 ARE WE ALONE? In a 50th anniversary special report, COSMOS tackles SETI: the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Pioneer Frank Drake explains why he believes the galaxy is teeming with life, astrophysicist Paul Davies looks for evidence of bizarre life on Earth, and Jon Lomberg finds the common ground for communication. You’ll also meet Jill Tarter – the inspiration for Jodie Foster’s character in Contact – and discover what evolution might spawn on other worlds. Plus, uncover what secrets scientists have finally unravelled about the Sphinx; why Kakadu may be sinking; and the truth about vitamins: are they good for you – or are some doing more harm?
<< Click cover to enlarge |
TEN MILLION SUNSOur galaxy is humming with thousands of alien civilisations, says pioneer Frank Drake. Finding them is a numbers game.
ABSENCE OF EVIDENCEThe hunt for civilisations beyond Earth – once frowned upon – has grown in respectability and sophistication, says Amir Alexander. But will it deliver an answer?
ALIEN SAFARILife on other worlds will develop strange, unfamiliar and novel solutions to common evolutionary problems, writes astrobiologist Lewis Dartnell.
A SHADOW BIOSPHERE?Was there a second genesis on Earth, and is it living among us undetected? Paul Davies opens the door to tantalising possibilities here on Earth.
LINGUA GALACTICAReceiving a message from an extraterrestrial civilisation would transform us, but first we have to understand it. Jon Lomberg tried his hand at interstellar linguistics.
SILENT WITNESSIt takes nerves of steel to dedicate your career to SETI, and only a woman like Jill Tarter could do it. Jacqui Hayes meets the world’s best known alien hunter.
RIDDLE OF THE SPHINX
Who built the Egyptian colossus and why did they abruptly stop before it was finished? New research is beginning to provide answers, says Evan Hadingham.
VITAMINS: THE VERDICTAre all the vitamins and supplements we take doing us any good at all? Maybe not; and in some cases they are actively harmful. Justine Davies considers the evidence.
WATERWORLDJohn Pickrell visits the vast floodplains of Kakadu, among the most pristine freshwater wetlands, to investigate reports of an inland creep of seawater that threatens to devastate them.
PORTRAIT:
Sapna Thoduka, biochemist
NEWS:
The latest in science from around the globe.
RUNDOWN:
Science, by the numbers
HIT LIST:
The bizarre field of zoopharmacognosy
NERD WORDS:
Dunbar’s number – how many friends is too many?
TRIVIA:
Science brainteasers for everyone
DIAGNOSIS:
Unstoppable eating ... while asleep
POLL POSITION:
Have your say
MENAGERIE:
Replacing nylon with slime from the hagfish
COMPETITION:
True or false?
FOREWORD:
A word from the editor: why critical thinking is a must.
FEEDBACK:
Letters – and photos – from our readers, who have opinions and like to travel.
GALLERY: WILD THINGS
Professional and amateur photographers from around the world competed in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition in 2009, hosted by London’s Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife magazine. Here are some of the highlights.
FICTION: IMMORTALS
“The last human sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door. Chaz came in with a bouquet.” Original fiction by Liz Coley.
REVIEWS:
Slow Death by Rubber Duck by Rick Smith and
Bruce Lourie, Storms of my Grandchildren by James Hansen and Terminal World by Alastair Reynolds. Plus we review the latest books on the search for extraterrestrial intelligence: The Eerie Silence by Paul Davies, How to Find a Habitable Planet by James Kasting, and Confessions of an Alien Hunter by Seth Shostak. And the top five books in science and science fiction in Australia.
OPINION: BALANCE OF CERTAINTY
Would you get on a plane with a 10% chance of crashing? Penny Sackett doubts many would. Yet on the key issues of climate change, the levels of certainty are closer to 90%, says Australia’s Chief Scientist.
