Astrobiology

Astrobiology is the scientific study of life in the universe, including the potential for life beyond Earth. It encompasses a range of disciplines, including biology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy, to explore the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life on other planets and celestial bodies. Astrobiologists investigate the conditions necessary for life, the biochemical processes that could support life forms, and the possibility of extraterrestrial civilizations. This field also examines extreme environments on Earth that can mimic conditions on other planets, allowing scientists to understand how life might adapt and thrive in diverse and extreme environments elsewhere in the universe. Astrobiology is central to the search for extraterrestrial life, including examining Mars, Europa, and exoplanets for signs of habitability or biosignatures.