Origin, evolution and distribution of lifeOrigin, evolution and distribution of life in the Solar System: in the Solar System:

Constraints from space weatherConstraints from space weather

Space weather at other planetsSpace weather at other planets

Julian Chela-FloresJulian Chela-Flores

The Abdus Salam ICTP, Trieste, Italia andThe Abdus Salam ICTP, Trieste, Italia and Instituto de Estudios Avanzados IDEA, Caracas, Instituto de Estudios Avanzados IDEA, Caracas,

R.B. VenezuelaR.B. Venezuela

Smr 1749Smr 1749COST Action 724COST Action 724

Lecture 1: Lecture 1: Introduction to AstrobiologyIntroduction to Astrobiology

Bibliography available at the ICTP Bibliography available at the ICTP LibraryLibrary

Astrobiology: Origins from the Big Bang to CivilisationAstrobiology: Origins from the Big Bang to CivilisationJulian Chela-Flores et al (eds.)Kluwer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 2000.

The New Science of AstrobiologyThe New Science of Astrobiology Julian Chela-FloresKluwer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 2001 (2004, paperback).

An Introduction to AstrobiologyAn Introduction to AstrobiologyAndrew Conway et al CUP, 2003.

Life in the Solar System and BeyondLife in the Solar System and BeyondBarrie JonesPraxis, UK, 2004.

Lectures in AstrobiologyLectures in AstrobiologyMuriel Gargaud et al (eds.) Study Edition in two volumesBerlin, Springer-Verlag, 2006.

Plan of the lecturePlan of the lecture

In part 1 we introduce the subject of In part 1 we introduce the subject of astrobiology and its relation to other space astrobiology and its relation to other space sciences.sciences.

In part 2 we discuss in some detail the In part 2 we discuss in some detail the origin of life in the universe.origin of life in the universe.

Finally, in part 3 we discuss whether we Finally, in part 3 we discuss whether we can detect intelligent life in other solar can detect intelligent life in other solar systems in spite of the Space Weather systems in spite of the Space Weather constraints.constraints.

The Origins:The Origins:1. The universe1. The universe

How?How?

When?When?

Where? Where? Not relevant for the universe, given the geometric Not relevant for the universe, given the geometric

interpretation of classical General Relativity.interpretation of classical General Relativity.

Part IPart I

Julian Chela-FloresJulian Chela-FloresThe Abdus Salam ICTP, Trieste, ItaliaThe Abdus Salam ICTP, Trieste, Italiaandand Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Caracas, Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Caracas, Republica Bolivariana de VenezuelaRepublica Bolivariana de Venezuela

TThe Origins: how, when and where it all startedhe Origins: how, when and where it all started , , Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei. Centro Linceo Interdisciplinare “Beniamino Segre”, Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei. Centro Linceo Interdisciplinare “Beniamino Segre”, Roma, 22 May 2006Roma, 22 May 2006

Evolution of the universe: From Astrophysics to Astrobiology

How did the universe start?How did the universe start?

What is needed to What is needed to understand how the understand how the

universe started?universe started? 1. We are at a point where 1. We are at a point where

experiments must guide us as to experiments must guide us as to how the universe started and what how the universe started and what will be its ultimate destiny.will be its ultimate destiny.

We cannot make progress without We cannot make progress without these experiments.these experiments.

2. The theories of the space 2. The theories of the space sciences that need to be tested sciences that need to be tested are:are:

The equations of General The equations of General RelativityRelativity

GG

General Relativity and theGeneral Relativity and the

Standard Model.Standard Model.

++gg

What is needed to What is needed to understand how the understand how the

universe started?universe started? 1. We are at a point where 1. We are at a point where

experiments must guide us as to experiments must guide us as to how the universe started and what how the universe started and what will be its ultimate destiny.will be its ultimate destiny.

We cannot make progress without We cannot make progress without these experiments.these experiments.

2. The theories of the space 2. The theories of the space sciences that need to be tested sciences that need to be tested are:are:

The equations of General The equations of General RelativityRelativity

GG

General Relativity and theGeneral Relativity and the

Standard Model.Standard Model.

++gg

What is needed to What is needed to understand how the understand how the

universe started?universe started? 1. We are at a point where 1. We are at a point where

experiments must guide us as to experiments must guide us as to how the universe started and what how the universe started and what will be its ultimate destiny.will be its ultimate destiny.

We cannot make progress without We cannot make progress without these experiments.these experiments.

2. The theories of the space 2. The theories of the space sciences that need to be tested sciences that need to be tested are:are:

The equations of General The equations of General RelativityRelativity

GG

General Relativity and theGeneral Relativity and the

Standard Model.Standard Model.

