- "Astrobiology is a scientific field within the life and environmental sciences that studies the origins, early evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe..."
The study of the search for evidence of extraterrestrial life.
Origin of Life: The study of how life originated on Earth, and the potential for life to exist elsewhere.
Astrobiology: The study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe.
Planetary Science: The study of the formation, evolution, and characteristics of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
Astrochemistry: The study of the chemical composition and reactions in astronomical environments, including the formation of complex organic molecules.
Geology: The study of the Earth's physical structure, composition, and evolution, and how these principles can be applied to other planets and moons.
Paleontology: The study of fossils to understand the history of life and evolution on Earth, and how this can be used to inform our search for extraterrestrial life.
Ecology: The study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment across multiple scales, including the potential for exotic ecologies to exist on other worlds.
Planetary Atmospheres: The study of the properties and dynamics of planetary atmospheres, including how they can influence habitability and climate.
Habitability: The study of the conditions necessary for life to exist and survive, including the factors that limit and promote habitability in different environments.
Astroengineering: The study of how advanced technology and materials could be used to explore and terraform other planets, and the ethical implications of doing so.
SETI: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, including the tools and methods used to search for signals or other evidence of extraterrestrial life.
Space Exploration: The history and future of space exploration, the challenges and opportunities of robotic and human exploration, and the political and societal factors that shape the direction of space programs.
Ethics and Law: The ethical and legal implications of finding and interacting with extraterrestrial life, including issues related to discovery, communication, and planetary protection.
Astrobiology: Study of life in the universe by exploring the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life on planets or moons.
Astrochemistry: Study of the chemical composition and evolution of the universe, including the detection and analysis of organic molecules that may be related to life.
Planetary geology: Study of the physical and geological features of planets, moons, and asteroids, including surface features, tectonics, volcanism, impact craters, and mineralogy.
Planetary atmospheres: Study of the composition, structure, and dynamics of planetary atmospheres, including the interaction between the atmosphere and the surface.
Exoplanetology: Study of planets that orbit other stars, including their formation, composition, and potential habitability.
Biogeochemistry: Study of the interactions between living organisms and the chemical and physical processes that shape the environment.
Evolutionary biology: Study of the evolution of life on Earth and the potential for other forms of life in the universe.
Astroecology: Study of the relationships between organisms and their environments in extraterrestrial habitats.
Planetary protection: Study of strategies and techniques to prevent contamination of other worlds with Earth life and to protect Earth from potential biological hazards from other worlds.
- "astrobiology is founded on the premise that life may exist beyond Earth."
- "Research in astrobiology comprises three main areas: the study of habitable environments in the Solar System and beyond, the search for planetary biosignatures of past or present extraterrestrial life, and the study of the origin and early evolution of life on Earth."
- "The field of astrobiology has its origins in the 20th century with the advent of space exploration and the discovery of exoplanets."
- "Early astrobiology research focused on the search for extraterrestrial life and the study of the potential for life to exist on other planets."
- "NASA began its astrobiology pursuits within the Viking program, which was the first US mission to land on Mars and search for signs of life."
- "astrobiology investigates potential locations beyond Earth that could support life, such as Mars, Europa, and exoplanets, through research into the extremophiles populating austere environments on Earth, like volcanic and deep sea environments."
- "Research within this topic is conducted utilizing the methodology of the geosciences, especially geobiology, for astrobiological applications."
- "The search for biosignatures involves the identification of signs of past or present life in the form of organic compounds, isotopic ratios, or microbial fossils."
- "Research within this topic is conducted utilizing the methodology of planetary and environmental science, especially atmospheric science, for astrobiological applications, and is often conducted through remote sensing and in situ missions."
- "Astrobiology also concerns the study of the origin and early evolution of life on Earth to try to understand the conditions that are necessary for life to form on other planets."
- "Research within this topic is conducted utilizing the methodology of paleosciences, especially paleobiology, for astrobiological applications."
- "Astrobiology is a rapidly developing field with a strong interdisciplinary aspect that holds many challenges and opportunities for scientists."
- "Astrobiology programs and research centers are present in many universities and research institutions around the world."
- "Space agencies like NASA and ESA have dedicated departments and programs for astrobiology research."
- "Astrobiology investigates the origins, early evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe by investigating its deterministic conditions and contingent events."
- "astrobiology investigates potential locations beyond Earth that could support life, such as Mars, Europa, and exoplanets..."
- "The search for biosignatures involves the identification of signs of past or present life..."
- "Astrobiology also concerns the study of the origin and early evolution of life on Earth to try to understand the conditions that are necessary for life to form on other planets."
- "Astrobiology is a rapidly developing field with a strong interdisciplinary aspect that holds many challenges and opportunities for scientists."