Download or read book From Fossils to Astrobiology written by Joseph Seckbach and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-11-07 with total page 539 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From Fossils to Astrobiology reviews developments in paleontology and geobiology that relate to the rapidly-developing field of Astrobiology, the study of life in the Universe. Many traditional areas of scientific study, including astronomy, chemistry and planetary science, contribute to Astrobiology, but the study of the record of life on planet Earth is critical in guiding investigations in the rest of the cosmos. In this varied book, expert scientists from 15 countries present peer-reviewed, stimulating reviews of paleontological and astrobiological studies. The overviews of established and emerging techniques for studying modern and ancient microorganisms on Earth and beyond, will be valuable guides to evaluating biosignatures which could be found in the extraterrestrial surface or subsurface within the Solar System and beyond. This volume also provides discussion on the controversial reports of "nanobacteria" in the Martian meteorite ALH84001. It is a unique volume among Astrobiology monographs in focusing on fossil evidence from the geological record and will be valuable to students and researchers alike.
Download or read book Astrobiology of Earth written by Joseph Gale and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2009-04-16 with total page 262 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An understanding of the unique conditions that allowed life to emerge and exist today on our planet is essential if we are to answer two fundamental questions facing humanity - the continuation of life on earth, and the existence of life outside our planet. This book contributes to our understanding of astrobiology as it applies to planet Earth.
Download or read book Echoes of Life written by Susan M. Gaines and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2009 with total page 376 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1936 a German chemist identified certain organic molecules that he had extracted from ancient rocks and oils as the fossil remains of chlorophyll--presumably from plants that had lived and died millions of years in the past. It was another twenty-five years before this insight was developed and the term "biomarker" coined to describe fossil molecules whose molecular structures could reveal the presence of otherwise elusive organisms and processes.Echoes of Life is the story of these molecules and how they are illuminating the history of the earth and its life. It is also the story of how a few maverick organic chemists and geologists defied the dictates of their disciplines and--at a time when the natural sciences were fragmenting into ever-more-specialized sub-disciplines--reunited chemistry, biology and geology in a common endeavor. The rare combination of rigorous science and literary style--woven into a historic narrative that moves naturally from the simple to the complex--make Echoes of Life a book to be read for pleasure and contemplation, as well as education.
Download or read book Astrobiology written by Akihiko Yamagishi and published by Springer. This book was released on 2019-02-27 with total page 465 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides concise and cutting-edge reviews in astrobiology, a young and still emerging multidisciplinary field of science that addresses the fundamental questions of how life originated and diversified on Earth, whether life exists beyond Earth, and what is the future for life on Earth. Readers will find coverage of the latest understanding of a wide range of fascinating topics, including, for example, solar system formation, the origins of life, the history of Earth as revealed by geology, the evolution of intelligence on Earth, the implications of genome data, insights from extremophile research, and the possible existence of life on other planets within and beyond the solar system. Each chapter contains a brief summary of the current status of the topic under discussion, sufficient references to enable more detailed study, and descriptions of recent findings and forthcoming missions or anticipated research. Written by leading experts in astronomy, planetary science, geoscience, chemistry, biology, and physics, this insightful and thought-provoking book will appeal to all students and scientists who are interested in life and space.
Download or read book Astrobiology written by Kevin W. Plaxco and published by JHU Press. This book was released on 2011-09-01 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Informed by new planetary discoveries and the findings from recent robotic missions to Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, scientists are rapidly replacing centuries of speculation about potential extraterrestrial habitats with real knowledge about the possibility of life outside our own biosphere—if it exists, and where. This second edition of Kevin W. Plaxco and Michael Gross’s widely acclaimed text incorporates the latest research in astrobiology to bring readers the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and engaging introduction to the field available. Plaxco and Gross expand their examination of the origin of chemical elements, the developments that made the Universe habitable, and how life continues to be sustained. They discuss in great detail the formation of the first galaxies and stars, the diverse chemistry of the primordial planet, the origins of metabolism, the evolution of complex organisms, and the feedback regulation of Earth's climate. They also explore life in extreme habitats, potential extraterrestrial habitats, and the current status of the search for extraterrestrial life. Weaving together the relevant threads of astronomy, geology, chemistry, biophysics, and microbiology, this broadly accessible introductory text captures the excitement, controversy, and progress of the dynamic young field of astrobiology. New to this edition is a glossary of terms and an epilogue recapping the key unanswered questions, making Astrobiology an ideal primer for students and, indeed, for anyone curious about life and the Universe.
Download or read book Encyclopedia of Astrobiology written by Muriel Gargaud and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2011-05-26 with total page 1890 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Astrobiology is a remarkably interdisciplinary field. This reference serves as a key to understanding technical terms from the different subfields of astrobiology, including astronomy, biology, chemistry, the geosciences and the space sciences.
