Life beyond Earth

The Search for Habitable Worlds in the Universe

Athena Coustenis, Thérèse Encrenaz

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN:
  9781107026179
• eBook ISBN:
  9781107596245
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Astronomy & Astrophysics

What is life and where can it exist? What searches are being made to identify conditions for life on other worlds? If extraterrestrial inhabited worlds are found, how can we explore them? In this book, two leading astrophysicists provide an engaging account of where we stand in our quest for habitable environments, in the Solar System and beyond. Starting from basic concepts, the narrative builds scientifically, including more in-depth material as boxed additions to the main text. The authors recount fascinating recent discoveries from space missions and observations using ground-based telescopes, of possible life-related artefacts in Martian meteorites, extrasolar planets, and subsurface oceans on Europa, Titan and Enceladus. They also provide a forward look to future missions. This is an exciting, informative read for anyone interested in the search for habitable and inhabited planets, and an excellent primer for students in astrobiology, habitability, planetary science and astronomy.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Contents
• Preface
• 1 Introduction
• 2 What is life and where can it exist?
• 3 Terrestrial planets and their diverging evolutions
• 4 Searching for habitable sites in the outer Solar System
• 5 A revolution in astronomy: the exploration of extrasolar planets
• 6 Extraterrestrial habitable sites in the future
• Further reading
• Index