Astrobiology

by Ehrenfreund, Pascale; Irvine, William; Owen, Toby; Becker, Luann; Blank, Jen; Brucato, John

• ISBN13: 9781402023040
• ISBN10: 1402023049
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-09-01
• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Pub

Summary

Astrobiology, a new exciting interdisciplinary research field, seeks to unravel the origin and evolution of life wherever it might exist in the Universe. The current view of the origin of life on Earth is that it is strongly connected to the origin and evolution of our planet and, indeed, of the Universe as a whole.We are fortunate to be living in an era where centuries of speculation about the two ancient and fundamental problems: the origin of life and its prevalence in the Universe are being replaced by experimental science. The subject of Astrobiology can be approached from many different perspectives. This book is focused on a biogenic organic matter from the viewpoint of astronomy and planetary science and considers its potential relevance to the origins of life on Earth and elsewhere.Guided by the review papers in this book, the concluding chapter aims to identify key questions to motivate future research and stimulate astrobiological applications of current and future research facilities and space missions. Today's rich array of new spacecraft, telescopes and dedicated scientists promises a steady flow of discoveries and insights that will ultimately lead us to the answers we seek.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Chapter 1 The Synthesis of the Elements and the Formation of Stars	1	(16)
M. Spaans
Chapter 2 Organic Molecules in the Interstellar Medium	17	(16)
T.J. Millar
Chapter 3 Chemistry of Protoplanetary Disks	33	(34)
Relation to Primitive Solar System Material
A.J. Markwick and S.B. Charnley
Chapter 4 Planet Formation: Problems and Prospects	67	(30)
G. Wuchterl
Chapter 5 From Elemental Carbon to Complex Macromolecular Networks in Space	97	(30)
F. Cataldo
Chapter 6 Organic Molecules in Planetary Atmospheres	127	(22)
M. Roos-Serote
Chapter 7 Observations and Laboratory Data of Planetary Organics	149	(30)
T.L. Roush and D.P. Cruikshank
Chapter 8 The Molecular Complexity of Comets	179	(26)
J. Crovisier
Chapter 9 Kuiper belt: Water and Organics	205	(40)
C. de Bergh
Chapter 10 Interplanetary Dust Particles and Astrobiology	245	(22)
F.J. Molster
Chapter 11 The Prebiotic Atmosphere of the Earth	267	(20)
F. Selsis
Chapter 12 Early Life on Earth: The Ancient Fossil Record	287	(30)
F. Westall
Chapter 13 Highly Altered Organic Matter on Earth: Biosignature Relevance	317	(16)
B.A. Hofmann
Chapter 14 Insoluble Organic Matter in Carbonaceous Chondrites and Archean Cherts	333	(26)
An Insight into their Structure by Electron Pamagnetic Resonance
L. Binet, D. Courier, A. Skrzypczak, S. Derenne, and F. Robert
Chapter 15 The Chemistry of the Origin of Life	359	(34)
O. Botta
Chapter 16 A Novel Synthesis of Biomolecular Precursors	393	(22)
R. Saladino, C. Crestini, F. Ciciriello, G. Costanzo, R. Negri, and E. Di Mauro
Chapter 17 Mars, Europa, and Beyond	415	(30)
J.D. Rummel
Chapter 18 Astrobiology in the United States	445	(22)
A Policy Perspective	445	(22)
D.H. Smith
Chapter 19 Astrobiology in Europe	467	(10)
A. Brack, G. Horneck, and D. Wynn-Williams
Chapter 20 Future Perspectives and Strategies in Astrobiology	477
The ISSI Team