From Dying Stars to the Birth of Life
The New Science of Astrobiology and the Search for Life in the Universe
By Jerry L. Cranford
Nottingham University Press | March 2011 | PDF | ISBN10: 1907284796 | 248 pages | 19.3 mb
Amazon Link : http://www.amazon.com/Dying-Stars-Birth-Life-Astrobiology/dp/1907284796/
Written in an informal manner, this account tells the incredible story of the creation of an entirely new field of science called astrobiology—a field that is now investigating whether life might exist on other planets. From the discovery that other stars in our galaxy are also circled by planets to the detection of single-cell organisms found living on Earth in extremely hostile environments, this book details the recent breakthroughs made by astronomers and earth scientists over the last few decades. Based on these findings, it argues that scientists now have the technology they need to progress from speculating or fantasizing about extraterrestrials to possibly providing mankind with the first definitive proof that we are not alone.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE vii
I COMPUTERS, ROCKET SCIENCE, AND THE BIRTH OF ASTROBIOLOGY 1
II OUR VAST AND HOSTILE LIFE-FRIENDLY UNIVERSE 11
III HOW LIFE WORKS ON PLANET EARTH 57
IV HOW LIFE AND EARTH CO-EVOLVED TO PRODUCE A LIFE-FRIENDLY BIOSPHERE 87
V THE SEARCH FOR OTHER WORLDS AND OTHER LIFE-FORMS 149
VI THE POSSIBILITY OF VISITING OR COMMUNICATING WITH EXTRATERRESTRIAL CIVILIZATIONS 193
VII SOME FINAL THOUGHTS FROM THE AUTHOR 213
FURTHER SUGGESTED READINGS 225
INDEX
