ALIENS

Are we alone in the universe?

Morancy tackles that seemly simple question, and why it’s a difficult one to answer definitively, with scientific rigor, thoroughly exploring what we know about the potential for life on other planets as well as the different theories as to why alien life has yet to be discovered. The book touches briefly on our fascination with aliens through pop culture and conspiracy theories (Area 51, of course, is mentioned), but the bulk is focused on what we know about planets in our solar system and beyond and their suitability for sustaining life. Both the text and the detailed illustrations offer a sense of the huge scale of the universe: “When it comes to the grand scheme of things, we are just a tiny dot in the apparent nothingness of outer space.” Noting that, according to estimates, there are more than 100 billion galaxies making up the universe, Morancy suggests that the search for ETs is just beginning even as we try to understand our own planet’s origins and how unique it is in its ability to host complex life-forms. For those who are in the dark about how scientists are searching for aliens, there’s information about the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute (SETI) and other outreach efforts, but there is a surprising lack of follow-through on providing resources for young scientists seeking to get involved in the search. Humans depicted in the vibrant, shimmering art are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A well-constructed, fact-filled look at the ongoing search for outer-space life.