could be clearly pointed out that the Buddha
was the only teacher who discussed about the cosmos and life
rejecting heliocentric and geocentric ideas. In analysing the Buddhist
standpoint of the cosmic life, it can be found there are two types of
cosmological discussions have been raised in Buddhist teachings such
as; 1) Historical Cosmography and 2) Analytic Cosmology. While
Historical Cosmography discusses about the physical nature (the
origin, existence and destruction) of the world, Analytic Cosmology
explains the nature of beings existing the world. Both types of
discussions show that origin and evolution of the cosmos and the
beings are interrelated as a result of natural circumstances and
mental factors of beings. The Buddha rejected the idea of creation
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Astrobiology Research Conference - 2015
and explained the evolutionary process of the man and world
through his causal theory named as Paṭiccasamuppāda. And also the
Buddhist cosmology clearly accepts that the nature of the beings can
be differentiated in terms with the relevant realm of living. Thus in
this paper issues related to Dimension of the Universe, Origin of the
world and beings, Buddhist World View and life in different realms
and Process of the life and its cessation are expected to discuss
critically with special reference to the Pali Buddhist canon in a
comparative basis.
Keywords: Buddhism, cosmic life, Paticcasamuppāda, Historical
Cosmography, Analytic Cosmology
10
21-23 August 2015
PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON THE PARABOLIC PRIMARY MIRROR
MAKING STUDY FOR THE APPLICATION IN NEWTONIAN REFLECTING
TELESCOPE
H.S.D. Amaradasa1, S.S.Abeywickrama2, E.M. Ranatunga3,
G.D.K.Mahanama4
1
Department of Physics, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka
A study of mirror making was initiated with the aim of designing a
Newtonian reflecting telescope. Parabolic mirror of 15 cm aperture
and 1.49 m focal length was made using a glass blank. Flat Soda-Lime
glass was selected for this task and two identical disks were cut and
inspected for any imperfection on surfaces. Inferior glass was used as
the tool and other was used as the mirror. One side of a flat glass
disk (one selected for the mirror) was grinded into the parabolic
concave shape using series of Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Aluminum
Oxide (Al2O3) abrasives of different grit sizes. Ferric Oxide (Fe2O3) and
optical pitch were used in polishing process. Depth of the mirror was
checked using a parallel beam of light. Uniformity of the parabolic
shape was tested using Focult and Ronchi tests. Deviations from the
required parabola were investigated by employing Texerau’s method
as a data reduction method. It was found that parabolic shape of the
glass is satisfying astronomical optical standards of Rayleigh and
Donjan&Couder criteria confirming the quality of mirror prepared by
this method.
Keywords: Glass disk, Silicon carbide, Reflector, Abrasive, Parabolic
shape
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2015 THE HOYLE SHIELD – A FEASIBILITY STUDY
William E. (Bill) Smith
The author has proposed the development of a “virtual IT shield” on
and around the Earth, which would be designed to network a set of
virus and bacteria detection sensors. The ultimate goal is a system
which will automatically identify “inbound” pathogens, known and
unknown, with the aim of giving virologists an added, significant
period of time to develop required vaccines for any new pathogens.
The global “cloud-based” IT system would manage the data in realtime and provide a mineable “Big Data” repository for all virus and
bacteria inventory and movement. This paper reviews the status of
the project and this feasibility phase. Sensors located: In all hospitals
and sites on the earth’s surface (and, in the future, extraterrestrial
bases) where the threat of pathogens exists, on a network of
balloons located in the stratosphere (e.g. LOON), & on commercial
and military aircraft. The ultimate goal would be to identify
“inbound” pathogens, known and unknown, with the aim of giving
virologists an added period of time to develop required vaccines for
new pathogens. The global “cloud-based” IT system would manage
the data in real-time and provide a mineable data repository for all
virus and bacteria inventory and movement.
