A condition for the origin of life on planets has been identified

Astronomers have identified a new condition that favours the origin of life on other planets. According to a study published in The Astrophysical Journal, organic compounds suitable for prebiotic chemistry are more likely to form in atmospheres rich in carbon monoxide than in atmospheres high in carbon dioxide.

In 2009, NASA’s Kepler telescope showed that 20-50 per cent of visible stars may contain habitable Earth-sized rocky planets. However, the mere presence of liquid water does not guarantee that a planet is potentially habitable. On Earth, carbon compounds such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and carbon monoxide (CO) play a key role in shaping the climate and biogeochemistry that promotes the emergence of life.