Screen LibraryStardust : the cosmic seeds of life /
"How did life originate on Earth? For over 50 years, scientists believed that life was the result of chemistry involving simple molecules such as methane and ammonia cooking in a primordial soup. Recent space observations have revealed that old stars are capable of making very complex organic c...
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| Main Authors: | |
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| Corporate Authors: | |
| Published: |
Springer,
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| Publisher Address: | Heidelberg ; New York : |
| Publication Dates: |
[2013] ?013 |
| Literature type: | eBook |
| Language: | English |
| Series: |
Astronomers' universe
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32802-2 |
| Summary: |
"How did life originate on Earth? For over 50 years, scientists believed that life was the result of chemistry involving simple molecules such as methane and ammonia cooking in a primordial soup. Recent space observations have revealed that old stars are capable of making very complex organic compounds. The stars then ejected the organics and spread them all over the Milky Way Galaxy. There is evidence that these organic dust particles actually reached the early Solar System. Through bombardments by comets and asteroids, the early Earth inherited significant amounts of star dust. Was the development of life assisted by the arrival of these extraterrestrial materials? In this book, we describe stunning discoveries in astronomy and solar system science over the last 10 years that resulted in a new perspective on the origin of life. Other interesting topics discussed in this book: The discovery of diamonds and other gemstones in space, The origin of oil, Neon signs and fluorescent lights in space, Smoke from stars, Star dust in our hands, Where oceans come from, Possibility of bacteria in space"--Provided by publisher. |
| Carrier Form: | 1 online resource (xxii, 267 pages) : illustrations. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| ISBN: |
9783642328022 (electronic book) 3642328024 (electronic book) |
| Index Number: | QH326 |
| CLC: | Q693 |
| Contents: |
Where Do We Come From? -- Rocks and Dust in the Planetary Neighborhood -- Impacts from Beyond -- Descendants of Stars -- Glowing in the Dark -- Stardust in Our Eyes -- The Oldest and Brightest -- Neon Signs in the Sky -- Stars as Molecular Factories -- Smoke from Stellar Chimneys -- Gems from Heaven -- Diamonds in the Sky -- A Mysterious Red Glow -- A Celestial Origin for Oil? -- Organics in Our Solar System -- Stardust in Our Hands -- Bacteria in Space? -- Comets: Messengers from the Past -- Where Do Oceans Come from? -- Playing God with Primordial Soup -- Stardust and Origin of Life -- Our Place in the Universe. |