Searching for Water in the Universe

This volume offers an accessible journey through the Universe in search of water. The author shows how scientists detect water, from the nearest planets to the furthest galaxies. Coverage includes the role played by water in studies of habitable exoplanets.

This accessible book offers an imaginative journey through the Universe in search of water, founded on the latest science. The author begins by re-introducing the molecule H2O, its physical and chemical characteristics, its cosmic formation and abundance. The book goes on to describe methods by which the presence of water is detected, within the solar system and beyond. The book explores the presence and absence of water in the bodies of the Solar System: in the giant planets, with their rings and satellites, in comets, asteroids and in the terrestrial planets. The author explains how small differences in temperature cause water to exist in different states on different planets vapour on Venus, liquid on Earth and solid ice on Mars leading to divergence in the evolutionary paths of the three planets. The book concludes with a look at the important role played by water in studies of habitable exoplanets.

Demonstrates clearly why water has been an essential factor in the emergence and continuation of life on earth Describes in simple terms the properties of water and how we detect its presence throughout the universe Spans a variety of scientific disciplines, from observational astronomy to astrobiology Explains concepts in such a way that no prior understanding of science is needed beyond a high school education

Inhalt
Why water?.- A very simple molecule.- The quest for cosmic water.- The ice line and the birth of the planets.- Comets and water.- Water in the outer solar system.- At the ice line: the asteroids.- Water and the terrestrial planets.- The search for other Earths.