ASTROBIOLOGY |
“Whole is that, whole (too) is this; from whole, whole cometh; take whole from whole, (yet) whole remains.”
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Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution and distribution of life in the universe. It also refers to the search for any kind of life elsewhere, as well as the search for the elusive ET.
Astrobiology is multidisciplinary in nature. Fields hitherto unrelated have now found common ground in astrobiology.
Astrobiology deals with three fundamental questions
To understand the origin of life and its evolution.
To probe for extraterrestrial life, especially intelligent life.
To understand the future of life on Earth and extraterrestrial life.
Astrobiology will help us answer the question ‘Are We Alone’
Note, the former home of IARC - astrobiology.co.in - is now being developed as a dedicated website for astrobiology (May 2012 onwards). Presently, it hosts interviews and an overview of astrobiology topics. In near future, it will offer resources like videos, research papers, podcasts, feature articles and more. Click here
The NASA Astrobiology Roadmap provides a broad guideline for astrobiology research. It is divided into seven Goals and a doxen and half Objectives;
Goal 1
Understand the nature and distribution of habitable environments in the Universe
Goal 2
Explore for past or present habitable environments, prebiotic chemistry and signs of life elsewhere in our Solar System
Goal 3
Understand how life originates from cosmic and planetary precursors
Goal 4
Understand how past life on Earth interacted with its changing planetary and Solar System environment
Goal 5
Understand the evolutionary mechanisms and environmental limits of life
Goal 6
Understand the principles that will shape the future of life, both on Earth and beyond
Goal 7
Determine how to recognize signatures of life on other worlds and on early Earth
