Comets could spread life to other planets – Forbes

A new study has revealed a method used by comets and asteroids to spread the essential elements of life across the galaxy. While there is already a theory that all of Earth’s water was delivered through multiple impacts over millions of years, this is the first time the mechanisms have been closely studied for comets, asteroids and planets in general.

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This research is timely, as intact amino acids and vitamin B3 were found last year on the asteroid. RyuguWhile comets are believed to contain hydrogen cyanide, elements considered the “building blocks” of life.

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Origins of life

Researchers from Cambridge UniversityIn the United Kingdom, an article was published in Proceedings of the Royal Society They explore how the spread of life could occur – and where – using mathematical modeling techniques.

First, the comet must move slowly, as a fast-moving comet or asteroid would hit the planet with such force that the heat produced would be enough to disintegrate the molecules essential for life. Researchers say about 15 kilometers per second is the maximum, which seems very unlikely.

“Leaping comets”

Comets can only slow down enough if they “bounce” from one planet to another first, slowing down until they eventually collide with one of the planets. This can only happen in star systems where there are several planets close together.

“In these compact systems, every planet has the opportunity to interact with and capture the comet,” he said. Richard Anslow, first author, from the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge. “It is possible that this mechanism is how prebiotic molecules end up on planets.”

Search for “Earth 2.0”

It’s important research for exoplanet hunters searching for potential “Earth 2.0” planets, which according to the research should be observing star systems with low-mass planets in close orbit to other planets in the system.

“The molecules that gave rise to life on Earth likely came from comets, so the same could be true for planets elsewhere in the galaxy,” Anslow said. “It’s an exciting time, to be able to combine advances in astronomy and chemistry to study some of the most fundamental questions ever.”