Goldilocks and the Water Bears: The Search for Life in the Universe (Bloomsbury Sigma) - Hardcover

Preston, Louisa

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1472920090 ISBN 13: 9781472920096

Publisher: Bloomsbury Sigma, 2016

Synopsis

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.

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 is an accessible introduction to the most fascinating of all the astro-sciences--the quest to learn whether we are alone in the universe.

About this title

About the Author

Louisa Preston is an astrobiologist and planetary geologist whose research has included the search for signs of life that could survive the harsh environments of Mars. She has a Ph.D. in astrobiology and planetary geology from Imperial College London and has completed two postdocs, working on space-mission simulations and the creation of a global database of Martian and lunar analog environments for the European Space Agency. This is her first book, and she lives in London, England.

Language Notes

All life as we know it is carbon-based and reliant on sources of liquid water and energy for its survival; it is also, of course, known from just one planet: the Earth, a world perfectly suited to host life. But across a universe of at least 100 billion habitable, earthlike worlds, life cannot be restricted to just this one place. Or can it?
The Earth is just the right distance from the sun - within the so-called 'Goldilocks zone' - and has a protective shielding atmosphere to allow for life to thrive. Life's journey in four billion years from single-celled organism to upright humanoids with the capacity to undertake missions to other planets is remarkable.
But there is a chance that life exists (or existed) elsewhere in the solar system, and recent discoveries of just how common planets are in other systems means it is highly likely that life does indeed occur on other planets.
How might life appear on these other worlds? It is possible to make best guesses using facts rooted in physics, chemistry and biology and by studying 'extremophiles' - organisms, such as nematodes and water bears, that can survive in the harshest conditions that Earth can offer.
Ultimately we need to figure out what is next for humanity. Our logical move is to break free of the confines of the Earth and colonise another body in the solar system, such as the moon or Mars. How and when will we do this? Or is it all just science fiction? These questions, in a nutshell, make up the core of astrobiology - the study of the origins, evolution and biology of life elsewhere in the universe - and the search for it.
This audiobook is an accessible introduction to this most fascinating of all the astrosciences. Are we alone in the universe? Goldilocks and the Water Bears looks at this and many other questions as the search for life elsewhere in the universe goes on.

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About this edition

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Sigma
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1472920090
• ISBN 13: 9781472920096
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 288