The Extraterrestrial Encyclopedia

The Extraterrestrial Encyclopedia
Author: David Darling
Publisher: First Edition Design Pub.
Total Pages: 463
Release: 2016-02-17
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1506901441

The Extraterrestrial Encyclopedia is an A-to-Z of the search for life in the Universe. Entries cover astrobiology, the origins and evolution of life, the hunt for exoplanets, SETI, and extraterrestrial life in science fiction, philosophy, and popular speculation (including UFOs). The book is written in an engaging style for the layperson and contains numerous B&W illustrations. Keywords: Encylopedia, ET, SETI, Science, Extraterrestrial, Origins, Evolution, Planets, Universe, David, Darling, Dirk, Schulze Makuch, Stars, Life

Extraterrestrial Life

Extraterrestrial Life
Author: NASA Scientific and Technical Information Facility
Publisher:
Total Pages: 354
Release: 1965
Genre: Life on other planets
ISBN:

Accretion of Extraterrestrial Matter Throughout Earth’s History

Accretion of Extraterrestrial Matter Throughout Earth’s History
Author: Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 484
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1441986944

Every year Earth is bombarded with about 40,000 tons of extraterrestrial material. This includes microscopic cosmic dust particles shed by comets and asteroids in outer space, meteorites, as well as large comets and asteroids that have led to catastrophic events in the geologic past. Originally considered only a curiosity, extraterrestrial matter found on Earth provides the only samples we have from comets, asteroids and other planets. Only recently mankind has started to actively collect extraterrestrial matter in space (Apollo program, Stardust mission) rather than to wait for its delivery to Earth. Still, most of our knowledge of the origin and evolution of our solar system is based on careful studies of meteorites, cosmic dust, and traces of large impact events in the geologic record such as the mass extinction that terminated the Cretaceous Period and led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. This book summarizes our current knowledge of the properties, origin, orbital evolution and accretion mechanism of extraterrestrial matter accreted on Earth and sheds light on accretion processes and fluxes in the geologic past. The chapters in the first part of the book are arranged in order to follow extraterrestrial matter from its origin in space, its orbital evolution on its way to Earth, its interaction with the Earth magnetosphere and atmosphere to its more or less violent collision with the Earth's surface. In the second part of the book several chapters deal with the present?day flux of cosmic dust and meteorites to Earth. Finally, several chapters deal with the reconstruction of the accretion history of extraterrestrial matter on Earth, starting with the most recent geologic past and ending with the very early, violent accretion period shortly after the formation of Earth, Moon and other solid planets in our solar system.

The Extraterrestrial Life Debate 1750-1900

The Extraterrestrial Life Debate 1750-1900
Author: Michael J. Crowe
Publisher: CUP Archive
Total Pages: 708
Release: 1986
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780521359863

This is the first in-depth study in English of the international debate that developed between 1750 and 1900 concerning the question of the existence of extraterrestrial intelligent life. Taking a history of ideas approach, the author describes the controversies that-arose over this question and reveals the great extent to which this issue influenced astronomical, philosophical, and religious thought. Professor Crowe shows that the majority of the leading astronomers of the last two centuries participated in this debate and he analyzes how their views interacted with new developments such as Newtonian mechanics, stellar astronomy, Darwinian theory, and astrophysics. This fascinating and critical history shows that the longstanding and widespread belief in extraterrestrial life has for centuries acted to alter major areas of our intellectual life.

The Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence

The Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence
Author: David Lamb
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 221
Release: 2005-07-26
Genre: History
ISBN: 1134544642

Looks at SETI's validity as a research programme and examines recent attempts to contact other intelligent life forms. Also assesses theories on the origin of life on Earth, discoveries of former solar planets and proposals for space colonies.

Extraterrestrials and the American Zeitgeist

Extraterrestrials and the American Zeitgeist
Author: Aaron John Gulyas
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 261
Release: 2013-05-11
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1476601682

Since the 1950s, men and women around the world have claimed to have had contact with human-like visitors from space. This book explores how the "contactee" subculture has critiqued political, social and cultural trends in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. Not merely quaint relics of the 1950s Atomic Age, contactees have continued their messages of transformation into the 21st century. Regardless of whether these alleged contacts took the form of physical meetings or channeled paranormal psychic communications, or whether they actually happened at all, contactees have provided a consistently relevant source of commentary on this world and beyond.

Extraterrestrials

Extraterrestrials
Author: Ben Zuckerman
Publisher: CUP Archive
Total Pages: 260
Release: 1995-09-28
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 9780521448031

Experts critically examine the belief that other intelligent life exists in our galaxy.

How Likely is Extraterrestrial Life?

How Likely is Extraterrestrial Life?
Author: J. Woods Halley
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 148
Release: 2012-01-05
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642227546

What does existing scientific knowledge about physics, chemistry, meteorology and biology tell us about the likelihood of extraterrestrial life and civilizations? And what does the fact that there is currently no credible scientific evidence for the existence of extraterrestrial biospheres or civilizations teach us? This book reviews the various scientific issues that arise in considering the question of how common extraterrestrial life is likely to be in our galaxy and whether humans are likely to detect it. The book stands out because of its very systematic organization and relatively unbiased treatment of the main open question. It covers all relevant aspects of many disciplines required to present the different possible answers. It has and will provide undergraduates with a stimulating introduction to many of these fields at an early stage in their university careers, when they are still choosing a specialty. The difficulties and the range of possible answers to the title question are carefully addressed in the light of present understanding. The resulting perspective is distinctly different from those suggested by most other books on this topic.

Extraterrestrial Altruism

Extraterrestrial Altruism
Author: Douglas A. Vakoch
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 325
Release: 2013-09-14
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642377505

Extraterrestrial Altruism examines a basic assumption of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI): that extraterrestrials will be transmitting messages to us for our benefit. This question of whether extraterrestrials will be altruistic has become increasingly important in recent years as SETI scientists have begun contemplating transmissions from Earth to make contact. Technological civilizations that transmit signals for the benefit of others, but with no immediate gain for themselves, certainly seem to be altruistic. But does this make biological sense? Should we expect altruism to evolve throughout the cosmos, or is this only wishful thinking? Is it dangerous to send messages to other worlds, as Stephen Hawking has suggested, or might humankind benefit from an exchange with intelligence elsewhere in the galaxy? Would extraterrestrial societies be based on different ethical principles, or would we see commonalities with Earthly notions of morality? Extraterrestrial Altruism explores these and related questions about the motivations of civilizations beyond Earth, providing new insights that are critical for SETI. Chapters are authored by leading scholars from diverse disciplines—anthropology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, cosmology, engineering, history of science, law, philosophy, psychology, public policy, and sociology. The book is carefully edited by Douglas Vakoch, Director of Interstellar Message Composition at the SETI Institute and professor of clinical psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies. The Foreword is by Frank Drake. This interdisciplinary book will benefit everybody trying to understand whether evolution and ethics are unique to Earth, or whether they are built into the fabric of the universe.