Astrobiology Flashcards and Life on Mars Quiz

Astrobiology: Science Concerned with Life in the Universe

Astrobiology studies the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe, based on the premise that life may exist beyond Earth.
Research in astrobiology comprises three main areas: the study of habitable environments, the search for planetary biosignatures of past or present extraterrestrial life, and the study of the origin and early evolution of life on Earth.
NASA's Viking program, which searched for signs of life on Mars, was the first US mission that focused on astrobiology, paving the way for the development of the field.
Astrobiology investigates potential locations beyond Earth that could support life, such as Mars, Europa, and exoplanets, through research into extremophiles populating austere environments on Earth.
The search for biosignatures involves identifying signs of past or present life in the form of organic compounds, isotopic ratios, or microbial fossils.
Astrobiology studies the origin and early evolution of life on Earth to try to understand the conditions necessary for life to form on other planets.
Astrobiology is a rapidly developing field with a strong interdisciplinary aspect, with programs and research centres present in many universities and research institutions around the world.
The term astrobiology was first proposed by the Russian astronomer Gavriil Tikhov in 1953.
Astrobiological research makes a number of simplifying assumptions when studying the necessary components for planetary habitability, such as carbon and organic compounds, liquid water, environmental stability, and an energy source.
Astrobiological research concerning the study of habitable environments utilises methodologies within the geosciences, while the search for biosignatures and the study of the origin and early evolution of life on Earth utilises methodologies within the planetary and environmental sciences.
Emerging astrobiological research focuses on the study of microbial life in the subsurface of Mars, subsurface oceans on icy moons, the atmospheres of planets, telescopes and remote sensing of exoplanets, and SETI and CETI.
Emerging astrobiological research focuses on the study of the early atmosphere, the early magnetic field, prebiotic chemistry, and impact events to understand the origin and early evolution of life on Earth.Astrobiology: Investigating the Possibility of Life Beyond Earth
Researchers are studying the conditions and ingredients that could have led to the formation of the first living organisms on early Earth.
The role of minerals, such as clay, and the potential sources of energy, like electricity, are being investigated for their role in the emergence of life.
The composition and chemistry of the early oceans, as well as the potential role of hydrothermal vents, are also being studied.
Plate tectonics and the diversity and activity of microorganisms in the early Earth are being investigated for their potential role in the emergence of life.
Microbial fossils found in ancient rocks are being studied to provide clues about the early evolution of life on Earth.
No evidence of extraterrestrial life has been identified, but there have been controversial interpretations of meteorites, such as Allan Hills 84001 and Yamato 000593, as containing microfossils of extraterrestrial origin.
Astronomy-related astrobiology research focuses on exoplanet detection, with the goal of determining the basic composition of an extrasolar planet's atmosphere and surface to assess the likelihood of life.
The discovery of extremophiles, organisms able to survive in extreme environments, is important to understand the limits of life in a planetary context.
The origin of life, known as abiogenesis, distinct from the evolution of life, is another ongoing field of research, as well as the possibility of panspermia.
The Rare Earth hypothesis postulates that multicellular life forms found on Earth may actually be more of a rarity than scientists assume due to the right circumstances required for life.
Missions, such as the Phoenix lander, Mars Science Laboratory, ExoMars, Mars 2020 rover, and Cassini probe, aim to explore the possibilities of life on other planets in the Solar System.
The Viking landers carried out experiments looking specifically for metabolism by current microbial life on Mars, but the results were inconclusive, and the Beagle 2 mission was unsuccessful.Astrobiology missions and concepts for exploring the possibility of life beyond Earth
The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission is exploring the habitability of Mars and collecting data for a future human mission.
The Tanpopo mission is investigating the potential interplanetary transfer of life, organic compounds, and possible terrestrial particles in the low Earth orbit.
ExoMars is a robotic mission to Mars to search for possible biosignatures of Martian life, past or present.
Mars 2020's rover Perseverance is investigating environments on Mars relevant to astrobiology and assessing its past habitability.
Europa Clipper is a mission planned by NASA for a 2025 launch that will conduct detailed reconnaissance of Jupiter's moon Europa and investigate whether its internal ocean could harbor conditions suitable for life.
Dragonfly is a NASA mission scheduled to land on Titan in 2036 to assess its microbial habitability and study its prebiotic chemistry.
Icebreaker Life was a proposed mission by NASA's Discovery Program to search for organic molecules and evidence of current or past life on Mars.
Journey to Enceladus and Titan (JET) is an astrobiology mission concept to assess the habitability potential of Saturn's moons Enceladus and Titan by means of an orbiter.
Enceladus Life Finder (ELF) is a proposed astrobiology mission concept to assess the habitability of the internal aquatic ocean of Enceladus, Saturn's sixth-largest moon.
Life Investigation For Enceladus (LIFE) is a proposed astrobiology sample-return mission concept to collect icy plume particles and volatiles from Enceladus' icy plumes.
Oceanus is an orbiter proposed for the New Frontiers mission No. 4 to assess the habitability of Titan.
Explorer of Enceladus and Titan (E2T) is a proposed orbiter mission concept by the European Space Agency to investigate the evolution and habitability of the Saturnian satellites Enceladus and Titan.