What is Astrobiology?

The Merriam Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary definition says -

"as•tro•bi•ol•o•gy, n. the branch of biology that investigates the existence of living organisms on planets other than the Earth."

In the Encyclopedia Britannica, Astrobiology is found under "Exobiology":

"…also called XENOBIOLOGY, OR ASTROBIOLOGY, a branch of biology that deals with the search for extraterrestrial life, especially intelligent life, outside the solar system. The word Exobiology was coined by the American geneticist Joshua Lederberg. Exobiology, the word commonly used in Russia, translates into English as Astrobiology."

In the broad sense, Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution and fate of life in the cosmos. Biology, chemistry, genetics, geology, paleontology, astronomy, cosmology, and other scientific fields are merging to create this new science.

Three broad themes form the foundation of Astrobiology:

• Is there life elsewhere in the universe?
• How did life begin and evolve?
• What is the future for life on Earth and beyond?

These questions are age-old. But now, for the first time in human history, advances in the biological sciences, space exploration and space technology make it possible for us to answer them.

Astrobiology represents a synthesis of disciplines, – from astronomy to zoology, from ecology to molecular biology, and from geology to genomics. Scientists from these disciplines are all working toward a common goal – discovering common threads for life in the universe.

Astrobiology is based on the emergence of cutting-edge research tools and facilities, such as the International Space Station, Next Generation Space Telescope, Earth Observing System, and new robotic missions to Mars and Jupiter's moon Europa. By harnessing the power of knowledge and technology, astrobiologists seek to discover the intricate chain of cause-and-effect that determines how life originates and evolves, and the implications for the destiny of Earth and other worlds.

ASU's Role

ASU's Astrobiology Program investigates a wide variety of subjects including early pre-biotic chemistry that led to life on Earth, early forms of photosynthesis, the microbiology and paleontology of extreme environments (such as thermal springs and alkaline lakes), simulation of primitive biological systems, and the search for evidence of life on other potentially habitable worlds like Mars or Europa.

Faculty and students from the Departments of Geological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biology, and Microbiology and Plant Biology participate in the program. ASU's Astrobiology Program is also supported by affiliated programs in Astronomy, Aerospace Engineering and Biotechnology.