
Investigating Life in the Universe
Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
- 228 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
Investigating Life in the Universe
Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
About this book
This textbook gives a lively introduction to the search for extraterrestrial life. It is a guidebook to understanding the possibility of life elsewhere, pointing out landmarks and providing background information to facilitate further exploration of those areas of most interest to the reader.
We are a planet of winners – winners of a cosmic lottery that has been in play since the universe began approximately 13.7 billion years ago. Our winnings include sentience and an underlying unease that has driven us to contemplate our place in the universe and the possibility of finding kindred spirits in the cosmos spreading out before us. To understand our origins and the possibility of life beyond Earth, we must look back and retrace the steps that have brought us to this point in space and time. In doing so, we will find the investigation of life to be a unifying theme in nature, requiring us to touch on all branches of the tree of knowledge. Using the Drake Equation as a theme, we begin with an overview of the topic and then go into the story of how we have acquired, or plan to acquire, the knowledge to solve it. As we make our journey, we will encounter some very interesting people – some you will likely know, while others may be new to you. Keep an open mind and allow this text to be your guide.
Written in an engaging style, this textbook provides a foundational understanding of the rapidly advancing fields associated with the search for life in the universe. Each chapter includes illustrative figures and review questions for self-study. It will appeal to professionals, researchers, instructors, and undergraduate students, as well as anyone with an interest in astrophysics or astrobiology.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Half-Title
- Title
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Author
- CHAPTER 1 ◾ Drake Equation: An Overview
- CHAPTER 2 ◾ Setting the Stage for Cosmic Discovery
- CHAPTER 3 ◾ The Birth of Observational Astrophysics
- CHAPTER 4 ◾ Stellar Evolution
- CHAPTER 5 ◾ Planet Evolution
- CHAPTER 6 ◾ The Origin of Life
- CHAPTER 7 ◾ Evolution of Life and Intelligence
- CHAPTER 8 ◾ Habitable Worlds
- APPENDIX 1: COMMONLY USED PHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL QUANTITIES
- APPENDIX 2: EXOPLANETS WITHIN 15 LIGHT YEARS
- APPENDIX 3: TIMELINE OF CULTURAL/TECHNICAL EVOLUTION
- APPENDIX 4: PERIODIC TABLE OF THE ELEMENTS
- APPENDIX 5: REQUIRED LIFETIME OF COMMUNICABLE CIVILIZATIONS
- INDEX