Professor Jayant Narlikar, director, Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), speaks with Chandran Iyer about the Balloon Experiment, which helped a joint IUCAA and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) discover three new species of bacteria that can resist ultra-violet radiations.
Professor Jayant Narlikar, director, Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), speaks with Chandran Iyer about the Balloon Experiment, which helped a joint IUCAA and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) discover three new species of bacteria that can resist ultra-violet radiations.
ADVERTISEMENT
Wow: The balloon sent up by Professor Jayant Narlikar and his team
What is the most exciting part of the experiment?
These new forms of bacteria were discovered in outer space and are resistant to ultra violet radiations. This discovery could open the doors for studying the possible existence of aliens in a new way. Astrophysics and astrochemistry are known disciplines in science. This discovery could mark the beginning of yet another new field astrobiology.
NASA has a Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence project.
The SETI experiment falls on one end of the spectrum while the Balloon Experiment falls on the other. In the SETI project, the scientists are trying to probe whether there are any life forms more evolved and intelligent than us in outer space, while the Balloon Experiment seeks to find out the possible existence of elementary life forms like bacteria. However, there is always scope for collaboration.
Tell us more about the extra-terrestrial bacteria.
It is possible that the bacteria are from a meteorite from Mars, or could have been tossed from the tail of a comet, which may have touched the Earth's atmosphere. It is also possible that they are from the earth and might have been carried to the outer stratosphere by air currents.
Once we determine the carbon content in these bacteria, we will know for sure whether these bacteria are from Earth or from outer space.
What is Balloon Experiment?
A 26.7 million cubic foot balloon carrying a 459 kg scientific payload soaked in liquid neon was flown from the National Balloon Facility in Hyderabad operated by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
The purpose was to discover any elementary life forms.
Three new species of bacteria named Janibacter Hoylei after the distinguished astrophysicist Fred Hoyle, the second as Bacillus Isronensis, recognising the contribution of ISRO and the third as Bacillus Aryabhata after India's celebrated astronomer Aryabhata have been discovered.
What is SETI?
SETI or the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence is the collective name for a number of activities conducted to detect intelligent extraterrestrial life. SETI surveys the sky to detect the existence of transmissions from a civilization on a distant planet a move endorsed by the scientific community as hard science.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
