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| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Intelligent Life in the Universe Iosef Shmuelovich Shklovskii, 1966 |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Intelligent Life in the Universe I. S. Shklovskiĭ, Carl Sagan, 1966 A translation, extension, and revision of [the author's Vselennai︠a︡, zhiznʹ, razum]. Bibliography: p. 489-495. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: The Varieties of Scientific Experience Carl Sagan, 2006-11-02 “Ann Druyan has unearthed a treasure. It is a treasure of reason, compassion, and scientific awe. It should be the next book you read.” —Sam Harris, author of The End of Faith “A stunningly valuable legacy left to all of us by a great human being. I miss him so.” —Kurt Vonnegut Carl Sagan's prophetic vision of the tragic resurgence of fundamentalism and the hope-filled potential of the next great development in human spirituality The late great astronomer and astrophysicist describes his personal search to understand the nature of the sacred in the vastness of the cosmos. Exhibiting a breadth of intellect nothing short of astounding, Sagan presents his views on a wide range of topics, including the likelihood of intelligent life on other planets, creationism and so-called intelligent design, and a new concept of science as informed worship. Originally presented at the centennial celebration of the famous Gifford Lectures in Scotland in 1985 but never published, this book offers a unique encounter with one of the most remarkable minds of the twentieth century. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Pale Blue Dot Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan, 1997-09-08 “Fascinating . . . memorable . . . revealing . . . perhaps the best of Carl Sagan’s books.”—The Washington Post Book World (front page review) In Cosmos, the late astronomer Carl Sagan cast his gaze over the magnificent mystery of the Universe and made it accessible to millions of people around the world. Now in this stunning sequel, Carl Sagan completes his revolutionary journey through space and time. Future generations will look back on our epoch as the time when the human race finally broke into a radically new frontier—space. In Pale Blue Dot, Sagan traces the spellbinding history of our launch into the cosmos and assesses the future that looms before us as we move out into our own solar system and on to distant galaxies beyond. The exploration and eventual settlement of other worlds is neither a fantasy nor luxury, insists Sagan, but rather a necessary condition for the survival of the human race. “Takes readers far beyond Cosmos . . . Sagan sees humanity’s future in the stars.”—Chicago Tribune |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Carl Sagan's Universe Yervant Terzian, Elizabeth Bilson, 1997-08-13 Carl Sagan's many contributions to science and society have been profound and far-reaching, influencing millions of people around the world. He carried out significant research in planetary science, was closely associated with the US space program, created the highly acclaimed television series Cosmos, and was the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of many best-selling popular science books. Carl Sagan's Universe is a fascinating and beautifully illustrated collection of articles by a distinguished team of authors, and covers the many fields of science, education, policy making, and related areas in which Sagan worked. The book is divided into four sections, the first two of which provide an absorbing overview of the US space program (as well as a complementary account of the Russian program), and of the history and current status of the search for extraterrestrial life. The final two sections deal with the importance of science education in the successful development of a technological society, and of the shaping of science policy in tackling the problems facing us today. Also included is a separate chapter by Sagan himself, discussing the place and role of our planet and mankind in the universe. Written in honour of Carl Sagan's many achievements, this book will fascinate and reward anyone interested in planetary science and exploration, the search for extraterrestrial life, or the role of science in the modern world. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Contact Carl Sagan, 2016-12-20 Pulitzer Prize-winning author and astronomer Carl Sagan imagines the greatest adventure of all—the discovery of an advanced civilization in the depths of space. In December of 1999, a multinational team journeys out to the stars, to the most awesome encounter in human history. Who—or what—is out there? In Cosmos, Carl Sagan explained the universe. In Contact, he predicts its future—and our own. