Overview

How did life originate in the universe? How did it all start after the creation of matter and the formation of elements in the stars? What are the pathways from the first organic molecules in space to the evolution of complex life forms on Earth and perhaps elsewhere? And how will it all end? The Universe itself sets the stage for the very interdisciplinary field of astrobiology that attempts to answer such questions, the central one being: What is the (cosmic) recipe for life? Currently there are only very few known elements in this vast mosaic. This book bridges a gap in the literature by bringing together leading specialists from different backgrounds who lecture on their fields, with close relevance to astrobiology, providing tutorial accounts that lead all the way to the forefront of research. The book will thus be useful for students, lecturers and reseachers alike.

Full Product Details

Author:   Gerda Horneck ,  Christa Baumstark-Khan
Publisher:   Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. KG
Imprint:   Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K
Edition:   Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2002
Dimensions:   Width: 15.50cm , Height: 2.20cm , Length: 23.50cm
Weight:   0.653kg
ISBN:  

9783642639579

ISBN 10:   3642639577
Pages:   411
Publication Date:   23 September 2011
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

I Organic Material in Space and Habitable Zones.- 1 From Molecular Clouds to the Origin of Life.- 2 The Diversity of Extrasolar Planets Around Solar-Type Stars.- 3 Habitable Zones in Extrasolar Planetary Systems.- 4 Viable Transfer of Microorganisms in the Solar System and Beyond.- II Water and Life.- 5 Water, the Spring of Life.- 6 Geomorphological Record of Water-Related Erosion on Mars.- 7 Europa’s Crust and Ocean: How Tides Create a Potentially Habitable Physical Setting.- 8 Permafrost Model of Extraterrestrial Habitat.- 9 Microbial Life in Terrestrial Permafrost: Methanogenesis and Nitrification in Gelisols as Potentials for Exobiological Processes.- 10 Life in Cold Lakes.- 11 Hyperthermophilic Microorganisms.- 12 Halophilic Microorganisms.- III Electromagnetic Fields, Radiation and Life.- 13 Martian Atmospheric Evolution: Implications of an Ancient Intrinsic Magnetic Field.- 14 The Ultraviolet Radiation Environment of Earth and Mars: Past and Present.- 15 Ultraviolet Radiation in Planetary Atmospheres and Biological Implications.- 16 Environmental UV Radiation: Biological Strategies for Protection and Avoidance.- 17 Life under Conditions of Ionizing Radiation.- IV Gravity and Life.- 18 Graviperception and Graviresponse at the Cellular Level.- 19 Gravistimulated Effects in Plants.- 20 Gravitational Zoology: How Animals Use and Cope with Gravity.- V Complexity and Life.- 21 Scaling Phenomena and the Emergence of Complexity in Astrobiology.- 22 Molecular Self-Assembly and the Origin of Life.- 23 Search for Morphological and Biogeochemical Vestiges of Fossil Life in Extraterrestrial Settings: Utility of Terrestrial Evidence.- VI Forthcoming Space Missions Relevant for Astrobiology.- 24 Space Activities in Exo-Astrobiology.- List of Contributors.

Reviews

"""[...] written for people with a strong background in science. I nonetheless found it a joy to read and I would strongly recommend it to those who wish to know the latest in the scientific search for ET."" (Neil English, Astronomy Now, Aug. 2003) ""[...] Astrobiology challenges science in unique ways, in particular the well-known problem of identifying life when we only have one prototype to work from, and I am sure that newcomers to this field and established workers will both find this book very rewarding."" (International Journal of Astrobiology, 2002) ""It is a real pleasure to come across a volume like Astrobiology."" (Biologist, 2002)"

[...] written for people with a strong background in science. I nonetheless found it a joy to read and I would strongly recommend it to those who wish to know the latest in the scientific search for ET. (Neil English, Astronomy Now, Aug. 2003) [...] Astrobiology challenges science in unique ways, in particular the well-known problem of identifying life when we only have one prototype to work from, and I am sure that newcomers to this field and established workers will both find this book very rewarding. (International Journal of Astrobiology, 2002) It is a real pleasure to come across a volume like Astrobiology. (Biologist, 2002)

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