Have scientists found the origin of life on Earth?
Study finds the key element phosphorus forming on a comet around Jupiter
A chemical element fundamental to all life on Earth may have arrived from deep space carried on comets, scientists say.
Phosphorus is present in the DNA and cell membranes of all living organisms, but is extremely rare in the universe. The “question of how it actually got to the early Earth has remained a mystery”, The Independent says.
But a new study published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society has revealed that the element forms amid the birth of new stars and may have first arrived on Earth in the form of phosphorus monoxide molecules, or phosphorus bonded with one oxygen molecule.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The study found phosphorus monoxide in 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, a comet circling Jupiter, demonstrating that the chemical may have been brought to Earth on comets.
According to Digital Trends, scientists from the European Southern Observatory used the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile to study the star-forming region AFGL 5142.
“Here, phosphorus-bearing molecules of phosphorus monoxide form when massive stars are born,” the tech site adds. “As the young stars develop, they cause flows and cavities in the gas surrounding them, and the phosphorus molecules form on these cavity walls.”
By observing the clouds of gas and dust that form new stars, the team observed phosphorus-bearing molecules being created alongside the creation of stars.
“It is still a mystery how phosphorus became available on early Earth,” says Victor Rivilla, researcher at Italy’s Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory and lead author of the study.
“Our work has shown that a significant amount of phosphorus is already available in the first stages of the formation of stars and also in the initial ingredients of our Solar System.”
“Phosphorus is essential for life as we know it,” Kathrin Altwegg, another author of the study, added. “As comets most probably delivered large amounts of organic compounds to the Earth, the phosphorus monoxide found in comet 67P may strengthen the link between comets and life on Earth.”
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Are 'judge shopping' rules a blow to Republicans?
Today's Big Question How the abortion pill case got to the Supreme Court
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Climate change is driving Indian women to choose sterilization
under the radar Faced with losing their jobs, they are making a life-altering decision
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'A great culture will be lost if the EV brigade gets its way'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
How happy is Finland really?
Today's Big Question Nordic nation tops global happiness survey for seventh year in a row with 'focus on contentment over joy'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How Tehran became the world's nose job capital
Under the radar Iranian doctors raise alarm over low costs, weak regulation and online influence of 'Western beauty standards'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Africa's renewed battle against female genital mutilation
Under the radar Campaigners call for ban in Sierra Leone after deaths of three girls as coast-to-coast convoy prepares to depart
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Argentina: the therapy capital of the world
Under the radar Buenos Aires natives go hungry to pay for psychoanalysis, amid growing instability, anxiety – and societal acceptance
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Does declining birth rate spell doom for Britain?
Today's Big Question Ageing population puts pressure on welfare state, economy and fabric of society, while fertility is rising on populist agendas
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How a new blood test could revolutionise sepsis diagnosis
The Explainer Early results from ongoing trial suggest faster identification of deadly condition is possible
By The Week Staff Published
-
Kush: the drug destroying young lives in West Africa
The Explainer There has been a sharp rise in young addicts in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia
By Flora Neville, The Week UK Published
-
What is life like in Gaza now?
In depth Despite starvation, a sanitation crisis, blackouts and boredom, the 'mundane drumbeat of life continues'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Last updated