From fossils to astrobiology: records of life on earth and the search for extraterrestrial biosignatures

‘From Fossils to Astrobiology’ reviews developments in paleontology and gebiology that relate to the rapidly-developing field of Astrobiology, the study oflife in the Universe. Many traditional areas of scientific study, including astronomy, chemistry and planetary science, contribute to Astrobiology, but thestudy of the record of life on planet Earth is critical in guiding investigations in the rest of the cosmos. In this varied book, expert scientists from 15countries present peer-reviewed, stimulating reviews of paleontological and astrobiological studies. The overviews of established and emerging techniques for studying modern and ancient microorganisms on Earth and beyond, will be valuable guides to evaluating biosignatures which could be found in the extraterrestrial surface or subsurface within the Solar System and beyond. This volume also provides discussion on the controversial reports of ‘nanobacteria’ in theMartian meteoriteALH84001 Provides a valuable overview of estabished and emerging techniques for evaluating modern and ancient microorganisms on Earth and beyond Contains diverse, critical reviews of paleontological and taphonomic studies of life in the Universe INDICE: From the contents Foreword. Introduction: A Roadmap to Fata Morgana? List of authors and their addresses. Geology. Part 1: Fossils and Fossilization. Part 2: Stromatolites, Microbial Mats, and Biofilms. Biology. Part 3: Terrestrial Microbes as Analogs for Life Elsewhere in the Universe. Part 4: Evolution and Astrobiology. Space Sciences. Part 5: Astronomical and Cosmological Considerations in Astrobiology. Part 6: The Search for Evidence of Life on Mars. Part 7: Outlook and Summary.

• ISBN: 978-1-4020-8836-0
• Editorial: Springer
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 500
• Fecha Publicación: 01/09/2008
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés