Share
Create bookmark
From Dying Stars to the Birth of Life
The new science of astrobiology and the search for life in the universe
Do you like this document?
Notes
Please login to add notes
- + Chapter 1 - COMPUTERS, ROCKET SCIENCE, AND THE BIRTH OF ASTROBIOLOGY
-
+
Chapter 2 - OUR VAST AND HOSTILE LIFE-FRIENDLY UNIVERSE
- Brief History 1 - In the Early Days, Seeing was Believing
- Brief History 2 - Telescopes and Spectrometers Open Door to Modern Era of Astronomy
- Transition to Instrument Assisted Observations reveals a Universe whose Age, Size, and Complexity Boggles the Minds of Scientists and non-Scientists.
- “Big Bang” Theory of the Birth of the Universe
- Formation of the First Stars and the First Galaxies
- Birth, Life, and Death of Stars and Creation of Heavy Atomic Elements Needed to Build Planets and Life
- Construction of Planetary Homes for Life
-
+
Chapter 3 - HOW LIFE WORKS ON PLANET EARTH
- “Definitions of Life” Offered by Life Scientists
- Life on Earth is Packaged inside Small Containers that Resemble Bags or Sacks
- First “Primitive” Single-Celled Organisms
- Modern Single-Celled Organisms that Live and Thrive in Extreme Hostile Environments
- Arrival of Larger “Complex” Single-Cell Organisms
- Explosion of “Complex” Multi-Cellular Life-Forms
- Different Life-Forms on Earth use Different Methods to Feed Themselves
- All Life-forms on Earth Use Same “Chemical Power Generator” to Perform Biological Work
- Every Cell of every Living Organism Contains a Copy of an Instruction Manual which allows the Organism to Replicate Itself
- All Life must Adjust to Short Term Changes in the External Environment plus Undergo Biological Evolution in Response to Long Term Alterations
-
+
Chapter 4 - HOW LIFE AND EARTH CO-EVOLVED TO PRODUCE A LIFE-FRIENDLY BIOSPHERE
- Scientists’ Mind Boggling Concept of DEEP TIME
- Hadean Eon Witnessed Gathering of Raw Materials Needed for Birth of Life on Earth
- Archean Eon Allowed Life to Quickly Gain Permanent Foothold on Earth
- End of Archean and Beginning of Proterozoic Eon Witnessed important Geological Changes that Dramatically Increased the Pace of Life’s Evolution
- Arrival of Oxygen Atmosphere at End of Proterozoic Eon allowed Life to Begin Upgrading to Multi-Cellular Forms
- Phanerozoic Eon Sets Stage for Surge toward “Modern Life-Forms“
- Death of Dinosaurs opens door for “Age of Mammals” and Evolution of Humans
- Role of “Mass Extinctions” in Evolution of Life
- Most Common Forms of External Threats to Evolution and Survival of Life on Planets
- Common Internal Threats to Evolution and Survival of Life on Planets
- Will Mankind be the Source of the Final Mass Extinction of Life on Earth?
-
+
Chapter 5 - THE SEARCH FOR OTHER WORLDS AND OTHER LIFE-FORMS
- What kinds of Extraterrestrial Life-Forms should we Search For?
- Searching for Life in the Inner Solar System
- Possibility of Life in Outer Regions of Solar System
- Search for Habitable Worlds beyond our Solar System
- Mankind has the Technology to Detect Earth-like Worlds Orbiting other Stars plus Search for Evidence of Living Inhabitants
- What kinds of Evidence for Life will Astrobiologists Search For?
- Which Stars are Likely to Host Life-Friendly Worlds?
- What Kinds of Exoplanets Should We Search For?
- + Chapter 6 - THE POSSIBILITY OF VISITING OR COMMUNICATING WITH EXTRATERRESTRIAL CIVILIZATIONS
- + Chapter 7 - SOME FINAL THOUGHTS FROM THE AUTHOR
- FURTHER SUGGESTED READINGS
- Index
This book tells the incredible story of the birth of a whole new field of science called Astrobiology.
Your free to read time expires in minutes. After that you have to pause for an hour.
Book Details
Authors
Categories
Publishers
Publication year : 2011
License: All rights reserved ©
Times read: 242
