"A definitive guide to astronomy's hottest field." --The Economist
Since its formation nearly five billion years ago, our planet has been
the sole living world in a vast and silent universe. But over the past
two decades, astronomers have discovered thousands of "exoplanets,"
including some that could be similar to our own world, and the pace of
discovery is accelerating.
In a fascinating account of this unfolding revolution, Lee Billings
draws on interviews with the world's top experts in the search for life
beyond earth. He reveals how the search for exoplanets is not only a
scientific challenge, but also a reflection of our culture's timeless
hopes, dreams, and fears.