Discuss how comets might have a role to play in life evolving on an earth-like extrasolar planet in a distant solar system.
can some one please help me out here.
If life came to Earth via a comet, wouldn't it make sense to predict that some comet could carry life to some other celestial body?
Comets also contain a lot of water in the form of ice. Comet impacts could have provided most of the water in Earth's oceans, see here:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/05/010521072649.htm
The answer to this is in the B12 reprints.
Comets could indeed play a role in the evolution of life on an Earth-like extrasolar planet in a distant solar system. One possibility is that comets could carry the building blocks of life, such as organic molecules, to these planets. These organic molecules are essential for the formation of life as they can act as the precursors for more complex molecules like amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.
When comets come into contact with a planet's atmosphere, the heat of entry can cause the ices in the comet to vaporize. The resulting gas and dust can then mix with the planet's atmosphere and be deposited on its surface. This deposition could bring organic molecules and other necessary elements to the planet, providing the basis for life to emerge.
Additionally, comets contain a significant amount of water in the form of ice. The impacts of comets on a planet's surface could have provided a substantial amount of water for Earth's oceans. This water is crucial for sustaining life as we know it, as it is needed for biochemical reactions and as a solvent.
To support the idea that comets have contributed to the development of life on Earth, scientists have found evidence of amino acids and other organic molecules in comets. These findings further strengthen the hypothesis that comets could transport the necessary building blocks for life to other celestial bodies.
However, it's worth noting that the exact mechanisms by which life emerges and evolves on distant planets are still speculative. While comets could potentially play a role in this process, they would likely need to be accompanied by other favorable conditions, such as suitable planetary environments and stable energy sources.
In summary, comets could potentially carry the building blocks of life and a significant amount of water to Earth-like extrasolar planets. The organic molecules and water delivered by comets could contribute to the emergence and evolution of life on these distant planets, although further research is needed to fully understand the complex processes involved.