An Introduction to Astrobiology

by Edited by Iain Gilmour , Mark A. Sephton

• ISBN13: 9780521546218
• ISBN10: 0521546214
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-05-24
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Compiled by a team of experts, this textbook has been designed for introductory university courses in astrobiology. It starts with a detailed examination of how life may have arisen on Earth and looks at fossil evidence of early life. The evidence for possible life on Mars is reviewed in detail and the potential for life on Europa and Titan is also examined. The possibility of life in exoplanetary systems is considered and the book concludes with a discussion of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Written in an accessible style that avoids complex mathematics, and illustrated in colour throughout, this book is suitable for self-study and will appeal to amateur enthusiasts as well as undergraduate students. It contains numerous helpful learning features such as boxed summaries, student exercises with full solutions, and a glossary of terms. The book is also supported by a website hosting further teaching materials.

Table of Contents

1. Origin of life

2. A habitable world

3. Mars

4. Icy bodies: Europa and elsewhere

5. Titan

6. The detection of exoplanets

7. The nature of exoplanetary systems

8. How to find life on exoplanets

9. Extraterrestrial intelligence

Answers and comments

Appendix A. Useful planetary data

Appendix B. Selected physical constants and unit conversions

Glossary

Acknowledgements

Index.