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Endogenous production, exogenous delivery and impact-shock synthesis of organic molecules: an inventory for the origins of life

Nature volume 355, pages 125–132 (1992)Cite this article

Abstract

Sources of organic molecules on the early Earth divide into three categories: delivery by extraterrestrial objects; organic synthesis driven by impact shocks; and organic synthesis by other energy sources (such as ultraviolet light or electrical discharges). Estimates of these sources for plausible end-member oxidation states of the early terrestrial atmosphere suggest that the heavy bombardment before 3.5 Gyr ago either produced or delivered quantities of organics comparable to those produced by other energy sources.

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  1. Carl Sagan

    Present address: the Space Science Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, 94035, USA

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  1. Laboratory for Planetary Studies, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853, USA

    Christopher Chyba & Carl Sagan

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Chyba, C., Sagan, C. Endogenous production, exogenous delivery and impact-shock synthesis of organic molecules: an inventory for the origins of life. Nature 355, 125–132 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/355125a0

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