Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
This review gathers astronomers, geologists, biologists, and chemists around a common question: how did life emerge on Earth? The ultimate goal is to probe an even more demanding question: is life universal? This not-so linear account highlights problems, gaps, and controversies. Discussion covers the formation of the solar system; the building of a habitable planet; prebiotic chemistry, biochemistry, and the emergence of life; the early Earth environment, and much more.
Synopsis
From the Arrow of Time to the Arrow of Life.- Dating Methods and Corresponding Chronometers in Astrobiology.- Solar System Formation and Early Evolution: the First 100 Million Years.- Building of a Habitable Planet.- Prebiotic Chemistry - Biochemistry - Emergence of Life (4.4-2 Ga).- Environmental Context.- Ancient Fossil Record and Early Evolution (ca. 3.8 to 0.5 Ga).- A Synthetic Interdisciplinary "Chronological Frieze" an Attempt.- Life On Earth... And Elsewhere?.