Bioastronomy


Book Description

This book collects together a selection of the best papers presented at the Third International Bioastronomy Symposium held in 1990. The subject is bioastronomy, the search for life in the universe, andthe book is devided according to the five main stages of life as recognized by this new branch of science: cosmic organic, prebiotic, primitive biological, and advanced. Thereader will find here the most recent results obtained by top specialists from all over the world on hot topics such as the formation and discovery of planets, organic chemistry in meteorites and comets, prebiotic chemistry in the atmosphere of Titan, the search for primitive life in the permafrost of Mars, and, SETI itself, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Complemented by live discussions each presentation forms a review of the state-of-the-art treatment of a particular area and also looks toward those developments in bioastronomywhich will surely be realized in the next few years.




Bioastronomy '99


Book Description




Reports on Astronomy


Book Description

IAU Transactions are published as a volume corresponding to each General Assembly. Volume A is produced prior to the Assembly and contains Reports on Astronomy, prepared by each Commission President. The intention is to summarize the astronomical results that have affected the work of the Commission since the production of the previous Reports up to a time which is about one year prior to the General Assembly. Volume B is produced after the Assembly and contains accounts of Commission Meetings which were held, together with other material. The reports included in the present volume range from outline summaries to lengthy compilations and references.




Encyclopedia of Astrobiology


Book Description

Astrobiology is a remarkably interdisciplinary field. This reference serves as a key to understanding technical terms from the different subfields of astrobiology, including astronomy, biology, chemistry, the geosciences and the space sciences.




Life on Other Worlds


Book Description

Are we alone in the universe? From canals on Mars to the search for ET, the debate goes on. Lucid and accessible, this otherworldly guide chronicles the history of the 20th century obsession with extraterrestrials.




Space, Time, and Aliens


Book Description

In this comprehensive and interdisciplinary volume, former NASA Chief Historian Steven Dick reflects on the exploration of space, astrobiology and its implications, cosmic evolution, astronomical institutions, discovering and classifying the cosmos, and the philosophy of astronomy. The unifying theme of the book is the connection between cosmos and culture, or what Carl Sagan many years ago called the “cosmic connection.” As both an astronomer and historian of science, Dr. Dick has been both a witness to and a participant in many of the astronomical events of the last half century. This collection of papers presents his reflections over the last forty years in a way accessible to historians, philosophers, and scientists alike. From the search for alien life to ongoing space exploration efforts, readers will find this volume full of engaging topics relevant to science, society, and our collective future on planet Earth and beyond.




Extraterrestrial Intelligence


Book Description

If extraterrestrial intelligence exists, then positive detection would be the greatest scientific discovery of all time. By what criteria should we judge whether we are alone in the cosmos, and how should we set about detecting extraterrestrials? Jean Heidmann answers these questions in this engaging discussion of extraterrestrial intelligence. Through a clear explanation of the many issues involved, including new and updated information, the entire subject of extraterrestrial intelligence is explained: the expansion of searches in space, the habitable zones in our universe, and what might happen if actual contact takes place.




Review of Radio Science


Book Description

A triennial summation of the state of the art in radio science This book is the fourth in the modern series of triennial reviews prepared by the International Union of Radio Science to further communication and understanding of the status and future of radio science, both for those working in the field, and for those who want to know what is of current importance in this area. The International Union of Radio Science, URSI (Union Radio-Scientifique Internationale), has divided the subject of "Radio Science" according to the ten topics of the Scientific Commissions that make up URSI. This volume consists of thirty-eight original, peer-reviewed papers. Each paper provides a critical, in-depth review of–and, in many cases, tutorial on–advances and research that have been of significant importance within the area of interest of the Commissions during the past three to four years. Among the topics covered are: Electromagnetic metrology Fields and waves Signals and systems Electronics and photonics Electromagnetic noise and interference Wave propagation and remote sensing Ionospheric radio and propagation Waves in plasmas Radio astronomy Electromagnetics in biology and medicine With an included CD-ROM of the full book text, allowing the user to do full-text searching of all the papers, the Review of Radio Science: 1999—2002 is a resource of vital importance to anyone working in, or with an interest in, radio science.




Literature 1988, Part 2


Book Description

From the reviews: "Astronomy and Astrophysics Abstracts has appeared in semi-annual volumes since 1969 and it has already become one of the fundamental publications in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics and neighbouring sciences. It is the most important English-language abstracting journal in the mentioned branches. ...The abstracts are classified under more than a hundred subject categories, thus permitting a quick survey of the whole extended material. The AAA is a valuable and important publication for all students and scientists working in the fields of astronomy and related sciences. As such it represents a necessary ingredient of any astronomical library all over the world." Space Science Reviews#1 "Dividing the whole field plus related subjects into 108 categories, each work is numbered and most are accompanied by brief abstracts. Fairly comprehensive cross-referencing links relevant papers to more than one category, and exhaustive author and subject indices are to be found at the back, making the catalogues easy to use. The series appears to be so complete in its coverage and always less than a year out of date that I shall certainly have to make a little more space on those shelves for future volumes." The Observatory Magazine#2




The New Science of Astrobiology


Book Description

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. These additions should make The New Science of Astrobiology accessible to a wide readership: scientists, humanists, and the general reader will have an opportunity to participate in one of the most rewarding activities of contemporary culture.