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The Resource Faint echoes, distant stars : the science and politics of finding life beyond Earth, Ben Bova

Faint echoes, distant stars : the science and politics of finding life beyond Earth, Ben Bova

Creator
Summary
In this fascinating and cutting-edge work, Dr. Ben Bova explores one of the most thrilling and elemental questions humanity has ever posed: Are we alone? From Copernicus to the advent of SETI and beyond, Bova takes his readers on a tour of the scientific and political battles fought in the pursuit of knowledge and speculates on what the future may hold. Can life exist outside the planet Earth? The first question one should ask is: How is it possible for life to exist within Earth's brutal confines? On our own world, creatures exist-and thrive-in environments first thought to be completely alien and inhospitable. From the rare air of the upper atmosphere to the depths of the oceans, life persists amid crushing pressures, crippling heat, and absolute darkness. Bacteria brought to the moon have survived for years without water, at temperatures near absolute zero, and in spite of radiation levels that would kill human observers. With such resilient and tenacious creatures, it seems that life could spring up, and survive, anywhere. Many skeptics believe that finding life outside our solar system will never occur within our lifetime-but perhaps it's unnecessary to look that far. Our neighboring planets may already serve as havens for extraterrestrial life. Scientists have already identified ice caps on Mars and what appears to be an enormous ocean underneath the ice of Jupiter's moons. The atmosphere on Venus appeared harsh and insupportable of life, composed of a toxic atmosphere and oceans of acid-until scientists concluded that Earth's atmosphere was eerily similar billions of years ago. An extraterrestrial colony, in some form, may already exist, just awaiting discovery. With the development of new technology, such as the space-based telescopes of NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF), we may not have to leave the comfort of our home world to discover proof of life elsewhere. But the greatest impediment to such an important scientific discovery may not be technological, but political. No scientific endeavor can be launched without a budget, and matters of money are within the arena of politicians. Dr. Bova explores some of the key players and the arguments waged in a debate of both scientific and cultural priorities, showing the emotions, the controversy, and the egos involved in arguably the most important scientific pursuit ever begun
Language
eng
Work
Instance
Label
Faint echoes, distant stars : the science and politics of finding life beyond Earth
Title
Faint echoes, distant stars
Title remainder
the science and politics of finding life beyond Earth
Statement of responsibility
Ben Bova
Creator
Subject
Language
eng
Summary
In this fascinating and cutting-edge work, Dr. Ben Bova explores one of the most thrilling and elemental questions humanity has ever posed: Are we alone? From Copernicus to the advent of SETI and beyond, Bova takes his readers on a tour of the scientific and political battles fought in the pursuit of knowledge and speculates on what the future may hold. Can life exist outside the planet Earth? The first question one should ask is: How is it possible for life to exist within Earth's brutal confines? On our own world, creatures exist-and thrive-in environments first thought to be completely alien and inhospitable. From the rare air of the upper atmosphere to the depths of the oceans, life persists amid crushing pressures, crippling heat, and absolute darkness. Bacteria brought to the moon have survived for years without water, at temperatures near absolute zero, and in spite of radiation levels that would kill human observers. With such resilient and tenacious creatures, it seems that life could spring up, and survive, anywhere. Many skeptics believe that finding life outside our solar system will never occur within our lifetime-but perhaps it's unnecessary to look that far. Our neighboring planets may already serve as havens for extraterrestrial life. Scientists have already identified ice caps on Mars and what appears to be an enormous ocean underneath the ice of Jupiter's moons. The atmosphere on Venus appeared harsh and insupportable of life, composed of a toxic atmosphere and oceans of acid-until scientists concluded that Earth's atmosphere was eerily similar billions of years ago. An extraterrestrial colony, in some form, may already exist, just awaiting discovery. With the development of new technology, such as the space-based telescopes of NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF), we may not have to leave the comfort of our home world to discover proof of life elsewhere. But the greatest impediment to such an important scientific discovery may not be technological, but political. No scientific endeavor can be launched without a budget, and matters of money are within the arena of politicians. Dr. Bova explores some of the key players and the arguments waged in a debate of both scientific and cultural priorities, showing the emotions, the controversy, and the egos involved in arguably the most important scientific pursuit ever begun
Cataloging source
DLC
http://library.link/vocab/creatorDate
1932-
http://library.link/vocab/creatorName
Bova, Ben
Dewey number
576.8/39
Illustrations
illustrations
Index
no index present
LC call number
QB54
LC item number
.B665 2004
Literary form
non fiction
Nature of contents
  • dictionaries
  • bibliography
http://library.link/vocab/subjectName
  • Life on other planets
  • Exobiology
Label
Faint echoes, distant stars : the science and politics of finding life beyond Earth, Ben Bova
Link
Instantiates
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (p. [315-]-320) and index
Edition
1st ed.
Extent
1 online resource (xiii, 335 pages
Form of item
online
Other physical details
illustrations)
Specific material designation
remote
System control number
(OCoLC)1034681468
Label
Faint echoes, distant stars : the science and politics of finding life beyond Earth, Ben Bova
Link
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (p. [315-]-320) and index
Edition
1st ed.
Extent
1 online resource (xiii, 335 pages
Form of item
online
Other physical details
illustrations)
Specific material designation
remote
System control number
(OCoLC)1034681468

Subject

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