Light of the Stars

Alien Worlds and the Fate of the Earth

By: Adam Frank

Narrated by: Kevin Pariseau

Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Light of the Stars is science at the grandest of scales, and it tells a radically new story about what we are: one world in a universe awash in planets. Building on his widely discussed scientific papers and New York Times op-eds, astrophysicist Adam Frank shows that not only is it likely that alien civilizations have existed many times before, but also that many of them have driven their own worlds into dangerous eras of change.

He explains how dust storms on Mars, the greenhouse effect on Venus, Gaia Theory, the threat of nuclear winter, and efforts to prove or disprove the plurality of worlds from Aristotle to Copernicus to Carl Sagan have contributed to our understanding of our place in the universe and the growing challenge of climate change. And he raises what may be the largest question of all: If there has been life on other worlds, what can its presence tell us about our own fate?

©2018 Adam Frank (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

A Fire Inside !

This is one of my top favorites! Adam Frank introduces the concept of the Anthropocene epoch that we now live in which started in the mid 20th century.. We as a population are compared to a troubled teen. This is the analogy this book starts from explaining how current human population is changing our Earth System. The reference to the troubled teen maturing, is to show how we can learn as a civilization from our poor choices and become a prosperous world. Our technology and how we choose to use it is changing, the atmosphere, the oceans and almost every place on Earth, this is fact not fiction.

Where do we go from here?

The author takes you through the "Drake Equation" and how it relates to not only the evolution of stars, planets & yes civilizations. You will meet hero's of science like Carl Sagan & Frank Drake and many others who have helped shape our Astronomy and space programs. The Green House effect, that has been a very hot topic, excuse the pun, was actually applied by Carl Sagan while completing his doctoral thesis for his PHD. He realized how this process has caused our neighbor planet Venus to have a surface temperature that can melt lead. The chemistry of Venus, is the same chemistry throughout the universe. What we learn from our observations can be applied here on Earth. Carl worked on many NASA projects, not only for Venus but Mars and with the Voyager probes that are now traveling beyond our solar system.

If you enjoy Exoplanets, and projects for searching for possibility of life beyond our planet then this is a great inspiration for us all. The narrator Kevin Pariseau provides the perfect audio experience. Life has such a variety of forms, even on our own planet, imagine the possibility of extending it beyond the Earth, the Solar system and to the limits of our universe and your imagination. What we choose to do here on Earth will in the end be what we do in space. The final message here is take care of our earth, ourselves, and just maybe we can provide a long and prosperous future for us all.

Intriguing and Thought-Provoking Throughout!

If you love science, science fiction, and the meeting place between the two, then this book is for you! The author, clearly experienced in the most cutting edge parts of astrobiology, sociology, etc. paints a beautiful picture of the past, present, and future of how planetary science can teach us about other worlds, our own, and possibly alien civilizations far beyond. Furthermore, the narration is really top-notch as popular science fare goes, and he elevates the work to a whole other level of wonder...I highly recommend this book!

Magnificent!

Adam Frank has distilled the work of scientists and philosophers into a cogent analysis of evolutionary thought, research and policy. The ramifications of mankind’s effects upon the earth are presented in exceptional detail, but, remarkably, not judgmental. Ending on a very positive light, the reader is not left with a post-apocalyptic hell, but a blueprint for the future. “We are the planet.” Yes, we are. We are also the galaxy and the universe.

Want to understand science headlines? Start here!

This book is very, very approachable for the lay person, and goes in depth into the history and development of planetary discovery technology which has recently revealed a cosmos lousy with planets! Never dry, this book will keep your attention and change what you see when you look up.

Nice take

This book makes you think by putting pen to paper and working out some scenarios for our coevolution with our planet. This part was naturally a little dry listening. I’m an engineer so I enjoyed the nuts and bolts. Performance was good.

Should be read by everyone.

What an inspiring book! Instead of going with a doom and gloom perspective on a changing climate, Adam Frank dives into the facts with a realistic view outside of the normal human perspective. If we are going to have a chance at a thriving civilization deep into the future, more people need this kind of view point. Recommended to everyone.

A New Look into the Fermi (SETI) Paradox

Light of the Stars casts a new light on the puzzle that is the Fermi Paradox; if extra-terrestrial life is likely so common, why do we find no evidence of it? The careful analysis demonstrates that we may be coming up upon an evolutionary choke point common to advanced technological societies spread over entire planets. It reaches beyond the choices playing out today, as for instance in the substitution of renewables for fossil fuels, to suggest that it is the planet-spanning thermodynamic activity of the entire civilization as part of a larger biosphere which drives the planet to states which are either stable or unstable. In that case, it is less the energy source used in the activity and more the nature and quantum of the activity itself over which we must exert agency if we are to see a way past the thermodynamic choke point. The book stops a chapter or two short of direct confrontation with the Paradox - if there is no evidence of alien civilization, does that imply that the choke point is an unavoidable cul de sac which no civilization has overcome? Hoping that we might be the first is surely faint hope indeed! J. A. (Canada) for WildDogs Foundation - [e-mail]

Our place among the stars

An accessible story of our planet, our solar system , our galaxy and us. A very clearly expressed discussion of where we are in our planetary maturity and how we need to grow up, face our follies,and reach for a more sustainable human presence.

This is our story

This book is so relevant and so important for everyone to read. Especially the climate change deniers. The narrator draws you in perfectly and the story....well it’s OUR beautiful, yet fragile story. Gives us hope as a species yet realistically grounds you as the important problems we will face in the near future.

Refreshing!

A very eye opening very technical very intriguing very good book if you're into possibilities!