From fossils to astrobiology : records of life on Earth and the search for extraterrestrial biosignatures / / edited by Joseph Seckbach and Maud Walsh

• Record Nr.: UNINA9910809739303321
• Pubbl/distr/stampa: [Dordrecht], : Springer, 2009
• ISBN: 1-281-87117-6; 9786611871178; 1-4020-8837-X
• Edizione: [1st ed. 2008.]
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (576 p.)
• Collana: Cellular origin, life in extreme habitats and astrobiology ; ; v. 12
• Altri autori (Persone): SeckbachJ (Joseph); WalshMaud
• Disciplina: 551; 576.839
• Soggetti: Exobiology; Paleontology
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Note generali: Description based upon print version of record.
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
• Nota di contenuto: pt. 1. Fossils and fossilization -- pt. 2. Stromatolites, microbial mats, and biofilms -- pt. 3. Terrestrial microbes as analogs for life elsewhere in the universe -- pt. 4. Evolution and astrobiology -- pt. 5. Astronomical and cosmological considerations in astrobiology -- pt. 6. The search for evidence of life on Mars.
• Sommario/riassunto: From Fossils to Astrobiology reviews developments in paleontology and geobiology that relate to the rapidly-developing field of Astrobiology, the study of life in the Universe. Many traditional areas of scientific study, including astronomy, chemistry and planetary science, contribute to Astrobiology, but the study 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 15 countries 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 the Martian meteorite ALH84001. It is a unique volume among Astrobiology monographs in focusing on fossil evidence from the geological record and will be valuable to students and researchers alike.