Beyond UFOs: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Its Astonishing Implications for Our Future (New in Paper)

The quest for extraterrestrial life doesn't happen only in science fiction. This book describes the startling discoveries being made in the very real science of astrobiology, an intriguing new field that blends astronomy, biology, and geology to explore the possibility of life on other planets. Jeffrey Bennett takes readers beyond UFOs to discuss some of the tantalizing questions astrobiologists grapple with every day: What is life and how does it begin? What makes a planet or moon habitable? Is there life on Mars or elsewhere in the solar system? How can life be recognized on distant worlds? Is it likely to be microbial, more biologically complex--or even intelligent? What would such a discovery mean for life here on Earth? Come along on this scientific adventure and learn the astonishing implications of discoveries made in this field for the future of the human race. Bennett, who believes that "science is a way of helping people come to agreement," explains how the search for extraterrestrial life can help bridge the divide that sometimes exists between science and religion, defuse public rancor over the teaching of evolution, and quiet the debate over global warming. He likens humanity today to a troubled adolescent teetering on the edge between self-destruction and a future of virtually limitless possibilities. Beyond UFOs shows why the very quest to find alien life can help us to grow up as a species and chart a course for the stars. In a new afterword, Bennett shares the most recent developments in extrasolar research, and discusses how they might further our quest to find alien life.

With the possible exception of the God question, I can think of no subject that has inspired such wide-eyed wonder and speculation as the matter of whether or not we are alone in the cosmos. The search for extraterrestrial intelligence today has almost theological status in terms of its implications, and yet it is a rigorous science conducted by world-class scientists. Jeffrey Bennett's book is one of the finest primers on this burgeoning new field. And even though this can be a technically daunting science, Bennett's highly readable prose invites everyone into the dome to gaze through the telescope to have a look for themselves, for this is a journey we are all on together.—Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic and columnist for Scientific American

Bennett describes the search for life beyond the Earth in terms that are accessible to the nonscientist and yet reveal a broad understanding of the evolution of stars, planets, and organisms. The author's optimism is contagious. May it help inspire us to actually accomplish these lofty goals.—James F. Kasting, Pennsylvania State University

Precise, accurate, lucid, and engaging. This is popular-science writing at its best. I enjoyed reading this book.—Christopher McKay, NASA Ames Research Center

This is a fascinating book about the living universe, well-written and timely.—David Morrison, coauthor of The Planetary System and Voyages to the Planets

Publishers Weekly

In cogent and entertaining language, astrophysicist and popular writer Bennett (On the Cosmic Horizon) explains that the determining factor in whether we can locate intelligent life elsewhere in the universe is whether such a civilization-and our own-can continue long enough to develop the highly sophisticated technology needed for interstellar travel. If humans are going to meet that challenge, Bennett argues, we must solve global warming, debilitating disease, terrorism, poverty, and war. We must use our compassion to teach all people to respect all others, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or gender. This political message is couched in fascinating and completely accessible science. Bennett does a wonderful job of explaining the conditions necessary for simple life, how we might discern its existence and where we should be looking. He then does the same thing for intelligent life. While he is fair to those who believe life is incredibly rare, he makes a compelling case that life is likely to be abundant. He also predicts that we will gather incontrovertible proof of intelligent life in the universe within the next 20 to 30 years. 8 color, 30 b&w illus. (Mar.)

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

Cover......Page 1 CONTENTS......Page 10 PREFACE: Alien Dreams......Page 12 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......Page 16 1 Worlds beyond Imagination......Page 20 2 What Makes It Science?......Page 41 3 What I Know about Aliens......Page 60 4 What Is Life?......Page 81 5 Getting Life Started......Page 106 6 The Makings of a Truly Great Planet......Page 130 7 Life in the Solar System......Page 156 8 Life among the Stars......Page 180 9 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence......Page 203 10 Where Is Everybody?......Page 216 TO LEARN MORE......Page 226 AFTERWORD TO THE PAPERBACK EDITION......Page 228 G......Page 248 S......Page 249 W......Page 250