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Comets and life.

J Oró1, J M Berry

  • 1Department of Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences, University of Houston, TX 77004, USA.

Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|January 1, 1987
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Comets contain molecules found in interstellar space, which laboratory experiments show can form life

Area of Science:

  • Astrobiology
  • Cometary Science
  • Origin of Life Studies

Background:

  • Comets contain chemical species like water (H2O) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN), also found in the interstellar medium.
  • This suggests a link between interstellar dust/gas clouds and comets.
  • Laboratory experiments demonstrate that mixtures of these molecules can form essential biochemical compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of cometary matter in the origin of life on Earth.
  • To investigate the potential for extraterrestrial life connections through comets.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of chemical species detected in comets.
  • Review of laboratory experiments on prebiotic molecule formation.
  • Discussion of reaction pathways for biochemical compound synthesis.
Keywords:
NASA Discipline ExobiologyNASA Discipline Number 52-20NASA Program ExobiologyNon-NASA Center

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Main Results:

  • Key biochemical compounds necessary for life, such as amino acids, can form from cometary molecules.
  • The amount of carbon-rich cometary matter captured by early Earth is substantial.
  • Life originating within comets is considered unlikely.

Conclusions:

  • Comets likely played a crucial role in the emergence of life on Earth.
  • Comets may represent a cosmic link to extraterrestrial life.