Life On Earth And Beyond

This volume explores the questions and answers surrounding the 'secret of life', combining approaches from the sciences, philosophy and theology, including the emerging discipline of astrobiology.

Is there life beyond Earth? NASA astrobiologist Dr. Chris McKay has searched the earth's most extreme environments on his quest to understand what factors are necessary to sustain life. Pamela S. Turner offers readers an inside look at Dr. McKay's research, explaining his findings and his hopes for future exploration both on Earth and beyond. Behind-the-scenes photos capture Dr. McKay, his expeditions, and the amazing microbes that survive against all odds.

An engaging account of our quest for habitable environments, recounting fascinating recent discoveries and providing insight into future space missions.

This book discusses the big questions about how the discovery of extraterrestrial life, whether intelligent or microbial, would impact society and humankind.

Encountering Life in the Universe examines the intersection of scientific research and society to determine the philosophy and ethics of relating to the Earth and beyond.

Drawn from an original PBS documentary, this book strikingly juxtaposes Hubble Space Telescope photos with cover art from pulp science fiction books, and hand-drawn maps of Mars's canals by astronomer Percival Lowell with the crystal-clear images of the Viking lander. 200 photos.

The story of matter and the history of the cosmos from the perspective of a single oxygen atom, told with the insight and wit of one of the most dynamic physicists and writers working today. Through this astonishing work, he manages to stoke wonder at the powers and unlikely events that conspired to create our solar system, our ecosystem, and us.