Frontiers of Astrobiology

by Impey, Chris; Lunine, Jonathan; Funes, Jose

• ISBN13: 9781107006416
• ISBN10: 1107006414
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-12-28
• Publisher: Cambridge Univ Pr

Summary

Astrobiology is an exciting interdisciplinary field that seeks to answer one of the most important and profound questions: are we alone? In this volume, leading international experts explore the frontiers of astrobiology, investigating the latest research questions that will fascinate a wide interdisciplinary audience at all levels. What is the earliest evidence for life on Earth? Where are the most likely sites for life in the Solar System? Could life have evolved elsewhere in the Galaxy? What are the best strategies for detecting intelligent extraterrestrial life? How many habitable or Earth-like exoplanets are there? Progress in astrobiology over the past decade has been rapid and, with evidence accumulating that Mars once hosted standing bodies of liquid water, the discovery of over 500 exoplanets and new insights into how life began on Earth, the scientific search for our origins and place in the cosmos continues.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Introduction and welcome

Astrobiology - a new synthesis

Origins of Planets and Life

Towards a theory of life

Terran metabolism: the first billion years

Planet formation

History of Life on Earth

The early Earth

Evolution of a habitable planet

Our evolving planet: from dark ages to evolutionary renaissance

Habitability of the Solar System

Early Mars - cradle or cauldron?

Large habitable moons: Titan and Europa

Small habitable worlds

Exoplanets and Life in the Galaxy

Searches for habitable exoplanets

Review of known exoplanets

Characterizing exoplanet atmospheres

If you want to talk to ET, you must first find ET

Index

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