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Faint Echoes, Distant Stars
- The Science and Politics of Finding Life Beyond Earth
- Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
- Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins
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Faint Echoes, Distant Stars
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Summary
Our neighboring planets may have the answer to this question. Scientists have already identified ice caps on Mars and what appear to be enormous oceans underneath the ice of Jupiter's moons. The atmosphere on Venus appeared harsh and insupportable of life, composed of a toxic atmosphere and oceans of acid - until scientists concluded that Earth's atmosphere was eerily similar billions of years ago.
An extraterrestrial colony, in some form, may already exist, just awaiting discovery. But the greatest impediment to such an important scientific discovery may not be technological, but political. No scientific endeavor can be launched without a budget, and matters of money are within the arena of politicians. Dr. Ben Bova explores some of the key players and the arguments waged in a debate of both scientific and cultural priorities, showing the emotions, the controversy, and the egos involved in arguably the most important scientific pursuit ever begun.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- John
- 26-01-17
A good book, but quite out of date
while the book was interesting, a lot of the subject material and the missions discussed are in the books 'future'. As the book was published in 2003, some of the future missions it mentions (New Horizons mission to Pluto, the Rosette mission etc) have already concluded, and this gives the book a 'dated feel'.. this is unfortunate, as otherwise the content is very interesting.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Vipera
- 09-10-22
Need to get the politicians to hear this
An excellent review and account of the history of both space exploration and the search for life beyond Earth, the new field of Astrobiology is linked, sadly, to political and financial interests
Ben Bova's book makes it clear that with the will of the people we could much sooner rather than later find answers to questions including possibly the most profound ever asked, Are we alone?
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