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Astrobiology: Understanding Life in the Universe
Astrobiology is an interdisciplinary field that asks profound scientific questions. How did life originate on the Earth? How has life persisted on the Earth for over three billion years? Is there life elsewhere in the Universe? What is the future of life on Earth?
Astrobiology: Understanding Life in the Universe is an introductory text which explores the structure of living things, the formation of the elements for life in the Universe, the biological and geological history of the Earth and the habitability of other planets in our own Solar System and beyond. The book is designed to convey some of the major conceptual foundations in astrobiology that cut across a diversity of traditional fields including chemistry, biology, geosciences, physics and astronomy. It can be used to complement existing courses in these fields or as a stand-alone text for astrobiology courses.
Readership: Undergraduates studying for degrees in earth or life sciences, physics, astronomy and related disciplines, as well as anyone with an interest in grasping some of the major concepts and ideas in astrobiology.
Astrobiology: Understanding Life in the Universe is an introductory text which explores the structure of living things, the formation of the elements for life in the Universe, the biological and geological history of the Earth and the habitability of other planets in our own Solar System and beyond. The book is designed to convey some of the major conceptual foundations in astrobiology that cut across a diversity of traditional fields including chemistry, biology, geosciences, physics and astronomy. It can be used to complement existing courses in these fields or as a stand-alone text for astrobiology courses.
Readership: Undergraduates studying for degrees in earth or life sciences, physics, astronomy and related disciplines, as well as anyone with an interest in grasping some of the major concepts and ideas in astrobiology.
472 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2015
19 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Charles S. Cockell
23 books46 followersCharles Cockell is Professor of Astrobiology at the University of Edinburgh. His academic interests encompass life in extreme environments, the habitability of extraterrestrial environments and the human exploration and settlement of space. He has also written on the subject of extraterrestrial liberty.
He is author of scientific papers and books, including the undergraduate-level textbook 'Astrobiology' (Wiley) and numerous popular science books.
He is author of scientific papers and books, including the undergraduate-level textbook 'Astrobiology' (Wiley) and numerous popular science books.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 25, 2020
Looking for life elsewhere in the universe
Does anyone think that planet Earth is unique in Milky Way galaxy? Or do we believe that human beings are peculiar in this universe? If there are planets elsewhere in the universe, are they habitable, and do they sustain millions of years of species evolution?
The author considers several aspects of astrobiology: planetary science, life’s Structure, building the biomolecules, especially, the CHNOPS (Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulfur), energy for life, limits of the bio-space, and the ancient history of early earth. One of the fundamental questions in search for extra-terrestrial life is do they have similar geological conditions as we have? The bio-space gives us a basis for a first-order assessment of the habitability. If we find a planetary environment that has physical and chemical conditions suitable for life, we are motivated to explore it and see if it has liquid water, energy supplies and basic elements that build life. Other forms of planetary life could exist that uses other elements and biomolecules and perhaps different biochemistry!
Many environments on the Earth are of interest in astrobiology, extreme temperatures, extreme pH, high salt, toxic-chemical environments and deep oceans. Currently, we have more than 4,000 extrasolar planets discovered. The distribution of extrasolar planets is diverse, different sizes, different physical and chemical characteristics. TRAPPIST-1 star system looks like our solar system and hosts seven planets that are potentially Earth-like. It is about 40 light years from us. Another exoplanet is K2-18b that is 124 light years from us contains water vapor in its atmosphere and exists in the habitable part of its star system. In our solar system, Jovian moons like Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto are known to have oceans beneath the surface. It is also reported that the moons of Saturn such as Enceladus, Titan and possibly Dione are also known to have liquid water oceans. Enceladus is among NASA’s top targets in the search for life beyond Earth because it appears to have three of life’s most important ingredients: the right chemical ingredients (such as carbon or hydrogen), available energy and liquid water. Current evidence suggests that there is microbial life below the surface of Mars in deeply buried oceans.
The author systematically explores various pathways that led to the complex biosphere on Earth. This work is a tour de force that offers a unique perspective on the question that puzzled human beings for centuries. Are we alone? Based on our current understanding, we are still not sure, but there are helpful biosignatures elsewhere, and the list of habitable planets are growing.
Does anyone think that planet Earth is unique in Milky Way galaxy? Or do we believe that human beings are peculiar in this universe? If there are planets elsewhere in the universe, are they habitable, and do they sustain millions of years of species evolution?
The author considers several aspects of astrobiology: planetary science, life’s Structure, building the biomolecules, especially, the CHNOPS (Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulfur), energy for life, limits of the bio-space, and the ancient history of early earth. One of the fundamental questions in search for extra-terrestrial life is do they have similar geological conditions as we have? The bio-space gives us a basis for a first-order assessment of the habitability. If we find a planetary environment that has physical and chemical conditions suitable for life, we are motivated to explore it and see if it has liquid water, energy supplies and basic elements that build life. Other forms of planetary life could exist that uses other elements and biomolecules and perhaps different biochemistry!
