"We've all asked ourselves the question. Looking up at the night sky, it's almost impossible NOT to wonder: Are we alone in the universe? In [this book], Space.com senior writer Dr. Michael Wall treats that question as merely a jumping-off point. He considers, for instance, the myriad of questions that would arise once we do discover life beyond Earth (an eventuality which, top NASA officials told Dr. Wall, is only drawing closer). From the unexpected--do aliens have sex?--to the practical--what would the first aliens we meet look like?--Dr. Wall covers it all. He explores our common perceptions of extraterrestrial creatures and hypothesizes our union with them in the future. Would they be little green men or mere microbes? Would they be found on a planet or moon in our own solar system or orbiting a star far, far away? Would they intend to harm us, and if so, how might they do it? And might they already have visited? Dr. Wall covers questions beyond alien life, venturing into astronomy, physics, and the practical realities of what long-term life might be like for us mere humans in outer space, including the economic implications and the possibility of Mars colonies. He shares the insights of some of the leading lights in space exploration today, from professors of astronomy and molecular biology at world-renowned universities to CEOs of companies dedicated to space exploration. He demonstrates how the next space age might be brighter than anything we've yet seen, and right on the horizon."--Dust jacket.

Part I: What's out there?. Where is everybody? ; Are we all Martians? ; What does ET look like? ; Do aliens have sex? ; What are we looking for? ; Where is ET hiding? ; How would the world be told? ; Could we talk to ET? ; How would the world respond? ; Have we already found ET? ; Will aliens kill us all? -- Part II: Getting out there. Will we colonize the Moon and Mars? ; Can we go interstellar? ; Will there be a Homo spaciens? ; Is time travel possible? ; What will happen to us?