Course: Introduction to Astrobiology (1301-401)

Persons:

• Prof. Dr. Henry Strasdeit (verantwortlich)
• Dr. Stefan Fox (begleitend)

Type of Course:

lecture with excursion

In-Class Hours Per Week:

2

Contents:

The lecture includes the following topics: astronomical basics, Drake equation and SETI, chemical evolution from the interstellar medium to planetary systems, the early Earth, asteroid impacts, primordial volcanic islands, black smokers, past and present environmental conditions on Mars, the search for life on Mars, ExoMars mission, lithopanspermia, survival of microorganisms in space, origin of biological homochirality, protocells and protometabolism, minerals and salts and the origin of life, planetary field analogues, oldest traces of life.
The excursion leads to the impact crater Nördlinger Ries. It includes field trips and a visit to the Ries museum.

Literature:

Plaxco, K. W., Gross, M.: Astrobiology - A Brief Introduction, 2nd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2011.
Rothery, D. A., Gilmour, I., Sephton, M. A. (eds.): An Introduction to Astrobiology, revised edition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2011.
Sullivan III, W. T., Baross, J. A. (eds.): Planets and Life - The Emerging Science of Astrobiology, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2007.
Pösges, G., Schieber, M.: Das Rieskrater-Museum Nördlingen, 3. Auflage, Pfeil, München, 2009; The Ries Crater Museum Nördlingen, Pfeil, München, 1997.

Location:

Hohenheim

Module:

• 1301-400 Astrobiology (compulsory)

eLearning:

Course in ILIAS