Many environments on the Earth are of interest in astrobiology, extreme temperatures, extreme pH, high salt, toxic-chemical environments and deep oceans. Currently, we have more than 4,000 extrasolar planets discovered. The distribution of extrasolar planets is diverse, different sizes, different physical and chemical characteristics. TRAPPIST-1 star system looks like our solar system and hosts seven planets that are potentially Earth-like. It is about 40 light years from us. Another exoplanet is K2-18b that is 124 light years from us contains water vapor in its atmosphere and exists in the habitable part of its star system. In our solar system, Jovian moons like Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto are known to have oceans beneath the surface. It is also reported that the moons of Saturn such as Enceladus, Titan and possibly Dione are also known to have liquid water oceans. Enceladus is among NASA’s top targets in the search for life beyond Earth because it appears to have three of life’s most important ingredients: the right chemical ingredients (such as carbon or hydrogen), available energy and liquid water. Current evidence suggests that there is microbial life below the surface of Mars in deeply buried oceans.
The author systematically explores various pathways that led to the complex biosphere on Earth. This work is a tour de force that offers a unique perspective on the question that puzzled human beings for centuries. Are we alone? Based on our current understanding, we are still not sure, but there are helpful biosignatures elsewhere, and the list of habitable planets are growing.
November 20, 2021
I read this book for fun and, though it was challenging, it was totally worth it.
The book covers an immense amount of material; so much that most topics only gets a cursory amount attention though Cockell wants to give you some technical details too. This can be problematic when, for instance, Cockell discusses organic chemistry but does not tell us how to read the graphical notation of organic chemistry. For many topics, I had to Google or ask friends that are bio or chem nerds. That’s really the only downside to this book and it’s a hurdle that a motivated reader can overcome.
The Flip side is that I now have a pretty holistic look at all of the possible angles of astrobiology and just enough depth in each to be able to engage with these topics at a somewhat technical level. The thing I find most impressive is that Cockell always makes sure to give all angles of every topic, every major point of controversy or debate is acknowledged and he engages with thought provoking hypotheticals. This book not only teaches you facts, but immensely expands your perspective.
Totally read this if you’re interested in Astrobiology or planetary protection. I have a background in physics and aerospace engineering—almost zero biology and chemistry and geology—but I was able to read this book on my own and follow along. This book would be great as a textbook for a class.
The book covers an immense amount of material; so much that most topics only gets a cursory amount attention though Cockell wants to give you some technical details too. This can be problematic when, for instance, Cockell discusses organic chemistry but does not tell us how to read the graphical notation of organic chemistry. For many topics, I had to Google or ask friends that are bio or chem nerds. That’s really the only downside to this book and it’s a hurdle that a motivated reader can overcome.
The Flip side is that I now have a pretty holistic look at all of the possible angles of astrobiology and just enough depth in each to be able to engage with these topics at a somewhat technical level. The thing I find most impressive is that Cockell always makes sure to give all angles of every topic, every major point of controversy or debate is acknowledged and he engages with thought provoking hypotheticals. This book not only teaches you facts, but immensely expands your perspective.
Totally read this if you’re interested in Astrobiology or planetary protection. I have a background in physics and aerospace engineering—almost zero biology and chemistry and geology—but I was able to read this book on my own and follow along. This book would be great as a textbook for a class.
June 4, 2025
Bu kitabı yavaş yavaş, iyice anlayarak okuyorum. Lisede biyoloji olimpiyatlarına hazırlanmış olmama rağmen bilmediğim, unuttuğum çok şey var. Henüz 134. sayfadayım ancak kitabı okumaya başlamadan önce bütün sayfalarını hızlıca inceledim (okuduğum bütün kitaplara bunu yaparım). Tek kelimeyle muhteşem bir kitap olduğunu söyleyebilirim. Yazar astrobiyolojiyle ilgili birçok konuyu detaylıca ele almış. Bu kitabın fazla okunmamış olması beni üzdü açıkçası, çünkü hiç düşünmeden tavsiye edeceğim kitaplardan birisi. Burada kitaba yalnızca iki yorum yapılmış, üçüncüsü benim yorumum olacak. Ben de bu kitabı tesadüfen bir kitapçıda görüp internetten sipariş ettim. Elimdeki baskı 2023 yılına ait, yani kitabın ilk baskısı. Tabii ekonomik sebepler de insanların kitap alması önünde önemli bir engel. Yoksa eminim ki Türkiye'de astrobiyoloji ile ilgilenen çok sayıda insan vardır.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews