Search for Other Earths

The search for life in other worlds begins with the search for a habitable planet. This book explores the "Goldilocks Zone," a defined area that is perfect for harboring life in our universe. Readers will find out how scientists are finding habitable planets by using terrestrial and orbiting telescopes to search these regions. Readers will also get to know how extreme zones on Earth are helping scientists redefine their concept of "habitable" and what kind of life we might find. Fascinating full-color photographs and artist renderings from NASA illustrate this fascinating hunt.

This volume describes the techniques with which astronomers and astrophysicists seek out worlds similar to our native planet throughout the vastness of the universe. Breaking down sometimes complicated concepts for beginning students of the cosmos, it includes the history of this planetary quest from ancient to modern times, contemporary methods used to find exoplanets, and their sheer diversity. Altogether, this otherworldly exploration, visually rich with the imagery of the heavens, gives readers a great entry point into a branch of astronomy that has thrilled inquisitive minds for millennia.

Researching exoplanets is a thrilling new frontier in science. There are periodically fresh stories in the media about exoplanets and the possibility of life existing outside Earth's solar system. Readers learn about scientists' speculations on faraway alien life. Profiles of fascinating exoplanets are examined, as are the technical matters of how scientists use spectra to obtain data about stars and planets. The habitable zone of a planet, what extreme life has been discovered, and what life-forms might exist on some moons are studied, as well as the Kepler Mission, launched in 2009 to search for Earth-like planets.

We are on the brink of a new age of exploration, and this title is sure to pique the interest of anyone interested in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Readers learn about the nascent world of planet hunting and the pursuit of life beyond Earth. They also explore current attempts to find extraterrestrial life on Mars and the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. The future of planet hunting with projects such as ExoMars and Mars One are also discussed. The next generation of explorers will be scientists, and this book is perfect for them to get started.

In the search for other habitable planets, perhaps the most fascinating question that has persistently captivated humans has been: is there life out there? Eschewing science fiction fantasies, this title looks at the hard research behind the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Theories, studies, and advances of exobiologists-scientists who study life in outer space-are presented, alongside more philosophical questions on the implications of life beyond Earth. Discussions of the definition of life, personhood, and the qualities of extremophiles (animals that survive under extreme conditions) bring this discussion to intriguing and unexpected places.

Short of intergalactic travel or aliens landing on Earth, it may seem there is no way for us to learn about extraterrestrial life. However, as this captivating volume details, we may know more than we think. Science and sci-fi enthusiasts will be fascinated to discover that the conditions of various extreme environments on Earth-the Arctic, deep underground, and deep sea, to name a few-are analogous to those of various regions of space. By examining the terrestrial species-or extremophiles-that thrive in these conditions and their survival mechanisms, we can begin to understand extraterrestrial life before ever making contact.