Keywords: Virtual IT shield, pathogens, stratosphere
12
21-23 August 2015
THE DISCOVERY OF AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL MACROORGANISM ON
EARTH
Robert Flome1
1
Victor Valley College, California, USA
An Extraterrestrial Macroorganism was videotaped by a Uniden GC
45 surveillance infrared LED camera. The Extraterrestrial
Macroorganism’s movement consisted of continuously altering body
shape by utilizing a pseudopod motion of expanding and retracting
its projections. This type of locomotion is also observed in
Amoeboids. The Extraterrestrial Macroorganism was in
communication with two Pod shape objects. The Extraterrestrial
Macroorganism was observed to be demonstrating searching
behaviour as it slowly floated above the ground. The Extraterrestrial
Macroorganism’s sensory receptors appear to be located at the
anterior surface of its body. The actual determinants of the
Extraterrestrial Macroorganism’s behaviour were based on Tolman's
Formula of Intervening Variables and its response to the
environmental stimuli. The Extraterrestrial Macroorganism
demonstrated systematic behaviours, searching behaviour,
motivation, and a sense of direction. As the Extraterrestrial
Macroorganism ascended, its locomotion was aided by a posterior
pressurized fluid of either gas or liquid that produced mechanical
motion. The discovery of an Extraterrestrial Macrobe organism with
microbial behaviours supports the claims by Wallis and
Wickramasinghe, that microbial life was likely to exist on Comet
67P/Churyumov- Gerasimenko. This discovery of an Extraterrestrial
Macroorganism also validates the Panspermia Theory that life on
earth was created from space. It appears that microbes have existed
in space for a long time. During this time, the microbes in space have
been able to evolve over time into Macroorganisms that still exhibit
microbial behaviours. In conclusion, microbes in space have evolved
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into Extraterrestrial Macroorganisms. They are here now and most
likely have been here before.
Keywords: Macroorganism, pseudopod
14
21-23 August 2015
EXTREMOPHILES IN SRI LANKAN DARK CAVES: A REVIEW BY LANKA
INSTITUTE OF CAVE SCIENCE (LICAS)
Wasantha Sena Weliange1,2,3,*, Pathmakumara Jayasingha1,2,4, R.
Armstrong L. Osborne1,5, A.S. Dandeniya1, A.K. Prageeth P.
Algiriya1, Nayomi Sayanara Prasannajith1,6 , SamanSenanayake1 And
Mahesh Champika1
1
Lanka Institute of Cave Science, 45/1/1, Nawinna, Maharagama, Sri Lanka.
2
Dept of Zoology, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Nigeria
3
Postgraduate Institute of Archeology of the University of Kelaniya,
407 BauddhalokaMawatha, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka
4
National Building Research Organization, 99/1, Jawatta Rd, Colombo 05
5
Education & Social Work, A35, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006,
Australia
6
Archives and Documentation Centre, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Nigeria
The undergrounds caves receive very low levels of radiation hence
considered as an extreme environment. Radiation is energy in
transit, either as particles (neutrons, electrons, protons, alpha
particles or heavy ions) or electromagnetic waves (gamma rays, Xrays, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, visible light, infrared, microwaves or
radio waves). Caves are totally dark and no photosynthetic plants
grow, hence chemotrophic food chains sustain the life. The
chemosynthetic microbial life is similar to early life forms. Cave
microbes directly involved in speleogenesis, by eating away
limestone and silicates too. Documentation of fauna is done by
speleobiologists. The cave fauna are worth analysing because 1) all of
them have successfully invaded aphotic zone of the caves with very
little food and 2) they are isolated both physically and genetically
from non-cave dwellers. Caves receive all energy allochthonously via
animals (bats, rats, birds, and crickets), root exudates, and water
flow and windborne input; such inputs supports many detrititvores,
scavangers, and a rich predator guild. We have studied 18 dark caves
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in Sri Lanka since 2008 and documented the fauna that occurs in the
aphotic zones. Based on that information a generalized food chain
and a food web were discussed. The cave fauna are mainly belong to
detritivores (bacteria, fungi, annelids, nematodes, insects, millipedes)
and carnivores (spiders). The economic value of the aphotic areas of
the dark caves was estimated based on current information.
Key words: Biospeleology, Chemotrophic food chains, Speleogenesis
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PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS ON THE UNKNOWN MATERIAL
SUSPECTED BE A METEORITE
Rohana Chandrajith1, L. R. K. Perera1 and Atula Senaratne1
1
Department of Geology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
An unknown sample that is suspected to be a meteorite which was
found in Colombo was investigated. The sample is brownish black
colour with the weight of 34.76 g. Anhedral sample is of the size
3.5x2.7x2.4 cm in size. Preliminary investigations were carried using
polarizing microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The
chemical composition of several spots of the sample was measured
using Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) detector.SEM observation revels
that the sample is mostly amorphous. However some microcrystals
were observed in the sample. The X-ray analysis indicates that Si
(20%) and O (60%) are the main chemical constituents of the sample
that possibly provided from SiO2.Ca (7%), Al (6%), Fe (3%), Mn (1%),
were also noticed in the samples. Lesser amount of K (0.4%) and Mg
(0.4%) and Ti (0.7%) were also reported. Under the polarizing
microscope the specimen shows tiny colourless mineral grains within
a glassy matrix. Based on optical characteristics, the minerals grains
is possibly to be stishovite, an ultra-high-pressure polymorph of SiO2.
