Talking About Life

Book by Chris Impey

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Talking About Life: Conversations on Astrobiology

Author| Chris Impey
Subject| Astronomy
Genre| Non-fiction
Publisher| Cambridge University Press

Publication date

| September 30, 2010 (hardcover)
Media type| Print (hardcover) and electronic
Pages| 418
ISBN| 978-0521514927
Preceded by| How It Ends
Followed by| How It Began

Talking About Life: Conversations on Astrobiology is a non-fiction book edited by astronomer Chris Impey that consists of interviews with three dozen leading experts on the subject of astrobiology. The subject matter ranges from the nature and limits of life on Earth to the current search for exoplanets and the prospects of intelligent life in the universe. The book was published as a hardcover by Cambridge University Press in 2010.

## Summary

[edit]

Talking About Life: Conversations on Astrobiology is a book of interviews between astronomer Chris Impey and leading researchers in the effort to understand life on Earth and discover habitable worlds and biology beyond Earth. The book is a snapshot of a fast-moving interdisciplinary field, with a conversational tone, where researchers describe what they do in their own words and convey the excitement of addressing fundamental questions about the universe.

The first section has a range of perspectives on the general topic of life in the universe. Timothy Ferris, noted writer and journalist, talks about being involved in the planning for the Voyager record and on astrobiology in the popular culture.[1] Steven Dick[2] and Iris Fry talk about the history of the search for life in the universe and the history of theories of the origin of life on Earth, respectively. Ann Druyan discusses her long association with Carl Sagan and her work in science education.[3] Neil Tyson, Director of the Hayden Planetarium, talks about our halting progress in space travel and the prospects for venturing to find life among the stars.[4] George “Pinky” Nelson gives an astronaut’s perspective on life on Earth and elsewhere,[5] and Steve Benner[6] and William Bains[7] speculate on altering the architecture of life on Earth and on how strange life beyond Earth may be.

The second section of the book turns to the history of life on Earth. Roger Buick talks about the earliest evidence for biology and John Baross talks about its possible origin on the sea floor.[8] Lynn Rothschild talks about extremophiles and the extraordinary modes of adaptation of terrestrial organisms.[9] Joe Kirschvink presents the evidence for Snowball Earth and the challenges that a restless planet presents for biology.[10] Andrew Knoll[11] and Simon Conway Morris[12] discuss natural selection and the contrasting themes of contingency and convergence. As two examples of "alien" intelligence on Earth, Roger Hanlon talks about his field work with octopuses[13] and Lori Marino talks about her research on dolphins.[14]

Turning to the Solar System, the next section of the book looks at the prospects for life on our doorstep. Chris McKay[15] and Peter Smith[16] talk about Mars and the potential for extant microbial life under the surface layer. Speculating about more exotic habitats for life, David Grinspoon considers Venus and Jupiter’s moon Io,[17] then Jonathan Lunine[18] considers Saturn’s large moon Titan. Carolyn Porco notes the surprising results from the Cassini mission, including the habitability of Enceladus.[19] The biological potential of meteorites is the subject of the interviews with Laurie Leshin[20] and Jesuit Guy Consolmagno,[21] who note the presence of the complex building blocks of life in this primordial material from the outer Solar System.

The next section of the book covers the fast-moving research on planets around other stars. Alan Boss[22] discusses the theory of extrasolar planets or exoplanets, and ace planet-hunters Debra Fischer[23] and Geoff Marcy[24] talk about their properties and the technical innovations that led to their discovery. Sara Seager summarizes efforts to characterize exoplanets in detail,[25][26] and David Charbonneau talks about the power of the transit method for detecting low mass and Earth-like planets.[27] Last, Vicky Meadows describes how planet models will be used to predict the spectral biomarkers that could indirectly indicate the presence of microbial life on an exoplanet.

