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Cometary origin of carbon, nitrogen, and water on the earthIn this paper, two assumptions on the origin of the earth are substantiated: (1) that the earth accreted from fine hot degassed dust particles containing no volatiles; and (2) that, after the accretion was finished, all the volatiles of the biosphere, including the atmosphere and the oceans, were brought to the earth by cometary bombardment. A temperature of more than 1000 K is deduced at the time when the dust that was going to form the earth was separated from the gas phase. This implies grains of anhydrous silicates and of reduced iron, without either water, carbon, or any labile elements, which remained in gas phase; thus, the minor bodies could not produce atmosphere or oceans. The second assumption is based on the evidence that cometary nuclei are formed in the outer space, by accumulation of frosty particles containing large amounts of ice and volatile molecules. It is shown that the icy bodies which hit the earth are more than enough to explain the whole biosphere.
Document ID
19930033981
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Delsemme, A. H.
(Toledo Univ. OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere
Volume: 21
Issue: 5-6
ISSN: 0169-6149
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
93A17978
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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