Offering an engaging story of the hunt for new worlds, this book examines the range of extrasolar planets that have been discovered during the past decade and looks at what can be learned about such planets by studying the bodies in our own solar system.

Offering an engaging and complete story of the hunt for new worlds, this volume fully details the detection and exploration of extrasolar planets. Coverage begins by first looking at early searches for extrasolar planets, the very first discoveries, and the observational techniques involved. The book examines the very wide range of extrasolar planets that have been discovered during the past ten years and looks at what can be learned about such planets by studying the bodies in our own solar system. It also discusses the formation of planetary systems, the way in which such systems may evolve and the final systems of planets that result. In addition, the authors demonstrate how life might evolve on an extrasolar planet and how such life might be detected.

Presents the whole story of the hunt for planets outside the Solar System for the first time Describes clearly the various techniques used by astronomers to detect extrasolar planets Provides a complete picture of the wide range of extrasolar planets discovered to date Demonstrates how life might evolve on an extrasolar planet and how such life might be detected Explains concepts in such a way that no prior understanding of science is needed

Inhalt
Extrasolar planets: the Holy Grail of astronomers.- In search of exoplanets.- Twelve years of discovery.- What do we learn from our own solar system?.- The formation of planetary systems.- Life in the Universe.- Future projects.