E-Book Overview
For many people, the main question about extraterrestrial life is whether or not it exists. To much of the scientific community, however, that question has already been answered: It does. And it's probably within our own solar system. "The scientists who believe in extraterrestrial life are staking their careers, research funds, and prestige that they're right. Institutions are doing so as well - NASA has its Institute of Astrobiology, the University of Washington its Department of Astrobiology. Their high-stakes gamble is giving rise to a new science of life on other worlds. "The discovery of life on other planets will be one of the great turning points in human history. Life Everywhere tells why many scientists think that discovery is inevitable, and what they think we will learn from it"
E-Book Content
L I F EE V E R Y W H E R E
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
LIFE E V E R Y W H E R E The Maverick Science o f Astrobiology
D A V I DD A R L I N G
BASIC
E F a x
A Member of the Perseus Books Group
Copyright 02001 by David Darling Published by Basic Books, A Member of the Perseus Books Group All rights reserved. Printed in the United Statesof America. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the caseof brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.For information, address Basic Books,
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299. ISBN: 0-465-01 563-8 First Edition Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Darling, David J. Life everywhere : the maverick scienceof astrobiology / by David Darling. p.cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-465-01 563-8 (alk. paper) I. Title. 1.Exobiology.2.Life-Origin. QH327 .D37 2001 576.8'39-dc2 1 2001025147 The paper used in this publication meets the requirements