Talking About Life ends with the search for intelligent life (SETI) and speculation about the role of life in the universe. Jill Tarter[28] and Seth Shostak[29] describe the strategies that have been used to listen for artificial signal from technological civilizations far from Earth for over fifty years, so far without success. Ray Kurzweil[30] talks about postbiological evolution and Nick Bostrom[31] talks about transhumanism and the odds that the entire universe, and our sense of it and ourselves, is a simulation by a super-intelligent civilization. Next, Paul Davies[32] and Martin Rees[33] talk about fine-tuning and the anthropic principle, which each indicate that biology has a privileged role in the cosmos. To round out the book with a humanistic perspective, Ben Bova[34] talks about our future in space and Jennifer Michael Hecht[35] rekindles our delight in alien yet familiar life on Earth.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Timothy Ferris (2013). "Timothy Ferris Official Site". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
2. ^ Steven J. Dick (2011). "Steven J. Dick". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
3. ^ "Ann Druyan". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
4. ^ Neil deGrasse Tyson (2013). "Neil deGrasse Tyson". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
5. ^ NASA (April 1989). "Astronaut Bio: George D. "Pinky" Nelson". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
6. ^ The Foundation For Applied Molecular Evolution (2013). "FfAME.org::Steven Benner". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
7. ^ William Bains (2011). "WilliamBains.co.uk". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
8. ^ University of Washington (2011). "John Baross". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
9. ^ Brown University (2012). "The Directory of Research and Researchers at Brown: Lynn Rothschild". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
10. ^ Joseph Kirschvink (2012). "Joseph Kirschvink: Snowball Earth, True Polar Wander, Origin of Atmospheric Oxygen". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
11. ^ Phoebe Cohen (2007). "The Knoll Group". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
12. ^ Simon Conway Morris (22 June 2010). "Professor Simon Conway Morris". Archived from the original on 22 May 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
13. ^ The Marine Biological Laboratory (2013). "Marine Resources Center :: Laboratory of Roger Hanlon". Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
14. ^ The Nonhuman Rights Project (2013). "Lori Marino, Ph.D.: The Nonhuman Rights Project". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
15. ^ Yvonne Ibarra (2011). "Chris McKay - Space Science and Astrobiology at Ames". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
16. ^ Peter Smith (2007). "Phoenix Mars Mission - Peter Smith". Archived from the original on 5 September 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
17. ^ David Grinspoon (2013). "Expanding the Funkyness of your Universe". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
18. ^ CU Astronomy (2010). "Jonathan I. Lunine - David C. Duncan Professor in the Physical Sciences - Director, Center for Radiophysics and Space Research". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
19. ^ Space Science Institute (2005). "Space Science Institute". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
20. ^ Goddard Space Flight Center (16 December 2009). "NASA - Dr. Laurie Leshin, Deputy Director for Science and Technology". Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
21. ^ Vatican Observatory (2013). "Guy J. Consolmagno, S.J." Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
22. ^ Alan P. Boss (2013). "The Home Page of Dr. Alan P. Boss". Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
23. ^ Yale University (2013). "Debra Fischer - Department of Astronomy, Yale University". Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
24. ^ Geoffrey W. Marcy (2012). "Geoffrey W. Marcy's Home Page". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
25. ^ Sara Seager (2013). "Sara Seager". Archived from the original on 6 June 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
26. ^ Jones, Chris (7 December 2016). "'The World Sees Me as the One Who Will Find Another Earth' - The star-crossed life of Sara Seager, an astrophysicist obsessed with discovering distant planets". New York Times. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
27. ^ David Charbonneau (2013). "David Charbonneau at Harvard University". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
28. ^ SETI Institute (2013). "Jill Tarter". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
29. ^ SETI Institute (2013). "Seth Shostak". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
30. ^ Ray Kurzweil (2011). "Ray Kurzweil Bio". Archived from the original on 5 February 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
31. ^ Nick Bostrom (2013). "Nick Bostrom's Home Page". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
32. ^ Paul Davies (2012). "ASU Cosmos". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
33. ^ Martin Rees (22 November 2012). "Martin Rees". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
34. ^ Ben Bova (2012). "Ben Bova Homepage". Retrieved 18 May 2013.
35. ^ Jennifer Michael Hecht (2006). "Jennifer Michael Hecht". Retrieved 18 May 2013.

## External links

[edit]

* Cambridge University Press
* Amazon Author Page
* Chris Impey's Website

* v
* t
* e

Astrobiology

Disciplines|

* Astrochemistry
* Astrophysics
* Atmospheric sciences
* Biochemistry
* Evolutionary biology
* Exoplanetology
* Geomicrobiology
* Microbiology
* Paleontology
* Planetary oceanography
* Planetary science

Main topics|

* Abiogenesis
* Allan Hills 84001
* Biomolecule
* Biosignature
* Drake equation
* Earliest known life forms
* Earth analog
* Extraterrestrial life
* Extraterrestrial sample curation
* Extremophiles
* Hypothetical types of biochemistry
* List of microorganisms tested in outer space
* Ocean planet
* Panspermia
* Planetary protection
* Search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI)
* Yamato meteorite

