Astrobiology

A Brief Introduction

Kevin W. Plaxco, Michael Gross

288 pages, parution le 27/07/2006

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Résumé

Astrobiology-the study of the intimate relationship between life and the cosmos-is a fast-growing field that touches on aspects of cosmology, astrophysics, and chemistry. In the first scholarly overview of this dynamic field, biochemists Kevin W. Plaxco and Michael Gross tell the story of life from the Big Bang to the present.

Emphasizing the biochemical nature of astrobiology, Plaxco and Gross examine the origin of the chemical elements, the events behind the developments that made the Universe habitable, and the ongoing sustenance of life. They discuss the formation of the first galaxies and stars, the diverse chemistry of the primordial planet, the origins of metabolism, the evolution of complex organisms, and the feedback regulation of Earth's climate. They also explore life in extreme habitats, potential extraterrestrial habitats, and the search for extraterrestrial life.

This broadly accessible introduction captures the excitement, controversy, and evolution of the dynamic young field of astrobiology. It shows clearly how scientists from different disciplines can combine their special knowledge to enhance our understanding of the Universe.

L'auteur - Kevin W. Plaxco

Kevin W. Plaxco is an associate professor of chemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

L'auteur - Michael Gross

Ancien chercheur en chimie biophysique, Michael Gross est actuellement écrivain scientifique, associé au département de cristallographie du Birkbeck College, à Londres.

Sommaire

What is life?
Origins of a habitable universe
Origins of a habitable planet
Primordial soup
The spark of life
From molecules to cells
A concise history of life on Earth
Life on the edge
Habitable worlds in the solar system and beyond
The search for extraterrestrial life

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Caractéristiques techniques

	PAPIER
Éditeur(s)	Johns Hopkins
Auteur(s)	Kevin W. Plaxco, Michael Gross
Parution	27/07/2006
Nb. de pages	288
Format	15,5 x 22,5
Couverture	Broché
Poids	380g
Intérieur	Noir et Blanc
EAN13	9780801883675
ISBN13	978-0-8018-8367-5