“The Life of Super-Earths,” Basic Books
The search for life on distant spheres has turned up some hopeful results lately. No little green men yet, but for the first time scientists know for certain that planets are abundant in the universe. And some of them might make our planet look like an underachiever.
In his new book, Harvard astronomy professor Dimitar Sasselov lays out an optimistic case for extraterrestrial life and explains why super-Earths — rocky planets that are more massive and larger than Earth — may be better equipped to harbor the stuff of life. So long as they sit at a comfortable, not-too-hot and not-too-cold distance from their stars, they’re much sturdier than our own planet.
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