Water on Mars and Life (Advances in Astrobiology and Biogeophysics)

Growing evidence, based on observations from orbiters, landers and telescopes, indicates that Mars may still have numerous hidden water reservoirs. Moreover, from the point of view of habitability, Mars is a prime target for astrobiologists in search of extant or extinct microbial life because we know that life exists in earth’s permafrost regions, such as parts of Siberia and the Antarctic, which are the closest terrestrial analogues to Mars. "Water on Mars and Life" surveys recent advances made in research into water on Mars together with its astrobiological implications. This volume addresses not only scientists working in the field but also nonspecialists and students in search of a high-level but accessible introduction to this exciting field of research. Water On Mars And Life Surveys Recent Advances Made In Research Into Water On Mars Together With Its Astrobiological Implications. This Volume Addresses Not Only Scientists Working In The Field But Also Nonspecialists And Students In Search Of A High-level But Accessible Introduction To This Field Of Research.--jacket. The Origins Of Martian Water : What We Can Learn From Meteorites / Lee Baker, Ian A. Franchi, Ian P. Wright -- Atmospheric Evolution And The History Of Water On Mars / Helmut Lammer, Franck Selsis, Thomas Penz, Ute V. Amerstorfer, Herbert I.m. Lichtenegger, Christoph Kolb, Ignasi Ribas -- Early Life On Earth And Analogies To Mars / Frances Westall -- Hydrated Minerals On Mars / Janice L. Bishop -- Global Distribution Of Subsurface Water Measured By Mars Odyssey / Igor G. Mitrofanov -- Polar Caps / Christine S. Hvidberg -- Ground Ice In The Martian Regolith / Ruslan O. Kuzmin -- Water Cycle In The Atmosphere And Shallow Subsurface / Tetsuya Tokano -- Polar Lakes, Streams, And Springs As Analogs For The Hydrological Cycle On Mars / Christopher P. Mckay, Dale T. Andersen, Wayne H. Pollard, Jennifer L. Heldmann, Peter T. Doran, Christian H. Fritsen, John C. Priscu -- Ancient And Recent Lakes On Mars / Nathalie A. Cabrol, Edmond A. Grin -- Impact Craters, Water And Microbial Life / Charles S. Cockell, Darlene S.s. Lim -- Microbial Life In Brines, Evaporites And Saline Sediments : The Search For Life On Mars / Rocco L. Mancinelli -- Microbiology Of Deep-sea Hydrothermal Vents : Lessons For Mars Exploration / Daniel Prieur. Tetsuya Tokano (ed.). Includes Bibliographical References And Index. 1 The Origins of Martian Water: What We Can Learn from Meteorites....Pages 3-24 2 Atmospheric Evolution and the History of Water on Mars....Pages 25-43 3 Early Life on Earth and Analogies to Mars....Pages 45-64 4 Hydrated Minerals on Mars....Pages 65-96 5 Global Distribution of Subsurface Water Measured by Mars Odyssey....Pages 99-128 6 Polar Caps....Pages 129-153 7 Ground Ice in the Martian Regolith....Pages 155-189 8 Water Cycle in the Atmosphere and Shallow Subsurface....Pages 191-216 9 Polar Lakes, Streams, and Springs as Analogs for the Hydrological Cycle on Mars....Pages 219-233 10 Ancient and Recent Lakes on Mars....Pages 235-259 11 Impact Craters, Water and Microbial Life....Pages 261-275 12 Microbial Life in Brines, Evaporites and Saline Sediments: The Search for Life on Mars....Pages 277-297 13 Microbiology of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents: Lessons for Mars Exploration....Pages 299-324