Astrobiology: The Science of Life Beyond Earth
Astrobiology is the scientific study of the potential for life beyond Earth. It seeks to understand the origins, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe. This interdisciplinary field combines biology, chemistry, astronomy, and geology to explore how life might arise under different conditions and how we might detect life elsewhere in the cosmos. As humanity extends its exploration of the solar system and beyond, astrobiology provides a framework for understanding how life could thrive on other planets or moons. Astrobiologists ask fundamental questions about life: What is life? How did it start? What conditions are necessary for life to emerge? And perhaps most profoundly, are we alone in the universe? Conditions for Life Astrobiologists have determined that certain conditions must exist for life to thrive, at least life as we know it. The most essential requirement is liquid water, which serves as a solvent for biological reactions. In addition, a source of energy—su...