<DIV>The exploration of the universe has entered a new era. NASA has launched the first space telescope specifically designed to find earth-like extrasolar planets. Now the big question is: will we find them? In <i>The Crowded Universe</i>, renowned astronomer Alan Boss argues that based on what we already know about planetary systems, we should find abundant Earths. Life is not only possible elsewhere in the universe, but common.<p>Bringing readers up to date on the latest discoveries, Boss explains why America must lead the new space race to make one of most profoundly important discoveries of all time: the first confirmed detection of extraterrestrial life.</DIV>