This mineral forms only at extremely high pressures around 100
kilobars (i.e. about 100,000 atmospheric pressures) and is only found
associated with craters produced by meteorite impacts. During such
impacts rocks in the vicinity are melted under dry conditions at
extremely high pressures and temperatures produced by the impact,
and the melt is super-cooled to produce glass which might
incorporate (trap) any gas liberated and minerals formed. Due to
extremely limited time available for mineral formation
(crystallization), some of the silica may form tiny stishovite grains
and the mineral will be incorporated in the melt which super-cools to
form the glass.
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Astrobiology Research Conference - 2015
TYPICAL METEORITIC WORM-LIKE FORMS SEEN IN THE
POLONNARUWA METEORITE
Milton Wainwright1,4, Christopher E. Rose, Alexander J.
Baker2, Briston K.J.3 and Chandra Wickramasinghe4
1
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology , Leonardo
Centre for Tribilogy
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering , University of Sheffield
3
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of
Sheffield
4
Centre for Astrobiology, University of Buckingham, UK
Fossilized“wormlike forms” were found in a putative new type of
carbonaceous meteorite which recently fell on Polonnaruwa, Sri
Lanka. Such worm-like forms have been found in other meteorites
notably the Martian Allen Hills sample and a lunar meteorite. It has
been claimed that such forms are fossilized bacteria, although this
possibility is still disputed. The occurrence of worm-like forms in the
Polonnaruwa sample adds weight to the view that it is a meteorite
and not, as has been suggested, a fulgurites, formed by lightning
striking the Earth’s surface.
Keywords: Meteorites, fossilized bacteria, Allen Hills meteorite,
panspermia
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PLUTO’S SURPRISES:
MOUNTAIN TECTONICS, METHANE AND EVIDENCE OF BIOLOGY
M.K. Wallis1 and Chandra Wickramasinghe2
1
Institute for the Study of Panspermia and Astro-economics, Gifu,
Japan
2
Buckingham Centre for Astrobiology, University of Buckingham,
Buckingham, UK
First results from the New Horizon Mission to Pluto shows evidence
of a fluid interior with a presumed radioactive heat source driving
mountain tectonics and surface restructuring. The presence of
methane ice is intriguing, suggesting past or ongoing biological
sources.
Keywords:Pluto, TNO objects, radioactive heating, mountain
tectonics, planetary bio-methane
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Astrobiology Research Conference - 2015
ROSETTA IMAGES OF COMET 67P/CHURYUMOV– GERASIMENKO:
Max Wallis1 and N. Chandra Wickramasinghe1, 2, 3
1
Buckingham Centre for Astrobiology (BCAB), Buckingham University,
UK
2
Institute for the Study of Panspermia and Astroeconomics, Gifu,
Japan
3
University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
The Rosetta mission has given us remarkable images of comet 67P/CG both from the orbiter, and recently from the Philae lander during
its brief days before running out of power. Though its crust is very
black, there are several indicators of an underlying icy morphology.
Comet 67P displays smooth, planar ‘seas’ (the largest 600 m × 800 m)
and flat-bottomed craters, both features seen also on Comet
Tempel-1. Comet 67P’s surface is peppered with mega-boulders (10–
70 km) like Comet Hartley-2, while parallel furrowed terrain appears
as a new ice feature. The largest sea (‘Cheops’ Sea, 600 m × 800 m)
curves around one lobe of the 4 km diameter comet, and the crater
lakes extending to ~150 m across are re-frozen bodies of water
overlain with organic-rich debris (sublimation lag) of order 10 cm.
The parallel furrows relate to flexing of the asymmetric and spinning
two-lobe body, which generates fractures in an underlying body of
ice. The mega-boulders are hypothesised to arise from bolide
impacts into ice. In the very low gravity, boulders ejected at a
fraction of 1 m/s would readily reach ~100 m from the impact crater
and could land perched on elevated surfaces. Where they stand
proud, they indicate stronger refrozen terrain or show that the
surface they land on (and crush) sublimates more quickly. Outgassing
due to ice-sublimation was already evident in September at 3.3 AU,
with surface temperature peaks of 220–230 K, which implies impure
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ice mixtures with less strongly-bound H2O. Increasing rates of
sublimation as Rosetta follows comet 67P around its 1.3 AU
perihelion will further reveal the nature and prevalence of nearsurface ices.
Keywords: Comet, Rosetta mission, Comet 67P; ChuryumovGerasimenko, Comet Tempel-1, cometary ice, cometary lakes.
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A MAN WHO CHANGED THE WAY WE SEE THE WORLD
THE CENTENARY OF SIR FRED HOYLE (1915-2015)
Kamala Wickramasinghe1
1
Institute for the Study of Panspermia and Astro-economics, Gifu,
Japan
Fred Hoyle strode the scientific stage of the 20th century like a
colossus inspiring a whole generation of scientists but also reaching
out to millions with his lectures and his science fiction works.
