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An Introduction to Astrobiology
364 pages - paperback
Cambridge University Press - (isbn 0-521-54621-4)
May. 2004


 
  Price:     52,20 EUR
   
  Editor:     Gilmour, Iain / Sephton, Mark A.
   
  Description:     Compiled by a team of experts, this textbook has been designed for introductory university courses in astrobiology. It starts with a detailed examination of how life may have arisen on Earth and looks at fossil evidence of early life. The evidence for possible life on Mars is reviewed in detail and the potential for life on Europa and Titan is also examined. The possibility of life in exoplanetary systems is considered and the book concludes with a discussion of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Written in an accessible style that avoids complex mathematics, and illustrated in colour throughout, this book is suitable for self-study and will appeal to amateur enthusiasts as well as undergraduate students. It contains numerous helpful learning features such as boxed summaries, student exercises with full solutions, and a glossary of terms. The book is also supported by a website hosting further teaching materials.
   
  Contents List:     1. Origin of life; 2. A habitable world; 3. Mars; 4. Icy bodies: Europa and elsewhere; 5. Titan; 6. The detection of exoplanets; 7. The nature of exoplanetary systems; 8. How to find life on exoplanets; 9. Extraterrestrial intelligence; Answers and comments; Appendix A. Useful planetary data; Appendix B. Selected physical constants and unit conversions; Glossary; Acknowledgements; Index.
   
  Illustrations etc.:     173 colour pl 46 tables, 29halftones, 68exercises

   
  Weight:     1190 g    
  Dimensions:     264 x 212    
  Publisher:     Cambridge University Press (Virtual Publishing)    
        Cambridge University Press (Virtual Publishing)