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Astrobiology and Development of Human Civilization

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Climate, Planetary and Evolutionary Sciences

Abstract

Astrobiology is a young science interested in the origin, evolution and the distribution of forms of life in the universe and in particular aims to discover other forms of life outside the Earth. It is interesting that astrobiology looks in particular at life on Earth in the most extreme conditions like at some depth in the crust or in the deepest of the oceans. Astrobiology has received official attention from all space agencies like ESA or NASA. Earth itself could be a subject for astrobiology because as a planet it went through different stages. From a water planet (before the rise of the continents) to an ice planet (snowball Earth) to a hothouse planet (during the carboniferous) and all these stages have seen co-evolving life forms. Life has contributed very much to change the atmospheric composition. Think about the cyanobacteria that probably gave us the initial oxygen in the atmosphere. Now the most evolved life form (the human being) apparently has reached a changing capacity that can be compared to a geological force so that the Holocene ended to give way to the Anthropocene. Not all the scientific community agrees with such classification and some people like Adam Frank likes to talk about the Astrobiology of the Anthropocene.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche e Chimiche, Università Degli Studi dell’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy

    Guido Visconti

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  1. Guido Visconti
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Correspondence to Guido Visconti .

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  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche e Chimiche, Università Degli Studi dell’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy

    Guido Visconti

Book Reading List

Book Reading List

Astrobiology

by Horneck, G. (Ed), Baumstark-Khan, C. (Ed) (2002).

How did life originate in the universe? How did it all start after the creation of matter and the formation of elements in the stars? What are the pathways from the first organic molecules in space to the evolution of complex life forms on Earth and perhaps elsewhere? And how will it all end? The Universe itself sets the stage for the very interdisciplinary field of astrobiology that attempts to answer such questions, the central one being: What is the (cosmic) recipe for life? Currently there are only very few known elements in this vast mosaic. This book bridges a gap in the literature by bringing together leading specialists from different backgrounds who lecture on their fields, with close relevance to astrobiology, providing tutorial accounts that lead all the way to the forefront of research.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783642639579 for original source.

Astrobiology

by Chela-Flores, J. (Ed), Lemarchand, G. A. (Ed), Oró, J. (Ed) (2000).

Origins from the Big-Bang to Civilisation Proceedings of the Iberoamerican School of Astrobiology Caracas, Venezuela, 28 November–8 December, 1999.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9780792365877 for original source.

Astrobiology: Future Perspectives

by Ehrenfreund, P. (Ed), Despois, D. (Ed), Lazcano, A. (Ed), Robert, F. (Ed), Irvine, W. (Ed), Owen, T. (Ed), Becker, L. (Ed), Blank, J. (Ed), Brucato, J. (Ed), Colangeli, L. (Ed), Derenne, S. (Ed), Dutrey, A. (Ed) (2005).

Astrobiology, a new exciting interdisciplinary research field, seeks to unravel the origin and evolution of life wherever it might exist in the Universe. The current view of the origin of life on Earth is that it is strongly connected to the origin and evolution of our planet and, indeed, of the Universe as a whole.

We are fortunate to be living in an era where centuries of speculation about the two ancient and fundamental problems: the origin of life and its prevalence in the Universe are being replaced by experimental science.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9781402023040 for original source.

Astrobiology

by Yamagishi, A. (Ed), Kakegawa, T. (Ed), Usui, T. (Ed) (2019).

This book provides concise and cutting-edge reviews in astrobiology, a young and still emerging multidisciplinary field of science that addresses the fundamental questions of how life originated and diversified on Earth, whether life exists beyond Earth, and what is the future for life on Earth. Readers will find coverage of the latest understanding of a wide range of fascinating topics, including, for example, solar system formation, the origins of life, the history of Earth as revealed by geology, the evolution of intelligence on Earth, the implications of genome data, insights from extremophile research, and the possible existence of life on other planets within and beyond the solar system.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789811336386 for original source.

