Not only can comets that hit the Earth damage the surface, but according to
Comets and the Origin and Evolution of Life (Springer-Verlag, £29, ISBN 0
387 94650 0), edited by Paul Thomas, Christopher Chyba and Christopher McKay,
they might even have seeded the planet with the very building blocks of life
itself. Or, later, interfered with the way that life evolved. Scary stuff.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Space
NASA’s huge Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is about to launch
News
Space
Fastest star ever spotted at the centre of our galaxy
News
Space
Where and when to see 2027’s ‘solar eclipse of the century’
News
Life
Exclusive video of world’s first echidna puggle to be born at a university
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles