Extraterrestrial Intelligence

by Jean Heidmann

Book Overview

If extraterrestrial intelligence exists, then positive detection of it would be the greatest scientific discovery of all time. By what criteria should we judge if we are alone in the cosmos, and how should we set about detecting extraterrestrials? Jean Heidmann and Strom Dunlop answers these questions in this engaging discussion of extraterrestrial intelligence. The authors shows how planets fit into the hierarchy of the Universe, and discuss prebiotic...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521453402
• ISBN13: 9780521453400
• Release Date: August 1995
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Is there anybody out there? Maybe says Heidmann...

Astrobotany, Bioastronomy, Cosmobiology Exobiology, Astrobiology,...This relative young field of science seemes to change its name every few years to cause some excitement. But for those who are familiar with the subjects it deals with, it's clear that this is not necessary. Exobiology (well, choose one of the other names if you don't like this one) is a wide-range-field: It tries to explain the origins of life on Earth as well as the processes necessary for life to arrise in the universe. From the Big Bang to the development of rational beings. And it explores the problem of life on other planets. Jean Heidmann, a dedicated Bioastronomer, gives a detailed overview about the subject. Speculative, but with grounded scientific arguments. And he provides insights into current projects that are dedicated to the search for life in the universe, ranging from extraterrestrial planetfinder devices to probes that visited Mars. I recomend this Book to everyone who wants to inform him/herself about the possibility of primitive/advanced life in the universe. It represents a good introduction for those who set a foot on new terrain, and provides new information for those who are familiar with the subject. Every page of the book contains tons of information on the topic and I had to read it several times to remember all the stuff Heidmann presents. Highly readable!