[essopenarchive.org] Extraterrestrial material has often been evaluated as delivered cargo: amino acids, nucleobases, organics, brines, or biological vectors.
Origin & Evolution of Life
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology
Material Cycling Across Earth’s Spheres And Triggers Of Cambrian Explosion: A Tectonic Perspective
[Continent and Life Evolution]. Earth is the only known planet in the solar system that can sustain and provide a habitable environment for life, largely due to the presence of […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry
Prebiotic Synthesis of L-Homochiral Peptides on Primordial Earth
Astrobiology (Journal) The origin of biological homochirality remains a central enigma in astrobiology. The emergence of a homochiral world necessitates two key processes: initial symmetry breaking and subsequent chiral selection […]
Posted inPanspermia
Comets Probably Didn’t Seed Life On Earth After All, New Study Suggests
[University of Cambridge]. Comets didn’t seed life on Earth after all, a new study suggests, potentially overturning a century-old idea.
Posted inDale Andersen's Field Reports
Astrobiologist Dale Andersen’s Antarctic Field Report: 29 October 2026: Preparing For The Overland Traverse To Lake Untersee [UPDATE]
Update: note from Dale at 6:00 pm EDT / 22:00 UTC: “It has been pretty breezy all day with blowing snow. Nevertheless it’s been a productive day, as we continue […]
Posted inOrigin & Evolution of Life
Estimates For The Prebiotic Reaction Volume Necessary For The Origin Of Life
[Life] The prebiotic chemistry necessary for the development of life requires a low-probability combination of steps to reach the complexity of a living cell.
![(a) A protocell driven by an autocatalytic cycle of small molecules that forms a metabolism. The bifurcating arrow indicates that two copies of C2 are formed by splitting a C4 molecule. The cycle as a whole is autocatalytic—the concentrations of C2, C3 and C4 all increase if there is a continued supply of C1. (b) A protocell in which templating of RNA oligomers occurs. The figure shows formation and melting of double strands and primer extension by addition of an activated nucleotide. The RNA process and the small-molecule cycle are conceptually similar. The cycle of nucleotide activation, templating and breakdown of oligomers is itself a metabolim [119].-- [Life]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/How-Strong.png?resize=1200%2C718&ssl=1)
Posted inOrigin & Evolution of Life
How Strong Is the Case For The RNA World?
[Life] The RNA World theory was proposed as a way to explain the origin of the DNA-RNA-Protein relationship found all current cells.
Posted inDale Andersen's Field Reports
Astrobiologist Dale Andersen’s Antarctic Field Report: 28 October 2026: Shoveling Snow In Antarctica
[Dale Andersen] : Hi Keith, A quick note while the base WiFi is up and running. We spent the last two days digging out the entrance to our hut, removing […]
Posted inDale Andersen's Field Reports
Astrobiologist Dale Andersen’s Antarctic Field Report: 26 October 2026: Flying South
Keith’s note: This report may be updated over the course of the day. Dale’s departure from Cape Town was scheduled for 10:00 am Local time but ended up at 10:28 […]
Posted inDale Andersen's Field Reports
Astrobiologist Dale Andersen’s Antarctic Field Report: 25 October 2026: Hurry Up And Wait
Dale Andersen: “Hurry up and wait.” Anyone who works in the polar regions knows the phrase, and knows the experience: storms, blowing snow, and low visibility set the schedule.