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Billions & Billions Carl Sagan, 1998-05-12 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In the final book of his astonishing career, Carl Sagan brilliantly examines the burning questions of our lives, our world, and the universe around us. These luminous, entertaining essays travel both the vastness of the cosmos and the intimacy of the human mind, posing such fascinating questions as how did the universe originate and how will it end, and how can we meld science and compassion to meet the challenges of the coming century? Here, too, is a rare, private glimpse of Sagan’s thoughts about love, death, and God as he struggled with fatal disease. Ever forward-looking and vibrant with the sparkle of his unquenchable curiosity, Billions & Billions is a testament to one of the great scientific minds of our day. Praise for Billions & Billions “[Sagan’s] writing brims with optimism, clarity and compassion.”—Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel “Sagan used the spotlight of his fame to illuminate the abyss into which stupidity, greed, and the lust for power may yet dump us. All of those interests and causes are handsomely represented in Billions & Billions.”—The Washington Post Book World “Astronomer Carl Sagan didn’t live to see the millennium, but he probably has done more than any other popular scientist to prepare us for its arrival.”—Atlanta Journal & Constitution “Billions & Billions can be interpreted as the Silent Spring for the current generation. . . . Human history includes a number of leaders with great minds who gave us theories about our universe and origins that ran contrary to religious dogma. Galileo determined that the Earth revolved around the Sun, not the other way around. Darwin challenged Creationism with his Evolution of Species. And now, Sagan has given the world its latest challenge: Billions & Billions.”—San Antonio Express-News “[Sagan’s] inspiration and boundless curiosity live on in the gift of his work.”—Seattle Times & Post-Intelligencer “Couldn’t stay awake in your high school science classes? This book can help fill in the holes. Acclaimed scientist Carl Sagan combines his logic and knowledge with wit and humor to make a potentially dry subject enjoyable to read.”—The Dallas Morning News |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: The Demon-Haunted World Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan, 1997-02-25 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the renowned astronomer and author of Cosmos comes a “powerful [and] stirring defense of informed rationality” (The Washington Post Book World) in a world where fake news stories and Internet conspiracy theories play to a disaffected American populace. LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE WINNER • “Glorious . . . A spirited defense of science . . . From the first page to the last, this book is a manifesto for clear thought.”—Los Angeles Times How can we make intelligent decisions about our increasingly technology-driven lives if we don’t understand the difference between the myths of pseudoscience, New Age thinking, and fundamentalist zealotry and the testable hypotheses of science? Casting a wide net through history and culture, Pulitzer Prize–winning author and distinguished astronomer Carl Sagan argues that scientific thinking is critical not only to the pursuit of truth but to the very well-being of our democratic institutions. He examines and authoritatively debunks such celebrated fallacies as witchcraft, faith healings, demons, and UFOs. And yet, disturbingly, in today’s so-called information age, pseudoscience is burgeoning, with stories of alien abduction, “channeling” past lives, and communal hallucinations commanding growing attention and respect. As Sagan demonstrates with lucid eloquence, the siren song of unreason is not just a cultural wrong turn but a dangerous plunge into darkness that threatens our most basic freedoms. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan, 2011-07-06 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “Exciting and provocative . . . A tour de force of a book that begs to be seen as well as to be read.”—The Washington Post Book World World renowned scientist Carl Sagan and acclaimed author Ann Druyan have written a Roots for the human species, a lucid and riveting account of how humans got to be the way we are. Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors is a thrilling saga that starts with the origin of the Earth. It shows with humor and drama that many of our key traits—self-awareness, technology, family ties, submission to authority, hatred for those a little different from ourselves, reason, and ethics—are rooted in the deep past, and illuminated by our kinship with other animals. Sagan and Druyan conduct a breathtaking journey through space and time, zeroing in on critical turning points in evolutionary history, and tracing the origins of sex, altruism, violence, rape, and dominance. Their book culminates in a stunningly original examination of the connection between primate and human traits. Astonishing in its scope, brilliant in its insights, and an absolutely compelling read, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors is a triumph of popular science. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: The Privileged Planet Guillermo Gonzalez, Jay Wesley Richards, 2004-02-01 A convincing case that the rare, finely tuned conditions that allow for intelligent life on Earth are no coincidence, and that Earth was practically designed for discovery. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence (CETI) Carl Sagan, 1973 The first international conference on the problem of extraterrestrial civilizations, and contact with them, was held in September 1971 in Soviet Armenia. The conference was a gathering of specialists working in a wide variety of fields—astronomy, physics, radiophysics, computer science and technology, chemistry, biology, linguistics, archaeology, anthropology, sociology, and history—and included many scientists whose reputations are worldwide. For example, Freeman Dyson, Philip Morrison, and Charles Townes were among the American participants; their Russian counterparts were of comparable distinction. The conference was jointly organized by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (with assistance from the U.S. National Science Foundation) and the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences. Scientists from several other countries also participated. Many aspects of the problem of extraterrestrial civilizations were discussed in detail, and these discussions are fully presented in this book. Particular attention is devoted to the following questions: the plurality of planetary systems in the universe, the origin of life on Earth, the possibility of life arising on cosmic bodies, the origin and evolution of intelligence, the origin and development of technological civilizations, problems in searching for intelligent signals or for evidence of astroengineering activities, and the problems and possible consequences of establishing contact with extraterrestrial civilizations. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Carl Sagan Keay Davidson, 2000-09-01 A penetrating, mesmerizing biography of a scientific icon Absolutely fascinating . . . Davidson has done a remarkable job.-Sir Arthur C. Clarke Engaging . . . accessible, carefully documented . . . sophisticated.-Dr. David Hollinger for The New York Times Book Review Entertaining . . . Davidson treats [the] nuances of Sagan's complex life with understanding and sympathy.-The Christian Science Monitor Excellent . . . Davidson acts as a keen critic to Sagan's works and their vast uncertainties.-Scientific American A fascinating book about an extraordinary man.-Johnny Carson Davidson, an award-winning science writer, has written an absorbing portrait of this Pied Piper of planetary science. Davidson thoroughly explores Sagan's science, wrestles with his politics, and plumbs his personal passions with a telling instinct for the revealing underside of a life lived so publicly.-Los Angeles Times Carl Sagan was one of the most celebrated scientists of this century—the handsome and alluring visionary who inspired a generation to look to the heavens and beyond. His life was both an intellectual feast and an emotional rollercoaster. Based on interviews with Sagan's family and friends, including his widow, Ann Druyan; his first wife, acclaimed scientist Lynn Margulis; and his three sons, as well as exclusive access to many personal papers, this highly acclaimed life story offers remarkable insight into one of the most influential, provocative, and beloved figures of our time—a complex, contradictory prophet of the Space Age. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Dragons of Eden Carl Sagan, 1986-12-12 “A history of the human brain from the big bang, fifteen billion years ago, to the day before yesterday . . . It's a delight.”—The New York Times Dr. Carl Sagan takes us on a great reading adventure, offering his vivid and startling insight into the brain of man and beast, the origin of human intelligence, the function of our most haunting legends—and their amazing links to recent discoveries. “How can I persuade every intelligent person to read this important and elegant book? . . . He talks about all kinds of things: the why of the pain of human childbirth . . . the reason for sleeping and dreaming . . . chimpanzees taught to communicate in deaf and dumb language . . . the definition of death . . . cloning . . . computers . . . intelligent life on other planets. . . . Fascinating . . . delightful.”—The Boston Globe “In some lost Eden where dragons ruled, the foundations of our intelligence were laid. . . . Carl Sagan takes us on a guided tour of that lost land. . . . Fascinating . . . entertaining . . . masterful.”—St. Louis Post-Dispatch |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Conversations with Carl Sagan Carl Sagan, 2006 A collection of interviews and profiles show how Sagan, a lifelong skeptic, refined his views and expressed amazement that Earth encompasses everything about which he cared. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Broca's Brain Carl Sagan, 2011-07-06 A fascinating book on the joys of discovering how the world works, by the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Cosmos and Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. “Magnificent . . . Delightful . . . A masterpiece. A message of tremendous hope for humanity . . . While ever conscious that human folly can terminate man’s march into the future, Sagan nonetheless paints for us a mind-boggling future: intelligent robots, the discovery of extraterrestrial life and its consequences, and above all the challenge and pursuit of the mystery of the universe.”—Chicago Tribune “Go out and buy this book, because Carl Sagan is not only one of the world’s most respected scientists, he’s a great writer. . . . I can give a book no greater accolade than to say I’m planning on reading it again. And again. And again.”—The Miami Herald “The brilliant astronomer . . . is persuasive, provocative and readable.”—United Press International “Closely reasoned, impeccably researched, gently humorous, utterly devastating.”—The Washington Post |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Rare Earth Peter D. Ward, Donald Brownlee, 2007-05-08 In November 12, 2002, Dr. John Chambers of the NASA Ames Research Center gave a seminar to the Astrobiology Group at the University of Washington. The audience of about 100 listened with rapt attention as Chambers described results from a computer study of how planetary systems form. The goal of his research was to answer a deceptively simple question: How often would newly forming planetary systems produce Earth-like planets, given a star the size of our own sun? By “Earth-like” Chambers meant a rocky planet with water on its surface, orbiting within a star’s “habitable zone. ” This not-too-hot and not-too-cold inner region, relatively close to the star, supports the presence of liquid water on a planet surface for hundreds of million of years—the time-span probably necessary for the evolution of life. To answer the question of just how many Earth-like planets might be spawned in such a planetary system, Chambers had spent thousands of hours running highly sophisticated modeling programs through arrays of powerful computers. The results presented at the meeting were startling. The simulations showed that rocky planets orbiting at the “right” distances from the central star are easily formed, but they can end up with a wide range of water content. Earth seems to be quite a gem—a rocky planet where not only can liquid water exist for long periods of time, but where water can be found as a heathy oceanful—not too little and not too much. Our planet seems to reside in a benign region of the Galaxy, where comet and asteroid bombardment is tolerable and habitable-zone planets can commonly grow to Earth size. Such real estate in our galaxy—perhaps in any galaxy—is prime for life. And rare as well. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: If the Universe Is Teeming with Aliens ... WHERE IS EVERYBODY? Stephen Webb, 2002-10-04 In a 1950 conversation at Los Alamos, four world-class scientists generally agreed, given the size of the Universe, that advanced extraterrestrial civilizations must be present. But one of the four, Enrico Fermi, asked, If these civilizations do exist, where is everybody? Given the fact that there are perhaps 400 million stars in our Galaxy alone, and perhaps 400 million galaxies in the Universe, it stands to reason that somewhere out there, in the 14 billion-year-old cosmos, there is or once was a civilization at least as advanced as our own. Webb discusses in detail the 50 most cogent and intriguing solutions to Fermi's famous paradox. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Life in the Universe Jeffrey O. Bennett, 2017-07-26 Life in the UniverseBy Jeffrey O. Bennett |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Searching for Extraterrestrial Intelligence H. Paul Shuch, 2011-02-14 This book is a collection of essays written by the very scientists and engineers who have led, and continue to lead, the scientific quest known as SETI, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Divided into three parts, the first section, ‘The Spirit of SETI Past’, written by the surviving pioneers of this then emerging discipline, reviews the major projects undertaken during the first 50 years of SETI science and the results of that research. In the second section, ‘The Spirit of SETI Present’, the present-day science and technology is discussed in detail, providing the technical background to contemporary SETI instruments, experiments, and analytical techniques, including the processing of the received signals to extract potential alien communications. In the third and final section, ‘The Spirit of SETI Future’, the book looks ahead to the possible directions that SETI will take in the next 50 years, addressing such important topics as interstellar message construction, the risks and assumptions of interstellar communications, when we might make contact, what aliens might look like and what is likely to happen in the aftermath of such a contact. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Carl Sagan William Poundstone, 2000-10-01 In this compelling life of Carl Sagan, award-winning science writer William Poundstone details the transformation of a bookish young astronomer obsessed with life on other worlds into science's first authentic media superstar. The instantly recognizable Sagan, a fixture on television and a bestselling author, offered the layperson entry into the mysteries of the cosmos and of science in general. To much of the scientific community, however, he was a pariah, a brazen publicity seeker who cared more about his image and his fortune than the advancement of science. Poundstone reveals the seldom-discussed aspects of Sagan's life, the legitimate and important work of his early scientific career, the almost obsessive capacity to take on endless projects, and the multiple marriages and fractured personal life, in what The New Yorker called an evenhanded guide to a great man's career. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Alone in the Universe John Gribbin, 2011-12-20 The acclaimed author of In Search of Schrödinger's Cat searches for life on other planets Are we alone in the universe? Surely amidst the immensity of the cosmos there must be other intelligent life out there. Don't be so sure, says John Gribbin, one of today's best popular science writers. In this fascinating and intriguing new book, Gribbin argues that the very existence of intelligent life anywhere in the cosmos is, from an astrophysicist's point of view, a miracle. So why is there life on Earth and (seemingly) nowhere else? What happened to make this planet special? Taking us back some 600 million years, Gribbin lets you experience the series of unique cosmic events that were responsible for our unique form of life within the Milky Way Galaxy. Written by one of our foremost popular science writers, author of the bestselling In Search of Schrödinger's Cat Offers a bold answer to the eternal question, Are we alone in the universe? Explores how the impact of a supercomet with Venus 600 million years ago created our moon, and along with it, the perfect conditions for life on Earth From one of our most talented science writers, this book is a daring, fascinating exploration into the dawning of the universe, cosmic collisions and their consequences, and the uniqueness of life on Earth. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Lonely Planets David Grinspoon, 2003-11-04 A provocative, anecdotal book about the possibility of extra–terrestrial life by a leading young astronomer and advisor to NASA. It's been a quarter of a century since Carl Sagan first addressed the general public from the perspective of a practicing scientist confronting the possibility of extraterrestrial life. We've learned a lot in those 25 years, and leading astronomer David Grinspoon is well prepared to carry Sagan's legacy forward to a new generation of readers. In Lonely Planets, Grinspoon explores the big questions with unusual authority, passion and panache: How widespread are life and intelligence in the cosmos? Is life on Earth an accident or in some sense the 'purpose' of this universe? And how can we, working from a sample size of one, even begin to think intelligently about life on distant planets? He gives us new ways of thinking about life and outlines his controversial view that Venus, not Mars, is the best candidate for finding nearby life. Lonely Planets concludes with provocative speculations on human destiny and reveals how the search for ET life unites our spiritual and scientific quests for connection with the cosmos. Examining scientific data, reviewing historical records and sympathetically analyzing folk beliefs, Grinspoon presents a comprehensive history of ideas about extraterrestrial life and offers provocative new scientific speculations. Rich in personal, often amusing anecdotes, his narrative expertly guides readers through history, science, and prevailing beliefs about life on other planets. