Faint Echoes, Distant Stars: the Science and Politics of Finding Life beyond Earth.FAINT ECHOES, DISTANT STARS: The Science and Politics of Finding Life beyond Earth. BEN BOVA Bova is best known for his science fiction writing. Now, he takes a turn in the nonfiction world, specifically the blossoming realm of astrobiology astrobiology: see exobiology. , a field where scientists are exploring the origins of life on Earth and perhaps beyond. Bova's sweeping text traces the history and explores the future implications of this line of research. He begins by debunking de·bunk tr.v. de·bunked, de·bunk·ing, de·bunks To expose or ridicule the falseness, sham, or exaggerated claims of: debunk a supposed miracle drug. the common assumption that our environment is the only one that's truly hospitable to life. He points out that life thrives in some very unlikely and hostile places here, including thermal vents and the frigid arctic regions. With this in mind, the reader will find it much easier to consider how Mars and the moons of Saturn Saturn has 60 confirmed natural satellites, plus three hypothetical moons. Introduction Saturn is currently thought to have sixty-three moons, many of which were discovered very recently, including three particularly un-confirmed, hypothetical moons. and Jupiter might be ripe for life. Bova also discusses the idea that life may have hitched rides on comets and asteroids and landed on Earth. Just when Bova has his readers' interest piqued, he explains how funding shortages stymie sty·mie also sty·my tr.v. sty·mied , sty·mie·ing also sty·my·ing , sty·mies To thwart; stump: a problem in thermodynamics that stymied half the class. n. 1. astrobiologists' work. Bova hopes that once people realize the ramifications ramifications npl → Auswirkungen pl of these studies, such hurdles will shrink. Morrow, 2004, 335p., hardcover, $25.95. |
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