In the last 25 years, planetary science experienced a revolution, as vast oceans of liquid water have been discovered within the heart of the icy moons of our Solar System. These subsurface oceans lie hidden under thick layers of ice. We call them ocean worlds. Some of these icy moons, such as Ganymede, may hold two to three times more liquid water than all the water present on Earth, while others, such as Enceladus and Europa, are thought by astrobiologists to be our best hope of finding extraterrestrial life. In this book, we will explore and compare a variety of Solar System ocean worlds, meeting in the process 22 of the most intriguing objects, from the giant asteroid Ceres to the enigmatic, distant Sedna. In doing so, we will also encounter the multiple spacecraft that brought back most of what we know of these worlds (Pioneers, Voyagers, Cassini-Huygens, etc.), as well as the latest scientific research on this new topic. We will also entertain the possibility of life on each of these ocean worlds by assessing their habitability, as ultimately, these ocean worlds might hold the key to answering the fundamental questions in life: How did life appear? Where do we come from? Is there life out there? With the contributions of leading planetary scientists from NASA, ESA, and other institutions, this book aims to be the go-to reference for anyone wanting to know more about this fascinating topic.

Water Worlds in the Solar System: In Search of Habitable Environments and Life is a comprehensive reference on the formation, availability, habitability potential, and astrobiological implications of water in the Solar System. The book provides understanding of the importance of water on Earth to elucidate potential water and biosignature sources on other bodies in the Solar System. It covers processes involved in the formation of Earth and its Moon, genesis of water on those bodies, events on early Earth, and other processes that are applicable to celestial bodies in the Solar System, directly correlating data available on water on other bodies to over 15 Earth analogue sites. This book forms a comprehensive overview on water in the Solar System, from formation to biosignature and habitability considerations. It is ideal for academics, researchers and students working in the field of planetary science, extraterrestrial water research and habitability potential. - Presents a comprehensive reference on water in the Solar System, developing readers' understanding of the importance and occurrence of water on Earth and beyond, all from an oceanographer's perspective - Contrasts terrestrial analogues in relation to their roles in understanding and exploring ocean worlds and habitability - Includes numerous figures, illustrations, tables and videos to help readers better understand concepts covered

'Like Sir David Attenborough, he has the rare ability to be an excellent communicator and has written an engaging book sprinkled with mind-blowing facts about the deep oceans' - Daily Express 'A new informed perspective on the wide, watery world we inhabit' - Coast magazine 'Book of the month' 'The gripping story of how ocean science has advanced in recent years is captivatingly told by Jon Copley in this introduction to the deep ocean' - China Dialogue 'Deftly conjures the wonders of a bathynaut's world' - Nature It is often said that we know more about space than we do our own oceans, but is that really the case? Or do we in fact know a great deal more about the oceans than many people realise. The wellbeing of our oceans and the life contained within and around them has never been more important. But to truly understand the vital role they play, we need to first understand how the oceans work, how we explore them and learn about the mysteries they hold, and what our effect is on them. Between these pages is everything you need to know about our oceans, explained in 25 questions. Combining untold history of ocean exploration and personal account of what it's like to be a 'bathynaut' diving in a mini-submarine, Ask an Ocean Explorer brings to light weird and wonderful deep-sea creatures and how the oceans and their future is connected to our everyday lives.

The Earth has limited resources while the resources in space are virtually unlimited. Further development of humanity will require going beyond our planet and exploring of extraterrestrial bodies and their resources. This book investigates Outer Solar Systems and their prospective energy and material resources. It presents past missions and future technologies and solutions to old problems that could become reality in our life time. The book therefore is a great resource of condensed information for specialists interested in current and impending Outer Solar Systems related activities and a good starting point for space researchers, inventors, technologists and potential investors.

In pictures and text, these working oceanographers explain such key facets of marine science as the Wegener theroy of continental drift, the interlocking food "chains" that support life in the oceans, the mechanics of waves and tides, and the distribution of elements in seawater.

Earth has limited material and energy resources, while these resources are virtually unlimited in space. It is only a matter of time, before planetary resources are mined and used in-situ to sustain human and robotic exploration or returned to Earth for commercial gain. This book covers a number of aspects related to space resources. In particular, subjects related to mission concepts, exploration approaches, mining and extraction technologies, commercial potential, and regulatory aspects of space resources are covered in detail. This book is therefore a good resource for readers who seek background and deeper understanding of space resources related activities.

Humans have always been fascinated by the possibility of extraterrestrial life, often wondering if we are alone in the universe. Drawing on nearly fifty years as a leader in planetary exploration, Louis Friedman brings into focus the subject of extraterrestrial life, separating knowledge from conjecture, fact from fiction, to draw scientific and technical conclusions that answer this enduring question. Friedman argues that intelligent life is probably rare in the universe (maybe even uniquely on Earth) but that simple life is likely abundant on millions or billions of planets waiting now to be discovered. He asserts that studying and searching for extraterrestrial life cannot be done by interstellar probes—due to the vastness of space and the comparative brevity of human lifespans—but it can be done remotely by a new technique involving the solar gravity lens that can magnify exoplanets by tens of billions. This technique will allow humankind to explore exoplanets and open up an exciting new field of comparative astrobiology. Wide-ranging in scope, this book discusses the history of searching for extraterrestrial life, the scientific evidence thereof, and finally his own conclusions on what’s next. Included in the book are three appendices: an explanation of interstellar messaging, a reprint of a debate between Carl Sagan and Ernst Mayr on extraterrestrial intelligence, and an opinion essay on the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

Ices in the Solar-System: A Volatile-Driven Journey from the Inner Solar System to its Far Reaches details the evolution of ice on planetary bodies within the Solar System, including terrestrial planets and the Moon, Ceres and other dwarf planets or volatile asteroids, icy Galilean and Saturnian satellites, Triton and disparate Uranian moons, and Pluto, other Kuyper belt objects and comets. The book provides a view of different ice types throughout the Solar System, i.e., H2O, CO2, CH4, etc., that characterize icy processes on disparate bodies. Ice and icy processes at micro through macro scales are discussed. The book geographically spans the major planetary bodies of the Solar System, covering surface and subsurface geologies, geophysics and geochemistry of ices to answer questions such as the nature and extent of water ice and different frozen volatile species, how do ices give us clues to interiors and oceans, and more. - • Draws a pan solar-system view of various ice species • Identifies and addresses outstanding and sometimes puzzling questions about these ices • Describes the dynamic relationships between these ices and the geological history of the planets, moons, and smaller bodies where they occur • Studies these relationships using multiple analytical-scales and techniques

Embark on an awe-inspiring journey through the cosmos with 'Exploring the Cosmos: Mastering Astrobiology.' This comprehensive guide takes you on an exploration of the origins of life, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, and the evolution of life on Earth and beyond. From the depths of our oceans to the farthest reaches of space, delve into the interdisciplinary world of astrobiology, where biology, astronomy, geology, and chemistry converge. Discover the latest research on extremophiles, exoplanets, and the potential for life beyond our solar system. Unravel the mysteries of planetary science, the evolution of intelligence, and the ethical considerations of space exploration. With engaging narratives, captivating illustrations, and practical insights, this book is your passport to understanding the cosmos and our place within it. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer, a curious novice, or an avid science enthusiast, 'Exploring the Cosmos' offers a compelling exploration of one of the most profound questions of human existence: are we alone in the universe? Prepare to be amazed, inspired, and enlightened as you embark on this exhilarating journey into the depths of space and the wonders of astrobiology.