Lucky planet : why Earth is exceptional--and what that means for life in the universe

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Full Title:: Lucky planet : why Earth is exceptional--and what that means for life in the universe / David Waltham

Table of Contents:: Prologue: a tale of two planets -- Almost too good to be true -- Mediocrity -- Rarely earth -- Constant change -- Air conditioning -- Snowballs and greenhouses -- Staggering through time -- Music of the spheres -- Force of nature -- Pond weeds and daisies -- Life's big bang -- Eclipse -- The dark side of the moon -- Gaia or Goldilocks? -- Epilogue: siblings.
Summary:: Why Earth's life-friendly climate makes it exceptional?and what that means for the likelihood of finding intelligent extraterrestrial lifeWe have long fantasized about finding life on planets other than our own. Yet even as we become aware of the vast expanses beyond our solar system, it remains clear that Earth is exceptional. The question is: why? In Lucky Planet, astrobiologist David Waltham argues that Earth's climate stability is what makes it uniquely able to support life, and it is nothing short of luck that made such conditions possible. The four billion year
Language:: English
Language Note:: English
Physical Type/Description:: 1 online resource (209 p.)
General Note:: Description based upon print version of record.