Bøger af Thérèse Encrenaz

What is life and where can it exist? What searches are being made to identify conditions for life on other worlds? If extraterrestrial inhabited worlds are found, how can we explore them? In this book, two leading astrophysicists provide an engaging account of where we stand in our quest for habitable environments, in the Solar System and beyond. Starting from basic concepts, the narrative builds scientifically, including more in-depth material as boxed additions to the main text. The authors recount fascinating recent discoveries from space missions and observations using ground-based telescopes, of possible life-related artefacts in Martian meteorites, extrasolar planets, and subsurface oceans on Europa, Titan and Enceladus. They also provide a forward look to future missions. This is an exciting, informative read for anyone interested in the search for habitable and inhabited planets, and an excellent primer for students in astrobiology, habitability, planetary science and astronomy.

The Earth is the only planet in the Solar System where liquid water is present on the surface, a condition that seems necessary for the development of life. Its sisters Venus and Mars are extremely different. Why did these three planets, born under fairly comparable conditions, evolve to the conditions we observe today? Understanding the physical or chemical factors that are at the origin of such divergent evolutions is a first step in an approach to the problem of the origin of life on Earth.

Understanding how diverse planet systems were formed and how they evolved are challenges that hundreds of researchers are working on. Does any of these planets harbor life?We do not yet have an answer, but the new means of observation that astronomers have and will soon have at their disposal are so powerful that they could give a first answer soon

The discovery of extrasolar planets in recent years has opened a new field of astronomy and spurred a rapid rise in observational and theoretical research. This text introduces planetary systems and explores them from all aspects.

Provides information on the solar system and its interaction with the interplanetary medium, its various objects, comparative planetology, discussion of questions for further research and future space exploration.

This volume offers an accessible journey through the Universe in search of water. The author shows how scientists detect water, from the nearest planets to the furthest galaxies. Coverage includes the role played by water in studies of habitable exoplanets.