A biogeologist traces the evolution of the universe ranging from a description of the nature of atoms to the behavior of galaxies and follows the development of life on Earth
THE VIEW FROM PLANET EARTH offers a fascinating, informed look at the greatest minds in history, from the classical Greeks to the present, and how their views of the cosmos have affected the evolution of our culture and values. In a lively and appealing narrative, Vincent Cronin skillfully blends history and biography to re-create the cosmology of each age through its key figures. Deftly woven throughout are the influences of astronomy and astrology, philosophy and poetry, folklore and religion. The result is a thorough analysis of mankind's preoccupation with the universe, a preoccupation that continues into our time.
Earth and Cosmos presents a comprehensive view of the many connections between the environment of Man on Earth and the environment of the Earth in the cosmos. Topics covered range from matter, radiation, and the basic forces of nature to Earth's relation to the universe, the galaxy, and the sun. The energy balance and global circulation of the atmosphere are also discussed, along with continents, oceans, and climate. This book is comprised of 13 chapters and begins with an overview of the environment of Man on Earth, with emphasis on the Earth's chemical composition and how it is related to both cosmic and terrestrial processes; the radiation environment at the Earth's surface and above; how the atmosphere interacts with both solar and terrestrial radiation; and climate. The following chapters explore matter, radiation, and the laws of nature in relation to the universe; how the terrestrial environment is related to the structure of the universe as a whole; how the composition of the solar system and the Earth reflects the history of the galaxy; and the stability of the Earth's environment. The origins of life on Earth and the impact of human activities on the planet are also considered. The last chapter speaks of the future of humanity, and notably of the problem of the population explosion and its consequences. This monograph will be of interest to students, astronomers, planetary scientists, astrophysicists, biologists, chemists, and geologists.
Summary: 'In this book, three eminent scientists - Hubert Reeves, Joel De Rosnay and Yves Coppens have an open discussion about the origins of life on Earth"
Beginning with ancient Egypt, the pyramids, and sphinxes, and a comparison of that epoch with our own, Steiner surveys a vast mental landscape in symphonic style. He leads us through the kingdoms of nature and the spiritual beings at work within them, the evolution of man in relation to the cosmos, the workings of the spirits of form, the relation among the post-Atlantean epochs, and much more. Through this panoramic survey, we discover how the changed conditions of human consciousness and its path into the future call for a new wisdom.
Origins of Life on the Earth and in the Cosmos, Second Edition, suggests answers to the age-old questions of how life arose in the universe and how it might arise elsewhere. This thorough revision of a very successful text describes key events in the evolution of living systems, starting with the creation of an environment suitable for the origins of life. Whereas one may never be able to reconstruct the precise pathway that led to the origin of life on earth, one can certainly make some plausible reconstructions of it. Such discussions have greatly expanded our understanding of the principles of chemical evolution and how they compare and contrast with the principles of biological evolution. The text is strong on biochemistry and its recent applications to origins' research. Provides an excellent review of basic biochemistry an evolution Written in a clear, concise style for scientists, students, and readers interested in a scientific inquiry into the origins of life Written by an authority in the field, and brought fully up-to-date in light of new research Pulls together valuable information not found in a single source Organized and presented in a manner conductive for use in a college course Heavily illustrated to make difficult concepts concrete