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.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
'Finally, an undergraduate level textbook on astrobiology that provides the perfect entry for students interested in this burgeoning field. The profuse and well-chosen illustrations, charts and tables, the clearly written text, and the comprehensive and balanced coverage make An Introduction to Astrobiology a standout. After twenty five years of teaching an undergraduate course in astrobiology, I finally will be able to use a single book that is authoritative and yet will captivate the student readers. Beautifully written and produced, An Introduction to Astrobiology is certain to become the gold standard for introductory astrobiology textbooks.' Professor John Scalo, University of Texas, Austin 'The diverse interdisciplinary threads that make up the fascinating science of astrobiology are brought together in this outstanding introduction to the science. The study of the planets in our Solar System, including the Earth, and the discovery of planets orbiting distant stars has forced us to try and understand life in its cosmic context. This book provides a beautifully illustrated and clearly described reference for existing and new scientists in the field of astrobiology.' Dr Charles Cockell, British Antarctic Survey (Chair, Astrobiology Society of Britain) 'The authors of this book are to be congratulated on bringing scientific rigour to the concept of 'astrobiology' ... The text is always clear, there are definitions in the margins; there are many questions and answers (indeed, some of the most interesting discussions are in the 'answers' at the back); and all mathematics is confined to separate boxes or exercises. There are plenty of clear and colourful diagrams, and excellent images with preference for the most illuminating rather than the most familiar ones.' Journal of the British Astronomical Association
Sprache
Verlagsort
Zielgruppe
Für höhere Schule und Studium
Für Beruf und Forschung
Illustrationen
Worked examples or Exercises; 46 Tables, unspecified; 173 Plates, color; 29 Halftones, unspecified
Maße
Höhe: 270 mm
Breite: 217 mm
Dicke: 25 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-0-521-83736-1 (9780521837361)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Herausgeber*in
The Open University, Milton Keynes
The Open University, Milton Keynes
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.
