Contenu
This book provides a full course in astrobiology with an emphasis on abiogenesis and evolution. It presents astrobiology both as a developing science and as the science of the future. The book begins with an overview of astrobiology, the origin of elements, and the formation of the solar system, planets, and exoplanets. Other topics covered include prebiotic synthesis of biochemical compounds, transition from abiotic to biotic, microorganisms in space, the roles of silicon in life, encapsulation of organic materials in protocells, cold and dry limits of life, virolution, and more.