Astrophysics, abstract
astro-ph/0011209

Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2000 01:44:53 GMT (4kb)

The formation of life

Authors: Robert L. Kurucz (Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory)

Comments: 4 pages, 1 figure in one file lifefigure.ps

The formation of life is an automatic stage in the consolidation of rocky or "terrestrial" planets. The organic (=carbonaceous) matter, light elements, gases, and water must "float" toward the surface and the heavier metals must sink toward the center. Random processes in the molecular soup that fills microfractures in unmelted crust eventually produce self-replicating microtubules. In an appendix I suggest that some primordial crust remains because there is not enough consolidation energy to melt the whole planet. Energy is lost when iron planetesimals first partially melt and then coalesce to form the molten iron planetary core. Stony planetesimals accrete onto the surface of an already consolidated core.

http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0011209