Under a crimson sun prospects for life in a red dwarf system David S. Stevenson

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Stevenson, David S., 1968- author.

Series:

Astronomers' universe 1614-659X

Astronomers' Universe 1614-659X

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Exobiology.

Habitable planets.

Red dwarf stars.

Astronomy.

astronomy.

Medical Subjects:

Astronomy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

New York Springer 2013

Summary:

Gliese 581 is a red dwarf star some 20.3 light years from Earth. Red dwarfs are among the most numerous stars in the galaxy, and they sport diverse planetary systems. At magnitude 10, Gliese 581 is visible to amateur observers but does not stand out. So what makes this star so important? It is that professional observers have confirmed that it has at least four planets orbiting it, and in 2009, Planet d was described in the letters of The Astrophysical Journal as "the first confirmed exoplanet that could support Earth-like life." Under a Crimson Sun looks at the nature of red dwarf systems such as Gliese as potential homes for life. Realistically, what are prospects for life on these distant worlds? Could life evolve and survive there? How do these planetary surfaces and geology evolve? How would life on a red dwarf planet differ from life on Earth? And what are the implications for finding further habitable worlds in our galaxy? Stevenson provides readers with insight into the habitability of planets and how this changes as time progresses and the central star evolves. Explore with him in this engaging, fascinating book the possibilities for finding life, from bacteria to more complex and even intelligent organisms, on red dwarf system planets

Contents:

Part I: Common Themes. The Discovery of Extraterrestrial Worlds The Formation of Stars and Planets Stellar Evolution Near the Bottom of the Main Sequence The Living Planet The Carbon Dioxide Connection Stability of Habitable Atmospheres on Red Dwarf Worlds The Development and Sustenance of Life

Part II. Life Under a Crimson Sun. Red Dwarfs, PAR and the Prospects for Photosynthesis Gliese 581d: The First Potentially Habitable Water-World Discovered? The Evolution of an Earth-Like World

Notes:

Includes index

Online resource; title from PDF title page (SpringerLink, viewed August 20, 2013)

Other Format:

Print version Stevenson, David S., 1968- Under a crimson sun

ISBN:

9781461481331

1461481333

1461481325

9781461481324

OCLC:

857660612

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license