Astrophysics of Life Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Participants
- Preface
- A voyage from dark clouds to the early Earth
- Galactic environment of the Sun and stars: Interstellar and interplanetary material
- Transits
- Planet migration
- Organic synthesis in space
- The vegetation red edge spectroscopic feature as a surface biomarker
- Search for extra-solar planets through gravitational lensing
- The Galactic Habitable Zone
- Cosmology and life
Preface
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 August 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Participants
- Preface
- A voyage from dark clouds to the early Earth
- Galactic environment of the Sun and stars: Interstellar and interplanetary material
- Transits
- Planet migration
- Organic synthesis in space
- The vegetation red edge spectroscopic feature as a surface biomarker
- Search for extra-solar planets through gravitational lensing
- The Galactic Habitable Zone
- Cosmology and life
Summary
The Space Telescope Science Institute Symposium on “Astrophysics of Life” took place during 6–9 May 2002. Unlike other astrobiology symposia, the emphasis here was on astronomical observations and astrophysical research. With the discovery of more than a hundred extrasolar planets on one hand, and recent progress in the understanding of the evolution of the universe on the other, the “astro” part of astrobiology has advanced to the forefront of astronomical investigation.
These proceedings represent only a part of the invited talks that were presented at the symposium. We thank the contributing authors for preparing their manuscripts.
We thank Sharon Toolan of ST ScI for her help in preparing this volume for publication.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Astrophysics of LifeProceedings of the Space Telescope Science Institute Symposium, held in Baltimore, Maryland May 6–9, 2002, pp. xi - xiiPublisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2005