Life in the Universe: Expectations and ConstraintsSpringer Science & Business Media, 2008 M09 11 - 251 páginas Energy, chemistry, solvents, and habitats - the basic elements of living systems - define the opportunities and limitations for life on other worlds. This class-tested text examines each of these parameters in crucial depth and makes the argument that life forms we would recognize may be more common in our solar system than many assume. It also considers, however, exotic forms of life that would not have to rely on carbon as basic chemical element, solar energy as a main energy source, or water as primary solvent. Finally the question of detecting bio- and geosignature of such life forms is discussed, ranging from Earth environments to deep space. While speculative considerations in this emerging field of science cannot be avoided, the authors have tried to present their study with the breadth and seriousness that a scientific approach to this issue requires. They seek an operational definition of life and investigate the realm of possibilities that nature offers to realize this very special state of matter and avoid scientific jargon wherever possible to make this intrinsically interdisciplinary subject understandable to a broad range of readers. The second edition thoroughly updates this text in view of the rapid progress in the field and a substantial amount of new material has been added, in particular sections and chapters on adaptation to extreme environments, the future and fate of living systems, life detection concepts based on the thorough analysis of the Viking missions and the issue around the meteorite ALH 84001, and - last but not least - recommendations for the optimization of future space exploration missions. From the reviews of the first edition: "[...] I know of no other book that reassesses the fundamentals of astrobiology in such way. This book is a tacit lesson in open-mindedness tempered with thorough scientific analysis. This is a very important book for all professional astrobiologists." A Ellery, International Journal of Astrobiology, 6 (2007) 182-183 |
Dentro del libro
Resultados 1-5 de 38
... source of speculation since ancient times. Exobiology and its derivative form, Astrobiology, now form a significant ... energy for the sustenance of life. Since the first edition of this book was published, rovers have combed the surface ...
... Energy Sources and Life ........................................ 65 5.1 Life As We Know It ... Source for Life 66 5.1.2 Light as an Energy Source for Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 5.2 Life As We Don't Know It ...
... Energy Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 11.2.5 Liquid Medium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 11.3 Geoindicators for Life in our ...
... origin, evolution, distribution, and fate of life throughout the universe, with no direct evidence that life exists ... source of free energy are found, the capability for life exists. D. Schulze-Makuch, L.N. Irwin, Life in the Universe ...
... energy and complex chemistry from its earliest age, gave rise to life (or was able to sustain life introduced from ... source of energy well matched to the needs of living systems. However, both inorganic and organic chemical bonds ...
Contenido
1 | |
Origin of Life | 25 |
Inferences for the First Cellular Membranes | 32 |
Building Blocks of Life | 89 |
Life and the Need for a Solvent | 109 |
Habitats of Life | 133 |
Ideas of Exotic Forms of Life 149 | 148 |
The Future and Fate of Living Systems | 155 |
Signatures of Life | 165 |
Life Detection Past and Present | 183 |
Optimizing Space Exploration | 203 |
References | 213 |
Index | 243 |
Otras ediciones - Ver todas
Life in the Universe: Expectations and Constraints Dirk Schulze-Makuch,Louis N. Irwin Vista previa limitada - 2018 |
Life in the Universe: Expectations And Constraints Dirk Schulze-Makuch,Louis Neal Irwin Vista previa limitada - 2006 |
Life in the Universe: Expectations and Constraints Dirk Schulze-Makuch,Louis Neal Irwin Vista previa limitada - 2008 |