The New Worlds

The detection and exploration of extrasolar planets is one of the most exciting and fast moving areas of astronomical research. The search for these new worlds has become the main objective for a new generation of giant ground-based telescopes as well as many future space missions.

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 look to the plans for future extrasolar planet searches. A number of Appendices summaries the extrasolar planet discoveries to date.