Abstract

This chapter traces the progress of studies spanning many scientific disciplines and more than forty years of research. They all converge on the conclusion that life is a cosmic phenomenon. A comprehensive perspective on this field of scientific and philosophical knowledge is provided in twelve basic steps. Starting with the fact of the complex organic nature of interstellar dust, the author reflects on the implications of accepting the concept of cosmic life. He also considers the subject of exoplanets and the search for extraterrestrial life. The author then turns to the panspermia theory, which he has been instrumental in reviving and developing significantly since the 1970s. He argues for the cosmic origin of life using probability calculations and then discusses the direct spectroscopic evidence and other geological evidence for panspermia. The distribution of habitable exoplanets and the possibility of interplanetary transfer of life forms are discussed. This is complemented by the history of the research into meteorites, micrometeorites and cometary bacteria. Recent relevant studies on the controversial Polonnaruwa Meteorite are considered. With regard to panspermia, stratospheric sampling and the idea of diseases and pandemics from space are presented as important areas of existing and future research.