Back to the moon The next giant leap for humankind

Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Astrophysicist Silk (The Big Bang) offers an enthusiastic account of the future of space exploration, and specifically the role of the Moon in it. He speculates on lunar colonization, explains plans to mine the moon for rare elements, suggests it could be used as a base for further exploration, and imagines its potential as a "dazzling new horizon for leisure and sports activities" (hotel chains, he writes, are already "salivating at the prospect"). The scope of Silk's suvey is impressive, taking in what societies on Earth will need to survive a million years from now, as well as the likelihood that aliens exist (it's "debatable"), the obstacles to interplanetary travel, and what might lead to the annihilation of civilization on Earth: tiny black holes created by particle collider experiments pose a "small risk," nanotechnology run amok poses an existential threat, as does AI that exceeds human intelligence--plus there's the standbys, a thermonuclear winter and catastrophic climate change. Though not all of his predictions feel equally likely, his enthusiasm and accessible explanations bring the high-altitude thought experiments down to earth. Readers dreaming of civilizations in space will find plenty to consider. (Nov.)

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Review by Library Journal Review

This riveting work by accomplished astrophysicist Silk (Johns Hopkins Univ.; The Infinite Cosmos) examines the exciting possibilities of returning to the moon. One opportunity involves exploring the origins of the universe. The moon's dark side provides the most radio-quiet environment in the inner solar system, protecting it from the earth's interference and providing ideal conditions for low-frequency radio telescopes that can search deep into the past, even before the formation of stars. Other intriguing options include constructing mega telescopes on the moon's surface to search for extraterrestrial life, mining for resources that are becoming scarce on earth, harnessing solar power, and even building lunar villages for human habitation. Silk stresses that the goal of his book is to provide inspiration that these lunar projects and explorations be led by science. Since these efforts will involve multiple space agencies in several countries, the author asserts the need for international space treaties to promote cooperation, instead of competition, and to avoid repeating mistakes made on the planet, such as pollution. The author employs engaging, lively prose, which will appeal to a wide range of readers. VERDICT Share this timely book with anyone interested in cosmology or the possibilities of future lunar exploration.--Dave Pugl

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

An argument for why establishing a colony on the moon is a viable, necessary undertaking. In this impassioned book, Silk, distinguished astrophysicist and cosmologist, makes a plea for governments, corporations, and the public to endorse and finance a new generation of space projects. The aim would be to establish permanent bases on the moon for resource development, tourism, and advanced astronomical research. Silk insists that the required technology is largely available, and there is even a workable legal framework that has been quietly drawn up over the past few decades. He points to statements from NASA about plans to build a habitable space station to coordinate lunar development, and he cites plans for lunar villages from European and Chinese space agencies. As the author points out, the moon holds important minerals that are running out on Earth, and he suggests that solar energy could be efficiently captured and sent to Earth via microwave links. One of Silk's primary objectives is the development of new telescopes, mainly sited on the dark side of the moon, to conduct further explorations. This is all undeniably fascinating information, but much of it has a science-fiction quality. Even Silk acknowledges that in the past 40 years, there have been many promises about new manned flights to the moon, but none of them have come to fruition--although there has been a trickle of robotic explorations. Occasionally, Silk's enthusiasm for science for its own sake gets in the way of his argument, particularly in his examinations of various astronomical phenomena that seem to have little to do with the moon. Given the staggering cost of building a moon colony, he might have done better to emphasize the resource side while devoting less time to discussing new toys for cosmologists. Silk puts forward intriguing ideas but fails to make a persuasive case. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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