Includes bibliographical references (p. 315-320) and index
Alien life: From science fiction to Mars rocks -- Life in the Universe -- Principles of exobiology: How scientists search for alien life -- Hunt for life on Mars -- Searching for life elsewhere in the solar system -- Extraterrestrial contamination: War of the microbiological worlds -- Habitable worlds around distant stars -- Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) -- Messages to the stars: Arecibo Message, Pioneer Plaques, Voyager Records -- Spreading life around: Designing interstellar probes and starships -- Close encounters: Consequences of contact -- Conclusion -- Chronology -- Glossary -- Further reading -- Index