Fernando J. Ballesteros

eBook, PDF

E.T. Talk (eBook, PDF)

How Will We Communicate with Intelligent Life on Other Worlds?

Beschreibung

Although we have done extensive studies of the Solar System and thus far found over 300 extrasolar planets - planets outside our Solar System - we have not yet found life, even primitive life, on any planet other than Earth. Might there be life on some of these newly discovered extrasolar planets? Not likely, as most are gas giants or are too close or too far from their sun. However, of late we are finding more and more Earthlike planets. It is now estimated that about 15 percent of the planets in the galaxy are Earthlike, and many of these will likely orbit their suns at the right distance to support life as we know it. No one knows yet if radio searches or other means of detection will reveal that we are not alone in the universe. But if we do discover intelligent life elsewhere, how will we communicate with it? Are there some "universal" methods of communication we can use? Is music or mathematics a universal language? Are there alien intelligences right here on Earth we can use to help us figure out ways of communicating? The answers may surprise you. All of these issues and more are covered in this exciting, readable, and authoritative book on a subject that is not mere idle speculation anymore. We are certainly getting closer to finding out who, if anybody, is out there. This book will not only inform you about the search and the likelihood of finding life, it will also actually teach you how to talk to aliens!

Technische Details

• Geräte: PC
• ohne Kopierschutz
• Größe: 10.89MB

Barrierefreiheit

• Text-to-Speech

Autor

Fernando J. Ballesteros earned his Ph. D. in physics from the University of Valencia, Spain, where he is now a practicing researcher and astronomer. He is a long-time popularizer of science in Spain, including acting as coauthor of the radio program "The Sound of Science," in Radio Nacional de España (Spain's national public radio service). He is also the author of the book Astrobiology, A Bridge Between the Big Bang and Life (Akal, 2008). He was a member of ESA's space telescope INTEGRAL team and researcher at the Spanish Astrobiology Center (CAB). The present volume is a translation of the Spanish version from Bromera, which was the winner of the European Award "Estudi General" given for popular science.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Springer New York
• Seitenzahl: 212
• Erscheinungstermin: 12. August 2010
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781441960894
• Artikelnr.: 37352072

Rezensionen

From the reviews:

"E.T. Talk, the latest book ... look like a computer studies guide, but its contents are well researched. ... a wide range of disciplines are covered, from geology, biology to statistics and technology. A highly readable book for anyone interested in the debate about alien intelligence." (Kulvinder Singh Chadha, Sky at Night Magazine, January, 2011)

"Ballesteros (Univ. of Valencia, Spain) is an astrophysicist and a long-time science popularizer. This book is a clear translation of the original Spanish version, which received the European 'Estudi General' award for popular science. ... book is useful because of its unusual insight into the nature of language and the challenges that would have to be met in attempting to communicate with an extraterrestrial civilization. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates and general readers." (T. Barker, Choice, Vol. 48 (9), May, 2011)

"The most interesting and informative book ... covers the key aspects of the subject in three parts. ... This forms the main thrust of the book and makes fascinating reading. ... it does lead on to a truly excellent analysis of language and its form and structure that I found really illuminating. ... this book will give its readers an up-to-date and insightful study of the many aspects of the subject. I recommend it highly." (Ian Morison, The Observatory, Vol. 131 (1224), October, 2011)