Planetary Formation And Biogenesis Second Edition

Many observations are interpreted in terms of the then-current paradigm. Here, a review of almost 1290 scientific papers shows that the significance of some key observations have not been appreciated while some key facts have been ignored. It is assumed planets formed from a distribution of planetesimals, but we do not know how dust accreted to planetesimals. Oligarchic accretion should not apply beyond 10 AU, but this would mean LkCa 15b, and TYC 8998-760-1 b and c were impossible. The atmospheres of three of our rocky planets have clearly different atmospheric compositions, but they are supposed to come from one source, which has the wrong elemental ratios for any of them. The early Earth atmosphere is believed to have been oxidized, but samples from the time show that the atmosphere contained much methane, and the oceans much ammonia. We cannot understand how Mars could have running water, yet there are river valleys. This book argues these and many other problems go away if we assume the initial accretion was caused by chemistry, including physical chemistry, and our solar system is an archetype for planetary formation. If our water was ammoniacal, why could not the Martian water have been, in which case it would flow at the obvious low temperatures. The case is made that life can only evolve from a planet with Earth’s chemistry, and it evolved around fumaroles. There are at least seven reasons why there will be no life under-ice at Europa. These conclusions mainly come from putting together information already known, together with a few original propositions. The book ends with a large number of predictions, including some from experiments that could be carried out in a lab on Earth.

Planetary formation is a captivating process that unfolds over millions to billions of years, sculpting the celestial bodies that populate our cosmos. It begins within the swirling embrace of a protoplanetary disk, a vast expanse of gas and dust leftover from the birth of a new star. Within this cosmic crucible, tiny grains of dust collide and coalesce, forming larger and larger aggregates known as planetesimals. Through the relentless pull of gravity, these planetesimals grow into protoplanets, embryonic worlds with the potential to one day become full-fledged planets. As these protoplanets continue to accrete material from the surrounding disk, they undergo a dynamic interplay of gravitational interactions, collisions, and mergers. Some protoplanets may grow to become gas giants, like Jupiter and Saturn, while others may evolve into terrestrial planets, such as Earth and Mars. The process of planetary differentiation further shapes these nascent worlds, as heavier elements sink toward their cores, creating layered structures with distinct compositions and properties.

An in-depth view of the panspermia hypothesis examined against the latest knowledge of planetary formation and related processes. Panspermia is the concept that life can be passively transported through space on various bodies and seed, habitable planets and moons, which we are beginning to learn may exist in large numbers. It is an old idea, but not popular with those who prefer that life on Earth started on Earth, an alternative, also unproven hypothesis. This book updates the concept of panspermia in the light of new evidence on planet formation, molecular clouds, solar system motions, supernovae ejection mechanisms, etc. Thus, it is to be a book about newly understood prospects for the movement of life through space. The novel approach presented in this book gives new insights into the panspermia theory and its connection with planetary formation and the evolution of galaxies. This offers a good starting point for future research proposals about exolife and a better perspective for empirical scrutiny of panspermia theory. Also, the key to understanding life in the universe is to understand that the planetary formation process is convolved with the evolution of stellar systems in their galactic environment. The book provides the synthesis of all these elements and gives the readers an up-to-date insight on how panspermia might fit into the big picture. Audience Given the intrinsic interdisciplinary nature of the panspermia hypothesis the book will have a wide audience across various scientific disciplines covering astronomy, biology, physics and chemistry. Apart from scientists, the book will appeal to engineers who are involved in planning and realization of future space missions.

