NASA announced on Friday the discovery of complex alcohol and sugar molecules on Comet Lovejoy and these are the level of hydrocarbon complexity required for life. As mentioned in a previous article, sugar (i.e. glucose) + six oxygen molecules yields carbon dioxide, water and energy. That energy cycle is one of the most vital requirements for life. (AFP: In unexpected discovery, comet contains alcohol, sugar)
This is the first time such complex hydrocarbons have been discovered and that's why such a boost for the idea of such molecules seeding the Earth.
It does leave a giant gaping hole, tho: why are these molecules on comets but not on the Earth (at that time near its beginning).
Kannafoot is intrigued by this as well and he's maybe like the Jesuits who, I believe, are the scientific branch of the Catholic Church. Within that church, evolution isn't a problem but they still want to know what made life and likely they would like to think it through before scientists so they don't get bushwhacked with it. Fair enough.
So, the thinking is seeding from comets is a possibility with the question of where did the comets get these hydrocarbons if Earth did not.
The other path is they arose on Earth through a complex biochemical process. The early atmosphere of Earth was not the oxidizing atmosphere of today which, happily, we can breathe but rather it was a reducing atmosphere which would, regrettably, be instantly fatal to all life on Earth.
The process by which that reducing atmosphere was transformed subsequently into an oxidizing atmosphere runs on a wild mix of science and theory. Out of that comes the biochemical evolution from which life arises from non-life. That has to be explained logically and forty years ago there was a credible discussion. What progress is made since that time is unknown.
This is the sort of thing which must remain theory because there's no proof ... unless you have a planet somewhere you can use for experiments.
Speaking of experimenting with planets ...
For the ultra big bang in terraforming projects, Elon Musk has proposed using nukes. Hang on to your hats on that as the idea is insane but not 100% insane. There's no way I have the math to validate it but I do know it would be cool to watch. His purpose is to heat the planet, release the water, etc. I'm not sure how far up these bombs have to blow to ensure there is no radiation effect on the ground other than heat. (RT: Mars Attack! Musk clarifies plans to ‘nuke’ Red Planet)
This is the first time such complex hydrocarbons have been discovered and that's why such a boost for the idea of such molecules seeding the Earth.
It does leave a giant gaping hole, tho: why are these molecules on comets but not on the Earth (at that time near its beginning).
Kannafoot is intrigued by this as well and he's maybe like the Jesuits who, I believe, are the scientific branch of the Catholic Church. Within that church, evolution isn't a problem but they still want to know what made life and likely they would like to think it through before scientists so they don't get bushwhacked with it. Fair enough.
So, the thinking is seeding from comets is a possibility with the question of where did the comets get these hydrocarbons if Earth did not.
The other path is they arose on Earth through a complex biochemical process. The early atmosphere of Earth was not the oxidizing atmosphere of today which, happily, we can breathe but rather it was a reducing atmosphere which would, regrettably, be instantly fatal to all life on Earth.
The process by which that reducing atmosphere was transformed subsequently into an oxidizing atmosphere runs on a wild mix of science and theory. Out of that comes the biochemical evolution from which life arises from non-life. That has to be explained logically and forty years ago there was a credible discussion. What progress is made since that time is unknown.
This is the sort of thing which must remain theory because there's no proof ... unless you have a planet somewhere you can use for experiments.
Speaking of experimenting with planets ...
For the ultra big bang in terraforming projects, Elon Musk has proposed using nukes. Hang on to your hats on that as the idea is insane but not 100% insane. There's no way I have the math to validate it but I do know it would be cool to watch. His purpose is to heat the planet, release the water, etc. I'm not sure how far up these bombs have to blow to ensure there is no radiation effect on the ground other than heat. (RT: Mars Attack! Musk clarifies plans to ‘nuke’ Red Planet)
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