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Cometary origin of the biosphere: a progress report.

A H Delsemme1

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Toledo, OH 43606, USA.

Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|March 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Earth accreted from hot, degassed dust grains, lacking a primary atmosphere. Cometary bombardment is the likely source of Earth's water, atmosphere, and organic carbon, thus originating the biosphere.

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Area of Science:

  • Planetary Science
  • Astrobiology
  • Geochemistry

Background:

  • Earth's accretion likely involved hot dust grains from the asteroid belt.
  • Isotopic analysis of noble gases indicates no primary atmosphere survived on Earth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the origin of Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and biosphere.
  • To determine the source of volatile elements and organic compounds on Earth.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of empirical data on meteorite accretion temperatures.
  • Examination of temperature gradients from the asteroid belt to Earth's zone.
  • Interpretation of isotopic evidence from atmospheric noble gases.

Main Results:

  • Earth accreted from hot, degassed dust, depleted in volatile elements.
  • Cometary bombardment is the probable source for Earth's atmosphere and oceans.
  • Comets are identified as the sole source of essential elements for life.

Conclusions:

  • Earth's volatile inventory and biosphere originated from cometary impacts.
  • The formation of giant planets necessitates cometary bombardment, supplying Earth's life-sustaining components.

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