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Alien Oceans

The Search for Life in the Depths of Space
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Alien Oceans by Kevin Hand explores the possibility of extraterrestrial life within our own solar system by examining the icy moons of planets such as Jupiter and Saturn. The author delves into these ocean worlds, highlighting their potential to harbour life due to the presence of water beneath their frozen surfaces. Through scientific insights, the book captures the excitement and challenges of this frontier in astrobiology, suggesting a new direction for the search for life beyond Earth.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this fascinating exploration of the possibilities of life beyond Earth if you're intrigued by the idea of alien oceans potentially harbouring extraterrestrial life. The author combines cutting-edge science with the wonder of space exploration, offering insights into the icy moons of our solar system and the quest to discover life in the most unexpected places. This book may appeal to you if you have a keen interest in astrobiology, planetary science, and the broader mysteries of the universe.

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Inside the epic quest to find life on the water-rich moons at the outer reaches of the solar system.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

NPR's Best Books of 2020

American Scientist's 2020 Science Book Gift Guide

Inside the epic quest to find life on the water-rich moons at the outer reaches of the solar system.

Where is the best place to find life beyond Earth? We often look to Mars as the most promising site in our solar system, but recent scientific missions have revealed that some of the most habitable real estate may actually lie farther away. Beneath the frozen crusts of several of the small, ice-covered moons of Jupiter and Saturn lurk vast oceans that may have been in existence for as long as Earth, and together may contain more than fifty times its total volume of liquid water. Could there be organisms living in their depths? Alien Oceans reveals the science behind the thrilling quest to find out.

Kevin Peter Hand is one of today's leading NASA scientists, and his pioneering research has taken him on expeditions around the world. In this captivating account of scientific discovery, he brings together insights from planetary science, biology, and the adventures of scientists like himself to explain how we know that oceans exist within moons of the outer solar system, like Europa, Titan, and Enceladus. He shows how the exploration of Earth's oceans is informing our understanding of the potential habitability of these icy moons, and draws lessons from what we have learned about the origins of life on our own planet to consider how life could arise on these distant worlds.

Alien Oceans describes what lies ahead in our search for life in our solar system and beyond, setting the stage for the transformative discoveries that may await us.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Alien Oceans by Kevin Hand explores the intriguing possibility of life existing beneath the icy surfaces of moons like Europa and Enceladus. Reviewers praise its blend of accessible writing, personal anecdotes, and scientific thoroughness. The book captivates with its examination of space exploration, offering both a historical overview and a hopeful look towards future discoveries in astrobiology. The enthusiasm and expertise Hand brings make it an engaging read for both science enthusiasts and the general public.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691179513

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 07 April 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Illustration: 15 color + 22 b/w illus.

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 155.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Kevin Peter Hand is a scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he has served as deputy chief scientist for solar system exploration and is leading an effort to land a spacecraft on the surface of Europa. He has helped lead expeditions to the glaciers of Kilimanjaro, the Dry Valleys of Antarctica, and the sea ice of the North Pole. He lives in Los Angeles. Twitter @Alienoceans

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    NPR's Best Books of 2020 American Scientist's 2020 Science Book Gift Guide Inside the epic quest to find life on the water-rich moons at the outer reaches of the solar system. Where is the best place to find life beyond Earth? We often look to Mars as the most promising site in our solar system, but recent scientific missions have...
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