Astrobiology, History, and Society

by Vakoch, D. A. (Ed) (2013).

This book addresses important current and historical topics in astrobiology and the search for life beyond Earth, including the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). The first section covers the plurality of worlds debate from antiquity through the nineteenth century, while section two covers the extraterrestrial life debate from the twentieth century to the present. The final section examines the societal impact of discovering life beyond Earth, including both cultural and religious dimensions.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783642359828 for original source.

Astrochemistry and Astrobiology

by Smith, I. W. M. (Ed), Cockell, C. S. (Ed), Leach, S. (Ed) (2013).

Astrochemistry and Astrobiology is the debut volume in the new series Physical Chemistry in Action. Aimed at both the novice and experienced researcher, this volume outlines the physico-chemical principles which underpin our attempts to understand astrochemistry and predict astrobiology.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783642317293 for original source.

Astrobiology on the International Space Station

by de Vera, J. (2020).

This volume on astrobiology of the Springer Briefs in Life Sciences book series addresses the three fundamental questions on origin, evolution, distribution and future of life in the universe: how does life begin and evolve? Is there life beyond Earth and, if so, how can we detect it? What is the future of life on Earth and in the universe? The book provides insights into astrobiological experiments that are being performed on the International Space Station, ISS, and discusses their findings.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030616908 for original source.

Adaption of Microbial Life to Environmental Extremes

by Stan-Lotter, H. (Ed), Fendrihan, S. (Ed) (2017).

This entirely updated second edition provides an overview on the biology, ecology and biodiversity of extremophiles. Unusual and less explored ecosystems inhabited by extremophiles such as marine hypersaline deeps, extreme cold, desert sands, and man-made clean rooms for spacecraft assembly are presented. An additional focus is put on the role of these highly specialized microorganism in applied research fields, ranging from biotechnology and nanotechnology to astrobiology.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319483252 for original source.

Encyclopedia of Astrobiology

by Gargaud, M. (Ed), Viso, M. (Ed), Irvine, W. M. (Ed), Amils, R. (Ed), Cleaves II, H. J. (Ed), Pinti, D. (Ed), Cernicharo Quintanilla, J. (Ed), Rouan, D. (Ed), Spohn, T. (Ed), Tirard, S. (Ed) (2015).

The interdisciplinary field of Astrobiology constitutes a joint arena where provocative discoveries are coalescing concerning, e.g. the prevalence of exoplanets, the diversity and hardiness of life, and its increasingly likely chances for its emergence. Biologists, astrophysicists, biochemists, geoscientists and space scientists share this exciting mission of revealing the origin and commonality of life in the Universe.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783662441862 for original source.

Between Necessity and Probability: Searching for the Definition and Origin of Life

by Popa, R. (2004).

This study investigates the major theories of the origins of life in light of modern research with the aim of distinguishing between the necessary and the optional and between deterministic and random influences in the emergence of what we call ‘life.’ Life is treated as a cosmic phenomenon whose emergence and driving force should be viewed independently from its Earth-bound natural history.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783540204909 for original source.

Biosignatures for Astrobiology

by Cavalazzi, B. (Ed), Westall, F. (Ed) (2019).

This book aims at providing a brief but broad overview of biosignatures. The topics addressed range from prebiotic signatures in extraterrestrial materials to the signatures characterising extant life as well as fossilised life, biosignatures related to space, and space flight instrumentation to detect biosignatures either in situ or from orbit. The book ends with philosophical reflections on the implications of life elsewhere.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319961743 for original source.

Chemical Evolution and the Origin of Life

by Rauchfuss, H. (2008).

Up to now, we do not have a generally accepted theory about the origin of life and about the process of development of life, we only have a great number of—to some extent even contradictory—hypotheses. Meanwhile there came up some scientific findings beyond thought only a few years ago.

Horst Rauchfuss is comparing the different theories from the view of the latest results and is giving an exciting and easy understandable insight into the present state of research.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783540788225 for original source.

From Influence to Inhabitation

by Christie, J. E. (2019).

