The Secret Life of the Universe: An Astrobiologist's Search for the Origins and Frontiers of Life

(Hardback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

A mind-altering and exhilarating read Helen Macdonald, author of H is for Hawk

Of all the popular books on the search for life that are now being published, this one is quite special James L. Green, former NASA chief scientist

One of the worlds leading astrobiologists takes us on an awe-inspiring journey across the cosmos to investigate some of humanitys most profound questions.

We are living in a golden age in astronomy. Over the last few decades, space exploration has revolutionised our understanding of our place in the cosmos. We now know that not only are there many habitable environments within our solar system, but there are millions of exoplanets within our galaxy that could support life. Yet a profound question remains: are we alone in the universe

Nathalie Cabrol, leading astrobiologist and director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute, takes us to the frontiers of the search for life. This books odyssey begins by searching for how life began on Earth in order to understand whats necessary for life to exist elsewhere. What role did our Moon play And could life on Mars, or another world, have seeded life on Earth

Cabrol continues this dazzling interplanetary tour, illuminating the likeliest places for life in our neighbourhood: Venus, Mars, the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and Pluto. Finally, we seek life beyond our Solar System, looking at the recent revolution in the night sky: the realization that there are as many planets as stars in our galaxy.

The Secret Life of the Universeis both a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the latest discoveries and an awe-inspiring exploration of what this means for us as humans on Earth today. Its an exhilarating journey, perfect for anyone who has ever looked up at the stars and wondered what might be out there.

Reviews

In this cutting-edge, wide-ranging survey of a truly extraordinary subject, the celebrated scientist Nathalie Cabrol takes us on an odyssey full of astonishing possibility, crossing vast distances and many scales to tell the story of our search for extraterrestrial life.The Secret Life of the Universeweaves together the history of space exploration, planetary science, the changing technological and intellectual frameworks of SETI, and deliberations on the very nature and meaning of life. Its a mind-altering and exhilarating read for anyone who has ever wondered: are we alone -- Helen Macdonald, author of H is for Hawk
Of all the popular books on the search for life that are now being published, this one is quite special. Written by an outstanding astrobiologist, Dr. Natalie Cabrol, The Secret Life of the Universetakes you step by step through each of the top candidates in the solar system and beyond into the Milky Way where life could exist, and how we are looking for it. Natalie tackles advanced concepts and explains them with ease. I highly recommend this book! -- James L. Green, former NASA chief scientist

Author Bio

Nathalie A. Cabrolis a French-American explorer and astrobiologist and the Director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute. She researches habitability and life beyond Earth, develops science exploration strategies for NASA for Mars and Titan, designs robotic field tests, and leads projects in planetary science and astrobiology. Cabrol documents lifes adaptation to extreme environments and the effects of rapid climate change. She has written oversix hundred peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings and has published four books on planetary science. Cabrol also holds the womens world record for free and scuba diving at altitude. Born in France, she lives in California.