Light of the Stars: Alien Worlds and the Fate of the Earth

By Adam Frank

Book Overview

Light of the Stars tells the story of humanity's coming of age as we realize we might not be alone in this universe. Astrophysicist Adam Frank traces the question of alien life from the ancient Greeks to modern thinkers, and he demonstrates that recognizing the possibility of its existence might be the key to save us from climate change. With clarity and conviction, Light of the Stars asks the consequential question: What can the likely presence of life on other planets tell us about our own fate?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393357066
• ISBN13: 9780393357066
• Release Date: August 2019
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Answering the question, "Where are the aliens?"

If you have ever lain awake wondering about the Big Questions, in this factually based essay, Adam Frank answers some of the deepest ones, such as, "are we alone, if not, then where are the others, how do we know what we know, and will we live long enough to learn the answers?" Drawing upon his experience as an astronomer he tackles the Drake equation with an eye toward showing us how we have come to know the answers to all but a couple key factors, crucially, the ones which point to the longevity of advanced civilizations. If you are interested in the face of human civilization and wonder if there is a hopeful path forward from where we are today, you should read this book. Warning: This is not a recipe book. And it will not tell you all the answers. It will illuminate the important questions and give you some understanding of the odds in the game.