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Aliens Jim Al-Khalili, 2017-05-09 In these lively and fascinating essays edited by theoretical physicist Jim Al-Khalili, scientists from around the world weigh in on the latest advances in the search for intelligent life in the universe and discuss just what that might look like. Since 2000, science has seen a surge in data and interest on several fronts related to E.T. (extraterrestrials); A.I. (artificial intelligence); and SETI (search for extraterrestrial intelligence). The debate has intensified over whether life exists outside our solar system, what that life would look like, and whether we’ll ever make contact. Included here are essays from a broad spectrum of the scientific community: cosmologists, astrophysicists, NASA planetary scientists, and geneticists, to name just a few, discussing the latest research and theories relating to alien life. Some of the topics include: If life exists somewhere in space, what are the odds that it evolves into something we would recognize as intelligent? What will space travel look like in the future, and will it all be done by cyborg technology? How long until we are ruled by robot overlords? (This is actually a serious consideration.) Are we simply a simulation in the mind of some supreme being, acting out a virtual reality game? For those who have ever wondered, Is there anybody out there? here are the latest theories and evidence that move us closer to answering that question. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: The Cosmic Connection Carl Sagan, 2019-12-23 The question we will always be asking but will never know the answer is the question: Is there life in Outer Space? I think that almost every thinking person believes that life exists out there somewhere? But finding life is almost meaningless unless we can find intelligent life that can communicate with us. And for what purpose? We now know that it is almost certain that chemical spores can be created and if enough of them come together life can form. For life to have meaning, it must be able to reproduce itself and to create more of them. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: See You in the Cosmos Jack Cheng, 2017-03-02 An astonishingly moving middle-grade debut about a space-obsessed boy's quest for family and home. All eleven-year old Alex wants is to launch his iPod into space. With a series of audio recordings, he will show other lifeforms out in the cosmos what life on Earth, his Earth, is really like. But for a boy with a long-dead dad, a troubled mum, and a mostly-not-around brother, Alex struggles with the big questions. Where do I come from? Who's out there? And, above all, How can I be brave? Determined to find the answers, Alex sets out on a remarkable road trip that will turn his whole world upside down . . . For fans of Wonder and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Jack Cheng's debut is full of joy, optimism, determination, and unbelievable heart. To read the first page is to fall in love with Alex and his view of our big, beautiful, complicated world. To read the last is to know he and his story will stay with you a long, long time. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: The Eerie Silence Paul Davies, 2010-03-04 If aliens ever contact us, it will be perhaps the single most significant event in human history. And Paul Davies will be responsible for saying something back. For fifty years the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence has been scanning the skies. Now Davies explores what the mysterious silence it has so far encountered could mean. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Civilized Life in the Universe George Basalla, 2006-01-19 This book is a selective and fascinating history of scientific speculation about intelligent extraterrestrial life. From Plutarch to Stephen Hawking, some of the most prominent western scientists have had quite detailed perceptions and misperceptions about alien civilizations: Johannes Kepler, fresh from transforming astronomy with his work on the shape of planetary orbits, was quite sure alien engineers on the moon were excavating circular pits to provide shelter; Christiaan Huygens, the most prominent physical scientist between Galileo and Newton, dismissed Kepler's speculations, but used the laws of probability to prove that planetarians on other worlds are much like humans, and had developed a sense of the visual arts; Carl Sagan sees clearly that Huygens is a biological chauvinist, but doesn't see as clearly that he, Sagan, may be a cultural/technological chauvinist when he assumes aliens have highly developed technology like ours, but better. Basalla traces the influence of one speculation on the next, showing an unbroken but twisting chain of ideas passed from one scientist to the next, and from science to popular culture. He even traces the influence of popular culture on science--Sagan always admitted how much E. R. Burroughs' Martian novels influenced his speculations about Mars. Throughout, Basalla weaves his theme that scientific belief in and search for extraterrestrial civilizations is a complex impulse, part secularized-religious, and part anthropomorphic. He questions the common modern scientific reasoning that life converges on intelligence, and intelligence converges on one science valid everywhere. He ends the book by agreeing with Stephen Hawking (usually a safe bet) that intelligence is overrated for survival in the universe, and that we are most likely alone. