Screen LibraryFrom habitability to life on Mars /
From Habitability to Life on Mars explores the current state of knowledge and questions on the past habitability of Mars and the role that rapid environmental changes may have played in the ability of prebiotic chemistry to transition to life. It investigates the role that such changes may have play...
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| Corporate Authors: | |
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| Group Author: | ; |
| Published: |
Elsevier,
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| Publisher Address: | Amsterdam, Netherlands : |
| Publication Dates: | [2018] |
| Literature type: | eBook |
| Language: | English |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: |
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9780128099353 |
| Summary: |
From Habitability to Life on Mars explores the current state of knowledge and questions on the past habitability of Mars and the role that rapid environmental changes may have played in the ability of prebiotic chemistry to transition to life. It investigates the role that such changes may have played in the preservation of biosignatures in the geological record and what this means for exploration strategies. Throughout the book, the authors show how the investigation of terrestrial analogs to early Martian habitats under various climates and environmental extremes provide critical clues to understand where, what and how to search for biosignatures on Mars. The authors present an introduction to the newest developments and state-of-the-art remote and in situ detection strategies and technologies that are being currently developed to support the upcoming ExoMars and Mars 2020 missions. They show how the current orbital and ground exploration is guiding the selection for future landing sites. Finally, the book concludes by discussing the critical question of the implications and ethics of finding life on Mars. |
| Carrier Form: | 1 online resource (370 pages) : illustrations (some color) |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| ISBN: |
9780128099360 0128099364 |
| Index Number: | QB641 |
| CLC: | P185.3 |
| Contents: |
Front Cover; From Habitability to Life on Mars; Copyright; Contents; List of Contributors; Foreword; Color Plate 1; Color Plate 2; Chapter 1: Habitability as a Tool in Astrobiological Exploration; 1.1. Overview; 1.2. Introduction; 1.3. Defining Habitability; 1.3.1. Follow the Water; 1.3.2. Follow the Bioessential Elements; 1.3.3. Follow the Energy Sources; 1.4. Exploring the Extremes of Life; 1.5. Niche-Based Multivariate Approach to Habitability; 1.6. Conclusions; References; Further Reading; Chapter 2: An Origin of Life on Mars?; 2.1. Overview; 2.2. Introduction; 2.3. Liquid Water. 2.4. Carbon Chemistry2.5. Water on Mars; 2.6. The Timing of Aquatic Habitats; 2.7. Possible Sources of Organic Molecules on Mars; 2.8. Where are the Martian Organic Molecules?; 2.9. Several Possible Ways to Start Life on Mars; 2.10. The Odds for an Origin of Life; 2.11. Conclusion; References; Chapter 3: Remote Detection of Phyllosilicates on Mars and Implications for Climate and Habitability; 3.1. Overview; 3.2. Presence of Phyllosilicates and Poorly Crystalline Aluminosilicates on Mars; 3.3. Remote Detection of Phyllosilicates and Related Materials at Mars. 3.3.1. Detection of Phyllosilicates and SRO Materials on Mars Using VNIR Spectra3.3.2. Detection of Phyllosilicates and SRO Materials on Mars in TIR Spectra; 3.3.2.1. Si-O Stretching Vibrations; 3.3.2.2. Si-O Bending Vibrations; 3.3.3. Detection of Phyllosilicates and SRO Materials on Mars by Rovers; 3.3.4. Detection of Phyllosilicates and SRO Materials in Martian Meteorites; 3.4. Characterization of Phyllosilicates and SRO Materials on Mars; 3.4.1. Global Observations of Phyllosilicates, SRO Phases and Aqueous Alteration on Mars. 3.4.2. Regional Characterization of Phyllosilicates and Aqueous Alteration on Mars3.4.2.1. The Phyllosilicate-Rich Mawrth Vallis Region in Eastern Chryse Planitia; 3.4.2.2. The Clay-Bearing Region West and South of Isidis Planitia; 3.5. Discussion of Phyllosilicates and Climate on Mars; 3.6. Discussion of Phyllosilicates and Habitability on Mars; 3.7. Summary of Phyllosilicates and SRO Materials on Mars; Acknowledgments; References; Chapter 4: Martian Habitability as Inferred From Landed Mission Observations; 4.1. Introduction; 4.2. Summary of Landed Missions. 4.3. Needs and Challenges for Habitability and Life4.4. Indicators of Habitability From Landed Missions; 4.4.1. Phoenix: Northern Latitude Soils and Water Ice; 4.4.1.1. Overview; 4.4.1.2. Perchlorates and Other Salts; 4.4.1.3. Low Water Activity Environment; 4.4.2. Curiosity: Fluvial-Deltaic-Lacustrine Deposits in Gale Crater; 4.4.2.1. Overview; 4.4.2.2. Prolonged Surface Water; 4.4.2.3. Varying Redox Conditions; 4.4.2.4. Organic Carbon in Mudstones; 4.4.2.5. Detection of Nitrate; 4.4.2.6. Alteration by Ground Water; 4.4.2.7. Evolution of Water Availability. |