Description
(Text)
This up-to-date resource is based on lectures developed by experts in the relevant fields and carefully edited by the leading astrobiologists within the European community. Aimed at graduate students in physics, astronomy and biology and their lecturers, the text begins with a general introduction to astrobiology, followed by sections on basic prebiotic chemistry, extremophiles, and habitability in our solar system and beyond. A discussion of astrodynamics leads to a look at experimental facilities and instrumentation for space experiments and, ultimately, astrobiology missions, backed in each case by the latest research results from this fascinating field. Includes a CD-ROM with additional material.
(Table of content)
Chapter 1. General introduction into astrobiology: Astrobiology, from life on Earth to life in the UniverseChapter 2. From Big Bang to the molecules of lifeChapter 3. Basic prebiotic chemistryChapter 4. From molecular evolution to cellular lifeChapter 5. Extremophiles, the physico-chemical limits of life (growth and survival)Chapter 6. Habitability in our solar system and beyondChapter 7. Astrodynamicsand technology aspects of astrobiology missions in our solar systemChapter 8. Astrobiology of terrestrial planets with emphasis on MarsChapter 9. Astrobiology of the moons of the giant planets with emphasis on Titan and EuropaChapter 10. Experiment facilities and instrumentation for space experiments in astrobiologyChapter 11. Astrobiology missionsChapter 12. Astrobiology exploratory missions and planetary protection requirements
