Rare Earth: Why Complex Life Is Uncommon in the Universe (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780387952895)

What determines whether complex life will arise on a planet, or even any life at all? What conditions are necessary for the emergence of intelligence? This groundbreaking book is the first to synthesize information from astronomy, biology, and paleontology, to apply what we know about the rise of life on Earth 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.

Author: Peter D. Ward, Donald Brownlee
ISBN-10: 0387952896
ISBN-13: 9780387952895
Publisher: Copernicus Books
Language: English
Published: 12/10/2003
Pages: 338
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.22lbs
Size: 9.06h x 6.08w x 1.03d