Alien Safari
Meet the alien neighbours
Search for the Avatar world
In the heavens, as it is on Earth
Proof of the existence of extraterrestrial life may be closer than we think, thanks to a surge of research in astrobiology. Lewis Dartnell is determined to ascertain that we are not alone
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Astrobiology in the UK
Mark Burchell and Lewis Dartnell review the current standing of astrobiology research in the UK, and look to future success.
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Also available at Astronomy and Geophysics
Hunting for life in alien worlds
Weird Worlds
Kepler’s Challenge
The Lure of Rocks From Outer Space
When you hear about near-misses from asteroids like 2009 DD45, so-called near-Earth objects, your first thoughts might be of the apocalyptic. Hollywood has ensured that we are all fully aware of the risks posed to planet Earth from such space rocks, perhaps not to extinguish all life on our planet Continue reading
Search for a Second Earth
How to spot an Alien Earth
The first world beyond our solar system was discovered in 1992, and since then astronomers have been finding such ‘extrasolar planets’ (also abbreviated to ‘exoplanets’) at an ever quickening rate. As techniques and telescopes increase in sensitivity, the race is on to be the first to announce the discovery of a truly terrestrial exoplanet – a Second Earth. Continue reading