One of the most enigmatic questions we often ask ourselves is: What are the chances of life on another planet or are we alone in this massive and ever expanding universe? In his recent book The Search for Extraterrestrial Life in the Universe, Bangladeshi writer Obaidur Rahman attempts to answer these questions and explores theoretical possibilities of extraterrestrial life. His narrative is a lucid compilation of scientific facts, based on available information, science, historical research, spirituality and human understanding.
The book aims at keeping the readers focused on the logic about the possibility of life beyond Earth and persuades them how normal this phenomenon is. He reaches this conclusion through the use of scientific examples and purely academic logic. A large part of the book takes up astronomical discussions about the possibilities of life in other planets following a description about our own planet's biological history. The author lets the reader take a closer look at the conditions that allow life to rise in the form as we know it in our own solar system and elsewhere in the cosmos. He embarks on an in-depth discussion on some of the newly discovered 'Exoplanets', which scientists believe are strong candidates to host extraterrestrial life.
The book also discusses all the known scientific attempts made so far using radio signals and space probes to contact possible alien civilisations beyond our solar system.
It is understood that the scientific search for extraterrestrial (E.T.) life in the universe commenced only a few decades ago, and since then scientists have been relentlessly searching the heavens for signals possibly generated by "intelligent alien life". However, scientists have not yet found anything conclusive. This hasn't halted man's quest for an answer concerning the puzzling issue. In this regard, the book, in one of its later chapters, talks about the famous SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) programme, which is aimed at not just listening, but other projects as well --- such as beaming transmissions of our thoughts and perceptions in an attempt to communicate with the extraterrestrial beings. The writer is thoroughly convinced that there really is life on other planets, and it is only a matter of time before we have firm evidence of this. At the same time he also calls upon all to prepare to meet the creatures from the possibly superior extraterrestrial civilisations.
The book contains five chapters followed by an epilogue. They are 1) The Grand Cosmos; 2) Religions, Ancient Astronauts, Histories, UFOs & ETs; 3) Echoes from our Solar District; 4) Life on Earth; 5) Calling All Aliens; and 6) Of Humans & Extraterrestrials. The book also briefly focuses on the study of the basic components of life in the universe and how the universe actually came into existence. The author gathers information from various subjects like physics, astronomy, biology, chemistry, history, religions, the Theory of Evolution and space research in a very convincing way. His goal obviously is to present his thoughts on the strong possibility of the existence of extraterrestrial life in the universe and how natural it is for life to exist elsewhere, apart from our very own planet Earth. The history of the universe, the solar system, and the cosmos is also clearly outlined.
The book contains thorough and in-depth research on human beings' quest for finding an answer regarding the possibility of extraterrestrial life in the universe. From the Big Bang Theory to the evolution of life on Earth, the thought-provoking book discusses all these subjects from the perspective of life beyond Earth. It is a wonderful collection of easily accessible scientific, as well as popular, facts, about various topics and subjects concerning researches on extraterrestrial life. The author deserves plaudits for producing this insightful piece of work.
The writer is an independent researcher.
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