Planetary
habitability|

* Circumstellar habitable zone
* Earth analog
* Extraterrestrial liquid water
* Galactic habitable zone
* Habitability of binary star systems
* Habitability of natural satellites
* Habitability of neutron star systems
* Habitability of red dwarf systems
* Habitability of K-type main-sequence star systems
* Habitability of yellow dwarf systems
* Habitability of F-type main-sequence star systems
* Habitable zone for complex life
* List of potentially habitable exoplanets
* Tholin
* Superhabitable planet

Space
missions|

| Earth orbit|

* BIO
* BIOCORE
* Biolab
* Bion
* BIOPAN
* Biosatellite program
* E-MIST
* ERA
* Eu:CROPIS
* EXOSTACK
* EXPOSE
* Lunar Micro Ecosystem
* O/OREOS
* OREOcube
* Tanpopo
* VEGGIE

|

Mars|

* Beagle 2
* Fobos-Grunt
* Mars Science Laboratory
* Curiosity rover
* Mars 2020
* Perseverance rover
* Phoenix
* Tianwen-1
* Zhurong rover
* Trace Gas Orbiter
* Viking

Comets and
asteroids|

* Hayabusa2
* OSIRIS-REx
* Rosetta

Heliocentric|

* BioSentinel

Planned|

* Dragonfly
* Europa Clipper
* ExoMars
* Rosalind Franklin rover

Proposed|

* Breakthrough Enceladus
* BRUIE
* CAESAR
* Enceladus Explorer
* Enceladus Life Finder‎
* Enceladus Life Signatures and Habitability
* Enceladus Orbilander
* Europa Lander
* ExoLance
* Explorer of Enceladus and Titan
* Icebreaker Life
* Journey to Enceladus and Titan
* Laplace-P
* Life Investigation For Enceladus
* Mars sample return mission
* Oceanus
* THEO
* Trident

Cancelled and
undeveloped|

* Astrobiology Field Laboratory
* Beagle 3
* Biological Oxidant and Life Detection
* Kazachok
* Living Interplanetary Flight Experiment
* Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher
* MELOS
* Northern Light
* Red Dragon
* Terrestrial Planet Finder

Institutions
and programs|

* Astrobiology Society of Britain
* Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets
* Breakthrough Initiatives
* Breakthrough Listen
* Breakthrough Message
* Breakthrough Starshot
* Carl Sagan Institute
* Center for Life Detection Science
* European Astrobiology Network Association
* NASA Astrobiology Institute
* Nexus for Exoplanet System Science
* Ocean Worlds Exploration Program
* Spanish Astrobiology Center‎

* Category
* Commons

* v
* t
* e

Molecules detected in outer space

Molecules|

| Diatomic|

* Aluminium monochloride
* Aluminium monofluoride
* Aluminium(II) oxide
* Argonium
* Carbon cation
* Carbon monophosphide
* Carbon monosulfide
* Carbon monoxide
* Cyano radical
* Diatomic carbon
* Fluoromethylidynium
* Helium hydride ion
* Hydrogen chloride
* Hydrogen fluoride
* Hydrogen (molecular)
* Hydroxyl radical
* Imidogen
* Iron(II) oxide
* Magnesium monohydride
* Methylidyne radical
* Nitric oxide
* Nitrogen (molecular)
* Oxygen (molecular)
* Phosphorus monoxide
* Phosphorus mononitride
* Potassium chloride
* Silicon carbide
* Silicon monoxide
* Silicon monosulfide
* Sodium chloride
* Sodium iodide
* Sulfanyl
* Sulfur mononitride
* Sulfur monoxide
* Titanium(II) oxide

|
|

Triatomic|

* Aluminium(I) hydroxide
* Aluminium isocyanide
* Amino radical
* Carbon dioxide
* Carbonyl sulfide
* CCP radical
* Chloronium
* Diazenylium
* Dicarbon monoxide
* Disilicon carbide
* Ethynyl radical
* Formyl radical
* Hydrogen cyanide (HCN)
* Hydrogen isocyanide (HNC)
* Hydrogen sulfide
* Hydroperoxyl
* Iron cyanide
* Isoformyl
* Magnesium cyanide
* Magnesium isocyanide
* Methylene
* Methylidynephosphane
* N2H+
* Nitrous oxide
* Nitroxyl
* Ozone
* Potassium cyanide
* Sodium cyanide
* Sodium hydroxide
* Silicon carbonitride
* c-Silicon dicarbide
* SiNC
* Sulfur dioxide
* Thioformyl
* Thioxoethenylidene
* Titanium dioxide
* Tricarbon
* Trihydrogen cation
* Water

