Strange New Worlds

Reviews

“Everything you need to know about alien planet discovery is insightfully described in this engaging book, which will appeal to astronomers, general science buffs, and armchair UFOlogists.”

“Jayawardhana brings the latest cutting-edge science to all those astounding science-fictional visions of alien worlds, showing us that the universe is every bit as exciting as the masters of science fiction have always claimed. It’s no accident that his title invokes the opening of the original Star Trek. In this terrific book, he boldly goes out into the galaxy, showing us strange—and wondrous—new worlds.”

“Anyone scanning the shelves today to learn about such urgent news from the universe should go directly to ‘J’ and take down Ray Jayawardhana’s Strange New Worlds. It begins with early speculation by ancient thinkers but moves quickly to a series of seemingly promising discoveries, beginning 160 years ago, that raised researchers’ hopes only to frustrate them…Reading Strange New Worlds, I felt the thrill of briefly sharing in the efforts of these planet-seeking scientists and seeing the universe through their eyes.”

“With the seemingly endless stream of news about discoveries of alien planets, it’s easy to forget that just twenty years ago exoplanets were no more than theoretical possibilities. Now astronomer Ray Jayawardhana tells the story of how the dramatic hunt has unfolded, from the early days of stellar astronomy to present-day speculation about life outside our solar system.”

“This combination of the insider’s expert perspective and storyteller’s skill really shines through in Strange New Worlds…You won’t find a more able guide for the journey.”

“Remarkably evenhanded. This is a fast-moving field in which groups have often clashed. Nonetheless, he provides a survey of the subject without giving the protagonists anything to complain about. His lucid and effortless prose makes for an engaging read.”

“The search for habitable planets around other stars is one of the preeminent research areas in astronomy today. Jayawardhana gives a firsthand account of the exciting discoveries that have taken place in the past two decades of rapidly accelerating growth in this new field. Strange New Worlds not only conveys the author’s point of view about his own discoveries of planet-forming disks around other stars but also contains excerpts from Jayawardhana’s interviews with many of the other researchers who helped build the newest astronomical instruments, observe the first extrasolar planets, and create new or revised theories for the formation of planets.”

“Ray Jayawardhana, an astrophysicist and writer, vividly recounts the advances behind an extraordinary age of exploration.”

“An engaging read that casts a floodlight at the search for life-sustaining planets beyond our solar system…It is a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered about the possibility of life beyond our planet.”

“It is the most tantalizing question: are there other planets where creatures passingly like ourselves eat Chiko Rolls, watch TV, and walk the dog? Jayawardhana…explains the history and current science in simple English.”

“One aspect that attracted me to this book was that it revealed, in story-book fashion, the chronology of discoveries (including the names of the most significant players involved) in the quest for finding exoplanets. Such a format made for easy reading and, with each chapter, you could see the exoplanet story unfold.”

“An exciting, highly readable glimpse into a discovery that could have broad scientific and cultural implications.”

“If you have ever wanted to know how astronomers are going to find an Earth-like planet, this engaging book explains it all. Not only is Strange New Worlds fantastic storytelling about the checkered and dramatic history of exoplanet discovery but it also gives a compelling description of the path to future discoveries.”

“Strange New Worlds is a very satisfying book that does a thorough and excellent job of tracing the discovery and characterization of extrasolar planets. It is the only popular-level book that gives full, up-to-date, and in-depth coverage of one of the most exciting and fast-moving fields of scientific research.”

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