The Science of Astrobiology
A Personal View on Learning to Read the Book of Life
Authors: Chela-Flores, Julian
Free Preview- The book includes subjects missing in other discussions of astrobiology that help the reader to appreciate the limitations of our current understanding of astrobiology (philosophy and the current bases of cosmology)
- References in each chapter to the rich enclosed illustrated glossary help the reader to find his or her way through the vast array of disciplines that make up astrobiology
- Includes over 100 illustrations mostly in colour that lead specialists in diverse scientific areas, as well as in the humanities, gently and pleasantly into the most relevant arguments
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- About this book
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Since the publication of The New Science of Astrobiology in the year 2001—the first edition of the present book—two significant events have taken place raising the subject from the beginning of the century to its present maturity. Firstly, in 2001 the Galileo Mission still had two years to complete its task, which turned out to be an outstanding survey of the Jovian system, especially of its intriguing satellite Europa. Secondly, the Cassini Huygens Mission was on its way to Saturn. Its present success has surpassed all the expectations of ESA and NASA. Cassini had been launched four years earlier and Huygens was to land on Titan three years after the publication of the first edition. Besides, astrobiologists had no idea that another satellite of Saturn, Enceladus, was going to force a tantalizing lure on the scientific community with its startling jets of water exuding an air of mystery, hinting at a submerged inhabitable ocean of salty water. Before the date of publication of The New Science of Astrobiology there was not an awareness of the Earth-like features of Titan. Besides, we still had to learn that Titan was the fifth body of the Solar System that possibly contained a water ocean, thus joining our planet and the three Galilean satellites other than Io.
As a multidisciplinary subject, astrobiology sometimes regretfully neglects to some extent the life sciences. There are many other aspects of our culture to keep in mind: chemical evolution, the earth sciences, the physical sciences, cutting-edge technology and the humanities that lie at its frontiers. The emphasis on our previous book made a modest attempt to set the scientific subject squarely amongst other sectors of culture. These boundaries are philosophy and theology, branches of the humanities asking similar questions to the basic issues that are astrobiology's main domain (the origin, evolution, distribution and destiny of life in the universe). The present volume brings these issues up to date.
- Reviews
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From the reviews:
“Chela-Flores (Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Italy) supplies up-to-date reviews of the astronomy (so viewers will know where to aim telescopes), a survey of early life on Earth … and a survey of solar system candidates. … Overall, a good volume to have on one’s library shelf and to function as a required reference in astrobiology courses. Summing Up: Recommended. All academic, general, and professional audiences.” (K. L. Schick, Choice, Vol. 49 (6), February, 2012)
“I strongly recommend this book, written by a real humanist, to any open-minded reader eager to consider “classical” astrobiology in its philosophical context. The book offers a very rare occasion to access the full dimension of astrobiology: origin, evolution, distribution and destiny of life in the Universe.” (André Brack, Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres, March, 2012)
“While reading this book, the origin-of-life professional will recognize its useful organization and summary of various components of astrobiology. … I found this book instructive and mind-opening. … The author is very successful in conveying that much can be gained in astrobiology by merging science with philosophy.” (Radu Popa, Astrobiology, Vol. 12 (10), 2012)
- Table of contents (16 chapters)
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From cosmic to chemical evolution
Pages 31-46
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From chemical to prebiotic evolution
Pages 47-56
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Sources of life’s origin: A search for biomarkers
Pages 57-78
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From prebiotic evolution to the emergence of single cells
Pages 79-100
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From the age of prokaryotes to the emergence of eukaryotes
Pages 103-118
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Table of contents (16 chapters)
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Bibliographic Information
- Bibliographic Information
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- Book Title
- The Science of Astrobiology
- Book Subtitle
- A Personal View on Learning to Read the Book of Life
- Authors
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- Julian Chela-Flores
- Series Title
- Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology
- Series Volume
- 20
- Copyright
- 2011
- Publisher
- Springer Netherlands
- Copyright Holder
- Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
- eBook ISBN
- 978-94-007-1627-8
- DOI
- 10.1007/978-94-007-1627-8
- Hardcover ISBN
- 978-94-007-1626-1
- Softcover ISBN
- 978-94-007-3708-2
- Series ISSN
- 1566-0400
- Edition Number
- 1
- Number of Pages
- XXIV, 340
- Additional Information
- 2nd Edition.
- Topics
