The Hunt for Alien Life A Wider Perspective
Astronomer Peter Linde takes the reader through the story of the search for extraterrestrial life in a captivating and thought-provoking way, specifically addressing the new research that is currently devoted towards discovering other planets with life. H
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The Hunt for Alien Life A Wider Perspective
Astronomers’ Universe
More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/6960
Peter Linde
The Hunt for Alien Life A Wider Perspective
Peter Linde Lund, Sweden
Original Swedish edition published by Karavan Förlag, Lund, 2013 ISSN 1614-659X ISSN 2197-6651 (electronic) Astronomers’ Universe ISBN 978-3-319-24116-6 ISBN 978-3-319-24118-0 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-24118-0 Library of Congress Control Number: 2015956604 Springer Cham Heidelberg New York Dordrecht London © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. A laser, fired by one of the Unit Telescopes of the VLT, is pointing at the heart of the Milky Way. Credit: G. Tremblay/ESO Printed on acid-free paper Springer International Publishing AG Switzerland is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)
To Marcus
Preface Everyone should have the opportunity of looking at a really dark, starry sky. In today’s world, more than half of humanity lives in cities; in many countries it is eight out of ten. Observing the night side of the Earth from space reveals how the city illumination spreads more and more across the planet. The risk is increasing that many will never see what a real starry sky looks like. And yet, it is not so difficult. You only need to be a little lucky with the weather and leave the city during an autumn evening. I don’t think I have ever met anyone that has stayed completely untouched by such a view. There is so much depth to it, not just physically but also intellectually, aesthetically and emotionally. The night sky provides a healthy reminder of the perspectives of life. “How small and insignificant we all are!” is a common reaction. I disagree. Instead, I get a feeling of affinity with the infinite out there, which steadily sends its light to the Earth. Fascinatingly enough, modern science, to a large extent, confirms the close connection between ourselves and
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