Alien Earths

Reviews

“A stellar exploration … Readers will be riveted.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Exquisite book is for all who have peered into the night sky pondering the mysteries of the universe … a mind-bending journey.”
—Booklist (starred)

“Eloquent … Science and space enthusiasts will revel in this journey through the cosmos. They will undoubtedly learn novel information along the way.”
—Library Journal

"In Alien Earths, Lisa Kaltenegger, a skillful educator, offers first-hand access to her expertise on the search for planets in the universe, and the life they may contain. Along the way, Lisa's breezy narrative style invites you to experience with her the challenges and joys of being a scientist on the frontier of discovery."
—Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural History

"If you’ve ever wondered if we’re alone in the cosmos— and Dr. Kaltenegger is certain you have, start with Alien Earths. With her combined degrees in astronomy and engineering, she presents a primer on the geology, physics, chemistry, biology, and ultimately mathematics of places just like Earth— which she sets about seeking every (Earth) day. She’ll show you; the answer is in the sky, our window on the cosmos. Read on!"
—Bill Nye, CEO, The Planetary Society (and former student of Carl Sagan)

"What a fascinating glimpse into the creative work of exobiologists, humankind's exciting search for life elsewhere in the universe, and the tantalizing facts we've learned thus far. I was enchanted."
—Diane Ackerman, author of The Zookeeper's Wife

"An erudite and highly readable inside view of the science and emerging discoveries of this remarkable new era."
—Charles Cockell, author of Taxi from Another Planet, Professor of Astrobiology, University of Edinburgh

“Professor Lisa Kaltenegger takes us along on the quest to solve one of the greatest mysteries of existence: Are we alone in the universe? In Alien Earths, Kaltenegger―one of the pioneers leading the way―reveals what we’ve already discovered, and even more breathtakingly, what we might find.”
―Steven Strogatz, Professor of Mathematics, Cornell University, and author of Infinite Powers

"Do you want to prepare yourself for the next 'Copernican revolution'? Then read Lisa Kaltenegger's book! Fascinating."
—Michel Mayor, Winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics, Professor Emeritus, Department of Astronomy, University of Geneva

"The odds are overwhelming that something’s alive out there. But will we ever see a sign of life on a planet circling a distant star? And, if we do, will we recognize it? This fascinating and tantalizing book points the way to YES."
—Alan Alda

"Effervescent with ideas and edge-of-your-seat discoveries, Alien Earths provides a front-row seat to the astonishing era we live."
—Caleb Scharf, Director of Astrobiology, Columbia University, author of The Zoomable Universe

"Lisa Kaltenegger is an international leader in the discovery and analysis of exoplanets...Moreover, she is a brilliant expositor. I eagerly await what will surely be a riveting book."
—Sir Martin John Rees, Fifteenth Astronomer Royal, bestselling author of If Science is to Save Us

"An engaging and personal book that couldn't be more up to date. Read Alien Earths, and feel your cosmic perspective shift just a little on its axis."
—Alastair Reynolds, science fiction writer and former ESA scientist

"In Kaltenegger’s exhilarating exploration of the state of the Earth-hunting art, she welcomes us into the latest strategies for finding life at interstellar distances. Kaltenegger is that precious rarity, a leading scientist with an
infectious passion for her subject and the talent to connect. Read this book and then gaze up at the night sky to find the stars sparkling even brighter with possibility."
—Ann Druyan, co-creator of Contact, co-writer Cosmos: Possible Worlds