Micrometeorites and the Mysteries of Our Origins [Paperback]

Gives the first a coherent and comprehensive account of how meteorites may have brought the seeds of life to Earth.

Embedds specific results within a broader framework that considers the creation and evolution of the Early Earth.

Provides experienced researchers with a modern and compact reference, as well as a source of material for lectures in this field.

Micrometeorites played an essential role in the formation of the atmosphere of the Early Earth and also served as a significant source of activation for organic prebiotic chemistry on mineral surfaces. The present book gives a coherent account of this scenario, embedding the more specific results within a broader framework that considers the creation and evolution of the Early Earth. It thus addresses students and nonspecialist researchers in the fields of planetary atmospheres, biogeophysics and astrobiology. The experienced researcher will find this volume to be a modern and compact reference, as well as a source of material for lectures in this field.

Staging the Cosmic Theater.- Solar System Bodies and Primitiveness.- The Power of Wetherills Friend, Jupiter.- The EarthMoon System in a Gigantic Cosmic Firing Range.- A Microscopic Suspect for the Formation of the Earths Atmosphere.- Primitive Extraterrestrial Matter on the Earth.- The Space Collector Earth.- Classification of Meteorites and Micrometeorites.- The Major Contribution of Micrometeorites to the Delivery of HydrousCarbonaceous Material to the Earth.- Formation of the Post-Lunar Earths Atmosphere.- The Inadequacy of Previous Scenarios.- A Prime Suspect for the Formation of the Atmosphere.- Formation of the Post-lunar Atmosphere.- The Mysterious Fate of Early Micrometeoritic Oxygen.- Exobiology with Unmelted Micrometeorites.- The Birth of Life on the Early Earth.- Microscopic Chondritic Chemical Reactors.- Radiation Reprocessing of Organics by Energetic Ions in Space.l3^