Life in the universe
Subtitle: expectations and constraints
By: Dirk Schulze-Makuch, Louis N. Irwin.
Contributors: Irwin, Louis N.
Series: Advances in astrobiology and biogeophysics
Publisher: Springer
Published: 2004
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 172
Subjects: Life (Biology); Life on other planets
Description: "Energy, chemistry, solvents, and habitats - the basic elements of living systems - define the opportunities and limitations for life on other worlds. This study examines each of these parameters in crucial depth and makes the argument that life forms we would recognize may be more common in our solar system than many assume. They seek an operational definition of life and investigate the realm of possibilities that nature offers to realize this very special state of matter and avoid scientific jargon wherever possible to make this intrinsically interdisciplinary subject understandable to a broad range of readers."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p.   ).