Four
atoms|

* Acetylene
* Ammonia
* Cyanoethynyl
* Formaldehyde
* Fulminic acid
* HCCN
* Hydrogen peroxide
* Hydromagnesium isocyanide
* Isocyanic acid
* Isothiocyanic acid
* Ketenyl
* Methyl cation
* Methyl radical
* Methylene amidogen
* Propynylidyne
* Protonated carbon dioxide
* Protonated hydrogen cyanide
* Silicon tricarbide
* Thiocyanic acid
* Thioformaldehyde
* Tricarbon monosulfide
* Tricarbon monoxide

Five
atoms|

* Ammonium ion
* Butadiynyl
* Carbodiimide
* Cyanamide
* Cyanoacetylene
* Cyanoformaldehyde
* Cyanomethyl
* Cyclopropenylidene
* Formic acid
* Isocyanoacetylene
* Ketene
* Methane
* Methoxy radical
* Methylenimine
* Propadienylidene
* Protonated formaldehyde
* Silane
* Silicon-carbide cluster

Six
atoms|

* Acetonitrile
* Cyanobutadiynyl radical
* Cyclopropenone
* Diacetylene
* E-Cyanomethanimine
* Ethylene
* Formamide
* HC4N
* Ketenimine
* Methanethiol
* Methanol
* Methyl isocyanide
* Pentynylidyne
* Propynal
* Protonated cyanoacetylene

Seven
atoms|

* Acetaldehyde
* Acrylonitrile
* Vinyl cyanide
* Cyanodiacetylene
* Ethylene oxide
* Glycolonitrile
* Hexatriynyl radical
* Methyl isocyanate
* Methylamine
* Propyne
* Vinyl alcohol

Eight
atoms|

* Acetic acid
* Acrolein
* Aminoacetonitrile
* Cyanoallene
* Ethanimine
* Glycolaldehyde
* Hexapentaenylidene
* Methyl formate
* Methylcyanoacetylene

Nine
atoms|

* Acetamide
* Cyanohexatriyne
* Dimethyl ether
* Ethanethiol
* Ethanol
* Methyldiacetylene
* N-Methylformamide
* Octatetraynyl radical
* Propene
* Propionitrile

Ten
atoms
or more|

* Acetone
* Benzene
* Benzonitrile
* Buckminsterfullerene (C60, C60+, fullerene, buckyball)
* Butyronitrile
* C70 fullerene
* Cyanodecapentayne
* Ethyl formate
* Ethylene glycol
* Heptatrienyl radical
* Methyl acetate
* Methyl-cyano-diacetylene
* Methyltriacetylene
* Propionaldehyde
* Pyrimidine

Deuterated
molecules|

* Ammonia
* Ammonium ion
* Formaldehyde
* Formyl radical
* Heavy water
* Hydrogen cyanide
* Hydrogen deuteride
* Hydrogen isocyanide
* N2D+
* Propyne
* Trihydrogen cation

Unconfirmed|

* Anthracene
* Dihydroxyacetone
* Glycine
* Graphene
* H2NCO+
* Hemolithin
* Linear C5
* Methoxyethane
* Naphthalene cation
* Phosphine
* Pyrene
* Silylidyne

Related|

* Abiogenesis
* Astrobiology
* Astrochemistry
* Atomic and molecular astrophysics
* Chemical formula
* Circumstellar dust
* Circumstellar envelope
* Cosmic dust
* Cosmic ray
* Cosmochemistry
* Diffuse interstellar band
* Earliest known life forms
* Extraterrestrial life
* Extraterrestrial liquid water
* Forbidden mechanism
* Homochirality
* Intergalactic dust
* Interplanetary medium
* Interstellar medium
* Iron–sulfur world theory
* Kerogen
* Molecules in stars
* Nexus for Exoplanet System Science
* Organic compound
* Outer space
* PAH world hypothesis
* Photodissociation region
* Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)
* Pseudo-panspermia
* RNA world hypothesis
* Spectroscopy
* Tholin

* Category:Astrochemistry
* Outer space portal
* Astronomy portal
* Chemistry portal

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