Astrobiology: Future Perspectives

✍ Scribed by Marco Spaans (auth.), Pascale Ehrenfreund, William Irvine, Toby Owen, Luann Becker, Jen Blank, John Brucato, Luigi Colangeli, Sylvie Derenne, Anne Dutrey, Didier Despois, Antonio Lazcano, Francois Robert (eds.)

• Publisher: Springer Netherlands
• Year: 2005
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 521
• Series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library 305
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Astrobiology, a new exciting interdisciplinary research field, seeks to unravel the origin and evolution of life wherever it might exist in the Universe. The current view of the origin of life on Earth is that it is strongly connected to the origin and evolution of our planet and, indeed, of the Universe as a whole.

We are fortunate to be living in an era where centuries of speculation about the two ancient and fundamental problems: the origin of life and its prevalence in the Universe are being replaced by experimental science. The subject of Astrobiology can be approached from many different perspectives. This book is focused on abiogenic organic matter from the viewpoint of astronomy and planetary science and considers its potential relevance to the origins of life on Earth and elsewhere.

Guided by the review papers in this book, the concluding chapter aims to identify key questions to motivate future research and stimulate astrobiological applications of current and future research facilities and space missions. Today’s rich array of new spacecraft, telescopes and dedicated scientists promises a steady flow of discoveries and insights that will ultimately lead us to the answers we seek.

✦ Table of Contents

The Synthesis of the Elements and the Formation of Stars....Pages 1-16
Organic Molecules in the Interstellar Medium....Pages 17-31
Chemistry of Protoplanetary Disks....Pages 33-66
Planet Formation....Pages 67-96
From Elemental Carbon to Complex Macromolecular Networks in Space....Pages 97-126
Organic Molecules in Planetary Atmospheres....Pages 127-147
Observations and Laboratory Data of Planetary Organics....Pages 149-177
The Molecular Complexity of Comets....Pages 179-203
Kuiper Belt: Water and Organics....Pages 205-243
Interplanetary Dust Particles and Astrobiology....Pages 245-265
The Prebiotic Atmosphere of the Earth....Pages 267-286
Early Life on Earth: The Ancient Fossil Record....Pages 287-316
Highly Altered Organic Matter on Earth: Biosignature Relevance....Pages 317-331
Insoluble Organic Matter in Carbonaceous Chondrites and Archean Cherts....Pages 333-357
The Chemistry of the Origin of Life....Pages 359-391
A Novel Synthesis of Biomolecular Precursors....Pages 393-413
Mars, Europa, and Beyond....Pages 415-443
Astrobiology in the United States....Pages 445-465
Astrobiology in Europe....Pages 467-475
Future Perspectives and Strategies in Astrobiology....Pages 477-512

✦ Subjects

Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology; Astrobiology