Provides a valuable overview of established and emerging techniques for evaluating modern and ancient microorganisms on Earth and beyond
Contains diverse, critical reviews of paleontological and taphonomic studies of life in the Universe
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.
Foreward, Joseph Seckbach and Maud Walsh. Introduction: A Roadmap to Fata Morgana?, Wladyslaw Altermann. List of authors and their addresses.GEOLOGYPART 1: Fossils and FossilizationNanosims Opens a New Window for Deciphering Organic matter in Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial Samples, Dorothy Z. Oehler, Francois Robert, Smail Mostefaoui, Anders Meibom, Madeleine Selo, David S. McKay, and Everett K. GibsonDisentangling the Microbial Fossil Record in the Barberton Greenstone Belt: A Cautionary Tale, Maud M. Walsh and Frances WestallLooking through Windows onto the Earliest History of Life on Earth and Mars, David Wacey, Nicola McLoughlin, and Martin D. BrasierModels for Silicate Fossils of Organic Materials in the Astrobiological Context, Vera M. Kolb and Patrick J. LieschMicrofossil Phosphatization and Its Astrobiological Implications, Shuhai Xiao and James D. SchiffbauerProterozoic Unicellular and Multicellular Fossils from India and Their Implications, Vinod Chandra TewariPART 2: Stromatolites, Microbial Mats, and BiofilmsStromatolites, B.P. Burns, M.R. Walter, and B.A. NeilanBiosedimentological Processes that Produce Hot Spring Sinter Biofabrics: Examples from the Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka, Russia, Jessica C. Goin and Sherry L. CadyCyanobacterial Mat Features Preserved in the Siliciclastic Sedimentary Record, Hubertus Porada and Patrick G. ErikssonDeciphering Fossil Evidence for the Origin of Life and the Origin of Animals: Common Challenges in Different Worlds, Jonathan Antcliffe and Nicola McLoughlinBIOLOGYPART 3: Terrestrial Microbes as Analogs for Life Elsewhere in the UniverseMicroorganisms in the Ancient Terrestrial Subsurface – And in Outer Space?, Helga Stan-Lotter, Sergiu Fendrihan, Marion Dornmayr-Pfaffenhuemer, Friedrich Gerbl, Andrea Legat, Claudia Gruber, and Gerhard WeidlerEvidence of Ancient Microbial Life in a Large Impact Structure and Its Implications for Astrobiology - A Case Study, Tomas Hode, Shery L. Cady, Ilka von Dalwigk and Per KristianssonPhylogenomic Dating and the Relative Ancestry of Prokaryotic Metabolisms, Carrine E. BlankFossil Microorganisms at Methane Seeps: An Astrobiological Perspective, Roberto Barbieri and Barbara CavalazziEndoliths in Terrestrial Arid Environments: Implications for Astrobiology, Nunzia Stivaletta and Roberto BarbieriMagnetotactic Bacteria and Their Potential for Terraformation, Ioan I. Ardelean, Cristina Moisescu, and Dan Razvan PopoviciuPART 4: Evolution and AstrobiologyPaleontological Tests: Human-Like Intelligence Is Not a Convergent Feature of Evolution, Charles H. LineweaverCosmic Life Forms, Attila GrandpierreSPACE SCIENCESPART 5: Astronomical and Cosmological Considerations in AstrobiologyAstronomical and Astrobiological Imprints on the Fossil Records: A Review, J. Chela-Flores, G. Jerse, M. Messerotti, and C. TunizDo Impacts Really Cause Most Mass Extinctions?, Donald R. ProtheroIrradiation of Icy Cometary Analogs: Its Relevance in Reference to Chemical Evolution and the Origin of Life, Maria Colin-Garcia, A. Negron-Mendoza, S. Ramos-Bernal and E. ChaconThe Big Bang at Time Zero, Peter R. Bahn and Steven H. PravdoMolecular Imprints of Reaction Network: Living or
From the reviews:
"This book emphasizes the study of Precambrian paleontology and its implications for investigating extraterrestrial biosignatures. ... Largely technical in nature, this fascinating volume ... will be of great interest to astrobiologists, planetary astronomers, evolutionary biologists, and paleontologists. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate through professional collections." (D. A. Brass, Choice, Vol. 46 (9), May, 2009)
"In this 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 that could be found in the extraterrestrial surface or subsurface within the solar system and beyond. ... 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 ... ." (Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin, 2009)
This volume reviews developments in paleontology and geobiology relating to the rapidly-developing field of Astrobiology, the study of life in the Universe. Uniquely among astrobiology monographs, the book focuses on fossil evidence from the geological record.
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.
