Geoastronomy: Rocky planets as the Lavosier-Lomonosov Bridge from the
  non-living to the living world
  Life on Earth emerged at the interface of the geosphere, hydrosphere and
atmosphere. This setting serves as our basis for how biological systems
originate on rocky planets. Often overlooked, however, is the fact that the
chemical nature of a rocky planet is ultimately a product of galactic chemical
evolution. Elemental abundances of the major rock-forming elements can be
different for different stars and planets formed at different times in galactic
history. These differences mean that we cannot expect small rocky exoplanets to
be just like Earth. Furthermore, age of the system dictates starting nuclide
inventory from galactic chemical evolution, and past, present and future mantle
and crust thermal regimes. The bulk silicate mantle composition of a rocky
planet modulates the kind of atmosphere and hydrosphere it possesses. Hence,
the ingredients of a rocky planet are as important for its potential to host
life as proximity to the so-called habitable zone around a star where liquid
water is stable at the surface. To make sense of these variables, a new
trans-disciplinary approach is warranted that fuses the disciplines of Geology
and Astronomy into what is here termed, Geoastronomy.
