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  • © 1997

Comets and the Origin and Evolution of Life

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Table of contents (13 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
  2. Introduction: Comets and the Origin of Life

    • P. J. Thomas, C. F. Chyba, C. P. McKay
    Pages 1-2
  3. Comets and the Origin and Evolution of Life

    • J. Oró, A. Lazcano
    Pages 3-27
  4. Organic Chemistry in Comets From Remote and In Situ Observations

    • J. Kissel, F. R. Krueger, K. Roessler
    Pages 69-109
  5. Polymers and Other Macromolecules in Comets

    • W. F. Huebner, D. C. Boice
    Pages 111-129
  6. Numerical Models of Comet and Asteroid Impacts

    • P. J. Thomas, L. Brookshaw
    Pages 131-145
  7. Impacts and the Early Evolution of Life

    • K. J. Zahnle, N. H. Sleep
    Pages 175-208
  8. Cometary Impacts on the Biosphere

    • D. Steel
    Pages 209-242
  9. 26Al and Liquid Water Environments in Comets

    • M. Podolak, D. Prialnik
    Pages 259-272
  10. Life in Comets

    • C. P. McKay
    Pages 273-282
  11. Comets and Space Missions

    • C. P. McKay
    Pages 283-287
  12. Back Matter

    Pages 289-296

About this book

This volume considers the role comets may have played in the origins and evolution of life, particularly in light of recent investigations of Halley's comet, of new insights into organic synthesis in meteorites and comets, and of new results of numerical simulations of cometary orbits and impacts on Earth. The book is intended as a comprehensive review of current research, accessible to graduate students and others new to the field. Each chapter was prepared by an expert to give an overview of an aspect of the field, and carefully revised by the editors for uniformity in style and presentation.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Eau Claire, USA

    Paul J. Thomas

  • Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, USA

    Christopher F. Chyba

  • Space Science Division, NASA/Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, USA

    Christopher P. McKay

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Comets and the Origin and Evolution of Life

  • Editors: Paul J. Thomas, Christopher F. Chyba, Christopher P. McKay

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2688-6

  • Publisher: Springer New York, NY

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

  • Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media New York 1997

  • eBook ISBN: 978-1-4757-2688-6Published: 09 March 2013

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XIII, 296

  • Number of Illustrations: 15 b/w illustrations

  • Topics: Astronomy, Observations and Techniques, Astrophysics and Astroparticles

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 74.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access