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Astrobiology: Future Perspectives

  • Book
  • © 2005

Overview

Editors:
  1. Pascale Ehrenfreund

    1. Leiden Observatory, The Netherlands

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  2. William Irvine

    1. University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA

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  3. Toby Owen

    1. University of Hawaii, Honolulu, USA

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  4. Luann Becker

    1. University of California, Santa Barbara, USA

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  5. Jen Blank

    1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, USA

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  6. John Brucato

    1. Naples Observatory, Naples, Italy

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  7. Luigi Colangeli

    1. Naples Observatory, Naples, Italy

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  8. Sylvie Derenne

    1. ENS de Chimie de Paris, Paris, France

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  9. Anne Dutrey

    1. Bordeaux Observatory, Floirac, France

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  10. Didier Despois

    1. Bordeaux Observatory, Floirac, France

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  11. Antonio Lazcano

    1. UNAM, México D.F., México

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  12. Francois Robert

    1. LEME, Paris, France

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  • A new and exciting interdisciplinary research field. The current ideas are that the origin and evolution of life is strongly connected to Earth and to the Universe as a whole
  • 30 top experts in the fields that comprise Astrobiology contributed to this book
  • Reflects the state-of-the-art concerning the selected topics and gives a glimpse at the future of exciting research in Astrobiology

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library (ASSL, volume 305)

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Table of contents (20 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvi
    Download chapter PDF

  2. The Synthesis of the Elements and the Formation of Stars

    • Marco Spaans
    Pages 1-16

  3. Organic Molecules in the Interstellar Medium

    • T J Millar
    Pages 17-31

  4. Chemistry of Protoplanetary Disks

    • A.J. Markwickan, S.B. Charnley
    Pages 33-66

  5. Planet Formation

    • G. Wuchterl
    Pages 67-96

  6. From Elemental Carbon to Complex Macromolecular Networks in Space

    • Franco Cataldo
    Pages 97-126

  7. Organic Molecules in Planetary Atmospheres

    • Maarten Roos-Serote
    Pages 127-147

  8. Observations and Laboratory Data of Planetary Organics

    • Ted L. Roush, Dale P. Cruikshank
    Pages 149-177

  9. The Molecular Complexity of Comets

    • Jacques Crovisier
    Pages 179-203

  10. Kuiper Belt: Water and Organics

    • Catherine de Bergh
    Pages 205-243

  11. Interplanetary Dust Particles and Astrobiology

    • F.J. Molster
    Pages 245-265

  12. The Prebiotic Atmosphere of the Earth

    • Franck Selsis
    Pages 267-286

  13. Early Life on Earth: The Ancient Fossil Record

    • Frances Westall
    Pages 287-316

  14. Highly Altered Organic Matter on Earth: Biosignature Relevance

    • Beda A. Hofmann
    Pages 317-331

  15. Insoluble Organic Matter in Carbonaceous Chondrites and Archean Cherts

    • Laurent Binet, Didier Gourier, Audrey Skrzypczak, Sylvie Derenne, François Robert
    Pages 333-357

  16. The Chemistry of the Origin of Life

    • Oliver Botta
    Pages 359-391

  17. A Novel Synthesis of Biomolecular Precursors

    • Raffaele Saladino, Claudia Crestini, Fabiana Ciciriello, Giovanna Costanzo, Rodolfo Negri, Ernesto Di Mauro
    Pages 393-413

  18. Mars, Europa, and Beyond

    • John D. Rummel
    Pages 415-443

  19. Astrobiology in the United States

    • David H. Smith
    Pages 445-465

  20. Astrobiology in Europe

    • A. Brack, G. Horneck, D. Wynn-Williams
    Pages 467-475
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Keywords

About this book

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 abiogenic 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.

Reviews

From the reviews:

"Of the book’s chapters, sixteen are review papers of topics relevant to life’s place on our planet and beyond. … The remaining chapters, mostly about research efforts, refer to the potential for life on Mars and Europa … . Together, the chapters aim to motivate collaborative multidisciplinary research for the framing of questions as to the character and forms of life in the Universe. … the book as a whole is excellent! Recommended." (P.A.L. Chapman-Rietschi, The Observatory, Vol. 125 (1187), 2005)

Editors and Affiliations

  • Leiden Observatory, The Netherlands

    Pascale Ehrenfreund

  • University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA

    William Irvine

  • University of Hawaii, Honolulu, USA

    Toby Owen

  • University of California, Santa Barbara, USA

    Luann Becker

  • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, USA

    Jen Blank

  • Naples Observatory, Naples, Italy

    John Brucato, Luigi Colangeli

  • ENS de Chimie de Paris, Paris, France

    Sylvie Derenne

  • Bordeaux Observatory, Floirac, France

    Anne Dutrey, Didier Despois

  • UNAM, México D.F., México

    Antonio Lazcano

  • LEME, Paris, France

    Francois Robert

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Astrobiology: Future Perspectives

  • Editors: Pascale Ehrenfreund, William Irvine, Toby Owen, Luann Becker, Jen Blank, John Brucato, Luigi Colangeli, Sylvie Derenne, Anne Dutrey, Didier Despois, Antonio Lazcano, … Francois Robert

  • Series Title: Astrophysics and Space Science Library

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-2305-7

  • Publisher: Springer Dordrecht

  • eBook Packages: Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2005

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4020-2304-0Published: 14 July 2004

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-1-4020-2587-7Published: 14 July 2004

  • eBook ISBN: 978-1-4020-2305-7Published: 05 March 2006

  • Series ISSN: 0067-0057

  • Series E-ISSN: 2214-7985

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XVI, 518

  • Topics: Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology, Astrobiology

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