- "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 the origins, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe. Topics include the search for extraterrestrial life and the impact of astrochemistry on the emergence and survival of life.
Astrobiology: This is the study of life in the universe, including its origins, evolution and distribution. It involves a multidisciplinary approach that draws from fields such as biology, chemistry, physics and geology.
Planetary Science: This is the study of the physical and chemical properties of planets and their moons, including their formation and evolution. It includes fields such as geology, atmospheric science, and astrochemistry.
Astrochemistry: This is the study of chemical processes in space, including the formation of molecules and their role in the processes that lead to the origin of life. It includes fields such as spectroscopy and molecular physics.
Exoplanetology: This is the study of planets outside our solar system, including their properties, formation and potential for hosting life. It includes fields such as astronomy and astrophysics.
Origin of Life: This is the study of how life originated on Earth and the conditions that may have allowed for its emergence. It involves fields such as biochemistry and evolutionary biology.
Habitability: This is the study of the conditions required for life to exist, including the presence of liquid water, a stable environment, and the presence of energy sources. It includes fields such as planetary science, astrobiology, and atmospheric science.
Astrobiology Missions: This is the study of the various missions that have been undertaken to explore the potential for life on other planets, moons or other celestial bodies. It includes fields such as space science, planetary exploration, and astronomy.
Astrobiology Ethics: This is the study of ethical considerations related to the search for life beyond Earth, including questions of the impact of discovery on culture, religion, and society. It includes fields such as philosophy, ethics, and social science.
Astrobiology Communication: This is the study of how to effectively communicate astrobiology concepts and information to different audiences, including the general public, policymakers and other scientists. It includes fields such as science communication, media studies, and communication theory.
Astrobiology Education: This is the study of how to teach astrobiology concepts and approaches to different students, from K-12 to higher education, including how to develop and implement curriculum and educational resources. It includes fields such as science education, pedagogy and curriculum design.
Exoplanet Astrobiology: It is the study of the possibility of life beyond our Solar System, specifically on exoplanets that orbit other stars.
Terrestrial Astrobiology: It is the study of the origin, evolution and distribution of life on Earth.
Planetary Astrobiology: It is the study of the origin, evolution, and potential for life on other planets and moons within our own Solar System.
Astrogeology: It is a study of geology, planetary science and astrobiology in order to understand the geological processes on other planets.
Astrobiogeochemistry: It is a study of the chemical processes that affect the evolution of life in the universe.
Origins of Life Studies: It is the study of the origin of life on Earth and the potential for life on other planets.
Bioinformatics: It is a computational application of molecular biology that deals with the study of life, genetic information, and proteins.
Astroecology: It is a study of energy flow and cycles of matter and interactions among living and non-living components in space.
Astrobiophysics: It is a study of energy sources and biogeochemical cycles of living organisms in space.
Interstellar Astrochemistry: It is a study of the complex organic molecules that form in space, including the building blocks of life.
Exobiology: It is a study of life in the universe, including its distribution, origin, evolution, and detection.
Galactic Astrobiology: It is a study of the evolution of life on various planets in our own galaxy.
Astrobiology Ethics: It is a study of the ethical considerations regarding discovering and researching life beyond Earth.
Extraterrestrial Astrobiology: It is a study of the potential for microbial life beyond Earth, including the study of extremophiles.
Panspermia: It is a study of the possibility of life traveling between planets or even between different solar systems by natural means such as comets or asteroids.
- "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."