Introduction to Planetary Science

table of contents xv
22.8. Summary 435
22.9. Science Briefs 436
22.10. Problems 438
22.11. Further Reading 439
23. Earth: The Cradle of Humans 441
23.1. Origin of Life 441
23.1.1. Panspermia 442
23.1.2. Miller-Urey Experiment 442
23.1.3. Mineral Catalysts 443
23.1.4. Cradle of Life 444
23.2. Importance of the Biosphere 444
23.2.1. Atmosphere 445
23.2.2. Sedimentary Rocks 445
23.2.3. Fossil Fuels 446
23.2.4. Humans 446
23.3. Tales of Doom 448
23.3.1. Evolution of the Sun 448
23.3.2. Impacts 449
23.3.3. Suicide 450
23.4. Summary 451
23.5. Further Reading 451
24. Brown-Dwarf Stars and Extrasolar Planets 455
24.1. Methods of Discovery 455
24.1.1. Doppler Spectroscopy 455
24.1.2. Occultation 456
24.2. Brown-Dwarf Stars 456
24.3. Extrasolar Planets 458
24.4. Voyage to the Stars 460
24.4.1. Nearby Stars 460
24.4.2. Habitable Planets 461
24.4.3. Voyage to Proxima Centauri 462
24.5. SETI and the Drake Equation 463
24.5.1. SETI 464
24.5.2. The Drake Equation 464
24.6. Summary 466
24.7. Further Reading 467
Appendix 1. Mathematical Equations Used in Astronomy 469
Appendix 2. Summaries of Physical and Orbital
Parameters 475
A2.1. The Planets and Satellites of the Solar System 475
A2.2. Orbital Properties of Asteroids 477
A2.3. Orbital Properties of Selected Comets 478
Glossary 481
Author Index 503
Subject Index 509