Download or read book Planets and Life written by Woodruff T. Sullivan, III and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2007-09-13 with total page 1240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.
Download or read book Introduction to Astrobiology written by C. Sivaram and published by Universities Press. This book was released on 2004-03 with total page 164 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Astrobiology Is The Science That Seeks To Unravel The Mysteries Of The Origin Of Life And The Conditions That Would Support The Birth And Evolution Of Life Forms. It Involves Several Disciplines Of Science Which Are Essential For Understanding The Several Biological Mechanisms Which Can Culminate In Life. This Book Attempts A Broad Definition Of Astrobiology, Life And The Conditions For The Existence Of Life.The Book Addresses A Whole Lot Of Interesting Issues That Have Puzzled Man From Time Immemorial Is There Life Elsewhere In The Universe? Can We Communicate With Extraterrestrial Beings? What Are The Dangers Of Interstellar Flight?
Download or read book Astrobiology written by Julian Chela-Flores and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2000-09-30 with total page 396 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The proposal of the School was made in 1998 to three institutions, which responded enthusiastically: The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), its main co-sponsor, the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, both in Trieste, Italy, and the Chancellor's Office, Universidad Simon Bolfvar (USB). The secretarial and logistic support was provided in Trieste by the ICTP and in Caracas by USB and the IDEA Convention Center. In addition the event was generously supported by the following institutes, agencies, foundations and academies: NASA Headquarters, European Space Agency, TALVEN Programme, (Delegacion Permanente de Venezuela ante la UNESCO), The SETI Institute, Centro Latinoamericano .de Ffsica, The Third World Academy of Sciences, Academia de Ciencias Ffsicas, Matematicas y Naturales, Red Latinoamericana de Biologfa, The Planetary Society, The Latin American Academy of Sciences (Fondo ACAL), Alberto Vollmer Foundation, Inc, Fundacion J. Oro, Associated to the Catalonian Research Foundation, Red Latinoamericana de Astronomfa and Colegio Emil Friedman. A total of 36 lectures were delivered by 20 lecturers, of which 14 were from the following countries: Argentina, Mexico, Italy, Spain and the USA. Six lecturers were from the host country. In addition there were 5 chairpersons from the host country that were not participants; two participants acted as chairpersons (Pedro Benitez and Tomas Revilla).
Download or read book Astrobiology written by Vera M. Kolb and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2014-08-22 with total page 508 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Astrobiology: An Evolutionary Approach provides a full course in astrobiology with an emphasis on abiogenesis and evolution. The book presents astrobiology both as a developing science and as the science of the future. The origins of life and the possibility of life elsewhere continues to be a subject of scientific and philosophical examination. These topics evolve with time as our understanding of life itself and the laws of chemical and biological evolution evolve. Astrobiology: An Evolutionary Approach aims both to provide a foundation in astrobiology and to describe the most challenging questions and problems in the field. The book begins with an overview of astrobiology, the origin of elements, and the formation of the solar system, planets, and exoplanets. Other topics covered include prebiotic synthesis of biochemical compounds, transition from abiotic to biotic, microorganisms in space, the roles of silicon in life, encapsulation of organic materials in protocells, cold and dry limits of life, virolution, and more. The contributors explore different aspects of astrobiology, reflecting the exciting journeys of their own research. This book will inspire students to explore the endless possibilities in astrobiology. The book includes end-of-chapter questions, a glossary of terms, and recommended references, making it ideal for use as a classroom text.
Download or read book An Astrobiology Strategy for the Exploration of Mars written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2007-07-26 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Three recent developments have greatly increased interest in the search for life on Mars. The first is new information about the Martian environment including evidence of a watery past and the possibility of atmospheric methane. The second is the possibility of microbial viability on Mars. Finally, the Vision for Space Exploration initiative included an explicit directive to search for the evidence of life on Mars. These scientific and political developments led NASA to request the NRC's assistance in formulating an up-to-date integrated astrobiology strategy for Mars exploration. Among other topics, this report presents a review of current knowledge about possible life on Mars; an astrobiological assessment of current Mars missions; a review of Mars-mission planetary protection; and findings and recommendations. The report notes that the greatest increase in understanding of Mars will come from the collection and return to Earth of a well-chosen suite of Martian surface materials.
Download or read book Young Sun Early Earth and the Origins of Life written by Muriel Gargaud and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-01-11 with total page 303 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: - How did the Sun come into existence? - How was the Earth formed? - How long has Earth been the way it is now, with its combination of oceans and continents? - How do you define “life”? - How did the first life forms emerge? - What conditions made it possible for living things to evolve? All these questions are answered in this colourful textbook addressing undergraduate students in "Origins of Life" courses and the scientifically interested public. The authors take the reader on an amazing voyage through time, beginning five thousand million years ago in a cloud of interstellar dust and ending five hundred million years ago, when the living world that we see today was finally formed. A chapter on exoplanets provides an overview of the search for planets outside the solar system, especially for habitable ones. The appendix closes the book with a glossary, a bibliography of further readings and a summary of the Origins of the Earth and life in fourteen boxes.
