Habitability and Cosmic Catastrophes / Edition 1

by Arnold Hanslmeier

Overview

The search for life in the universe is one of the most challenging topics of science. It is not a modern topic at all, since more than 100 years ago, it was speculated that on the Moon, there are oceans and seas; on Venus, there are swamps and also Mars is inhabitated. However, now we have the scientific background and the scientific tools to answer this question and it is also certain that the answer would have deep imp- cations for our culture, philosophy, and religions. If we find that life has developed on other planets or satellites of giant planets, then this would be the final breakdown of our central position in the universe. But is life a widespread phenomenon? How vulnerable is it to changing conditions and even catastrophic events? These topics will be discussed in this book. If life is in the extreme case a unique phenomenon found only on planet Earth, which seems to be highly unrealistic, then also it is important to discuss how it is adaptable to changing external conditions. Can we survive a cosmic catastrophe? How do these catastrophes change habitability? Which forms of life are more v- nerable? It was mentioned that now science has made great progress to answer such qu- tions. Let us give some examples. In modern biology, in connection with organic chemistry, the origin of life is studied.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783540769446
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	11/26/2008
Series:	Advances in Astrobiology and Biogeophysics
Edition description:	2009
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

Table of Contents

Habitable zones.- Properties and Environments of Life.- Stars and Galaxies.- Planetary Systems.- Catastrophes in Our Solar System?.- Catastrophes in Extrasolar Planetary Systems?.- The Solar Neighborhood.- The Search for Extraterrestrial Life.

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews:

"Habitability and Cosmic Catastrophes, part of the ‘Advances in Astrobiology and Biogeophysics’ series, is an interesting read. Hanslmeier … provides information that spans numerous disciplines, from solar and galactic astrophysics and geology to biology. The book’s reach is tremendous: attempting to assess the risk to life from various cosmic catastrophes that range from supernovae to asteroid collisions and almost everything in between. … Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners." (E. S. Perlman, Choice, Vol. 46 (11), 2009)

From the Publisher