Goldilocks And The Water Bears: The Search For Life In The Universe (bloomsbury Sigma)
by Louisa Preston /
2016 / English / EPUB
3.1 MB Download
Astrobiology is the study of life in the universe from its
origins to its evolution into intelligent sentient beings. All
life as we know it is carbon-based, reliant on sources of liquid
water and energy for its survival, and as far as we are aware,
exists only on Earth.
Astrobiology is the study of life in the universe from its
origins to its evolution into intelligent sentient beings. All
life as we know it is carbon-based, reliant on sources of liquid
water and energy for its survival, and as far as we are aware,
exists only on Earth.
Our planet occupies a unique spot in the solar system. It is just
the right distance from the Sun--within the so-called Goldilocks
Zone--to be not too hot or too cold for liquid water to be stable
on its surface, which, together with a protective shielding
atmosphere, allowed the four-billion-year journey from a
single-celled organism to an upright humanoid species. Most of
primordial life, if seen today, would be classified as “alien,”
as it bears little resemblance to anything that currently exists.
Our planet occupies a unique spot in the solar system. It is just
the right distance from the Sun--within the so-called Goldilocks
Zone--to be not too hot or too cold for liquid water to be stable
on its surface, which, together with a protective shielding
atmosphere, allowed the four-billion-year journey from a
single-celled organism to an upright humanoid species. Most of
primordial life, if seen today, would be classified as “alien,”
as it bears little resemblance to anything that currently exists.
We can learn much about the possibilities of extraterrestrial
life by studying the conveyer belt of life forms from our
planet's history and by exploring organisms still present in
harsh environments on Earth that mimic those on other worlds.
These organisms, called "extremophiles," are directing our search
for alien life throughout the solar system and beyond. Could we
one day find Earth's toughest animal, the microscopic water bear,
living under the surface of another world?
We can learn much about the possibilities of extraterrestrial
life by studying the conveyer belt of life forms from our
planet's history and by exploring organisms still present in
harsh environments on Earth that mimic those on other worlds.
These organisms, called "extremophiles," are directing our search
for alien life throughout the solar system and beyond. Could we
one day find Earth's toughest animal, the microscopic water bear,
living under the surface of another world?Goldilocks and the
Water Bears
Goldilocks and the
Water Bears is an accessible introduction to the most
fascinating of all the astro-sciences--the quest to learn whether
we are alone in the universe.
is an accessible introduction to the most
fascinating of all the astro-sciences--the quest to learn whether
we are alone in the universe.