The Secret Life of the Universe: An Astrobiologist’s Search for the Origins and Frontiers of Life

Show of hands. Who knew that there was an Astrobiology Institute? Certainly, not me. The search for interplanetary life is so complex, that prior to reading this book, I was in total ignorance. The author heads the Carl Sagan Center and continues the work which we followed on television for many years. Imagine, becoming delirious over finding an organic molecule! An organic molecule is not life as we know it, but it represents truly finding a needle in the haystack of intergalactic refuse.

The author is a good writer and is skilled and leading us from basic elements into more complicated understandings of her work in our common universe. The finding of life’s building blocks, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur, is what created our life on Earth and certainly may exist in the vastness of space. Whether searching lakes on Mars or ascending earthly peaks to diagnosis our beginnings, the author’s information is fascinating.