Rare Earth: Why Complex Life Is Uncommon in the Universe

by Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee

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Book cover for Rare Earth

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What determines whether complex life will arise on a planet, or even any life at all? Questions such as these are investigated in this groundbreaking book. In doing so, the authors synthesize information from astronomy, biology, and paleontology, and apply it to what we know about the rise of life on Earth and to what could possibly happen elsewhere in the universe. Everyone who has been thrilled by the recent discoveries of extrasolar planets and the indications of life on Mars and the Jovian moon Europa will be fascinated by Rare Earth, and its implications for those who look to the heavens for companionship.
  • ISBN10 0387218483
  • ISBN13 9780387218489
  • Publish Date 23 December 2004 (first published 1 January 2003)
  • Publish Status Active
  • Publish Country US
  • Imprint Springer
  • Edition Revised ed.
  • Format eBook
  • Pages 358
  • Language English