Study questions whether comets delivered life’s building blocks to Earth

Science · First reported 2 Nov, 12:34 · Updated 13:52

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

A Cambridge-led study argues that comet impacts may be poor delivery routes for prebiotic molecules because the molecules could vaporize on impact. The researchers say other sources remain possible and that comet delivery may have been more feasible on Mars.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge say prebiotic molecules carried by comets would be unlikely to survive high-speed impacts with Earth.
The researchers say a rare impact might still fail to deliver a sufficient concentration of molecules for life to begin.
The study suggests asteroids could be another source, and that cometary delivery may have been more likely on Mars; it does not establish that life began on either planet this way.

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Key facts

Research institution: University of Cambridge
Study publication: Scientific Reports; the report says it was published the previous week.
Proposed impact problem: Comets may strike too fast and at too sharp an angle for prebiotic molecules to survive.
Alternative source mentioned: Asteroids, which the researchers say hit Earth more frequently.
Other planet discussed: Mars; the report says cometary material may have been more likely to reach its surface.