Astrobiology : A Brief Introduction
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
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.
About the Author
Kevin W. Plaxco is an associate professor of chemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Michael Gross is a science writer based at Oxford.
Astrobiology: A Brief Introduction,Kevin W. Plaxco,Michael Gross,The Johns Hopkins University Press,0801883679,Astronomy - General,Exobiology,Life,Life Sciences - Biology - General,Origin,Physics,Science,Science/Mathematics,Astrophysics,Cosmology & the universe
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