The Search For Life In The Universe

Donald A. Goldsmith, Tobias Owen

University Science Books, Oct 25, 2001 - Science - 573 pages

The Search for Life in the Universe is now available in a completely updated Third Edition. This book presents astronomy from the standpoint of estimating the likelihood of extraterrestrial life and the possibilities of finding it. Thus the text covers the fundamentals of astronomy, the origins and evolution of life on Earth, the formation and present state of the sun's family of planets and moons, and the opportunities and limitations on interstellar travel and communication. The book's final chapters deal with the issue of UFO reports and with Enrico Fermi's famous question, 'Where is Everybody?' The book is suitable for college freshmen with no background in mathematics.

What people are saying

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - fpagan - LibraryThing

(Second edition). A basic *text*book, surprisingly enough, and over half a kilopage long. I think that, with all the discoveries of extra-solar planets in recent years, there may be a third edition by now.

About the author

DONALD GOLDSMITH has received the lifetime achievement award in popularising astronomy from the American Astronomical Society, the science writing award from the American Institute of Physics, and the Dorothea Klumpke-Roberts award for increasing public awareness of astronomy from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

TOBIAS OWEN was awarded the NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement for his work on the Martian atmosphere with the Viking Landers in 1976 and led the group of Voyager scientists who discovered the rings of Jupiter in 1979. He is professor of astronomy at the University of Hawaii where he studies planets, satellites, and comets with the giant telescopes on Mauna Kea.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Search For Life In The Universe
• Authors: Donald A. Goldsmith, Tobias Owen
• Edition: illustrated, revised
• Publisher: University Science Books, 2001
• ISBN: 1891389165, 9781891389160
• Length: 573 pages
• Subjects: Science / Astronomy; Science / Life Sciences / Biology; Science / Physics / Astrophysics