Are we alone in the Universe? The best scientists are searching hard for the answer--and may be just around the corner from finding it. Two top astronomers (and bestselling authors) take a cutting-edge look at how life itself develops, survives, evolves, becomes intelligent, and where it might exist in outer space. Illustrated with breathtaking photos and state-of-the-art graphics, this thrilling story reveals a newfound understanding of the conditions that fostered life on Earth, how stars and planets are formed, the specific qualities of the Sun and planets in our solar system, and the techniques required to observe phenomena outside of our system. The fascinating advances in technology and information revealed here could enable us to locate extraterrestrials within the next twenty years!