Carbonaceous meteorites: source or substrate for life's origin on Earth?

Michael H. Engel

doi:10.1117/12.566495

1 November 2004 Carbonaceous meteorites: source or substrate for life's origin on Earth?

Michael H. Engel

Proceedings Volume 5555, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology VIII; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.566495
Event: Optical Science and Technology, the SPIE 49th Annual Meeting, 2004, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

Carbonaceous meteorites are relics of ancient parent bodies from the time of formation of our solar system, approximately 4.5 billion years ago. They provide the best direct evidence for the organic inventory of the solar system prior to the evolution of habitable conditions for life on Earth and/or Mars and are often speculated as being a possible source of the organic matter from which life eventually emerged. Whether the residual organic matter in carbonaceous meteorites was derived in part from ancient extraterrestrial organisms or was entirely prebiotic in origin remains the topic of lively debate. Clearly, however, impact histories during the early stages of planet development logically point to some type of involvement of this material with respect to life's proliferation, either as a source or substrate. The compositions of CI and CM cabonaceous meteorites are assessed with respect to these two alternative scenarios.

Citation Download Citation

Michael H. Engel "Carbonaceous meteorites: source or substrate for life's origin on Earth?", Proc. SPIE 5555, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology VIII, (1 November 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.566495

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