From Stars to Life

‘From Stars to Life provides a thorough and wide-ranging insight into many processes in astrobiology, especially giving an introductory text to many quantitative aspects of the science, from the formation of stars to the major transitions in biological evolution. This book should be useful for advanced students and it provides a useful set of problems to help guide the reader.’ Charles Cockell, Professor of Astrobiology, University of Edinburgh

‘From Stars to Life is an outstanding book that introduces interested students and scholars in the highly interdisciplinary field of astrobiology, ranging from the beginning of the Universe to the formation of stars and planets, from the origin of life on Earth to potentially habitable worlds, and from the search for life on exoplanets to philosophical questions such as those related to Fermi’s paradox.’ Helmut Lammer, Space Research Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences

‘Lingam & Balbi have accomplished a breakthrough in the teaching of astrobiology. They provide a comprehensive and quantitative guide taking a class from the astrophysical preliminaries of star and planet formation through their evolution and on to fully astrobiological topics such as habitability, the co-evolution of life and planets and on to in-depth discussions of biosignatures and even technosignatures. Authored by two accomplished researchers at the frontiers of the field From Stars and Life fills a critical gap in available textbooks. Written in a clear and accessible style with just the right balance of exposition and technical detail (as well as a rich set of beautifully rendered and informative figures) it can form the basis for all modern introductory classes in astrobiology. This book is destined to become a classic in the field that many future astrobiologists will cite as their first contact and inspiration in the discipline.’ Adam Frank, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester

‘… many readers may find this book a useful guide to the literature in areas beyond their primary expertise. Recommended.’ C. Palma, Choice

‘Using our planet as a proxy for discussions on life-as-we-know-it, From Stars to Life takes the readers from the earliest astrophysical origin of life, i.e. the Big Bang nucleosynthesis, to the primitive Earth and finally to the signs of intelligent extraterrestrial life. In this, it requires the readers to be equipped with basic biology and geology, undergraduate physics and astronomy, and general chemistry. While it will not give definitive answers about life beyond Earth or the origin(s) of life, by answering the questions at the end of every chapter, advanced undergraduates and postgraduates will have the necessary tools to deal with the perennial questions. For instructors, this book is also a teaching manual for a short course in astrobiology.’ B. Ishak, Contemporary Physics

‘Astrobiology is perhaps the most multidisciplinary science that can be imagined. … the authors bravely take on the vast epic that is the story of life in the Universe from the Big Bang to the present day and beyond. And in doing that they are largely successful, maintaining a coherent voice and approach throughout … there is indeed a decent amount of quantitative analysis both in the text and in the included problems … The goal of the book, to cover the field of astrobiology in its true breadth, from stars (and even from before stars form) to life, is fully achieved, and there will almost certainly be something new here for anybody involved in astrobiology. Highly recommended, and already added to the reading lists of relevant courses that I teach.’ Dave Clements, The Observatory