Beyond The Stars: Our Origins And The Search For Life In The Universe

Beyond The Stars: Our Origins And The Search For Life In The Universe PDF Author: Paolo Saraceno
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9814483818
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 388

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Book Description
What is the origin of the universe? Are we alone in the Universe? Using clear and plain language, the author explores these two interesting scientific-philosophical themes with a broad range of studies, including astronomy, cosmology, chemistry, biology, geology and planet science.The first part discusses the origins of everything, from the Big Bang to humankind. It follows the long course of evolution — from original matter to the formation of more complex structures, from the furthest galaxies to the nearest stars, from planets to organic molecules, from the first and most elementary forms of life through to the reptiles, the dinosaurs and the advent of man.The second part traces the history of the Earth and evaluates the risks of extinction in the future as predicted by scientists. Is the Earth the only habitable planet in the Universe? This question initiates the discussion on the importance of the Earth's position in the solar system and the significance of our geologically alive planet.The final part is dedicated to the search for extraterrestrial beings with identifiable life forms. It also describes attempts for searching, from the past to the near future.This remarkable book provides the best answers we have to the epic questions about us and our place in the universe.

Beyond The Stars: Our Origins And The Search For Life In The Universe

Beyond The Stars: Our Origins And The Search For Life In The Universe PDF Author: Paolo Saraceno
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9814483818
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 388

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Book Description
What is the origin of the universe? Are we alone in the Universe? Using clear and plain language, the author explores these two interesting scientific-philosophical themes with a broad range of studies, including astronomy, cosmology, chemistry, biology, geology and planet science.The first part discusses the origins of everything, from the Big Bang to humankind. It follows the long course of evolution — from original matter to the formation of more complex structures, from the furthest galaxies to the nearest stars, from planets to organic molecules, from the first and most elementary forms of life through to the reptiles, the dinosaurs and the advent of man.The second part traces the history of the Earth and evaluates the risks of extinction in the future as predicted by scientists. Is the Earth the only habitable planet in the Universe? This question initiates the discussion on the importance of the Earth's position in the solar system and the significance of our geologically alive planet.The final part is dedicated to the search for extraterrestrial beings with identifiable life forms. It also describes attempts for searching, from the past to the near future.This remarkable book provides the best answers we have to the epic questions about us and our place in the universe.

Beyond the Stars

Beyond the Stars PDF Author: Devang Rajesh Bhujbal
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Embark on an awe-inspiring journey through the cosmos with "Beyond the Stars: Fascinating Facts about the Universe." This captivating book invites readers to explore the mysteries and wonders of the universe, uncovering mind-boggling facts that will leave you spellbound. From the mesmerizing scale of the universe, where galaxies merge into superclusters, to the mind-bending distances and measurements that defy comprehension, this book delves into the awe-inspiring vastness of space. Dive into the captivating concepts of cosmic expansion and the Big Bang Theory, unraveling the origins and evolution of our universe. Discover the majestic stars that adorn our night sky, as you explore their various types, life cycles, and mind-boggling sizes. Journey through the solar system, exploring the unique characteristics of planets and the captivating moons, asteroids, and comets that accompany them. Uncover the explosive deaths of stars in supernovae, shaping the very fabric of the cosmos. Delve into the enigmatic remnants of massive stars, where neutron stars and pulsars exhibit extraordinary properties and unleash unimaginable energies. Explore the depths of black holes, where gravity reigns supreme and the laws of physics are pushed to their limits. Dive into the elusive nature of dark matter and the enigmatic role of dark energy in driving the accelerating expansion of the universe. Engage with current research and theories surrounding these cosmic enigmas, as scientists push the boundaries of knowledge in their quest for understanding. Witness the discovery of exoplanets and their potential for habitability, as humanity takes its first steps towards finding other potentially life-bearing worlds. Explore the characteristics of these distant planets and join the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life, contemplating the profound implications for our place in the universe. Engross yourself in the fascinating world of celestial events, from eclipses to meteor showers, experiencing the grandeur of the universe's captivating spectacles. Marvel at the explosive energy unleashed in gamma-ray bursts and explore the ripples in spacetime caused by gravitational waves. Trace the milestones of space exploration, from the historic Moon landing to the ambitious missions to Mars and beyond. Learn about the robotic probes that have revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos and glimpse into the future of space exploration, where interstellar travel becomes a tantalizing possibility. With vivid descriptions, stunning visuals, and expertly curated facts, "Beyond the Stars: Fascinating Facts about the Universe" is an enthralling compendium that will ignite your curiosity and deepen your appreciation for the marvels of the cosmos. Whether you are a space enthusiast, a science lover, or simply someone captivated by the wonders of the universe, this book is your ticket to an extraordinary cosmic adventure. Prepare to be amazed and inspired as you journey beyond the stars.