++gg

A new source of insights into A new source of insights into how the universe started: how the universe started:

the Large Hadron Colliderthe Large Hadron Collider With the LHC we will be able to search With the LHC we will be able to search

for new forms of matter with for new forms of matter with energies up to energies up to 14 TeV14 TeV..

Models of quantized Models of quantized

General Relativity General Relativity

andandThe Standard Model.The Standard Model.

At some of the LHC detectorsAt some of the LHC detectors

we will be able to test the validity of:we will be able to test the validity of:

The contribution of space The contribution of space missionsmissions

New experimental facilities such as LHC will New experimental facilities such as LHC will help, but especially relevant are a few of manyhelp, but especially relevant are a few of manyspace missions to come:space missions to come:

PlanckPlanck

CMBpolCMBpol

LISALISA

The Planck and CMBpol missionsThe Planck and CMBpol missions(2007, >2014)(2007, >2014)

These missions aim to:These missions aim to:

test gravitational waves test gravitational waves produced after the Big produced after the Big Bang, by careful Bang, by careful consideration of the ripples consideration of the ripples in the early universe.in the early universe.

The Laser Interferometer The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA)Space Antenna (LISA)

LISA is jointly sponsored LISA is jointly sponsored by ESA and NASA.by ESA and NASA.

LISA LISA will test the Theory will test the Theory ofof General Relativity General Relativity, , probe the early Universe, probe the early Universe, and will search for and will search for

gravitational wavesgravitational waves..

Julian Chela-FloresJulian Chela-FloresThe Abdus Salam ICTP, Trieste, ItaliaThe Abdus Salam ICTP, Trieste, Italiaandand Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Caracas, Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Caracas, Republica Bolivariana de VenezuelaRepublica Bolivariana de Venezuela

TThe Origins: how, when and where it all startedhe Origins: how, when and where it all started , , Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei. Centro Linceo Interdisciplinare “Beniamino Segre”, Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei. Centro Linceo Interdisciplinare “Beniamino Segre”, Roma, 22 May 2006Roma, 22 May 2006

Evolution of the universe: From Astrophysics to AstrobiologyWhen did the universe start?When did the universe start?

The intelligibility of the accelerating universe:The intelligibility of the accelerating universe:

If our universe is part of an ensemble of If our universe is part of an ensemble of universes - universes - a multiversea multiverse, each with different , each with different physical constants, it is conceivable that a physical constants, it is conceivable that a fraction of them offer conditions favorable for fraction of them offer conditions favorable for life.life.

We may assume that we are living in a We may assume that we are living in a universe in which the physical constants, universe in which the physical constants, favor the existence of life for a few billion favor the existence of life for a few billion years.years.

The anthropic approachThe anthropic approach Explaining the values of Explaining the values of

the observables of the the observables of the universe in terms of the universe in terms of the possibility of favoring life possibility of favoring life is called ‘is called ‘anthropicanthropic’.’.

These arguments are These arguments are

analogous to those analogous to those originally used by Sir originally used by Sir Fred Hoyle in the Fred Hoyle in the synthesis of chemical synthesis of chemical elements in stars.elements in stars.

WMAP: The Wilkinson Microwave WMAP: The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy ProbeAnisotropy Probe

has demonstrated that the has demonstrated that the universe is compatible with universe is compatible with an age of 13.7 Gyrs.an age of 13.7 Gyrs.

is composed of 73 percent is composed of 73 percent dark energy, 23 percent cold dark energy, 23 percent cold dark matter, and only 4 dark matter, and only 4 percent atoms, andpercent atoms, and

will expand forever.will expand forever.A detailed picture of the infant universe. A detailed picture of the infant universe. Colors indicate "warmer" (red) and Colors indicate "warmer" (red) and "cooler" (blue) spots. The white bars "cooler" (blue) spots. The white bars show the "polarization" direction of the show the "polarization" direction of the oldest lightoldest light..

The new science of The new science of astrobiologyastrobiology

• It is a space science that emphasizes the life sciences. It is a space science that emphasizes the life sciences.

• It is a life science that emphasizes the space sciences It is a life science that emphasizes the space sciences (including space weather). (including space weather).

The main areas of interest are:The main areas of interest are:

The destiny of life in the universe.The destiny of life in the universe.The distribution of life in the universe,The distribution of life in the universe,

The evolution of life in the universe.The evolution of life in the universe.The origin of life in the universe,The origin of life in the universe,

In common withIn common withthe space the space sciencessciences

In common withIn common withthe life sciencesthe life sciences

Destiny of life in the universeDestiny of life in the universeThe first area of astrobiologyThe first area of astrobiology

The second area (distribution) will be presented in Lecture 2The second area (distribution) will be presented in Lecture 2

Is the universe intelligible?

The evolution of life in the The evolution of life in the universe,universe,

universal darwinismuniversal darwinism:: The third area of astrobiologyThe third area of astrobiology

The implications of The implications of human human evolutionevolution in astrobiology will be in astrobiology will be discussed in Part 3.discussed in Part 3.

(i) contingency, (i) contingency, (ii) gradual action of natural selection.(ii) gradual action of natural selection.

The theory of evolution discussesThe theory of evolution discusses the relative importance of:the relative importance of:

Can the outcome of Can the outcome of evolutionary processes be evolutionary processes be

predictable?predictable?

To a certain extent and in certain conditions, natural To a certain extent and in certain conditions, natural selection may be stronger than chance (Conway-Morris).selection may be stronger than chance (Conway-Morris).

The ubiquity of evolutionary convergence argues against The ubiquity of evolutionary convergence argues against the view that biological diversity on Earth is unique.the view that biological diversity on Earth is unique.

Independent of historical contingency, natural selection isIndependent of historical contingency, natural selection is powerful enough for organisms living in similar environments powerful enough for organisms living in similar environments (in the universe) to be shaped to similar ends (De Duve).(in the universe) to be shaped to similar ends (De Duve).

Two of the three branches of Two of the three branches of the tree of life are the tree of life are

prokaryotesprokaryotes

BacteriaBacteria

ArchaeaArchaea

Deinococcus radioduransDeinococcus radiodurans (Bacteria)(Bacteria)

Bacillus subtilisBacillus subtilis (Bacteria)(Bacteria)

Escherichia coliEscherichia coli (Bacteria)(Bacteria)

Source: NASASource: NASA

An electron An electron micrograph micrograph depicting a groupdepicting a groupof of E. coliE. coli bacteria.bacteria.

Resistance to radiationResistance to radiation (Deinococcus radiodurans)(Deinococcus radiodurans)

Survival of mammalian cells after Survival of mammalian cells after irradiationirradiation

The Origins:The Origins:2. Life in the universe2. Life in the universe:: The fourth area of The fourth area of

astrobiologyastrobiology How?How?When?When?Where?Where?

Part 2Part 2

How did life begin on Earth?How did life begin on Earth?

Miller-Urey Synthesis Miller-Urey Synthesis (Chemical evolution)(Chemical evolution)

Carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide + hydrogen+ hydrogen

CO + HCO + H22

Fatty acidsFatty acids

Hydrogen cyanideHydrogen cyanide

HCNHCN

Purines Purines

(adenine, guanine)(adenine, guanine)

CyanamideCyanamide

HH22NCNNCN

Peptides, Peptides,

and phospholipidsand phospholipids

Precursor Precursor

moleculemoleculeBiomoleculeBiomolecule

RNA WorldRNA World

When did life begin on When did life begin on Earth?Earth?

The evidence from fossils The evidence from fossils of stromatolites is that of stromatolites is that cyanobacteria were cyanobacteria were present since the present since the Archean over 2.5 Gyr BP.Archean over 2.5 Gyr BP.

The exact date is still The exact date is still controversial.controversial.

Contemporary stromatolites Contemporary stromatolites (Shark Bay, Australia)(Shark Bay, Australia)

Contemporary cyanobacteria are Contemporary cyanobacteria are filamentousfilamentous

The stromatolites The stromatolites consist of consist of filamentous filamentous bacteria, once bacteria, once called ‘blue-green called ‘blue-green algae’.algae’.

Oscillatoria is Oscillatoria is shown in the shown in the image.image.

(x2,900)(x2,900)

Where did life begin on Earth?Where did life begin on Earth?

Endogenous synthesisEndogenous synthesis

In hydrothermal In hydrothermal vents at mid-vents at mid-ocean ridges, lava ocean ridges, lava from the Earth's from the Earth's mantle forms mantle forms continents.continents.

Tube wormsTube wormsEast Pacific RiseEast Pacific Rise

Circulation of waterCirculation of waterheated by magma heated by magma provides elements for provides elements for metabolism.metabolism.

Black-smokerBlack-smoker

Chemical and biological evolutionChemical and biological evolution

PyritePyrite

GuntherGunther

WachtershauserWachtershauser

ClaysClays

Graham Graham

Cairns-SmithCairns-Smith

Search for the Search for the common common ancestorancestor

Carl WoeseCarl Woese

TheoriesTheories ScientistsScientists

How did life begin in the How did life begin in the universe?universe?

CometCometss MeteoritesMeteorites

Star and planet Star and planet formationformation

DenseDensecloudsclouds

InterplanetaryInterplanetarydust particlesdust particles

Compounds observed in the Compounds observed in the comas of cometscomas of comets

Interplanetary dust Interplanetary dust particlesparticles

IDPs of carbonaceous material, if IDPs of carbonaceous material, if larger than about 100 micrometres in larger than about 100 micrometres in size, reach the ground in large size, reach the ground in large quantities - a few 10quantities - a few 104 4 tons per year tons per year (micro-meterorites).(micro-meterorites).

