An Introduction to AstrobiologyIain Gilmour, Mark A. Sephton Compiled by a team of experts, this textbook has been designed for elementary university courses in astrobiology. It begins with an examination of how life may have arisen on Earth and then reviews the evidence for possible life on Mars, Europa and Titan. The potential for life in exoplanetary systems and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence are also discussed. The text contains numerous useful learning features such as boxed summaries, student exercises with full solutions, and a glossary of terms. It is also supported by a website hosting further teaching materials. Written in an accessible style that avoids complex mathematics, 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 webstite hosting further teaching materials. |
Contents
CONTENTS | 1 |
A HABITABLE WORLD | 43 |
MARS | 85 |
EUROPA AND ELSEWHERE | 127 |
TITAN | 171 |
THE DETECTION OF EXOPLANETS | 199 |
THE NATURE OF EXOPLANETARY SYSTEMS | 233 |
HOW TO FIND LIFE ON EXOPLANETS | 261 |
EXTRATERRESTRIAL INTELLIGENCE | 281 |
ANSWERS AND COMMENTS | 303 |
APPENDICES | 330 |
FURTHER READING | 347 |
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Common terms and phrases
51 Pegasi abundance amino acids asteroid astrometry astronomers atoms bacteria biological biosphere body brightness carbon centre chemical circumstellar comets composition compounds craters density detected disc distance Doppler spectroscopy early Earth Earth-mass planets Einstein ring elements emitted energy environments Equation Europa evidence example exoplanets extraterrestrial extremophiles fly-by formation Galileo gases giant planets gravitational habitable zone hydrogen hydrothermal vents infrared isotope Jupiter layer light-years liquid water luminosity main sequence Mars Martian mass meteorites methane micro-lensing mission Moon NASA nitrogen observed ocean orbital period organic matter organic molecules oxidation oxygen photosynthesis planetary pressure processes produced proteins Pwyll QUESTION radial velocity radiation radio radius raft ratio reactions region relative result rocks satellites Saturn Section SETI signal Solar System space spacecraft spectral spectrum speed star star's stellar structure surface temperature Table telescopes terrestrial tidal heating Titan Titan's atmosphere Venus Voyager wavelengths