Planets and Life: The Emerging Science of Astrobiology

Cambridge University Press, 9/12/2003
EAN 9780521531023, ISBN10: 0521531020

Paperback, 628 pages, 24.6 x 18.9 x 3.6 cm
Language: English

Astrobiology involves the study of the origin and history of life on Earth, planets and moons where life may have arisen, and the search for extraterrestrial life. It combines the sciences of biology, chemistry, palaeontology, geology, planetary physics and astronomy. This textbook brings together world experts in each of these disciplines to provide the most comprehensive coverage of the field currently available. Topics cover the origin and evolution of life on Earth, the geological, physical and chemical conditions in which life might arise and the detection of extraterrestrial life on other planets and moons. The book also covers the history of our ideas on extraterrestrial life and the origin of life, as well as the ethical, philosophical and educational issues raised by astrobiology. Written to be accessible to students from diverse backgrounds, this text will be welcomed by advanced undergraduates and graduates who are taking astrobiology courses.

Foreword
Preface
Contributors
Prologue
Part I. History
1. History of astrobiological ideas W. T. Sullivan and D. Carney
2. From exobiology to astrobiology S. J. Dick
Part II. The Physical Stage
3. Formation of Earth-like habitable planets D. E. Brownlee and M. Kress
4. Planetary atmospheres and life D. Catling and J. F. Kasting
Part III. The Origin of Life on Earth
5. Does 'life' have a definition? C.E. Cleland and C. F. Chyba
6. Origin of life
crucial issues R. Shapiro
7. Origin of proteins and nucleic acids A. Ricardo and S. A. Benner
8. The roots of metabolism G.D. Cody and J. H. Scott
9. Origin of cellular life D. W. Deamer
Part IV. Life on Earth
10. Evolution
a defining feature of life J. A. Baross
11. Evolution of metabolism and early microbial communities J. A. Leigh, D. A. Stahl and J. T. Staley
12. The earliest records of life on Earth R. Buick
13. The origin and diversification of eukaryotes M. L. Sogin, D. J. Patterson and A. McArthur
14. Limits of carbon life on Earth and elsewhere J. A. Baross, J. Huber and M. Schrenk
15. Life in ice J. W. Deming and H. Eicken
16. The evolution and diversification of life S. Awramik and K. J. McNamara
17. Mass extinctions P. D. Ward
Part V. Potentially Habitable Worlds
18. Mars B. M. Jakosky, F. Westall and A. Brack
19. Europa C. F. Chyba and C. B. Phillips
20. Titan J. I. Lunine and B. Rizk
21. Extrasolar planets P. Butler
Part VI. Searching for Extraterrestrial Life
22. How to search for life on other worlds C. P. McKay
23. Instruments and strategies for detecting extraterrestrial life P. G. Conrad
24. Societial and ethical concerns M. S. Race
25. Planetary protection J. D. Rummel
26. Searching for extraterrestrial intelligence J. C. Tarter
27. Alien biochemistries P. D. Ward and S. A. Benner
Part VII. Future of the Field
28. Disciplinary and educational opportunities L. Wells, J. Armstrong and J. Huber
Epilogue C. F. Chyba
Appendixes
A. Units and usages
B. Planetary properties
C. The geological time scale S. Awramik and K. J. McNamara
D. Astrobiological destinations on planet Earth J. Harnmeijer
E. Micro*scope web tool D. J. Patterson and M. L. Sogin
Index.

'The book brings a wealth of thought-provoking insights into how life developed on Earth, the mechanisms of its existence and destruction, and how we might direct our search for life in the future ... This book successfully informs and inspires those students, professionals, and others with a curiosity about life in the Universe.' Astronomy Now