I would like to bring to the attention of the newsgroup the book
'Life in the Universe: Expectations and Constraints' by Dirk
Schulze-Makuch and Louis Irwin. This book considers issues that are
seldom addressed in detail in books on extraterrestrial life, such as
the energy sources (pressure, osmotic pressure, magnetic fields, heat
- including a reference to my own work on thermosynthesis),
alternative chemistries (for instance life based on silicon), solvents
other than water (ammonia, HCN, HF, hydrogen sulfide, . . .).
alternative habitats (beneath the surface, floating in the atmosphere,
in outer space, . . . ) and exotic forms of life, even life forms
considered in science fiction.  The possibilities that can be found in
the literature turn out to be surprisingly numerous and inventive.
Anyone who thinks that he has come up with a great original idea is
recommended to check this book first.


Anthonie Muller

The Thermosynthesis Home Page:
http://www.geocities.com/awjmuller