origin of life on Earth Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Astrobiology

Seven Tanpopo exposure units with different samples are placed inside the exposure panel. Image courtesy of the Tanpopo Team.

Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Origin & Evolution of Life, Panspermia, Radiation, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report

Tanpopo Exposure Units For External ISS Studies Of Extremophiles In Space

by Keith CowingJanuary 6, 2024January 6, 2024

Seven Tanpopo exposure units with different samples are placed inside the exposure panel. The Tanpopo-5 investigation studies the origin, transportation, and survival of life in space.

Green mounds of stromatolites flourish at the bottom of a lagoon in Argentina's Puna de Atacama. (Credit: Brian Hynek)

Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Desert Worlds, Fossils & Paleontology, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Deep Within An Inhospitable Desert Is A Window To The First Life On Earth

by Keith CowingDecember 18, 2023August 23, 2025

CU Boulder geologist Brian Hynek has helped to document what may be a unique kind of ecosystem on Earth—and a possible window into the earliest stages of life on this […]

a, Backscattered electron image of a fine Ryugu grain. The white boxes correspond to the areas shown in b and c. b, Secondary electron image of framboidal magnetite showing granular texture. c, Secondary electron image of porous iron sulfide surrounded by phyllosilicate. The arrow points to an iron whisker on the iron sulfide surface. Sample ID is A0104-021012.

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Meteorites & Asteroids, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release

Meteorites Were A Likely Source Of Nitrogen For Early Earth

by Keith CowingDecember 2, 2023December 2, 2023

Micrometeorites originating from icy celestial bodies in the outer Solar System may be responsible for transporting nitrogen to the near-Earth region in the early days of our solar system. That […]

polyester polymerization

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release

Polyester Chemistry Highlights Possible Role Of Microdroplets In Ihe Origin Of Life

by Keith CowingOctober 18, 2022October 18, 2022

Scientists have long been fascinated with the origin of life on Earth, namely the transition from simple pre-biotic organic molecules to living cell systems.