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: The Hercules Text Jack McDevitt, 2015-04-28 The classic first-contact science fiction novel that launched the career of Jack McDevitt, the national bestselling author of Coming Home—now revised from the original edition, and featuring a new foreword. From a remote corner of the galaxy a message is being sent. The continuous beats of a pulsar have become odd, irregular…artificial. It can only be a code. Frantically, a research team struggles to decipher the alien communication. And what the scientists discover is destined to shake the foundations of empires around this world—from Wall Street to the Vatican… |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Lonely Hearts of the Cosmos Dennis Overbye, 2021-12-21 Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award: the intensely exciting story of a group of brilliant scientists who set out to answer the deepest questions about the origin of the universe and changed the course of physics and astronomy forever (Newsday). In southern California, nearly a half century ago, a small band of researchers — equipped with a new 200-inch telescope and a faith born of scientific optimism — embarked on the greatest intellectual adventure in the history of humankind: the search for the origin and fate of the universe. Their quest would eventually engulf all of physics and astronomy, leading not only to the discovery of quasars, black holes, and shadow matter but also to fame, controversy, and Nobel Prizes. Lonely Hearts of the Cosmos tells the story of the men and women who have taken eternity on their shoulders and stormed nature in search of answers to the deepest questions we know to ask. Written with such wit and verve that it is hard not to zip through in one sitting. —Washington Post |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: How to Find a Habitable Planet James F. Kasting, 2021-12-07 The amazing science behind the search for Earth-like planets Ever since Carl Sagan first predicted that extraterrestrial civilizations must number in the millions, the search for life on other planets has gripped our imagination. Is Earth so rare that advanced life forms like us—or even the simplest biological organisms—are unique to the universe? How to Find a Habitable Planet describes how scientists are testing Sagan's prediction, and demonstrates why Earth may not be so rare after all. James Kasting has worked closely with NASA in its mission to detect habitable worlds outside our solar system, and in this book he introduces readers to the advanced methodologies being used in this extraordinary quest. He addresses the compelling questions that planetary scientists grapple with today: What exactly makes a planet habitable? What are the signatures of life astronomers should look for when they scan the heavens for habitable worlds? In providing answers, Kasting explains why Earth has remained habitable despite a substantial rise in solar luminosity over time, and why our neighbors, Venus and Mars, haven't. If other Earth-sized planets endowed with enough water and carbon are out there, he argues, chances are good that some of those planets sustain life. Kasting describes the efforts under way to find them, and predicts that future discoveries will profoundly alter our view of the universe and our place in it. This book is a must-read for anyone who has ever dreamed of finding other planets like ours—and perhaps even life like ours—in the cosmos. In a new afterword, Kasting presents some recent breakthroughs in the search for exoplanets and discusses the challenges facing space programs in the near future. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: National Geographic Picture Atlas of Our Universe Roy A. Gallant, 1986-01-01 Text, photographs, paintings, and maps explore the history of astronomy, the solar system, the universe, and new space discoveries. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Professor Astro Cat's Frontiers of Space Dr. Dominic Walliman, 2013-11-26 Professor Astro Cat is the smartest cat in the alley. He's got a degree in just about every discipline under the sun! Speaking of the sun, he happens to be specialist on that too, and Professor Astro Cat's Frontiers of Space will tell you everything that there could be to know about our star, our planet, our solar system, our galaxy, and our universe. The professor's made sure of that; he's a fastidious little feline! Professor Astro Cat's Frontiers of Space also explores topics such as gravity, extraterrestrial life, time, and many other fascinating subjects that will take you and your children on a journey to the very frontiers of space! |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Archaeology Anthropology and Interstellar Communication Douglas A. Douglas A. Vakoch, 2015-03-24 Addressing a field that has been dominated by astronomers, physicists, engineers, and computer scientists, the contributors to this collection raise questions that may have been overlooked by physical scientists about the ease of establishing meaningful communication with an extraterrestrial intelligence. These scholars are grappling with some of the enormous challenges that will face humanity if an information-rich signal emanating from another world is detected. By drawing on issues at the core of contemporary archaeology and anthropology, we can be much better prepared for contact with an extraterrestrial civilization, should that day ever come. