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Discusses the planets, with particular emphasis on comparing them to each other and especially to Earth. ... Read more

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This conference presents new advances in the study of planets orbiting other stars, their formation, and evolution, and methods for their detection and characterization using both ground-based and space-borne observations. Participants in the conference are active researchers in this new field, and the content of the conference is at a level appropriate for researchers and graduate students in astronomy or physics. Topics include: statistics of planetary systems; establishing the environment for planet formation; dusty disks and unseen planets; giant planets; terrestrial planets, dynamics and dynamical evolution of planetary systems; and programs and techniques for detection and characterization of extrasolar planets.

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The year 2003 was the 50th anniversary of the seminal experiment of Stanley Miller. This was a unique opportunity for highlighting the current interest in this most interdisciplinary subject. The leading space agencies: the European Space Agency (ESA) as well as NASA, the American Space Agency, have planned missions that will elucidate some of the still unknown questions underlying research in the origin of life. New results are surpassing our ability to keep well informed: the reviews that we were presented at the Trieste meeting will bring the readers of this well-documented and timely book up to date in this fast-moving area.
An important component of the conference was the review of the Cassini-Huygens mission due to arrive in the Saturn system just one year after the conference convened in Trieste. There was particular interest in the status of the experiments that will take place inside the atmosphere of Titan, the large satellite, which is a testing ground for the theories and experiments in the field of chemical evolution.
The Jovian system is currently under study with the view of investigating the possibility of life underneath the frozen surface of the Galilean moon Europa; the ESA mission ... Read more

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What are other planets like? Do they have air and clouds? Water and rocks? Could we walk on the moons of Saturn? Are there planets orbiting around other stars?

Using colorfully dramatic but scientifically accurate illustrations, as well as the latest spacecraft and Hubble Space Telescope portraits of other worlds, Terence Dickinson answers these questions and more in Other Worlds, a fact- and fun-filled tour of the solar system's 9 planets, their 61 known moons and the suspected planets of other stars in our galaxy.

Stand on the rim of a Martian canyon, watch solar systems being born, visit a sulfur-spewing volcano on Jupiter's moon Io (pronounced EYE-oh), plunge into the red atmosphere of Saturn's moon Titan and gaze at the swirling su! rface of a brown dwarf. Travel with award-winning astronomy writer Dickinson on this gigantic odyssey on Other Worlds, his latest book for young readers.

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"Is there life beyond the earth?...In this book, Stuart Clark presents a masterly survey on the whole problem...In my view it is the best of its kind that I have seen..."-From the Foreword by Sir Patrick Moore

"(Stuart Clark) has the rare ability to explain technically difficult concepts in simple language that can be widely understood."-Journal of the British Astronomical Association

The possibility of life on other worlds has long been the subject of endless speculation - and more and more, of scientific research. Our improving knowledge of the processes that might lead to the creation of life elsewhere is matched by the greater sophistication of our searches for some sign of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe. SETI - the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence is undergoing something of a re-birth, and alongside the work of the scientists almost a million PC users round the world are participating in the SERENDIP IV project through the "SETI at Home" initiative from the University of California, Berkeley.

Life on Other Worlds and How to Find It is an up-to-date review of today's scientific thinking about where and how we might find life elsewhere in the universe, presented in Stuart Clarks easily-read yet authoritative style.

Within fifteen years we will know if nearby planets are inhabited.That's the amazing claim that Dr Stuart Clark - Director of Public Astronomy Education at the University of Hertfordshire - makes in his thought-provoking new book.

Many scientists support him, and the next generation of telescopes after the Hubble Space Telescopewill be powerful enough to detectEarth-like worlds orbiting nearby stars. Within fifteen years, we may know...

Life can exist - and quite probably originated - in extreme conditions.

Consider extremophiles.Microbial life can flourish in the near-Martian conditions that exist in the Antarctic, bathed in the deadly UV radiation pouring through the ozone hole, frozen, and incredibly dry.Micro-organisms are known to live at a staggering 114°C, and there is increasing evidence of life in or around hydrothermal vents deep under the Pacific Ocean, where temperatures reach 400°C and only the enormous pressure prevents the water boiling.

Mars and even Venus seem hospitable in comparison.It's clearly time to stop looking for the origins of life in warm puddles.

Stuart Clark considers life, its possible homes in the universe, and the ways in which we might locate both simple life-forms and intelligent aliens.

