From Stardust to First Cells

From Stardust to First Cells
Author: Sankar Chatterjee
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 273
Release: 2023-10-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3031233972

This book presents a groundbreaking hypothesis to answer one of the greatest scientific mysteries: How did life begin? Like a detective piecing together seemingly disparate bits of evidence, Dr. Sankar Chatterjee combines the most recent discoveries in cosmology, geology, chemistry, information systems, and biology, weaving a vast tapestry from the threads of current research. Dr. Chatterjee convincingly argues that the odyssey of life first began when the fundamental building blocks were brought to Earth by meteorites. These cosmic compounds concentrated and simmered like a soup in hydrothermal crater-caldrons. Through a system of subterranean vent networks, a biosynthetic-rich variety of organic compounds mixed and matched into a recipe of rich biomolecules guided by prebiotic information systems. Through symbiosis, these complex biopolymers gradually assemble into membrane-bound protocells. At each stage of this evolutionary progression, through natural selection, they refined with increasing stability and complexity, ultimately leading to the emergence of the first cells about four billion years ago. In this book, Dr. Chatterjee tells this story in rigorous detail in language that is both accessible and engaging.

Literature 1997, Part 1

Literature 1997, Part 1
Author: Astronomisches Rechen-InstitutARI
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 1746
Release: 2013-11-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642517587

Astronomy and Astrophysics Abstracts is devoted to the recording, summarizing and indexing of astronomical publications throughout the world. Two volumes are scheduled to appear per year. Volume 67 records 10,903 papers covering besides the classical fields of astronomy and astrophysics such matters as space flights related to astronomy, lunar and planetary probes and satellites, meteorites and interplanetary matter, X rays and cosmic rays, quasars and pulsars. The abstracts are classified under more than one hundred subject categories thus permitting quick surveying of the bulk of material published on the same topic within six months. For instance, this volume records 119 papers on minor planets, 155 papers on supernovae, and 554 papers on cosmology.

Planet Formation

Planet Formation
Author: Wolfgang Brandner
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 262
Release: 2011-02-17
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1139457020

When this book was published in 2006, it had been just over ten years since the first planet outside our solar system was detected. Since then, much work has focused on understanding how extrasolar planets may form, and discovering the frequency of potentially habitable Earth-like planets. This volume addresses fundamental questions concerning the formation of planetary systems in general, and of our solar system in particular. Drawing from advances in observational, experimental and theoretical research, it summarises our understanding of the planet formation processes, and addresses major open questions and research issues. Chapters are written by leading experts in the field of planet formation and extrasolar planet studies. The book is based on a meeting held at Ringberg Castle in Bavaria, where experts gathered together to present and exchange their ideas and findings. It is a comprehensive resource for graduate students and researchers, and is written to be accessible to newcomers to the field.

Plasma Astrophysics And Space Physics

Plasma Astrophysics And Space Physics
Author: Jörg Büchner
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 755
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9401142033

In May 1998 a hundred renowned scientists from 20 different countries met at the Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie to communicate their latest results and ideas in astrophysical and space plasma, as a follow-up to previous similar meetings which were held in Varenna, Abastumai, Potsdam, Toki and Guaruja. The main papers emerging from this meeting are collected in this volume. They deal with fundamental plasma phenomena, particle and radiation processes in astrophysics and space physics as the origin of magnetic activity, the basic mechanisms of particle acceleration and plasma heating common to plasma in galaxies and at the sun as well as in planetary magnetospheres. New observational results from YOHKOH, SOHO and other missions are presented. Using these, the basic physical processes leading to coronal heating and solar/stellar wind acceleration are discussed. Other topics are the microphysics of shock waves and transport phenomena in collisionless plasmas and the physics of thin plasma boundaries. The volume also treats the ionic composition of plasma and dust in the Universe and their observability in the solar system. A CD-ROM is attached which adds a valuable multimedia component, illuminating results of observations, theory and simulations. Everyone interested in astrophysical plasmas, its radiation and charged particle aspects, and advanced or even beginning students will find references to nearly all modern aspects of plasma astrophysics and space physics as well as an overview of current research results.

Astronomie spatiale infrarouge, aujourd'hui et demain Infrared space astronomy, today and tomorrow

Astronomie spatiale infrarouge, aujourd'hui et demain Infrared space astronomy, today and tomorrow
Author: F. Casoli
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 459
Release: 2003-07-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3540455736

This book brings together the lectures given at the Les Houches summer school "Infrared space astronomy, today and tomorrow". It gives a wide overview of infrared astronomy, a wavelength domain crucial for studies of the solar system, stars at the beginning and end of their lives, interstellar matter and galaxies at all distances. Recent developments in observational techniques have been tremendous. The first contributions give an introduction to the basic physical processes and methods of detection and data processing. They are followed by a series of lectures dealing with the wide variety of astronomical objects that can be seen in the infrared.

Laboratory Astrophysics and Space Research

Laboratory Astrophysics and Space Research
Author: P. Ehrenfreund
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 685
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9401147280

The book presents the most recent developments of laboratory studies in astrophysics and space research. The individual chapters review laboratory investigations under simulated space conditions, studies for the design of successful space experiments or for supporting the interpretation of astronomical and space mission recorded data. Related theoretical models, numerical simulations and in situ observations demonstrate the necessity of experimental work on the Earth's surface. The expertise of the contributing scientists covers a broad spectrum and is included in general overviews from fundamental science to recent space technology. The book intends to serve as a reference for researchers and graduate students on the most recent activities and results in laboratory astrophysics, and to give reviews of their applications in astronomy, planetology, cosmochemistry, space research and Solar System exploration.

Infrared Light on the Composition of the Dust Surrounding Carbon-Rich Stars

Infrared Light on the Composition of the Dust Surrounding Carbon-Rich Stars
Author: S. Hony
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press
Total Pages: 184
Release: 2003-12-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9789053566688

Door middel van gedetailleerde studies aan de infrarood gegevens van oude sterren is het stof rond koolstofrijke Rode Reuzen onderzocht. De aanwezigheid van een aantal nieuwe materialen in de ruimte is ontdekt. Daarmee is een completer beeld van de samenstelling, locatie en het lot van het stof rond koolstofrijke oude sterren verkregen. Daarmee verschaffen de in dit proefschrift gepresenteerde studies een rijker inzicht in het stof rond oude sterren en deze sterren zelf.

Formation and Evolution of Solids in Space

Formation and Evolution of Solids in Space
Author: J. Mayo Greenberg
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 590
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9401148066

Interstellar dust, meteorites, interplanetary dust particles (IDP's), the zodiacal light, comets, comet dust. Where do they come from, what are they made of, how do they evolve, and finally, are there connections between them? These are the questions discussed in this volume by some of the world's outstanding experts in their respective fields. The techniques used for studying the `small' solid objects of space are thoroughly discussed. Some of the methods involve a synthetic approach using the laboratory to create analog environments and materials which are believed to resemble those in space. Others use direct laboratory methods with state-of-the-art analytical tools to study the material of the objects themselves - meteorites, IDP'S. And others apply the latest in astronomical facilities to provide quantitative data on the material properties of the solids which can only be deduced from remote observations, These are compared with the laboratory results. In one instance there was a possibility to study a solar system body in situ and that was the case of comet Halley and some of the results of these studies obtained from space `laboratories' launched to meet it are discussed here. Finally, there are theoretical papers which are aimed at bridging the results of observational and laboratory methods. This book is recommended to senior scientists as well as graduate students who wish to pursue research in interstellar and solar system astronomy and their connections.