**** – “Ellerbroek is a gifted author. He guides the reader through a complex discipline using clear, short sentences. Skilfully sticking to the main lines of the argument without getting bogged down in details, he is both teacher and storyteller. Few professional astronomers can put themselves in the place of the wider public so effectively.” – , Govert Schilling, De Volkskrant
**** – “Ellerbroek describes this voyage of discovery with enthusiastic energy.” – , Margriet van der Heijden, NRC
***** – “A refined and enthusiastic style, a multitude of stories about the leading figures in this field, and a strong dose of humour make this book easy to read and compelling to the last page.” (selected for best books of 2014) – , Jean Paul Keulen, Kijk
“A fascinating history of astronomy” , Wim Brands, VPRO Boeken
“Ellerbroek has produced an exciting adventure book”
– Marcel Grauls, Het Belang van Limburg,
“A classic example of popular scientific writing […] Beautifully crafted […] Everything about this book is perfect.”
– Taede A. Smedes ,
“Ellerbroek succeeds in arousing the curiosity of the reader in spectacular fashion.” – Nieke, Hebban.nl ,
“Ellerbroek does an excellent job of explaining the current search for new planets to the lay reader.” – Weet ,
Planetenjagers number 5 in the top 12 Best Books of 2014 (New Scientist)
“Planetenjagers leest […] net wat vlotter en is net iets leuker geschreven.” – George van Hal
Credit: Sacha de Boer
Astronomers are on the verge of answering one of the most profound questions ever asked: are we alone in the universe? The ability to detect life in remote solar systems is at last within sight. Its discovery, even if only in microbial form, would revolutionize our self- image. Planet Hunters tells a delightful tale of smart-alec nerds, the search for extraterrestrial life and the history of an academic discipline.
Professional astronomer Lucas Ellerbroek takes readers on a fantastic voyage through space, time, history and the future. He describes the field of exoplanet research in its proper historical perspective, from the early ideas of sixteenth-century heretic Giordano Bruno and the rise of science fiction to the discovery of the first exoplanet in 1995 and the invention of the Kepler space telescope.
He travels the world to talk to leading scientists in the field, including first exoplanet discoverer Michel Mayor, NASA Kepler mission scientist Bill Borucki and MIT astrophysicist Sara Seager. Presenting cutting-edge research in a dynamic, fun and accessible way, this book will appeal to everyone with an interest in astronomy and space.
