‘The Astrobiological Landscape’ by Milan M. Ćirković
In The Astrobiological Landscape, Ćirković takes the reader on a philosophical journey through the development of the scientific field that is astrobiology; from ancient Greek philosophies to present-day endeavours. From the outset the inextricable link between cosmology and astrobiology is repeatedly highlighted, as is the need for greater cooperation and unification between these and other disciplines, including philosophy for advancement. This book is not merely a review of past and present astrobiological and cosmological endeavours, but a critical discourse of various key scientific...
Read MoreRecent evidence for possible water flows on Mars
Recent observations from NASA spacecraft orbiting Mars shed light on the seasonally observed dark flows on some Martian slopes when temperatures rise. These flows, dubbed ‘recurring slope lineae’, are thought to be rich in salts, and appear to be more abundant than previously thought. These features hint toward the presence of liquid water, and hence potential habitats for life, on the Red Planet today. Read the full press release here.
Read More‘The Eerie Silence: Are We Alone in the Universe?’ by Paul Davies
This book has been written to mark the 50th anniversary of SETI, and gives the author’s personal thoughts on why no alien signals have yet been detected despite the ever increasing sensitivity of the search. It is intended for a popular audience, and as such doesn’t provide much new information that anyone familiar with the SETI literature won’t already know. Nevertheless, it is a thought-provoking book, and I am glad that I read it. Its main strength is a plea for a more broad-minded, less anthropocentric, approach to SETI. Davies believes, and I agree with him, that much of the current...
Read MoreHunting for planets with Plato
A new mission has been selected by the European Space Agency to hunt for Sun-Earth systems beyond our solar system. PLATO (Planetary Transits and Oscillations of stars) will be tasked with identifying systems similar to our own, looking for Earth-sized and super-Earth planets orbiting within their host star’s habitable zone. Find our more here.
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