The biological universe : life in the Milky Way and beyond / Wallace Arthur, National University of Ireland, Galway.
"Are we alone in the universe, or are there other life-forms 'out there'? This is one of the most scientifically and philosophically important questions that humanity can ask. Now, in the early 2020s, we are tantalizingly close to an answer. As this book shows, the answer will almost...
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| Online Access: |
Full Text (via ProQuest) |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | eBook |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge, United Kingdom ; New York, NY :
Cambridge University Press,
2020.
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| Subjects: |
| Summary: | "Are we alone in the universe, or are there other life-forms 'out there'? This is one of the most scientifically and philosophically important questions that humanity can ask. Now, in the early 2020s, we are tantalizingly close to an answer. As this book shows, the answer will almost certainly be that life-forms are to be found across the Milky Way and beyond. They will be thinly spread, to be sure. Yet the number of inhabited planets probably runs into the trillions. Some are close enough for us to detect evidence of life by analysing their atmospheres. This evidence may be found within a couple of decades. Its arrival will be momentous. But even before it arrives we can anticipate what life elsewhere will be like by examining the ecology and evolution of life on Earth. This book considers the current state of play in relation to these titanic issues"-- |
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| Physical Description: | 1 online resource (xiv, 346 pages) : illustrations. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| ISBN: | 9781108872096 1108872093 9781108873154 1108873154 |
| Source of Description, Etc. Note: | Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on March 22, 2021) |