Stuart Clark is the Director of Public Astronomy Education at the University of Hertfordshire, UK. As well as teaching, he is researching into fields ranging from the formation of stars and planets to the origin of life. Adult education groups and astronomical societies regularly invite Stuart to lecture on a wide range of astronomical subjects. Stuart has also lectured for businesses who want to entertain their clients with something a little different from a day on the golf course. Writing is a particular passion and Stuart has penned seven previous astronomy books. He is currently hard at work on his first science fiction novel. Television audiences around the globe may have seen him during the 1999 total solar eclipse when he provided live comentary for BBC World Service television from Cornwall, UK. ... Read more

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Are we alone in the Universe? From the furor over Percival Lowell's claim of canals on Mars at the beginning of the century to the more recent controversial rock from Mars and the sophisticated Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), the prospect of otherworldly life has often titillated and occasionally consumed science and the public. The search for planetary systems, the quest to explain UFOs, and inquiries into the origin of life have fueled an abundance of popular and scientific literature. They have also provided Hollywood with fodder for some of the most popular films of our time, including ET, Aliens, Independence Day, and Contact.Lucid and accessible, Life on Other Worlds chronicles the history of the twentieth-century extraterrestrial debate. Putting the latest findings and heated controversies into a broader historical context, Steven Dick documents how the concept of extraterrestrial intelligence is a world view of its own--a "biophysical cosmology" that seeks confirmation no less than physical views of the Universe.The debate rests at the very limits of science, and attempts at confirmation only illuminate the nature of science itself. Dick shows that appreciating the history of the debate enables a better understanding of the nature of science, and is central to any forward-looking view of religion and philosophy. For anyone interested in a look over the edge of scientific discovery, Life on Other Worlds provides the exciting tale behind the greatest debate in the twentieth century.Dr. Steven J. Dick is an astronomer and historian of science at the U.S. Naval Observatory.He is the author of Plurality of Worlds:The Origins of the Extraterrestrial Life Debate from Democritus to Kant (Cambridge, 1982) and Biological Universe (Cambridge, 1996). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

An investigation of what is the most important question
Life, what makes it different from other matter and how it began on Earth are the major questions that have faced humans since we evolved the ability to ask questions. Given recent studies that indicate it arose very early on Earth and it is extremely tenacious once it exists, there is nothing to suggest that it would not arise on other planets, if they exist. Astronomers have pushed the envelope and there is now conclusive evidence that there are planets revolving around many other stars. Therefore, current thinking is that there is no evidence contrary to the likelihood of microbial life on many other planets. Of course, while the discovery of microbes on other worlds would be one of the biggest discoveries ever, the real point of interest is the presence of intelligent life. Conclusive evidence, particularly physical contact, would forever change every aspect of how humans approach all facets of religious, ethical and social behavior.
As I read this book and followed the arguments about the likelihood of extraterrestrial life, I was profoundly affected by what I read. To me, the most amazing fact is how quickly life arose on Earth after it cooled to a temperature that would allow it. The oldest known fossils are 3.7 billion years old. Given that this is at most 500 million years after it was possible, this indicates that life may arise quickly. Contrast this with the 3.7 billion years it took for intelligence to evolve and you cannot help but be impressed. Following the stated arguments about the remote probability of life spontaneously developing and you are left with three possibilities: the probabilities are wrong and life arises easily; there was some form of intervention in the creation of life on Earth or the nearly impossible random miracle occurred. Of these possibilities, the third is the least convincing and the first two both strongly indicate the presence of life on other worlds.
However, the topics are not restricted to the scientific study of extraterrestrial life. One chapter is devoted to the presence of extraterrestrials in literature and another to the extraterrestrial explanation for UFOs. The idea of life on other worlds has been around for some time, although religious doctrines made it very dangerous to speak of it untilafter the power of the Catholic church was weakened. It is interesting to read of many scientists arguing, although indirectly, that life can exist elsewhere. The chapter on UFOs was quite interesting. While the extraterrestrial hypothesis is rightly dismissed out of hand, it is acknowledged that some represent events that science cannot currently explain and for that reason, should be the object of serious study.
There is a major investigation currently under way that unitizes software that anyone can download to their machines. It runs as a screen saver and sifts through captured radio data looking for signals from another civilization. The web site is http://setiathome.berkeley.edu and I am proud to say that my current ranking is in the top ten percent based on the amount of data analyzed. I encourage you to join the effort and hopefully make the consequences of a successful search described in chapters seven and eight a reality.
This is a book that explores some of the deepest questions that humans try to answer. In many ways, answers one way or another would be equivalent to a spiritual awakening.

A fine introduction to the ET debate and its implications
Steven Dick have given the general reader a first rate overview of the contemporary debate over extraterrestrial life. The book is an academic contribution, but is accessible to the non-specialist.

He may be at his best in describing what he calls "the biophysical cosmology," which has functioned as a wide-ranging worldview for many of its advocates. The book combines first hand astronomical experience with sophisticated philosophical and sociological reflection.

