Abstract
If life emerges readily under Earth-like conditions, the possibility arises of multiple terrestrial genesis events. We seek to quantify the probability of this scenario using estimates of the Archean bombardment rate and the fact that life established itself fairly rapidly on Earth once conditions became favorable. We find a significant likelihood that at least one more sample of life, referred to here as alien life, may have emerged on Earth, and could have co-existed with known life. Indeed, it is difficult to rule out the possibility of extant alien life. We offer some suggestions for how an alternative sample of life might be detected.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 154-163 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Astrobiology |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 2005 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Biogenesis
- Impact frustration
- Origin of life
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
Cite this
Finding a second sample of life on earth. / Davies, Paul; Lineweaver, Charles H.
In: Astrobiology, Vol. 5, No. 2, 04.2005, p. 154-163.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Finding a second sample of life on earth
AU - Davies, Paul
AU - Lineweaver, Charles H.
PY - 2005/4
Y1 - 2005/4
N2 - If life emerges readily under Earth-like conditions, the possibility arises of multiple terrestrial genesis events. We seek to quantify the probability of this scenario using estimates of the Archean bombardment rate and the fact that life established itself fairly rapidly on Earth once conditions became favorable. We find a significant likelihood that at least one more sample of life, referred to here as alien life, may have emerged on Earth, and could have co-existed with known life. Indeed, it is difficult to rule out the possibility of extant alien life. We offer some suggestions for how an alternative sample of life might be detected.
AB - If life emerges readily under Earth-like conditions, the possibility arises of multiple terrestrial genesis events. We seek to quantify the probability of this scenario using estimates of the Archean bombardment rate and the fact that life established itself fairly rapidly on Earth once conditions became favorable. We find a significant likelihood that at least one more sample of life, referred to here as alien life, may have emerged on Earth, and could have co-existed with known life. Indeed, it is difficult to rule out the possibility of extant alien life. We offer some suggestions for how an alternative sample of life might be detected.
KW - Biogenesis
KW - Impact frustration
KW - Origin of life
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=18144374213&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=18144374213&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1089/ast.2005.5.154
DO - 10.1089/ast.2005.5.154
M3 - Article
VL - 5
SP - 154
EP - 163
JO - Astrobiology
JF - Astrobiology
SN - 1531-1074
IS - 2
ER -