The Search for Our Cosmic Ancestry

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Physics, Astronomy, Biological Sciences, Evolution
Cover of the book The Search for Our Cosmic Ancestry by Chandra Wickramasinghe, World Scientific Publishing Company
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Chandra Wickramasinghe ISBN: 9789814616997
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company Publication: October 21, 2014
Imprint: WSPC Language: English
Author: Chandra Wickramasinghe
ISBN: 9789814616997
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company
Publication: October 21, 2014
Imprint: WSPC
Language: English

The idea that life is a cosmic, rather than a purely terrestrial phenomenon, has progressed from scientific heresy to mainstream science within the short timespan of a few decades. The theory of cometary panspermia developed by Fred Hoyle and the present author in the 1970's has been vindicated by a spate of new discoveries in astronomy and biology, and also with startling new evidence of microbial fossils in meteorites and micrometeorites. The recent Kepler Telescope searches for exoplanets have indicated the presence of over 100 billion habitable planets separated by only a few light years, thus making panspermia and the transfer of microbial life between such planets an inevitable fact. The book presents a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the Hoyle–Wickramasinghe theory of cometary panspermia in a manner accessible to a wide general readership.

Contents:

  • The Genesis of Panspermia
  • The Primordial Soup and Evolution
  • Cosmological Context
  • From Dust to Life
  • Comets
  • Cosmic Viruses in Our Genes
  • Evidence from Epidemics
  • Microorganisms Entering the Earth
  • Planets of Life in the Solar System
  • Search for Exoplanets
  • Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
  • Meteorite Clues
  • Comet Impacts and Civilisation
  • The Mystery of the Red Rain

Readership: General public.
Key Features:

  • The recent estimate of some 140 billion habitable planets around red dwarf stars in the galaxy makes panspermia inevitable, so a reassessment of panspermia theories is timely
  • The book is written by one of the foremost pioneers of the theory of cometary panspermia and is thus of interest to scientists across many fields, as well as to historians of science
  • The intended readership of the book ranges from science buffs to the general public with a general interest in science
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The idea that life is a cosmic, rather than a purely terrestrial phenomenon, has progressed from scientific heresy to mainstream science within the short timespan of a few decades. The theory of cometary panspermia developed by Fred Hoyle and the present author in the 1970's has been vindicated by a spate of new discoveries in astronomy and biology, and also with startling new evidence of microbial fossils in meteorites and micrometeorites. The recent Kepler Telescope searches for exoplanets have indicated the presence of over 100 billion habitable planets separated by only a few light years, thus making panspermia and the transfer of microbial life between such planets an inevitable fact. The book presents a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the Hoyle–Wickramasinghe theory of cometary panspermia in a manner accessible to a wide general readership.

Contents:

Readership: General public.
Key Features:

More books from World Scientific Publishing Company

Cover of the book The Singapore Research Story by Chandra Wickramasinghe
Cover of the book Teaching Children to Love Problem Solving by Chandra Wickramasinghe
Cover of the book Gels Handbook by Chandra Wickramasinghe
Cover of the book Recent Advances in Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science by Chandra Wickramasinghe
Cover of the book Transforming Reconfigurable Systems by Chandra Wickramasinghe
Cover of the book Industrial Overcapacity and Duplicate Construction in China by Chandra Wickramasinghe
Cover of the book Energy Studies by Chandra Wickramasinghe
Cover of the book Income Disparity in China by Chandra Wickramasinghe
Cover of the book China and the International Society by Chandra Wickramasinghe
Cover of the book Structural Health Monitoring for Advanced Composite Structures by Chandra Wickramasinghe
Cover of the book Advanced Modern Physics by Chandra Wickramasinghe
Cover of the book Anomaly! Collider Physics and the Quest for New Phenomena at Fermilab by Chandra Wickramasinghe
Cover of the book Contemporary Issues in Mediation by Chandra Wickramasinghe
Cover of the book The Wellbeing of Singaporeans by Chandra Wickramasinghe
Cover of the book The Digital and the Real World by Chandra Wickramasinghe
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy