Life in the Universe: Expectations and Constraints, Second Edition (Advances in Astrobiology and Biogeophysics)

This is not a comprehensive astrobiology text. Instead, it pursues a few key topics to a depth rarely found in other works. These include the definition of life, lessons from the history of life on Earth, possible sources for life, the importance of carbon as opposed to silicon, alternatives to water as a solvent, and signatures of life. It's well worth reading for anyone who is interested in the topic. Energy, chemistry, solvents, and habitats - the basic elements of living systems - define the opportunities and limitations for life on other worlds. This class-tested text examines each of these parameters in crucial depth and makes the argument that life forms we would recognize may be more common in our solar system than many assume. It also considers, however, exotic forms of life that would not have to rely on carbon as basic chemical element, solar energy as a main energy source, or water as primary solvent. Finally the question of detecting bio- and geosignature of such life forms is discussed, ranging from Earth environments to deep space. While speculative considerations in this emerging field of science cannot be avoided, the authors have tried to present their study with the breadth and seriousness that a scientific approach to this issue requires. They seek an operational definition of life and investigate the realm of possibilities that nature offers to realize this very special state of matter and avoid scientific jargon wherever possible to make this intrinsically interdisciplinary subject understandable to a broad range of readers. The second edition thoroughly updates this text in view of the rapid progress in the field and a substantial amount of new material has been added, in particular sections and chapters on adaptation to extreme environments, the future and fate of living systems, life detection concepts based on the thorough analysis of the Viking missions and the issue around the meteorite ALH 84001, and - last but not least - recommendations for the optimization of future space exploration missions. From the reviews of the first edition:'[...] I know of no other book that reassesses the fundamentals of astrobiology in such way. This book is a tacit lesson in open-mindedness tempered with thorough scientific analysis. This is a very important book for all professional astrobiologists.'A Ellery, International Journal of Astrobiology, 6 (2007) 182-183 Energy, Chemistry, Solvents, And Habitats - The Basic Elements Of Living Systems - Define The Opportunities And Limitations For Life On Other Worlds. This Study Examines Each Of These Parameters In Crucial Depth And Makes The Argument That Life Forms We Would Recognize May Be More Common In Our Solar System Than Many Assume. They Seek An Operational Definition Of Life And Investigate The Realm Of Possibilities That Nature Offers To Realize This Very Special State Of Matter And Avoid Scientific Jargon Wherever Possible To Make This Intrinsically Interdisciplinary Subject Understandable To A Broad Range Of Readers.--b. Definition Of Life -- Origin Of 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 -- Ideas Of Exotic Forms Of Life -- The Future And Fate Of Living Systems -- Signatures Of Life -- Life Detection -- Past And Present -- Optimizing Space Exploration. Dirk Schulze-makuch, Louis N. Irwin. Previous Ed.: 2004. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 213-241) And Index. Springer 3540768165 1 Life in the Universe 4 Preface 7 Contents 10 Chapter 1 Introduction 15 Chapter 2 Definition of Life 20 Chapter 3 Origin of Life 38 Chapter 4 Lessons from the History of Life on Earth 55 Chapter 5 Energy Sources and Life 77 Chapter 6 Building Blocks of Life 101 Chapter 7 Life and the Need for a Solvent 121 Chapter 8 Habitats of Life 145 Chapter 9 Ideas of Exotic Forms of Life 160 Chapter 10 The Future and Fate of Living Systems 166 Chapter 11 Signatures of Life 175 Chapter 12 Life Detection – Past and Present 193 Chapter 13 Optimizing Space Exploration 213 References 223 ISBN-13:,9783540768166 This volumes examines the basic elements of living systems and makes the argument that forms of life may be more common in our solar system than many assume. It also considers exotic forms of life that would not have to rely on these basic elements.