Since the publication of the popular first edition, stellar and planetary scientists have produced numerous new observations, theories, and interpretations, including the "demotion" of our former ninth planet Pluto as a dwarf planet. Covering all of these new discoveries, Planetary Science: The Science of Planets around Stars, Second Edition explai

The three greatest scientific mysteries, which remain poorly understood, are the origin of the universe, the origin of life and the development of consciousness. This book describes the processes preceding the Big Bang, the creation of matter, the concentration of that matter into stars and planets, the development of simple life forms and the theory of evolution that has given higher life forms, including mankind.There are many popular and excellent science books that present various aspects of science. However, this book follows a narrow scientific pathway from the Big Bang to mankind, and depicts the causal relationship between each step and the next. The science covered will be enough to satisfy most readers. Many important areas of science are dealt with, and these include cosmology, particle physics, atomic physics, galaxy and star formation, planet formation and aspects of evolution. The necessary science is described in a narrative form that general-interest readers should understand, without the use of equations or formulae.This 2nd edition includes several updates on the subjects that form the pillars of this book. They are: cosmology and astronomy, the features and formation of the solar system, the origin of life, and genetics and evolution. This book will appeal to readers with an interest in biology and those curious about the origins of the universe.

When this book was published in 2006, it had been just over ten years since the first planet outside our solar system was detected. Since then, much work has focused on understanding how extrasolar planets may form, and discovering the frequency of potentially habitable Earth-like planets. This volume addresses fundamental questions concerning the formation of planetary systems in general, and of our solar system in particular. Drawing from advances in observational, experimental and theoretical research, it summarises our understanding of the planet formation processes, and addresses major open questions and research issues. Chapters are written by leading experts in the field of planet formation and extrasolar planet studies. The book is based on a meeting held at Ringberg Castle in Bavaria, where experts gathered together to present and exchange their ideas and findings. It is a comprehensive resource for graduate students and researchers, and is written to be accessible to newcomers to the field.

Biogenesis provides an up-to-date and detailed discussion of the interdisciplinary study of the origin of life, including in-depth investigations into its history, assumptions, experimental strategies, theories, models, and controversies. Written both critically and objectively, the book explores topics including the history of the search for life's origin from the Greek philosophers to contemporary scientists; selected attributes of life which are connected to theories of biogenesis; the main features of our solar system and earth, where life is assumed to have originated; and the rationale and strategies of scientific theories of the origin of life. Filled with fascinating insights, Biogenesis will appeal to a wide range of scientists and students in biology, chemistry, and geology.

Heterocycles in Life and Society is an introduction to the chemistry of heterocyclic compounds, focusing on their origin and occurrence in nature, biochemical significance and wide range of applications. Written in a readable and accessible style, the book takes a multidisciplinary approach to this extremely important area of organic chemistry. Topics covered include an introduction to the structure and properties of heterocycles; the key role of heterocycles in important life processes such as the transfer of hereditary information, how enzymes function, the storage and transport of bioenergy, and photosynthesis; applications of heterocycles in medicine, agriculture and industry; heterocycles in supramolecular chemistry; the origin of heterocycles on primordial Earth; and how heterocycles can help us solve 21st century challenges. For this second edition, Heterocycles in Life and Society has been completely revised and expanded, drawing on a decade of innovation in heterocyclic chemistry. The new edition includes discussions of the role of heterocycles in nanochemistry, green chemistry, combinatorial chemistry, molecular devices and sensors, and supramolecular chemistry. Impressive achievements include the creation of various molecular devices, the recording and storage of information, the preparation of new organic conductors, and new effective drugs and pesticides with heterocyclic structures. Much new light has been thrown on various life processes, while the chemistry of heterocycles has expanded to include new types of heterocyclic structures and reactions, and the use of heterocyclic molecules as ionic liquids and proton sponges. Heterocycles in Life and Society is an essential guide to this important field for students and researchers in chemistry, biochemistry, and drug discovery, and scientists at all levels wishing to expand their scientific horizon.

In this book forty eminent scientists examine the astrobiological origins of life and the emergence of biodiversity in extreme environments. The coverage includes extremophiles: microbes living in hostile conditions of high temperature, psychrophilic, UV radiation, and halophilic environments. Also discussed are the origin and history of Martian water, and the possible biogeochemistry inside Titan.