Origin of Life via Archaea

Origin of Life via Archaea PDF Author: Richard Gordon
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119901200
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1190

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Book Description
This book surveys the models for the origin of life and presents a new model starting with shaped droplets and ending with life as polygonal Archaea; it collects the most published micrographs of Archaea (discovered only in 1977), which support this conclusion, and thus provides the first visual survey of Archaea. Origin of Life via Archaea’s purpose is to add a new hypothesis on what are called “shaped droplets”, as the starting point, for flat, polygonal Archaea, supporting the Vesicles First hypothesis. The book contains over 6000 distinct references and micrographs of 440 extant species of Archaea, 41% of which exhibit polygonal phenotypes. It surveys the intellectual battleground of the many ideas of the origin of life on earth, chemical equilibrium, autocatalysis, and biotic polymers. This book contains 17 chapters, some coauthored, on a wide range of topics on the origin of life, including Archaea’s origin, patterns, and species. It shows how various aspects of the origin of life may have occurred at chemical equilibrium, not requiring an energy source, contrary to the general assumption. For the reader’s value, its compendium of Archaea micrographs might also serve many other interesting questions about Archaea. One chapter presents a theory for the shape of flat, polygonal Archaea in terms of the energetics at the surface, edges and corners of the S-layer. Another shows how membrane peptides may have originated. The book also includes a large table of most extant Archaea, that is searchable in the electronic version. It ends with a chapter on problems needing further research. Audience This book will be used by astrobiologists, origin of life biologists, physicists of small systems, geologists, biochemists, theoretical and vesicle chemists.

The Story of Earth's Climate in 25 Discoveries

The Story of Earth's Climate in 25 Discoveries PDF Author: Donald R. Prothero
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 023155513X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 721

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Book Description
Over 4.5 billion years, Earth’s climate has transformed tremendously. Before our more temperate recent past, the planet swung from one extreme to another—from a greenhouse world of sweltering temperatures and high sea levels to a “snowball earth” in which glaciers reached the equator. During this history, we now know, living things and the climate have always influenced and even shaped each other. But the climate has never changed as rapidly or as drastically as it has since the Industrial Revolution. In this lively and entertaining book, Donald R. Prothero explores the astonishing connections between climate and life through the ages, telling the remarkable stories of the scientists who made crucial discoveries. Journeying through the intertwined evolution of climate and life, he tackles questions such as: Why do we have phytoplankton to thank for the air we breathe? What kind of climate was necessary for the rise of the dinosaurs—or the mammals, their successors? When and how have climatic changes caused mass extinctions? Prothero concludes with the Ice Ages and the Holocene, the role of climate in human history, and the perils of anthropogenic climate change. Understanding why the climate has changed in the past, this timely book shows, is essential to grasping the gravity of how radically human activity is altering the climate today.

Five Billion Years of Solitude

Five Billion Years of Solitude PDF Author: Lee Billings
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 069813768X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 270

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Book Description
“A definitive guide to astronomy’s hottest field.” —The Economist Since its formation nearly five billion years ago, our planet has been the sole living world in a vast and silent universe. But over the past two decades, astronomers have discovered thousands of “exoplanets,” including some that could be similar to our own world, and the pace of discovery is accelerating. In a fascinating account of this unfolding revolution, Lee Billings draws on interviews with the world’s top experts in the search for life beyond earth. He reveals how the search for exoplanets is not only a scientific challenge, but also a reflection of our culture’s timeless hopes, dreams, and fears.

Life in the Universe, 5th Edition

Life in the Universe, 5th Edition PDF Author: Jeffrey Bennett
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691241783
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 544

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Book Description
The world’s leading textbook on astrobiology—ideal for an introductory one-semester course and now fully revised and updated Are we alone in the cosmos? How are scientists seeking signs of life beyond our home planet? Could we colonize other planets, moons, or even other star systems? This introductory textbook, written by a team of four renowned science communicators, educators, and researchers, tells the amazing story of how modern science is seeking the answers to these and other fascinating questions. They are the questions that are at the heart of the highly interdisciplinary field of astrobiology, the study of life in the universe. Written in an accessible, conversational style for anyone intrigued by the possibilities of life in the solar system and beyond, Life in the Universe is an ideal place to start learning about the latest discoveries and unsolved mysteries in the field. From the most recent missions to Saturn’s moons and our neighboring planet Mars to revolutionary discoveries of thousands of exoplanets, from the puzzle of life’s beginning on Earth to the latest efforts in the search for intelligent life elsewhere, this book captures the imagination and enriches the reader’s understanding of how astronomers, planetary scientists, biologists, and other scientists make progress at the cutting edge of this dynamic field. Enriched with a wealth of engaging features, this textbook brings any citizen of the cosmos up to speed with the scientific quest to discover whether we are alone or part of a universe full of life. An acclaimed text designed to inspire students of all backgrounds to explore foundational questions about life in the cosmos Completely revised and updated to include the latest developments in the field, including recent exploratory space missions to Mars, frontier exoplanet science, research on the origin of life on Earth, and more Enriched with helpful learning aids, including in-chapter Think about It questions, optional Do the Math and Special Topic boxes, Movie Madness boxes, end-of-chapter exercises and problems, quick quizzes, and much more Supported by instructor’s resources, including an illustration package and test bank, available upon request

The Evolving Universe and the Origin of Life

The Evolving Universe and the Origin of Life PDF Author: Pekka Teerikorpi
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030179214
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 584

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Book Description
Regarding his discoveries, Sir Isaac Newton famously said, "If I have seen further it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." The Evolving Universe and the Origin of Life describes, complete with fascinating biographical details of the thinkers involved, a history of the universe as interpreted by the expanding body of knowledge of humankind. From subatomic particles to the protein chains that form life, and expanding in scale to the entire universe, this book covers the science that explains how we came to be. This book contains a great breadth of knowledge, from astronomy and physics to chemistry and biology. The second edition brings this story up to date, chronicling scientific achievements in recent years in such fields of research as cosmology, the large-scale architecture of the universe, black holes, exoplanets, and the search for extraterrestrial life. With over 250 figures, this is a non-technical, easy-to-read textbook at an introductory college level that is ideal for anyone interested in science as well as its history.

