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Using exoplanets to test the universality of biology

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The detection of biosignatures on extrasolar planets would allow us to explore the predictability of evolution. What could we learn without directly obtaining a sample of life?

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Fig. 1: Universal biology?

PHL @ UPR Arecibo

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Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges support from STFC grant ST/R000875/1 and helpful comments from J. Raven.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

    Charles S. Cockell

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  1. Charles S. Cockell
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Correspondence to Charles S. Cockell.

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Cockell, C.S. Using exoplanets to test the universality of biology. Nat Astron 2, 758–759 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-018-0586-x

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