Extraterrestrial

The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth

De: Avi Loeb

Narrado por: Robert Petkoff

The world's most eminent scientist of space explains why he believes in extraterrestrial life

'VISIONARY' Stephen Greenblatt

Harvard's top astronomer lays out his controversial theory that our solar system was recently visited by advanced alien technology.

In late 2017, scientists at a Hawaiian observatory glimpsed a strange object soaring through our inner solar system. Astrophysicist Avi Loeb conclusively showed it was not an asteroid; it was moving too fast along a strange orbit, and leaving no trail of gas or debris in its wake. There was only one conceivable explanation: the object was a piece of advanced technology created by a distant alien civilization.

In Extraterrestrial, Loeb takes readers inside the thrilling story of the first interstellar visitor to be spotted in our solar system. He outlines his theory and its profound implications: for science, for religion, and for the future of our planet. A mind-bending journey through the furthest reaches of science, space-time, and the human imagination, Extraterrestrial challenges readers to aim for the stars-and to think critically about what's out there, no matter how strange it seems.

(P) 2021 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt©2021 Avi Loeb

Reseñas de la Crítica

I have a lot of time for Loeb. He has a joy in conjecture and an omnivorous spirit of inquiry that are more reminiscent of 20th-century thinkers such as Freeman Dyson or Carl Sagan than most of his peers. His readiness to stake his reputation on such an unconventional hypothesis is a mark of uncommon bravery . . . [Carl] Sagan would have liked this book (Oliver Moody)

Compelling . . . The book is not so much a claim for one object as an argument for a more open-minded approach to science - a combination of humility and wonder

An astronomical Sherlock Holmes . . . You don't have to share his conviction to be impressed by the breadth of his argument

In this passionately argued, visionary book, astrophysicist Avi Loeb urges us to abandon the arrogant fantasy that we are the only sentient life form in the universe. The clues are fascinating, and still more are Loeb's arguments for what they might reveal to us about our own brilliant, blinkered, and quite possibly doomed civilization (STEPHEN GREENBLATT, Pulitzer prize-winning author of THE SWERVE)

A serious scientist makes a serious argument for the hypothesis that our solar system was visited by an object from an extraterrestrial civilization. Is the hypothesis right? Who knows. But let's try to find out! (ERIC MASKIN, Nobel laureate in Economics)

It's good to be sceptical of audacious ideas. But it's also important to be open to audacious possibilities. Loeb's sumptuously written book will provoke you to think about the possibility of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe in new and stimulating ways (SEAN CARROLL)

An exciting and eloquent case that we might have seen a sign of intelligent life near Earth - and that we should search further. World-renowned scientist and innovative thinker, Avi Loeb opens your mind to some of the most important questions facing us as humans: scientific curiosity is key to our future success (ANNE WOJCICKI, CEO and co-founder, 23andMe)

A provocative and thrilling account of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence . . . Professor Loeb asks us to think big and to expect the unexpected (ALAN LIGHTMAN, author of EINSTEIN'S DREAMS)

One of the more imaginative and articulate scientists around . . . half memoir, half soaring monologue

A persuasive scientific argument about 'Oumuamua's otherworldly origins, and delves into why his peers have been so hostile to the idea of life outside of Earth

In publishing his theory, Loeb has certainly risked (and suffered) ridicule . . . Still, it's thrilling to imagine the possibilities

Have aliens ever been to our solar system? A quick trawl of the internet will reveal any number of people who think that they have, but when the suggestion comes from a distinguished Harvard astrophysicist, maybe it's time to sit up and take notice (4-star review)

Academically strong and opens doors

As a data scientist and astronomy geek myself, Avi’s message is preaching to the choir among those in the same wavelength but presents a compelling case for more creative thinking in the academic world.
Reads well, and I often caught myself knowing the term or uttering it before it being announced, giving me a cool confirmation that signals, math and philosophy are tightly entwined in investigating our relationship to the sky and experiences outside of pure theory brings the human center stage into why we may keep the extra terrestrial channels open, otherwise half the equation is simply omitted for unreasonably fearful scepticism that has marred the scientific community.

Credible call for openness and MORE evidence.

Avi Loeb makes a case for examining evidence and following it where it leads. Science should be about evidence and not unwarranted skepticism-as-identity posturing.

Outstanding, inspiring with compelling evidence

Outstanding, educational and Inspiring. Every scientist should listen to this, and much of these same concepts relating to a scientist's humility and an evidence based approach regardless of current consensus should also be taught and practiced in our education system.

Compelling evidence is presented and thoroughly reasoned through. Besides Oumuamua and its analysis, this book also contains discussions of other potential evidences of life in our own solar system.

How would our world change if we had undeniable evidence another non human civilization and how might our focuses within science and education change? How would undeniable discovery of even primitive life on a another planet change these fields and how we use our resources and collaborate?

Very well read.

Outstanding audio book.

Personal story in first few chapters

I tried to get thru the first few chapters to the actual extraterrestrial part but most remained at the personal growing up as a Jew part. I read history books for that purpose, not astrophysics.

Wrong title...?

Though I totally agree with the call of the author for scientists to leave their echo chaimber while practicing research, the topic in the title is more used to make his point on this fact rather then the core subject of the book. Independent, creative thinking should indeed be the core culture in the scientific community. Not forcing talented people to follow the ego of the already established scientists because otherwise their careers are doomed before they even start...

That said, this was not what I was expecting given the title. If you like to read a semi autobiography and an opinion on the subject above, then this is the book for you.