- "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 by investigating its deterministic conditions and contingent events."
The study of life in the universe, including its origins, evolution, and distribution.
Planetary Science: The scientific study of the planets, moons, and other bodies in the solar system,.
Astrophysics: The branch of astronomy that deals with the physical properties of celestial objects and the interactions between matter and radiation in the universe.
Biochemistry: The branch of chemistry that explores the chemical processes within and relating to living organisms.
Microbiology: The study of microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and single-celled organisms.
Evolutionary Biology: The study of how life has changed over time and the processes that have driven its diversification.
Astrochemistry: The study of the chemical processes that occur in space and the formation of molecules in the interstellar medium.
Exoplanetology: The study of planets outside of the solar system and their characteristics.
Geology: The study of the Earth's physical structure, composition, and history, and the processes that have shaped its surface.
Atmospheric Science: The study of the Earth's atmosphere, including its composition, structure, and how it interacts with the environment.
Astrobiology Ethics: The examination of the moral and ethical implications of astrobiological research and its impact on society.
- "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."
- "In the 1960s and 1970s, 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."
- "Regarding habitable environments, 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."
- "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, and space agencies like NASA and ESA have dedicated departments and programs for astrobiology research."