by Scientific American Editors (Editor)
Since the early modern period, humans have wondered if life exists beyond Earth. For many years over the past century, the search for alien lifeforms was relegated to the fringes of the scientific community, often considered the domain of conspiracy theorists. However, in recent years, compelling evidence has been found supporting the concept of extraterrestrial life, encouraging more serious consideration from both the scientific community and general public. This volume gives readers a better understanding of the evidence for and against the possibility of extraterrestrial life, the ways in which scientists research astrobiology, and predictions from the scientific community on what forms extraterrestrial life might take.