He describes warring parties in careful, measured prose, and doesn't grind any axes. I especially appreciate his treatment of the theological reflections on and implications of the debate--a discussion often ignored in popular treatments of the debate over extraterrestrial life. I highly recommend this book.

Could use some work
Steven Dick covers a lot of interesting material in a variety of fields.However, the author has a tendency to write extensively in the passive voice, making it very slow reading.He also has a tendency to drop lots ofnames at once.This makes it extremely difficult to follow at times.

Toward a new view of the universe
In recent years, scientists have moved toward a new worldview.The universe now seems much friendlier to life than it was in the old cosmology of lifeless rocks and stars.Steven Dick captures this new worldview inLIFE ON OTHER WORLDS.It isbreathtaking in its broad sweep of decades ofdebate and progress, and highly relevant for understanding today's science.This abridgment and update of "The Biological Universe" is eveneasier to read than the longer version.

Excellent discussion of the current status of Astrobiology
This book covers the topic of science and theology and the field of Astrobiology in a comprehensive manner. It is thorough in the discussion of most aspects of the debate on life elsewhere in the Universe. I lookforward to future discussions by this writer as the fields of physics,biology, astronomy, and mathematics reveal the complex origins ofbiological life in the Universe and couple it with the realization thecreation is not a singular event. It continues as you read this review. ... Read more

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People are fascinated by the question "Are we alone in the universe?" Dennis Fradin tells readers the story of those men and women throughout history who have been part of the extraordinary hunt--the hunt for other planets. Fradin introduces readers to a cast of characters whose curiosity and persistence have opened the possibility of exploring life on worlds other than our own. ... Read more

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This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Astronomy is by far the most popular of the physical sciences, enticing enough to become a major cultural preoccupation for many, and for some an enthralling scientific activity which veritably rules their lives. What is the nature of that seemingly unstoppable attraction? In this lively and compelling account, William Sheehan – professional psychiatrist, noted historian of astronomy, and incurable observer - explores the nature of that allure through the story of man's visual exploration of the planets.

In this volume, the first of a trilogy, Sheehan starts with observational astronomy’s profound and lasting effect on his own life, setting the points of embarkation for the journey to come. He travels across the historical landscape seeking the earliest origins of man's compulsion to observe the planets among the hunter gatherers of the upper palaeolithic, and traces the evolving story from the planetary records of the earliest cities, to Pharonic Egypt through to Hellenistic Greek astronomy culminating in Ptolemy. The necessity to observe played its part in the perceptual changes wrought by the Copernican revolution, as well as the observational advances achieved by such extraordinary characters as Tycho with his sharpest of eyes, and his luxurious practice of total astronomy. The two epochal advances published in 1609, both born through planetary observation, namely Kepler's discovery of the true nature of the orbit of Mars and Harriot and Galileo’s observations of the Moon, have a pivotal place in this account.

Sheehan weaves a rich tapestry of social and technological settings, patronage and personalities, equipment and skills, cosmologies and goals, motives and compulsions to try to explain why we have observed, and continue to observe, the planets.

The compelling text of A Passion for the Planets is enhanced by the specially commissioned planetary artwork of Julian Baum, himself son of a noted planetary observer and historian of planetary observers, and Randall Rosenfeld.

A Passion for the Planets will be of interest to all amateur astronomers; active planetary observers; armchair astronomers; those interested in the history of astronomy; the cultural history of science; and astronomical art.

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Customer Reviews (1)

A New Look at Space Exploration and Sustainability
Charles Cockell, head of the Earth and Space Foundation, presents a idea that I was skeptical at the start of the book: that space exploration and environmentalism are not mutually exclusive.Indeed, he argues that advances in space exploration can bolster sustainability of our society, and vice versa.NASA is at the forefront of this area, both using satellites to observe and study the Earth's surface, and by developing technologies for astronauts to survive in space with limited resources.Conversely, advances in sustainability here on Earth can aid prolonged manned spaceflight missions.

Cockell provides abundant examples of the areas where space exploration and environmentalism intersect.The brilliant part, however, is where he brings their ideologies into sync.He clearly views it as mankind's *responsibility* to build human communities where we make sustainable use of resources available throughout the cosmos - both on Earth and in space - and by the time I was mid-way through the book, I found this conviction to be contagious.

This book is a refreshing and new view on how we could be thinking about building communities in an age when colonizing space is near our grasp. ... Read more

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Their Nature, Possibilities and Habitability in the Light of the Latest Discoveries ... Read more

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This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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This monograph studies the history, structure, and mathematics of calendars used in those parts of the world west of the Indian subcontinent. For the benefit of those interested in the mathematical principles involved, methods suitable for calculation with pen and paper are explained, while those merely desirous of the results can obtain them by means of the chapter devoted to computer programs. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more