On the Non-observability of Recent Biogenesis

Abstract

In a previous paper we addressed the question "Does the Rapid Appearance of Life on Earth Suggest that Life is Common in the Universe?" The non-observability of recent biogenesis is a self-selection effect that needs to be considered if inferences are to be drawn from the rapidity of terrestrial biogenesis. We discuss several approaches that have been proposed to take this effect into account.

3 pages, no figures, in press at "Astrobiology", Vol 3, 2003 Reply to a comment on our previous paper: astro-ph/0205014

Cited by in corpus (3)

• Bayesian analysis of the astrobiological implications of life's early emergence on Earth
• The Cosmic Coincidence as a Temporal Selection Effect Produced by the Age Distribution of Terrestrial Planets in the Universe
• Galactic Punctuated Equilibrium: How to Undermine Carter's Anthropic Argument in Astrobiology