The Stardust spacecraft was launched in The Stardust spacecraft was launched in 1999 to collect dust and carbon-based 1999 to collect dust and carbon-based samples during its closest encounter with samples during its closest encounter with Comet Wild 2.Comet Wild 2.

A 2-micrometer particleA 2-micrometer particle of silicate mineralof silicate mineral

(forsterite)(forsterite)

Organic compounds in Organic compounds in Murchison and other Murchison and other

meteoritesmeteorites

Can an exoplanet support Can an exoplanet support a human-level of a human-level of

intelligence?intelligence?

Part IIIPart III

International Journal of Astrobiology (2003)

Microorganism physiologyMicroorganism physiology

ParameciumParamecium(protozoa)(protozoa)

Calcium channels are Calcium channels are involved in protozoan involved in protozoan movements.movements.

In archaeaIn archaea (Haloferax (Haloferax volcanii), volcanii), voltage-dependent voltage-dependent and mechanosensitive ion and mechanosensitive ion channels are known.channels are known.

Invertebrate physiologyInvertebrate physiology

Aglantha digitaleAglantha digitale(cnidarian)(cnidarian)

In jellyfish action In jellyfish action potentials (nerve nets) are potentials (nerve nets) are known.known.

Even more surprising is Even more surprising is that in sponges Ca- and that in sponges Ca- and Na-dependent channels Na-dependent channels are also known.are also known.

Cerebral ganglionsCerebral ganglions

Notoplana acticolaNotoplana acticola(flatworm; platyhelminths(flatworm; platyhelminths))

receive inputs from receive inputs from sensory organs and sensory organs and deliver outputs to deliver outputs to muscles, via nerve muscles, via nerve filaments.filaments.

Intelligence during the spread of humansIntelligence during the spread of humans

In the evolution of mammalian In the evolution of mammalian brain the appearance of brain the appearance of intelligent life had to wait till the intelligent life had to wait till the Magdalenian 'culture'. Magdalenian 'culture'.

New discoveries about the New discoveries about the early early humans humans may add further may add further constraints on what we can expect constraints on what we can expect from other intelligences (from other intelligences (HomoHomo

floresiensisfloresiensis?)?)

The Drake Equation:The Drake Equation: The number N of detectable The number N of detectable

civilizationscivilizations RR** is the rate of star formation is the rate of star formation ffpp is the fraction of stars that is the fraction of stars that

form planetsform planets nnee is the number of planets is the number of planets

hospitable to lifehospitable to life ffll is the fraction of those planets is the fraction of those planets

where life actually emergeswhere life actually emerges ffii is the fraction of those planets is the fraction of those planets

where life actually evolves into where life actually evolves into intelligent beingsintelligent beings

ffcc is the fraction of planets is the fraction of planets where interstellar where interstellar communication is possiblecommunication is possible

L is the length of time that such L is the length of time that such civilization remains detectable. civilization remains detectable.

The search of intelligent The search of intelligent behaviorbehavior

The Drake equation assumes that evolution of The Drake equation assumes that evolution of intelligence, as known to us through human intelligence, as known to us through human evolution, is a cosmic phenomenon.evolution, is a cosmic phenomenon.

Evolutionary convergence in the universe militates in Evolutionary convergence in the universe militates in favor of intelligent behavior being independent of favor of intelligent behavior being independent of human evolutionhuman evolution..

To study whether some aspects of human brain To study whether some aspects of human brain evolution are exceptional, comparisons with other evolution are exceptional, comparisons with other species may be fruitful. (Lori Marino has gone some species may be fruitful. (Lori Marino has gone some way in this direction.)way in this direction.)

DiscussionDiscussion

What if life started outside the Solar System?What if life started outside the Solar System?

Brain evolution may offer hints of the probability that a human level of intelligence may arise in an independent evolutionary line.

The SETI project is an observational tool currently available to bioastronomers.

DiscussionDiscussion Evolution of the universe:Evolution of the universe: Through a fleet of space

missions the frontier between cosmological astrophysics and astrobiology will be extended in a joint search for its common ideals.

What if life started outside the Solar System?What if life started outside the Solar System? Brain evolution may offer hints of the probability that a human level of intelligence may arise in an independent evolutionary line. The SETI project is an observational tool currently available to bioastronomy.

ConclusionsConclusions

What is the place of humans in the universe?What is the place of humans in the universe? To understand life as an inevitable consequence of the evolution of the universe still requires further progress in the cosmological and prebiotic evolution scenarios.

How, when and where did it all start?How, when and where did it all start? We need further detailed discussions of prebiotic chemistry, precellular biological and human evolution coupled with the exploration of the solar system, and the eventual search for biosignatures in other solar systems.