A new study in Scientific Reports uses extensive simulation models to challenge the theory that comets delivered organic molecules to early Earth, finding that high impact velocities would likely destroy fragile precursors like hydrogen cyanide.
The idea that the ingredients of life arrived from space dates back to the early 20th century, while the specific hypothesis about comets has been supported since 1961. During the early history of our planet, more than four billion years ago, it is estimated that there was a period of intense bombardment by more than 100.000 comets over 100 meters in size.
A research team from the University of Cambridge used state-of-the-art models to simulate this period 100.000 times, with the results published in the journal Scientific Reports. They found that the impact velocities were so high that they practically precluded the transport of intact organic molecules, such as hydrogen cyanide, or HCN, which is considered a key precursor for the formation of amino acids and proteins.
According to the findings, 54% of the simulations showed no impact, while the remaining 46% recorded at least one. A tiny minority showed up to three collisions, making the combination of a successful impact at a point that already had water and the right chemical conditions extremely unlikely.
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Despite the new data, scientists are considering alternative sources, such as asteroids that hit Earth at lower speeds and in greater numbers, samples of which (such as Bennu and Ryugu) contain essential amino acids. At the same time, it is noted that ancient Mars, due to its smaller size and distance from the Sun, may have received impacts at lower speeds, allowing larger amounts of HCN to survive. Other researchers note that the chemical compounds may have undergone reactions before entering the atmosphere, leaving open the possibility that comets contributed differently to the planet's probiotic stock.
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