How Likely is Extraterrestrial Life?

Dr. J. Woods Halley is a full professor of physics at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus, where he has taught since 1968. His research specialties are in condensed matter and chemical physics simulation and theory. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society. He has taught a yearly seminar for undergraduates on the subject of the book since the mid 1990's. He is also the author of Statistical Mechanics, Cambridge Press (2006) and the editor of 6 conference proceedings volumes. Dr. Halley got his Ph.D. in Physics from U. California, Berkeley in 1965 and his B.S. at MIT, 1961.

What does existing scientific knowledge about physics, chemistry, meteorology and biology tell us about the likelihood of extraterrestrial life and civilizations? And what does the fact that there is currently no credible scientific evidence for the existence of extraterrestrial biospheres or civilizations teach us?

This book reviews the various scientific issues that arise in considering the question of how common extraterrestrial life is likely to be in our galaxy and whether humans are likely to detect it. The book stands out because of its very systematic organization and relatively unbiased treatment of the main open question. It covers all relevant aspects of many disciplines required to present the different possible answers.

It has and will provide undergraduates with a stimulating introduction to many of these fields at an early stage in their university careers, when they are still choosing a specialty. The difficulties and the range of possible answers to the title question are carefully addressed in the light of present understanding. The resulting perspective is distinctly different from those suggested by most other books on this topic.

Offers a relatively unbiased account of the likelihood that extraterrestrial life exists Presents a text that has been class tested and reviewed in undergraduate and freshmen courses over many years Provides material that is suitable to teach at a large number of courses offered on this subject in the U.S. and elsewhere

1.Introduction.- I. 'Bottom Up": What we learn from Basic Science About the Likelihood of Extraterrestrial Life.- 2. Astrophysical Factors.- 3. Planetary Considerations.- 4. Biological Factors.- II. 'Top Down': What we learn from the failure of attempts to detect Extraterrestrial Life.- 5. Unidentified Flying Objects.- 6. Colonization and Panspermia.- 7. Electromagnetic ( SETI) Searches.- 8. Direct Searches for Primitive forms of Life.- 9. Policy, Ethical and Other Implications.- 10. Appendices.- Subject Index.