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Written in an informal manner, this account tells the incredible story of the creation of an entirely new field of science called astrobiology--a field that is now investigating whether life might exist on other planets. From the discovery that other stars in our galaxy are also circled by planets to the detection of single-cell organisms found living on Earth in extremely hostile environments, this book details the recent breakthroughs made by astronomers and earth scientists over the last few decades. Based on these findings, it argues that scientists now have the technology they need to progress from speculating or fantasizing about extraterrestrials to possibly providing mankind with the first definitive proof that we are not alone.
List of contents
Preface * Computers, Rocket Science and the Birth of Astrobiology * Our Vast and Hostile Life-Friendly Universe * How Life Works on Planet Earth * How Life and Earth Co-Evolved to Produce a Life Friendly Biosphere * The Search for Other Worlds and Other Life-forms * The Possibility of Visiting or Communicating with Extraterrestrial Civilizations * Some Final Thoughts from the Author * Index
About the author
Jerry L. Cranford is a former professor at East Carolina University and a former department head of communications disorders at Louisiana State University. He is the author of
Basics of Audiology: Vibrations to Sounds and
The Healthcare Professional's Guide to Human Research. He lives in New Orleans, Louisiana.
