Life Sciences and Space Research Xxiv (3): Planetary Biology and Origins of Life(Advances in Space Research S.)

Throughout its history, mankind has wondered about the origins and the distribution of life in the universe. Since the development of space technologies and the exploration of the Moon and of our neighbour planets by use of space vehicles, extraterrestrial biology has become established as a scientific topic. Comets, chondritic meteorites and interplanetary dust of our solar system bear witness to the existence of a dynamic organic chemistry from its earliest stages, during the condensation of the solar nebula. Recent observational, theoretical and experimental studies of comets, above all of the comet Halley and of our volatile-rich minor bodies, and their relationship to the early evolution of terrestrial planets and the origin of life were discussed at the meetings on "Structure and Organic Chemistry in Comets" and "Chemical, Physical and Astronomical Perspectives on Life in the Universe". Among the terrestrial planets and satellites, Mars has received increased interest within the space agencies, which have put forward a number of mission scenarios, including human expeditions.

Table of Contents:
Section headings and selected papers: Structure and Organic Chemistry in Comets . Cometary origin of carbon and water on the terrestrial planets, A H Delsemme. The cometary contribution to prebiotic chemistry. J Oro et al . Radiolysis of aqueous formaldehyde relevant to cometary environments, S Castillo-Rojas et al . Radiation-induced syntheses in cometary simulated models, A Negron-Mendoza et al . Cometary/meteor coupling: structure of young streams, N V Kulikova. Impact of Human Expeditions to Mars . Science strategy for human exploration of Mars, C R Stoker et al . Stable carbon isotopes: possible clues to early life on Mars, M Schidlowski. The use of mineral crystals as bio-markers in the search for life on Mars, D E Schwartz et al . Chemical, Physical and Astronomical Perspectives on Life in the Universe . The initiation of biological processes on Earth: summary of empirical evidence, M Schidlowski. The search for extra-solar planetary systems, F Paresce. Evolution of Primitive Biochemical Functions . Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: primitive pigment systems in the prebiotic environment, D W Deamer. Some aspects of the early evolution of photosynthesis, Z Masinovsky et al . Life in Extreme Environments . Survival in extreme dryness and DNA-single strand breaks, K Dose et al . Anhydrobiosis: a strategy for survival, L M Crowe & J H Crowe; Long-term preservation of microbial ecosystems in permafrost, D A Gilichinsky et al . Survival rates of some terrestrial microorganisms under simulated space conditions, J Koike et al . Cometary habitats for primitive life, M K Wallis et al . Author Index.