Download or read book Life as We Do Not Know It written by Peter Ward and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2007-02-27 with total page 321 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An engrossing and revelatory first look at the search for alien life—on Earth and beyond For the past twenty years, Peter Ward has been at the forefront of popular science writing, with books such as the influential and controversial Rare Earth. In Life as We Do Not Know It, Ward, with his signature blend of eloquence, humor, and learned insight, vividly details the latest scientific findings, cutting-edge research, and intrepid new theories on the subject of alien life and the possible extraterrestrial origins of life on Earth. In lucid, entertaining, and bold prose, Peter Ward once again challenges our notions of life on earth (and beyond).
Download or read book Life in the Universe written by Anupam Rajak and published by . This book was released on 2020-06-12 with total page 152 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first chapter describes Miller-Urey experiment, Oparin and Haldane Theory, Reddi experiment, fossils evidence of life, and RNA World hypothesis. The second chapter describes various biological macromolecules like carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. The third chapter gives definition of astrobiology, extraterrestrial life, exobiology, asteroids, meteoroids, comets, biosignatures, and exoplanet. The third chapter also gives olber's paradox, are you alone in the Universe? And are Humans alone in the Universe?. The fourth chapter describes Drake equation. The fifth chapter gives definition of Universe, stars, galaxy, meteros, meteroids, and telescope. The sixth chapter planets and their composition. The seventh chapter gives various astrobiology research institute. The eight chapter describes various missions conducting on Mars. The ninth chapter gives life on Titan and Life on Europa
Download or read book The Astrobiological Landscape written by Milan M. Ćirković and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2012-06-21 with total page 275 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Astrobiology is an expanding, interdisciplinary field investigating the origin, evolution and future of life in the universe. Tackling many of the foundational debates of the subject, from discussions of cosmological evolution to detailed reviews of common concepts such as the 'Rare Earth' hypothesis, this volume is the first systematic survey of the philosophical aspects and conundrums in the study of cosmic life. The author's exploration of the increasing number of cross-over problems highlights the relationship between astrobiology and cosmology and presents some of the challenges of multidisciplinary study. Modern physical theories dealing with the multiverse add a further dimension to the debate. With a selection of beautifully presented illustrations and a strong emphasis on constructing a unified methodology across disciplines, this book will appeal to graduate students and specialists who seek to rectify the fragmented nature of current astrobiological endeavour, as well as curious astrophysicists, biologists and SETI enthusiasts.
Download or read book From Suns to Life A Chronological Approach to the History of Life on Earth written by Muriel Gargaud and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2007-07-05 with total page 371 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This review gathers astronomers, geologists, biologists, and chemists around a common question: how did life emerge on Earth? The ultimate goal is to probe an even more demanding question: is life universal? This not-so linear account highlights problems, gaps, and controversies. Discussion covers the formation of the solar system; the building of a habitable planet; prebiotic chemistry, biochemistry, and the emergence of life; the early Earth environment, and much more.
Download or read book Perspectives in Astrobiology written by R.B. Hoover and published by IOS Press. This book was released on 2005-06-27 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Astrobiology is the multi-disciplinary field devoted to the investigation of the origin; physical, chemical and environmental limitations; and the distribution in space and time of life on Earth and in the Cosmos. Astrobiology seeks an answer to one of the most fundamental of all questions: Is Life Restricted to Planet Earth or is Life a Cosmic Imperative? Understanding the characteristics, properties, habits and diversity of living organisms on Earth is crucial to determine where and how to search for evidence of life elsewhere. New techniques and methodologies must be developed in order to determine a suitable suite of valid biomarkers that is needed to facilitate the differentiation of abiotic processes from true signatures of life. This is crucial to establish the criteria needed to properly evaluate potential biosignatures in ancient Earth rocks and in a wide variety of Astromaterials. This volume includes papers treating many of these topics. They range from considerations of relict microbial communities of extreme environments to complex organic molecules. Other papers discuss the use of stable isotopes and their biological fractionation as a baseline for evaluating extraterrestrial evidence and the use of chirality and composition of indigenous amino acids for differentiating between terrestrial and extraterrestrial organic matter in Astromaterials. Also treated in this volume are geomorph parallels, sediment patterns, and cyclicities in permafrost sediments of Earth and Mars; the survival of bacteria in space, eclipsing binaries and advanced DNA and protein chip technology for future robotic missions to search for life in the Solar System.
