Life in the Universe Expectations and Constraints /

• Main Authors: Schulze-Makuch, Dirk (Author, http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/aut), Irwin, Louis N. (http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/aut)
• Corporate Author: SpringerLink (Online service)
• Format: Electronic eBook
• Language: English
• Published: Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer, 2018.
• Edition: 3rd ed. 2018.
• Series: Astronomy and Planetary Sciences,
• Subjects: Astrobiology.; Microbiology.; Planetology.; Biochemistry.; Geobiology.; Biochemistry, general.; Biogeosciences.

This class-tested textbook examines the basic elements of living systems: energy, chemistry, solvents, and habitats in crucial depth. These elements define the opportunities and limitations for life on other worlds. The book argues that life forms we would recognize may be more common in our solar s...

Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• Definition of Life
• Origin of Life
• Synthetic Life
• Lessons from the History of Life on Earth
• Energy Sources and Life
• Building Blocks of Life
• Life and the Need for a Solvent
• Habitats of Life
• Signatures of Life
• Life Detection-Past and Present
• Astrobiological Potential within the Solar System
• Exoplanets and Exomoons
• Ideas of Exotic Forms of Life
• The Future and Fate of Living Systems
• SETI - The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligent Life
• Optimizing Space Exploration
• References
• Index.