Five Billion Years of Solitude

The Search for Life Among the Stars

Lee Billings

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Paperback

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English

Penguin
02 January 2015

Mathematics & Sciences; Astronomy, space & time; Astrophysics; Evolution

For 4.6 billion years our living planet has been alone in a vast and silent universe. But soon, Earth's isolation could come to an end. Over the past two decades, astronomers have discovered thousands of planets orbiting other stars. Some of these exoplanets may be mirror images of our own world. And more are being found all the time.

For 4.6 billion years our living planet has been alone in a vast and silent universe. But soon, Earth's isolation could come to an end. Over the past two decades, astronomers have discovered thousands of planets orbiting other stars. Some of these exoplanets may be mirror images of our own world. And more are being found all the time.

Science journalist Lee Billings explores the 'exoplanet boom' through in-depth reporting and interviews with the astronomers at its forefront. As star-gazing scientists come closer to learning the truth, their insights are proving ever more crucial to understanding life's intricate mysteries and possibilities right here on Earth. Billings emphasizes that the quest for other Earth-like planets is not only a scientific pursuit but also a reflection of our own culture's timeless hopes and fears.

'In this elegant book, Billings writes with energy and brilliance about a big question, possibly the biggest of all; Are we all alone in the universe or are there other forms of life out there somewhere?' Richard Preston, author of The Hot Zone and The Wild Trees

'Astrobiology, the study of alien life, has been a dream - until now. Suddenly the detection of life on other planets no longer seems quite so peculiar. Lee Billings explains how the impossible dream became possible after all.' The Economist 'Books of the Year'

'In this compelling, wide-ranging survey, Billings steps back to look at this broader picture, largely through richly textured portraits of some of the giants of the field . . ..

An extraordinary tale of scientific discovery.' Scientific American

'A fascinating and informative read for both casual and serious astronomy buffs.' Booklist

By: Lee Billings
Imprint: Penguin
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 214mm, Width: 140mm, Spine: 23mm
Weight: 263g
ISBN: 9781617230165
ISBN 10: 1617230162
Pages: 304
Publication Date: 02 January 2015
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Lee Billings is a science journalist whose work has appeared in Nature, New Scientist, Popular Mechanics, and Scientific American. He lives in New York.

Reviews for Five Billion Years of Solitude: The Search for Life Among the Stars

Graceful... the best book I have read about exoplanets, and one of the few whose language approaches the grandeur of a quest that is practically as old as our genes. New York Times Book Review Will leave readers who aren t rocket scientists slack-jawed New York Times Billings performs a brilliant sleight of hand the ending is a poignant reminder that humankind may yet find a way to the stars, but people the ones we know, the ones we love, the ones we lose are our entire history and our full universe. The Washington Post The search for Earth-like worlds orbiting distant stars is just a step in the age-old quest to learn whether or not we are alone in the universe.In his compelling, wide-ranging survey, Billings steps back to look at this broader picture, largely through richly textured portraits of some of the giants of the field...[an] extraordinary tale of scientific discovery. Scientific American Fascinating A great outline of the subject, bringing what's often treated as science fiction down to Earth where it can be understood. Kirkus Reviews Exoplanet detection is space science s hottest field, one which science writer Billings surveys here with exceptional clarity while peering over the shoulders of the planet hunters leading pioneers a fascinating and informative read for both casual and serious astronomy buffs. Booklist Readers will find [Five Billion Years of Solitude] incredibly engaging Billings has created a book that is not only entertaining, but educational as well. Universe Today Billings communicates scientific and technical detail fluently, and there is much here to please any geek who does not already know how, say, it is possible to see a distant planet next to a star that outshines it as an exploding nuclear bomb does an unlit match. The Guardian Astrobiology, the study of alien life, has been a dream until now. Suddenly the detection of life on other planets no longer seems quite so peculiar. Lee Billings explains how the impossible dream became possible after all. The Economist Books of the year