Indian scientists discover three new species of bacteria in atmosphere

Pune, Jan. 8 (ANI):Scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation recently discovered three new species of bacteria in the atmosphere which are highly resistant to ultra violet radiation. The bacteria is not found on earth. The scientists discovered these species during balloon experiments in the upper atmosphare at a height 41 kilometers above the earth's surface, which they say were totally new species.

"They have various properties which have been studied by biologists in our team. But one important property is that they are resisting ultra-violet radiation very effectively, which terrestrial bacteria are not used to. So there is a reason to suspect that they had spent lot of time above the earth's atmosphere and may be they are from outside," said Jayant Narlikar.

Narlikar, the principal investigator of the mission, further added that scientists would conduct isotopic analysis and examine the nuclear composition of these species in order to ascertain their origin.

ISRO, has been conducting balloon experiments since 2001 as a part of its mission to explore the origins of life.

The scientists named these new species as Janibacter hoylei, after the distinguished Astrophysicist Fred Hoyle, the second as Bacillus isronensis recognising the contribution of ISRO in the balloon experiments which led to its discovery and the third as Bacillus aryabhata after India's celebrated ancient astronomer Aryabhata.(ANI)