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
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