WE ARE ALONE; BUT WE NOT LONELY

CHAPTERS

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1. The Search for Extraterrestrial Life – From Religion to Science 
   Is human life unique in the Universe or is it ubiquitous?  A profound and popular question

2. Intelligence
   There is no evidence that intelligence helps species to survive.  There is some evidence against it.

3. Where are They?  - We Are Alone
   Empirical evidence suggests that intelligent life is, at most, rare in the Universe.

4. An Abundance of Worlds – An Abundance of Life
   The Universe may have no other intelligent life but it is teeming with simpler life -- on billions of worlds.

5. Exploring New Worlds - We Are Not Lonely
   Exploration of potentially habitable worlds provides humankind with unlimited adventure and opportunities for discovery.

6. Visiting Exoplanets: Interstellar Flight, A Bridge Too Far
   Space is too big and our lives too short to reach the stars -- at least physically.

7. Using Nature’s Telescope
   Nature (and Einstein) has provided us with a scientific instrument capable seeing exoplanets - up close and personal.  It is far out, but within our reach.

8. Real Interstellar Exploration
   The bridge too far of interstellar flight can be crossed virtually making real exploration possible.

9. Comparative Astrobiology
   The future holds the promise of discovering and studying life on many worlds.  This will lead to a new field of comparative astrobiology, whose results (like those of comparative planetology and of a heliocentric solar system) are unpredictable, but certain to be far-reaching.

 

Appendix A - Interstellar Messaging

Appendix B  - Mayr vs. Sagan, A Debate on Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Appendix C – The Search for Our Terrestrial Intelligence

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