Beyond UFOs: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Its Astonishing Implications for Our Future

The quest for extraterrestrial life doesn't happen only in science fiction. This book describes the startling discoveries being made in the very real science of astrobiology, an intriguing new field that blends astronomy, biology, and geology to explore the possibility of life on other planets. Jeffrey Bennett takes readers beyond UFOs to discuss some of the tantalizing questions astrobiologists grapple with every day:

• What is life and how does it begin?
• What makes a planet or moon habitable?
• Is there life on Mars or elsewhere in the solar system?
• How can life be recognized on distant worlds?
• Is it likely to be microbial, more biologically complex--or even intelligent?
• What would such a discovery mean for life here on Earth?

Come along on this scientific adventure and learn the astonishing implications of discoveries made in this field for the future of the human race. Bennett, who believes that science is a way of helping people come to agreement, explains how the search for extraterrestrial life can help bridge the divide that sometimes exists between science and religion, defuse public rancor over the teaching of evolution, and quiet the debate over global warming. He likens humanity today to a troubled adolescent teetering on the edge between self-destruction and a future of virtually limitless possibilities. Beyond UFOs shows why the very quest to find alien life can help us to grow up as a species and chart a course for the stars.

"With the possible exception of the God question, I can think of no subject that has inspired such wide-eyed wonder and speculation as the matter of whether or not we are alone in the cosmos. The search for extraterrestrial intelligence today has almost theological status in terms of its implications, and yet it is a rigorous science conducted by world-class scientists. Jeffrey Bennett's book is one of the finest primers on this burgeoning new field. And even though this can be a technically daunting science, Bennett's highly readable prose invites everyone into the dome to gaze through the telescope to have a look for themselves, for this is a journey we are all on together." Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic and columnist for Scientific American

"Precise, accurate, lucid, and engaging. This is popular-science writing at its best. I enjoyed reading this book." Christopher McKay, NASA Ames Research Center

"This is a fascinating book about the living universe, well-written andtimely." David Morrison, coauthor of The Planetary System and Voyages to the Planets

"Beyond UFOs is crammed with neat analogies, startling imagery and mind-blowing illustrations of astronomical concepts. If you want to understand the universe and our place in it, you will not find a better primer." New Scientist

"With the possible exception of the God question, I can think of no subject that has inspired such wide-eyed wonder and speculation as the matter of whether or not we are alone in the cosmos. The search for extraterrestrial intelligence today has almost theological status in terms of its implications, and yet it is a rigorous science conducted by world-class scientists. Jeffrey Bennett's book is one of the finest primers on this burgeoning new field. And even though this can be a technically daunting science, Bennett's highly readable prose invites everyone into the dome to gaze through the telescope to have a look for themselves, for this is a journey we are all on together."--Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic and columnist for Scientific American

"Bennett describes the search for life beyond the Earth in terms that are accessible to the nonscientist and yet reveal a broad understanding of the evolution of stars, planets, and organisms. The author's optimism is contagious. May it help inspire us to actually accomplish these lofty goals."--James F. Kasting, Pennsylvania State University

"Precise, accurate, lucid, and engaging. This is popular-science writing at its best. I enjoyed reading this book."--Christopher McKay, NASA Ames Research Center

"This is a fascinating book about the living universe, well-written and timely."--David Morrison, coauthor of The Planetary System and Voyages to the Planets

Jeffrey Bennett is an astrophysicist, author, and educator. He is the author or coauthor of leading college-level textbooks in astrobiology, astronomy, mathematics, and statistics, including Life in the Universe. He is also the author of On the Cosmic Horizon and the children's books Max Goes to the Moon and Max Goes to Mars.

Preface Alien Dreams xi

Acknowledgments xv

Chapter 1: Worlds beyond Imagination 1

Chapter 2: What Makes It Science? 22

Chapter 3: What I Know about Aliens 41

Chapter 4: What Is Life? 62

Chapter 5: Getting Life Started 87

Chapter 6: The Makings of a Truly Great Planet 111

Chapter 7: Life in the Solar System 137

Chapter 8: Life among the Stars 161

Chapter 9: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence 184

Chapter 10: Where Is Everybody? 197

To Learn More 207

Index 209