by Nathalie A. Cabrol (Author) 

One of the world’s leading astrobiologists takes us on an awe-inspiring journey across the cosmos to investigate some of humanity’s most profound questions: Are we alone in the universe? And, how did life on Earth begin?

We are in a golden age in astronomy, living on the cusp of breakthroughs that will revolutionize our understanding of our place in the cosmos in. Yet a profound question remains: Are we alone in the universe?

We have never been closer to answering this question. In The Secret Life of the Universe, astrobiologist and the director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute Nathalie A. Cabrol takes us to the frontiers of the search for life. The book’s odyssey begins by exploring how life began on Earth in order to understand what’s necessary for its existence elsewhere. What role did our Moon play? And could life on Mars have seeded life on Earth?

Cabrol continues this dazzling interplanetary tour, illuminating the likeliest places for life in our neighborhood: While Mars and the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn are among the top contenders, recent missions are redefining the limits of habitability to include unexpected worlds. Finally, we seek life beyond our Solar System, becoming witness to a revolution in the night sky: the realization that there are as many planets as stars in our galaxy. With more than 300 million exoplanets in the habitable zone of their stars in the Milky Way alone, to think we are alone, or the only advanced intelligent civilization, may be little more than nonsense.

The Secret Life of the Universe is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the search for life. This is an exhilarating journey for anyone who has ever looked up at the stars and wondered what might be out there.

Review

“The Secret Life of the Universe is an enthralling read, introducing an exciting and quickly accelerating field. It’s sure to captivate readers from start to finish.” —BBC Sky at Night

“This stimulating survey…details how [Cabrol] and other scientists search the cosmos for extraterrestrial life… Cabrol has a talent for making technical research accessible for general readers and serves up a bounty of fascinating trivia… Amateur astronomers will be spellbound.” —Publishers Weekly

“Some people are in the enviable position of loving their work. Cabrol is one of them, and it shows in this wonderfully sweeping book… This is a book for anyone with an interest in scientific discovery and a perfect choice for any budding astronomer or astrobiologist. Combining enthusiasm and knowledge, Cabrol gives a lovely guided tour of the possibilities of the cosmos.” —Kirkus, starred review

“Read Cabrol if you want a vivid, fiercely intelligent tour of what may turn out to be our teeming, life-filled solar system.” —Daily Telegraph

“A highly informative survey of the current state of astrobiology.” —Literary Review

“A highly readable, entertaining and mind-expanding read from a formidable scientist.” —iNews

Categories : Astrophysics & Space Science 

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CL5FSK4T

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner (August 13, 2024)

Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 13, 2024

Language ‏ : ‎ English

File‏ : ‎ EPUB, 75.65 MB

Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported

Print length ‏ : ‎ 309 pages