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)

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)

$155.95

Hardback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Oxford University Press Inc
01 May 2000

"The discovery of life on other planets would be perhaps the most momentous revelation in human history, more disorienting and more profound than either the Copernican or Darwinian revolutions, which knocked the earth from the center of the universe and humankind from its position of lofty self-regard. 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 contenitous 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. The authors argue that while no direct evidence of extraterrestrial life yet exists, habitats and chemical building blocks for life abound in the universe. A wealth of new astronomical techniques and space missions may provide this evidence early in the next century.

Lucidly written and scientifically rigorous, Here Be Dragons presents everything we know thus far about the emergence of intelligent life here on earth and, perhaps, beyond."

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: 242mm, Width: 161mm, Spine: 24mm
Weight: 542g
ISBN: 9780195128529
ISBN 10: 0195128524
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 01 May 2000
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , General/trade , A / AS level , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

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.

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)