Goldilocks and the Water Bears: The Search for Life in the Universe

All life as we know it is carbon-based, and reliant on sources of liquid water and energy for its survival; it is also, of course, known from just one planet, the Earth - a world perfectly suited to host life. But across a Universe of at least 100 billion habitable, earth-like worlds, life cannot be restricted to just this one place? Or can it? The Earth is just the right distance from the Sun - within the so-called 'Goldilocks zone' - and has a protective shielding atmosphere to allow for life to thrive. Life's journey in four billion years from single-celled organism to upright humanoids with the capacity to undertake missions to other planets is remarkable. But there is a chance that life exists (or existed) elsewhere in the Solar System, and recent discoveries of just how common planets are in other systems means it is highly likely that there is life does indeed occur on other planets. How might life appear on these other worlds? It is possible to make best-guesses using facts rooted in physics, chemistry and biology, and by studying 'extremophiles', organisms such as nematodes and water bears that can survive in the harshest conditions that Earth can offer. Ultimately, we need to figure out what is next for humanity. Our logical move is to break free of the confines of the Earth and colonise another body in the Solar System, such as the Moon or Mars. How and when will we do this? Or is it all just science fiction? These questions, in a nutshell, make up the core of astrobiology - the study of the origins and evolution and biology of life elsewhere in the universe, and the search for it. This book is an accessible introduction to this most fascinating of all the astro-sciences - are we alone in the Universe? Goldilocks and the Water Bears looks at this and many other questions as the search for life elsewhere in the Universe goes on.