Throughout a career spanning six decades, he sought answers to
some of the biggest questions posed by physics and astronomy and
was a tireless and creative pioneer, the latter often leading him to
being at odds with the mainstream of science. He invented the
Steady State theory, was the founder of astrobiology and he
discovered how the chemical elements, which are the basis of all life,
are formed. His legacy to modern science is arguably unparalleled
and his more radical theories about the origin of life are finally on the
brink of being accepted.
Keywords: Steady State theory, Astrobiology
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LIQUID WATER IN COMETS:
THEORY, EVIDENCE AND IMPLICATIONS
Janaki T. Wickramasinghe1and Chandra Wickramasinghe1
1
Buckingham Centre for Astrobiology, University of Buckingham, UK
We model the heating of a rotating icy organic-rich comet as it
approaches perihelion and argue that subsurface domains of water
can form which are suitable for the replication of microorganism.
We discuss recent evidence that supports the theory that comets
carry primordial microorganisms that are amplified in planetary
systems and expelled back into interstellar space. Recent discoveries
of exoplanetary systems, some possessing comets, show similar
processes are commonplace in the galaxy.
Keywords: Microorganism
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Astrobiology Research Conference - 2015
ASTROBIOLOGY AND ALGAE
Sudharma Yatigammana1
1Department of Zoology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
After the origin of planet Earth, several evolutionary steps of
chemical environment have helped to form life on Earth some 3.5
billion years ago. The abiogenesis and protobiology phases of the
Earth’s atmosphere helped the origin of amino acid and nucleic acid,
called ecobiont or protobiont. The life originated under these
processes initially has been divided into three domains: Eobacteria,
Cyanobacteria and Eukaryotes (Bacteria, Archaea and Eukaryotes)
which ultimately evolve into land plants. During the period when
Cyanobacteria and microalgae were originated the ground surfaces
were known to have extreme environmental conditions. The recent
studies on the distribution of microalgae and Cyanobacteria in
extreme environments prove that they have the ability to survive in
such environments due to the high adaptability that help them fit to
the environment. Some Cyanobacteria have the ability to form crust
in desert environments which allow them resist to sand wind
erosion. As the nearer plants that will have the potential for future
explorations by human are also characterized by a layer of fine dust,
the colonization of crust forming Cyanobacteria will help control the
effect of desert sands through the formation of a surface cover. Thus
the understanding of microbe-mineral interactions will definitely
help precede the human exploration and settlement of space. On the
other hand the studies carried out to explore the potential life forms
in frozen environments indicate that filamentous Cyanobacteria and
unicellular green algae maintains relatively high chlorophyll a values
even in permanently frozen environments. In addition these algae
and Cyanobacteria groups maintain a high percentage of viable cells
and have the ability to maintain morphological characteristics even in
dark permafrost, reflecting their ability to tolerate long term
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freezing. Further, a series of freezing, thawing and freezing-drying
events occurred in the earth’s history also could not remove these
organisms from the environment. Although Cyanobacteria and
microalgae have been originated some billions of years ago, they still
dominate in the environment despite the several extinction events
experienced by the other life forms during the Earth’s history. Thus
these organisms are now being considered as potential candidates
for environmental proxies to explore the possible life in both
cryogenic and thermogenic extraterrestrial bodies.
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Conference-Chair
Prof. Chandra Wickramasinghe
Affiliated Visiting Professor, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Director of the Buckingham Centre for Astrobiology
University of Buckingham, UK
Organising Committee
Prof. Atula Senaratne - University of Peradeniya
Prof. Rohana Chandrajith -University of Peradeniya
Dr. Chandika Gamage - University of Peradeniya
Dr. Mohan Lal Jayatilake - University of Peradeniya
Dr. Nanda Gunawardhana- University of Peradeniya
Dr. Nimal Sandaratne- University of Peradeniya
Dr. Sudharma Yatigammana- University of Peradeniya
Dr. Susiji Wickramasinghe - University of Peradeniya
Dr. Terrence Madhujith - University of Peradeniya
Dr. W.D.S.J. Wicramasinghe - University of Peradeniya
Mr. H. D. Gunawardene- Eisenhower Foundation
International Advisory Board
Prof. Brig Klyce - Astrobiology Research Trust, USA
Prof. Gensuke Tokoro - Institute for the Study of Panspermia and
Astroeconomics, Japan
Prof. Godfrey Louis - Cochin University, India
Prof. Milton Wainwright - University of Sheffield, UK
Prof. Richard B. Hoover - Marshal SFC, USA
Prof. T. Matsui - Tokyo University, Japan
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