Geology.- Nanosims Opens a New Window for Deciphering Organic Matter in Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial Samples.- Disentangling the Microbial Fossil Record in the Barberton Greenstone Belt: A Cautionary Tale.- Looking Through Windows onto the Earliest History of Life on Earth and Mars.- Models for Silicate Fossils of Organic Materials in the Astrobiological Context.- Microfossil Phosphatization and Its Astrobiological Implications.- Proterozoic Unicellular and Multicellular Fossils from India and Their Implications.- Microbial Communities of Stromatolites.- Biosedimentological Processes That Produce Hot Spring Sinter Biofabrics: Examples from the Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka Russia.- Cyanobacterial Mat Features Preserved in the Siliciclastic Sedimentary Record.- Deciphering Fossil Evidence for the Origin of Life and the Origin of Animals.- Biology.- Microorganisms in the Ancient Terrestrial Subsurface - And in Outer Space?.- Evidence of Ancient Microbial Life in an Impact Structure and Its Implications for Astrobiology.- Phylogenomic Dating and the Relative Ancestry of Prokaryotic Metabolisms.- Fossil Microorganisms at Methane Seeps: An Astrobiological Perspective.- Endoliths in Terrestrial Arid Environments: Implications for Astrobiology.- Magnetotactic Bacteria and Their Potential for Terraformation.- Paleontological Tests: Human-Like Intelligence Is Not a Convergent Feature of Evolution.- Cosmic Life Forms.- Space Sciences.- Astronomical and Astrobiological Imprints on the Fossil Records: A Review.- Do Impacts Really Cause Most Mass Extinctions?.- Irradiation of Icy Cometary Analogs: Its Relevance in Reference to Chemical Evolution and the Origin of Life.- The Big Bang at Time Zero.- Molecular Imprints of Reaction Network.- The ALH84001 Case for Life on Mars.-Preservation Windows for Paleobiological Traces in the Mars Geological Record.- Summary, Final Comments and Conclusions.
From the reviews:
"This book emphasizes the study of Precambrian paleontology and its implications for investigating extraterrestrial biosignatures. ... Largely technical in nature, this fascinating volume ... will be of great interest to astrobiologists, planetary astronomers, evolutionary biologists, and paleontologists. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate through professional collections." (D. A. Brass, Choice, Vol. 46 (9), May, 2009)
"In this 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 that could be found in the extraterrestrial surface or subsurface within the solar system and beyond. ... 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 ... ." (Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin, 2009)
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Foreward, Joseph Seckbach and Maud Walsh. Introduction: A Roadmap to Fata Morgana?, Wladyslaw Altermann. List of authors and their addresses.nGEOLOGYnPART 1: Fossils and FossilizationnNanosims Opens a New Window for Deciphering Organic matter in Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial Samples, Dorothy Z. Oehler, Francois Robert, Smail Mostefaoui, Anders Meibom, Madeleine Selo, David S. McKay, and Everett K. GibsonnDisentangling the Microbial Fossil Record in the Barberton Greenstone Belt: A Cautionary Tale, Maud M. Walsh and Frances WestallnLooking through Windows onto the Earliest History of Life on Earth and Mars, David Wacey, Nicola McLoughlin, and Martin D. BrasiernModels for Silicate Fossils of Organic Materials in the Astrobiological Context, Vera M. Kolb and Patrick J. LieschnMicrofossil Phosphatization and Its Astrobiological Implications, Shuhai Xiao and James D. SchiffbauernProterozoic Unicellular and Multicellular Fossils from India and Their Implications, Vinod Chandra TewarinPART 2: Stromatolites, Microbial Mats, and BiofilmsnStromatolites, B.P. Burns, M.R. Walter, and B.A. NeilannBiosedimentological Processes that Produce Hot Spring Sinter Biofabrics: Examples from the Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka, Russia, Jessica C. Goin and Sherry L. CadynCyanobacterial Mat Features Preserved in the Siliciclastic Sedimentary Record, Hubertus Porada and Patrick G. ErikssonnDeciphering Fossil Evidence for the Origin of Life and the Origin of Animals: Common Challenges in Different Worlds, Jonathan Antcliffe and Nicola McLoughlinnBIOLOGYnPART 3: Terrestrial Microbes as Analogs for Life Elsewhere in the UniversenMicroorganisms in the Ancient Terrestrial Subsurface - And in Outer Space?, Helga Stan-Lotter, Sergiu Fendrihan, Marion Dornmayr-Pfaffenhuemer, Friedrich Gerbl, Andrea Legat, Claudia Gruber, and Gerhard WeidlernEvidence of Ancient Microbial Life in a Large Impact Structure and Its Implications for Astrobiology - A Case Study, Tomas Hode, Shery L. Cady, Ilka von Dalwigk and Per KristianssonnPhylogenomic Dating and the Relative Ancestry of Prokaryotic Metabolisms, Carrine E. BlanknFossil Microorganisms at Methane Seeps: An Astrobiological Perspective, Roberto Barbieri and Barbara CavalazzinEndoliths in Terrestrial Arid Environments: Implications for Astrobiology, Nunzia Stivaletta and Roberto BarbierinMagnetotactic Bacteria and Their Potential for Terraformation, Ioan I. Ardelean, Cristina Moisescu, and Dan Razvan PopoviciunPART 4: Evolution and AstrobiologynPaleontological Tests: Human-Like Intelligence Is Not a Convergent Feature of Evolution, Charles H. LineweavernCosmic Life Forms, Attila GrandpierrenSPACE SCIENCESnPART 5: Astronomical and Cosmological Considerations in AstrobiologynAstronomical and Astrobiological Imprints on the Fossil Records: A Review, J. Chela-Flores, G. Jerse, M. Messerotti, and C. TuniznDo Impacts Really Cause Most Mass Extinctions?, Donald R. ProtheronIrradiation of Icy Cometary Analogs: Its Relevance in Reference to Chemical Evolution and the Origin of Life, Maria Colin-Garcia, A. Negron-Mendoza, S. Ramos-Bernal and E. ChaconnThe Big Bang at Time Zero, Peter R. Bahn and Steven H. PravdonMolecular Imprints of Reaction Network: Living or
Klappentext
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.
Provides a valuable overview of established and emerging techniques for evaluating modern and ancient microorganisms on Earth and beyond
n
Contains diverse, critical reviews of paleontological and taphonomic studies of life in the Universe
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