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: UFO's--a Scientific Debate Thornton Page, Carl Sagan, 1996 |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Murmurs of Earth Carl Sagan, 2013-04-02 In 1977, two extraodinary spacecraft called Voyager were launched to the stars. Affixed to each Voyager craft was a gold-coated copped phonograph record as a message to possible extra-terrestrial civilizations that might encounter the spacecraft in some distant space and time. Each record contained 118 photographs of our planet; almost 90 minutes of the world's greatest music; an evolutionary audio essay on The Sounds of Earth; and greetings in almost sixty human languages (and one whale language). This book is an account, written by those chiefly responsible for the contents of the Voyager Record, of why they did it, how they selected the repertoire, and precisely what the record contains. |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Intelligent Life in the Universe Iosif Samuilovich Shklovskii, Carl Sagan, 1966 |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Comet Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan, 1997 Comet is a complete overview of the history of mankind's relationship with these visitors from deep space and a scientific exploration of their origins, nature and future |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Life Itself Francis Crick, 1981 |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: Who Built The Moon? (16pt Large Print Edition) Alan Butler, Christopher Knight, 2016-09-23 The moon has confounded scientists for many years. Could it be that the moon has been artificially constructed? When all of the facts are reviewed, it becomes unreasonable to cling to the idea that the Moon is a natural object. The only question that remains is who built it? |
| carl sagan intelligent life in the universe: The Future of the Universe and the Future of Our Civilization V. Burdyuzha, G. Kohzin, 2000 The first of its kind, the Symposium on the Future of the Universe and the Future of our Civilization examined the current status and future evolution of the Universe, the Galaxy, the stars and the Sun. Among the major subjects of discussion were: (1) How was our Universe born? (2) How do the Sun and the stars evolve? (3) What is the destiny of the solar system and the Universe? (4) What are the origins and the future of the biosphere of the Earth? (5) What are the prospects of survival of human civilization? Special attention was devoted to analysis of humanitarian and philosophical problems of evolution of humankind on the planet Earth and in the Universe. Among them were methodological, economic, sociological and medical aspects of the progress of civilization. Scientists from different countries put forward some practical proposals, including those describing the possible ways out of the systemic crisis of our civilization. |
如何通俗的解释普票与专票的区别？ - 知乎
2.关注Carl的财税圈，帮你合法合理地省钱，立志让你做最省心的老板。 3.解读最新的税收热点，分享最优的税筹方式。 Carl的财税圈，您身边的财税管 …
对一个陌生的英文名字，如何快速确定哪个是姓哪个是名？ - 知乎
这里我以美国人的名字为例，在美国呢，人们习惯于把自己的名字 (first name)放在前,姓放在后面 (last name). 这也就是为什么叫first name或者last …
如何评价《无耻之徒》（Shameless）中 Lip 这一角色？ - 知乎
上了大学之后都说他破罐破摔放弃自己，可是Carl给他打电话时候，他迫不及待想多知道点家里的事，问liam的湿疹，问缺不缺钱，他也想家呀。
人体正常的体温范围是多少? - 知乎
19世纪，一位名叫卡尔·温德利希（Carl Wunderlich）的德国内科医生首次确定人体正常体温为37 ℃，超过38 ℃即为发热，这种说法一直延 …
如何优雅地在文档中插入代码？ - 知乎
其实完全不用外部工具，Word就有很好的效果。
如何通俗的解释普票与专票的区别？ - 知乎
2.关注Carl的财税圈，帮你合法合理地省钱，立志让你做最省心的老板。 3.解读最新的税收热点，分享最优的税筹方式。 Carl的财税圈，您身边的财税管家。 全网最全税筹防坑指南 “假税筹”的风险，你还 …
对一个陌生的英文名字，如何快速确定哪个是姓哪个是名？ - 知乎
这里我以美国人的名字为例，在美国呢，人们习惯于把自己的名字 (first name)放在前,姓放在后面 (last name). 这也就是为什么叫first name或者last name的原因（根据位置摆放来命名的）。 比如美剧生活 …
如何评价《无耻之徒》（Shameless）中 Lip 这一角色？ - 知乎
上了大学之后都说他破罐破摔放弃自己，可是Carl给他打电话时候，他迫不及待想多知道点家里的事，问liam的湿疹，问缺不缺钱，他也想家呀。
人体正常的体温范围是多少? - 知乎
19世纪，一位名叫卡尔·温德利希（Carl Wunderlich）的德国内科医生首次确定人体正常体温为37 ℃，超过38 ℃即为发热，这种说法一直延续至今。 而根据现代医学家测量的数据，近百年来，人的 …
如何优雅地在文档中插入代码？ - 知乎
其实完全不用外部工具，Word就有很好的效果。
我自己是公司法定代表人，从公司对公账户转到我自己私人账户违 …
Carl的财税圈，您身边的财税管家。 全网最全税筹防坑指南 “假税筹”的风险，你还不知道？ 一文读懂企业税筹：避开95%的坑。 注重自家税务问题，会计不是万能的！ 你还在用私账发工资吗？ 全网最全 …
做影响因素分析都有哪些方法，怎么确定用哪种模型？ - 知乎
上面是随机找的2020年前的DEMATEL-ISM联用的方法。注意，上面没有一篇是对的。 全特么的错的，而且全部是目测可见的错误。 DEMATEL方法本身也是可以做影响因素分析的。 这个方法的好处是 …
我注册了一个个人有限公司，想自己报税，应该怎么做？ - 知乎
刚注册公司，想自己记账报税不懂怎么做？ 看我这篇就够了！全网最全报税攻略，建议收藏！ 小白看一遍就会了！看不懂的话就只能建议花点钱交给第三方了。 前几年，我朋友想注册一家公司，前前后 …
历史上最伟大的数学家有哪些 或者 给出top10排名？ - 知乎
分个类 第一级别，传说级数学家，达到可以开宗立派，改写数学史的级别，没有这个人，数学发展不起来。 这一个级别中我认为有四个，欧拉，高斯，黎曼，牛顿 第二级别，大师级数学家，在数学的某 …
真空中光速为什么是 299792458 米/秒？ - 知乎
韦伯受高斯（Carl Friedrich Gauss）邀请，共同研究电磁学中的单位转换问题。 在研究过程中，为了测定一个关键的转换量，他和科尔劳斯进行了相关测定实验。 这个测定的量纲为速度的常数c，测定的 …
