A study has shown building blocks of life can spring into existence spontaneously when icy comets smash into planets. A similar process can create amino acids – bits of proteins – when a rocky meteorite strikes an ice-covered world. Imperial College London research scientist Dr Zita Martins says their work shows that the basic building blocks of life can be assembled anywhere in the Solar System and perhaps beyond. Scientists believe that about the time life first emerged, between 4.5 and 3.8 billion years ago, Earth was being bombarded by comets and meteorites.
