Here Be Dragons: The Scientific Quest for Extraterrestrial Life

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David W. Koerner (, Assistant Professor of Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania) Simon LeVay (, Independent Consultant, former Associate Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies)

Here Be Dragons

The Scientific Quest for Extraterrestrial Life

David W. Koerner (, Assistant Professor of Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania), Simon LeVay (, Independent Consultant, former Associate Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies)

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English

Oxford University Press Inc
31 January 2002

"In Here Be Dragons, astronomer David Koerner and neurobiologist Simon LeVay offer a scientifically compelling and colorful account of the search for life beyond Earth.

The authors survey the work of biologists, cosmologists, computer theorists, NASA engineers, SETI researchers, roboticists, and UFO enthusiasts and debunkers as they attempt to answer the greatest remaining question facing humankind: Are we alone? From their ""safe haven of skepticism"" the authors venture into the ""rough seas of speculation,"" where theory and evidence run the gamut from hard science to hocus pocus. Arguing that the universe is spectacularly suited for the evolution of living creatures, Koerner and LeVay give us ringside seats at the great debates of Big Science.

The contentious arguments about what really happens in evolution, the acrimonious UFO controversy, and the debate over intelligence versus artificial intelligence shed new light on the wildly divergent claims about the universe and life's place in it."

By: David W. Koerner ( Assistant Professor of Astronomy University of Pennsylvania), Simon LeVay (, Independent Consultant, former Associate Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies)
Imprint: Oxford University Press Inc
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 155mm, Spine: 18mm
Weight: 407g
ISBN: 9780195146004
ISBN 10: 019514600X
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 31 January 2002
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , General/trade , A / AS level , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Acknowledgements Introduction Origins: How Life on Earth Began Going to Extremes: The Habitats and Requirements for Life The Incredible Shrinking Martians: Searching for Life in the Solar System The Death and Life of Stars: Organic Chemistry and the Evolution of Solar Systems The Planet Finders: Searching for Life Beyond the Sun What Happens in Evolution? Chance and Necessity in the Origin of Biological Complexity SETI: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Dreamland: The Science and Religion of UFOs Exotica: Life as we don't know it Many Worlds: Cosmology and the Anthropic Principle Conclusion Endnotes

David Koerner is an Assistant Professor of Astronomy at the University of Pennsylvania. Simon LeVay is an Independent Consultant and former Associate Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California.

Reviews for Here Be Dragons: The Scientific Quest for Extraterrestrial Life

The search of life beyond this planet seems to be one that increasingly consumes us. Imagine the fuss if we ever found any. The authors here try to take stock of the current state of thought on the subject and extrapolate from that to determine whether there is life on other planets, both in our solar system and beyond. This is done with rigorous research and writing and they reach some serious conclusions. (Kirkus UK)