Extrasolar Planets and Astrobiology / Edition 1

by Caleb A. Scharf

Overview

This book offers an advanced introduction to the increasingly robust fields of extrasolar planets and astrobiology. No other text currently available applies this level of mathematics and physics, while also providing an extensive grounding in key issues of chemistry, biology, and geophysics. With extensive references to the literature and chapter-ending exercises, this book can be used as the core text for teaching undergraduate or introductory graduate level courses. The text will also provide astrobiologists with an indispensable “User’s Manual” when quick reference to key mathematical and physical techniques is needed. A continually updated online component, fully cross referenced with the text, is also available. Foreword by Geoff Marcy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781891389559
Publisher:	University Science Books
Publication date:	10/31/2008
Edition description:	2008
Pages:	490
Product dimensions:	7.70(w) x 9.40(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Caleb Scharf was born and educated in England. He received his B.Sc. in Physics from Durham University, and his PhD in Astronomy from the University of Cambridge. Following postdoctoral work in X-ray astronomy and observational cosmology at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the Space Telescope Science Institute in Maryland, he has been a research scientist at Columbia University, New York. He is currently Director of the multidisciplinary Columbia Astrobiology Center. His research interests include the study of exoplanets, exomoons, and the nature of environments suitable for life.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction, Background, and Preview1.1 Introduction1.2 PreviewChapter 2: Star formation and proto-stellar collapse2.1 Introduction2.2 A brief cosmography2.3 Observed proto-stellar structures2.4 Proto-stellar collapse2.5 Outside-in versus inside-out star formation2.6 Triggering collapse2.7 Angular Momentum in Collapse2.8 Orbital Basics2.9 Disk Evolution2.10 Binary and multiple star systems2.11 Brown dwarfs to planetsChapter 3: Planet Formation3.1 Introduction3.2 Planet classes and formation scenarios3.3 Coagulation of solids3.4 Stages of growth3.5 The rate of formation as a function of position3.6 Planetesimal and Proto-planet migration3.7 Final stages of planet formation3.8 Planet formation summaryChapter 4: Exoplanets4.1 Introduction4.2 Indirect Planet Detection4.3 Direct Planet Detection and ImagingChapter 5: Life: a brief history, and its boundaries5.1 Introduction5.2 Two histories5.3 What is terrestrial life? 5.4 The history of life on Earth5.5 Boundary conditions and habitability5.6 Deep LifeChapter 6: Planetary radiation, comparative planetology, biosignatures, and Daisyworld6.1 Introduction6.2 The reflectivity of a planet: albedo6.3 The thermal characteristics of a planet6.4 Interpreting reflected light from planets6.5 Total observed flux6 Comparative Planetology6.7 The impact of life: biosignatures6.8 Daisyworld6.9 Introducing the daisies6.10 Variations6.11 Concluding thoughtsChapter 7: Cosmochemistry, dust, and prebiotic molecules7.1 Introduction7.2 Elements and materials7.3 The origin of dust7.4 The Circumstellar Medium7.5 Nucleation7.6 Dust or molecule? 7.7 Formation of complex moleculesChapter 8: Comets, meteorites, and proto-planetary disk structure8.1 Introduction8.2 Comets8.3 Meteorites8.4 Late time impactors and early Earth chemistry8.5 Chemistry of the proto-planetary diskChapter 9: Habitable Zones9.1 Introduction9.2 The classical circumstellar habitable zone (CHZ)9.3 Habitability through time9.4 Additional factors9.5 The Galactic Habitable ZoneChapter 10: Alternate Habitable Zones and Beyond10.1 Introduction10.2 Earth: but not as we know it10.3 Moons10.4 Elemental constraints on life10.5 Speculations on the origins of life10.6 Concluding commentary and cautions

Editorial Reviews

Caleb Scharf provides here a solid and mathematically-rich overview of astrobiology from a planetary perspective…suitable for both newcomers to the field and experienced researchers looking for a course textbook to recommend.

The Astrobiology Society of Britain

The book is truly excellent. Scharf provides the quantitative background needed to understand topics such as albedo and the greenhouse effect…this is probably the best volume available for the physical sciences side of astrobiology. Summing up: Essential.

Choice

I like this book very much. The writing style is clear and engaging and it provides more physics than most texts on astrobiology.

Debra Fischer

Scharf’s coverage of exoplanets is quite wonderful and will be very valuable for classes.

Geoff Marcy

The arrival of [this book] makes available to our community what should be the gold standard text…I suspect this text will become a much-loved, dog-eared friend to every amateur, student, or professional astrobiologist.

Astrobiology

If you’re getting serious about the study of astrobiology, you’ll want to know about this title.

Centauri Dreams