Re: Astrobiology at the EPSC 2013, London: Chemical Evolution and Early Life

[Edwin Budding]

Dear John --

 

Many thanks for this information, which was received with great interest by our

astrobiology group.

 

We think to offer the following abstract, having in mind the possibility of a poster presentation

within the context of AB3.

 

We would be grateful for your comments, at your convenient time.

 

Best wishes,

Ed Budding

 

Biospheric functioning and stability

Astrobiology Group,

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Çanakkale, TR 17020, Turkey

Abstract

We utilize the physical properties of a hypothetical molecular schema giving rise to an autocatalytic biosphere. A key concept is the driving of terrestrial life as a parametric oscillation: i.e. that the biosphere behaves fundamentally as an oscillatory system into which solar energy is diurnally deposited. The schema, containing 'A, B and C' type components acting together in a 'bottom-up' driving mechanism, underlies all biospheric superstructure.

Surviving modes of the oscillation are consistent with Darwinian organization, or hierarchical structures appearing to have top-down propagation through the growth of cellular replication. The model was detailed by Budding et al (2012), where suggestions on supportive fossil evidence were also offered.

Although the growth in total energization is very slow in this model, it is important to notice its exponential character, suggestive of potential instability.

The model is applicable to generally expectable processes on planets, including zonal segregation, and Haeckel's biogenic principle within surviving life-forms. Fermi's exobiological paradox can be resolved in terms of the exponential growth and low L solutions of Drake's equation. Feasible values for the particular growth of selected species (the human one in the present terrestrial case) allow for L to be less than a few ´ 100 y, recalling Rees' (2004) 'final century' discussion. This arises when the species' disposable energization attains a value comparable to that of the total available daily driving energy.  At that point, accidental, or stochastic disturbances of this species' energy ("error") can significantly disrupt the daily driving mechanism.

　

 

On Thu, Mar 21, 2013 at 6:57 AM, John Robert Brucato <jbru...@arcetri.astro.it> wrote:

Dear ISSOL Member,

this year's European Planetary Science Congress (EPSC 2013) will be held in London, UK, 8-13 September. I would like to draw your attention to the session entitled

"The Environmental Context of Organic Chemical Evolution and Early Life" (session abbreviation: AB3)

that will be organized by Stefan Fox, Frances Westall and me within the programme group "Astrobiology". Details about the session topics can be found under:
http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC2013/session/13812

I would like to encourage you to submit an oral or a poster contribution to this session. The deadline for abstract submission is 6 May, 2013. (It should be understood that this e-mail is not a commitment on the part of the organizers to provide financial support or free registration.)

Please do not hesitate to forward this message to colleagues who may also be interested in submitting an abstract.

Sincerely,

Henry Strasdeit

*********************************************
Dr. Henry Strasdeit
Professor of Bioinorganic Chemistry
University of Hohenheim
Institute of Chemistry
70599 Stuttgart
Germany
henry.s...@uni-hohenheim.de
*********************************************




Dr. John Robert Brucato
INAF - Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri
L.go E. Fermi 5, 50125 Firenze, Italy
Office: +39 055 2752 254
Laboratory: +39 055 205 5241
Fax: + 39 055 220039
Email: jbru...@arcetri.astro.it
www.arcetri.astro.it