Our Cosmic Ancestry in the Stars

Our Cosmic Ancestry in the Stars PDF Author: Chandra Wickramasinghe, Ph.D.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1591433290
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 144

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Book Description
An exploration of how acceptance of panspermia will soon change history • Offers extensive scientific proof of panspermia--that life arose on Earth via comets and that evolution is seeded by viruses arriving via comets and interstellar dust • Explores the major philosophical, psychological, cultural, religious, and environmental ramifications of the acceptance of this new scientific worldview Mainstream consensus is that life arose on Earth spontaneously out of “primordial soup.” Yet this theory, as well as the Darwinian “survival of the fittest” concept as it relates to major steps in evolution, has no scientific basis or proof. Where, then, did life come from? As the authors show, with conclusive scientific evidence, life came from space--a concept known as “panspermia.” We humans, and all other life on Earth, evolved over millennia in response to viruses that arrived via comets, and we continue to do so. Exploring the philosophical, psychological, cultural, and environmental ramifications of the acceptance of panspermia, the authors show how the shift will be on par with the Copernican Revolution--when it was finally accepted that the Earth was not the center of the Universe. Explaining the origins of the panspermia theory in the work of the late Sir Fred Hoyle, the authors reveal the vast body of evidence that has accumulated over the past 4 decades in favor of the cosmic origins of life, including viral inserts found in DNA that have shaped our human genome over millions of years. They show how the tiniest of viruses, microscopic animals (tardigrades), and even seeds have been found to be natural cosmonauts. The authors also show how space-borne viruses play a crucial role in the positive evolution of life and that our entire existence on this planet is contingent on the continuing ingress of cosmic viruses. Revealing how panspermia offers answers to some of humanity’s longstanding questions about the origins of life, the authors discuss the impact this shift in understanding will have on our relationship with the Earth and on culture, history, and religion. And perhaps the most dramatic ramification of all is that acceptance of panspermia means acceptance that Earth is not unique--that other life-filled planets exist and intelligent life is common in the Universe. Not only did we come from space, but we are not alone.

Young Sun, Early Earth and the Origins of Life

Young Sun, Early Earth and the Origins of Life PDF Author: Muriel Gargaud
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642225527
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 303

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Book Description
- How did the Sun come into existence? - How was the Earth formed? - How long has Earth been the way it is now, with its combination of oceans and continents? - How do you define “life”? - How did the first life forms emerge? - What conditions made it possible for living things to evolve? All these questions are answered in this colourful textbook addressing undergraduate students in "Origins of Life" courses and the scientifically interested public. The authors take the reader on an amazing voyage through time, beginning five thousand million years ago in a cloud of interstellar dust and ending five hundred million years ago, when the living world that we see today was finally formed. A chapter on exoplanets provides an overview of the search for planets outside the solar system, especially for habitable ones. The appendix closes the book with a glossary, a bibliography of further readings and a summary of the Origins of the Earth and life in fourteen boxes.

The Stardust Revolution

The Stardust Revolution PDF Author: Jacob Berkowitz
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1633888622
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 385

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Book Description
In 1957, as Americans obsessed over the launch of the Soviet Sputnik satellite, another less noticed space-based scientific revolution was taking off. That year, astrophysicists solved a centuries-old quest for the origins of the elements, from carbon to uranium. The answer they found wasn’t on Earth, but in the stars. Their research showed that we are literally stardust. The year also marked the first conference that considered the origin of life on Earth in an astrophysical context. It was the marriage of two of the seemingly strangest bedfellows—astronomy and biology—and a turning point that award-winning science author Jacob Berkowitz calls the Stardust Revolution. In this captivating story of an exciting, deeply personal, new scientific revolution, Berkowitz weaves together the latest research results to reveal a dramatically different view of the twinkling night sky—not as an alien frontier, but as our cosmic birthplace. Reporting from the frontlines of discovery, Berkowitz uniquely captures how stardust scientists are probing the universe’s physical structure, but rather its biological nature. Evolutionary theory is entering the space age. From the amazing discovery of cosmic clouds of life’s chemical building blocks to the dramatic quest for an alien Earth, Berkowitz expertly chronicles the most profound scientific search of our era: to know not just if we are alone, but how we are connected. Like opening a long-hidden box of old family letters and diaries, The Stardust Revolution offers us a new view of where we’ve come from and brings to light our journey from stardust to thinking beings.