Quantifying the Origins of Life on a Planetary Scale

TL;DR

This paper introduces a heuristic formula inspired by the Drake Equation to quantify the likelihood of life's origins on planets, highlighting factors that can significantly increase this probability through planetary and chemical system characteristics.

Contribution

It presents a new heuristic model for estimating life's origins probabilities and identifies key planetary and chemical factors that can enhance these chances.

Findings

Parallel chemistries increase origin probability

Multiple planets and impact exchange expand chemical search space

Quantitative progress can be made in parameter estimation

Abstract

A simple, heuristic formula with parallels to the Drake Equation is introduced to help focus discussion on open questions for the origins of life in a planetary context. This approach indicates a number of areas where quantitative progress can be made on parameter estimation for determining origins of life probabilities. We also suggest that the probability of origin of life events can be dramatically increased on planets with parallel chemistries that can undergo the development of complexity, and in solar systems where more than one planet is available for chemical evolution, and where efficient impact ejecta exchange occurs, increasing the effective chemical search space and available time.