Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
May 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009aas...21430502v&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #214, #305.02; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.722
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
We investigate the minimum timescales required for the universe to generate the biogenic elements, i.e., the elements that are essential for life. Using recent models of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis, we calculate the concentrations of the alpha-elements and iron relative to hydrogen that build up after a few generations of early metal-free and metal-poor star formation and their supernovae. The role of the stellar initial mass function at high redshifts and the role of gas mixing are considered, which could directly affect the onset and sustainability of conditions that are friendly to the building blocks of life. We discuss the impact of our results on the creation of the necessary solvents for life, such as liquid water or hydrocarbon liquids, and the environments that are suitable for their formation. Last, we speculate on the fastest timescales on which life from the biogenic elements can begin to form, and whether the pre-requisite conditions in the early universe might best be met on a planet or in interstellar gas.
Rothschild Lynn J.
Venkatesan Aparna
No associations
LandOfFree
From Dark to Life: The Creation of the Biogenic Elements in the Early Universe does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with From Dark to Life: The Creation of the Biogenic Elements in the Early Universe, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and From Dark to Life: The Creation of the Biogenic Elements in the Early Universe will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1106132