Talking about Life
Talking about Life
$49.99
USDWith over 500 planets now known to exist beyond the Solar System, spacecraft heading for Mars, and the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence, this timely book explores current ideas about the search for life in the Universe. It contains candid interviews with dozens of astronomers, geologists, biologists, and writers about the origin and range of terrestrial life and likely sites for life beyond Earth. The interviewees discuss what we've learnt from the missions to Mars and Titan, talk about the search for Earth clones, describe the surprising diversity of life on Earth, speculate about post-biological evolution, and explore what contact with intelligent aliens will mean to us. Covering topics from astronomy and planetary science to geology and biology, this book will fascinate anyone who has ever wondered 'Are we alone?'
- Dozens of astronomers, geologists, biologists, and writers describe in their own words the excitement of the search for life in the Universe
- Addresses one of the most profound questions in science – are we alone?
- Discusses what we've learnt from the missions to Mars and Titan, the search for Earth clones, the surprising diversity of life on Earth, and what contact with intelligent aliens will mean to us
Reviews & endorsements
"The views expressed here range from the cautious to the radical, and from those rooted in hard science to the more fanciful, and the views on extraterrestrial life range from those who see it as being widespread, to those who suspect it is extremely rare, perhaps unique to Earth. There is absolutely no comfort in this book for believers in extraterrestrial UFOs, or extraterrestrial humanoids." - Magonia Review of Books, September 2010
"Chris Impey's concept for the compilation of real-life conversations with astrobiological academics and professionals is unique and, at times, fascinating. He must be applauded for the evident effort in conducting and putting together nearly forty broad ranging interviews." - Leila Battison, Astrobiology Society of Britain
Product details
September 2010Hardback
9780521514927
418 pages
254 × 181 × 25 mm
0.99kg
115 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Part I. Introduction Timothy Ferris, Iris Fry, Steven Dick, Ann Druyan, Pinky Nelson, Neil Tyson, Steve Benner and William Bains
- Part II. Earth Roger Buick, Lynn Rothschild, John Baross, Joe Kirschvink, Andrew Knoll, Simon Conway Morris, Roger Hanlon and Lori Marino
- Part III. Solar System Chris McKay, David Grinspoon, Jonathan Lunine, Carolyn Porco, Laurie Leshin, Guy Consolmagno and Peter Smith
- Part IV. Exoplanets Alan Boss, Geoff Marcy, Debra Fischer, Sara Seager, David Charbonneau and Vikki Meadows
- Part V. Frontiers Jill Tarter, Seth Shostak, Ray Kurzweil, Nick Bostrom, Paul Davies, Martin Rees, Ben Bova and Jennifer Michael Hecht
- Reading list
- Glossary
- Index.