This book describes how and why the early modern period witnessed the marginalisation of astrology in Western natural philosophy, and the re-adoption of the cosmological view of the existence of a plurality of worlds in the universe, allowing the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030221683 for original source.

Journey to Diverse Microbial Worlds

by Seckbach, J. (Ed) (2000).

In this Journey to Microbial Worlds we present the diversity of microorganisms, from the state of fossil microbes in Archaean age rocks to the possibilities of extraterrestrial life. This volume discusses the extremophiles living in harsh environments (from our anthropocentric point) and describes them in considerable detail. Some chapters also review topics such as symbiosis, bacterial luminescence, methanogens, and petroleum-grown cells. The final chapters of this book shed new light on astrobiology and speculate on extremophiles as candidates for extraterrestrial life.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9780792360209 for original source.

Lectures in Astrobiology

by Barbier, B. (Ed), Martin, H. (Ed), Reisse, J. (Ed) (2006).

This is the second of a divided two-part softcover edition of the “Lectures in Astrobiology Volume I” containing the sections “General Introduction”, “From Prebiotic Chemistry to the Origin of Life on Earth” and “Appendices” including an extensive glossary on Astrobiology.

“Lectures in Astrobiology” is the first comprehensive textbook at graduate level encompassing all aspects of the emerging field of astrobiology.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783540290049 for original source.

Life on Earth and other Planetary Bodies

by Hanslmeier, A. (Ed), Kempe, S. (Ed), Seckbach, J. (Ed) (2012).

A trio of editors [Professors from Austria, Germany and Israel] present Life on Earth and other Planetary Bodies. The contributors are from twenty various countries and present their research on life here as well as the possibility for extraterrestrial life. This volume covers concepts such as life’s origin, hypothesis of Panspermia and of life possibility in the Cosmos.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789400749658 for original source.

Life in the Universe

by Seckbach, J. (Ed), Chela-Flores, J. (Ed), Owen, T. (Ed), Raulin, F. (Ed) (2004).

From the Miller Experiment to the Search for Life on other Worlds.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9781402023712 for original source.

The Science of Astrobiology

by Chela-Flores, J. (2011).

Since the publication of The New Science of Astrobiology in the year 2001—the first edition of the present book—two significant events have taken place raising the subject from the beginning of the century to its present maturity. Firstly, in 2001 the Galileo Mission still had two years to complete its task, which turned out to be an outstanding survey of the Jovian system, especially of its intriguing satellite Europa. Secondly, the Cassini Huygens Mission was on its way to Saturn.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789400716261 for original source.

The New Science of Astrobiology

by Chela-Flores, J. (2001).

Astrobiology is a very broad interdisciplinary field covering the origin, evolution, distribution, and destiny of life in the universe, as well as the design and implementation of missions for solar system exploration. A review covering its complete spectrum has been missing at a level accessible even to the non-specialist.

The last section of the book consists of a supplement, including a glossary, notes, and tables, which represent highly condensed `windows’ into research ranging from basic sciences to earth and life sciences, as well as the humanities.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9780792371250 for original source.

Travels with Curiosity

by Byrne, C. J. (2020).

The Mars Curiosity Rover is the most sophisticated mobile laboratory ever deployed on a planet. For over seven years, scores of investigators have planned its daily route and activities, poring over the overwhelming images and data and revising our understanding of planetary surfaces, geology, and potential habitability.

This book takes readers right down to the surface of Mars, chronicling Curiosity’s physical and scientific journey across the planet’s Earth-like, yet strikingly alien vistas.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030538040 for original source.

The Evolving Universe and the Origin of Life

by Teerikorpi, P., Valtonen, M., Lehto, K., Lehto, H., Byrd, G., Chernin, A. (2019).

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.

Please see https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030179205 for original source.

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Visconti, G. (2021). Astrobiology and Development of Human Civilization. In: Visconti, G. (eds) Climate, Planetary and Evolutionary Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74713-8_7

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