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

In this whimsically titled pop science book, Preston, an astrobiologist and planetary geologist, illuminates the search for extraterrestrial life and the science that will help researchers find it. First, Preston says, people need to realize that alien life will most likely be nothing like the ETs imagined in science fiction books or films. Before scientists can search for it, they need to narrow down the places to look. Scientists use “the Goldilocks zone” to refer to the range within a galaxy of planetary conditions that could support life—worlds that are neither too hot nor too cold and possess young home stars with relatively high metal content that are stable enough to last the billions of years needed for life to emerge and evolve. Preston describes some “biosignatures,” or chemical and geological indicators of the presence of life, that scientists can look for as well. He notes that one way to guess what alien life might look like is by studying extremophiles—creatures that live in Earth’s most extreme environments—such as the “endearing, eight-legged, all but indestructible” tardigrade (the “water bears” of the title). Preston’s accessible writing style, enthusiasm, and optimism succeed at informing as well as tickling readers’ imaginations. [em](Nov.) [/em]