Extrasolar Planets and Astrobiology

Front Cover
University Science Books, 2009 - Science - 470 pages
2 Reviews
This book offers an advanced introduction to the increasingly robust fields of extrasolar planets and astrobiology. No other text currently available applies this level of mathematics and physics, while also providing an extensive grounding in key issues of chemistry, biology, and geophysics.
 

What people are saying - Write a review

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - AlanWPowers - LibraryThing

Scharf provides a clear and stunning immersion into the world of--well, really, literally, the WORLDS of--exoplanets and exosuns. (I haven't seen this one used, but why not--we have "exomoons.") So ... Read full review

Selected pages

Contents

Introduction Background
1
Introduction Background and Preview 1
20
Problems
28
References and Suggested Reading
73
Planet Formation
77
Extrasolar Planets
129
References
190
a Brief History and its Boundaries
196
Planetary Radiation Comparative Planetology
243
References
296
Cosmochemistry Dust and Prebiotic Molecules
299
Comets Meteorites and Protoplanetary Disk
333
Habitable Zones
365
References
419
Alternate Habitable Zones and Beyond
424
ReferencesSuggested Reading
453

Habitability
223
References
239
Copyright

Common terms and phrases

actually albedo appears approximately assume atmosphere atoms bodies carbon cell Chapter characteristics chemical chemistry chondrites cloud collapse comets complex composition consider core cosmic rays curve daisies density described detailed detected discuss disk distance dust Earth effect elements embryo energy environment Equation estimate example exist fact Figure formation function further giant planets given grain gravitational growth habitable heating illustration impact increase indicate initial interstellar Jupiter known larger less light lower major mass material mean measurements mechanisms million molecular molecules momentum Moon nature objects observed occur oceans orbital organisms origin particles period phase photons physical planet planetary planetesimals population possible potential present pressure processes produce proto-planetary radiation radius range reflected region relative result seen shown simple solar system solid species star stellar structure surface temperature terrestrial transit typical University worlds zone

About the author (2009)

CALEB A. SCHARF was born and educated in England. He received his B.Sc. in Physics from Durham University, UK, and his PhD in Astronomy from the University of Cambridge, UK. Following postdoctoral work in X-ray astronomy and observational cosmology at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the Space Telescope Science Institute in Maryland, USA, he has been a research scientist at Columbia University, New York, USA. He is currently Director of the multidisciplinary Columbia Astrobiology Center, USA. His research interests include the study of exoplanets, exomoons, and the nature of environments suitable for life.

Bibliographic information

QR code for Extrasolar Planets and Astrobiology
TitleExtrasolar Planets and Astrobiology
AuthorCaleb A. Scharf
Editionillustrated
PublisherUniversity Science Books, 2009
ISBN1891389556, 9781891389559
Length470 pages
Subjects ›  › 

Science / Astronomy
Science / Physics / Astrophysics
  
Export CitationBiBTeX EndNote RefMan