Astrobiology

Astrobiology is the scientific field that studies the origin, evolution, distribution, and potential for life in the universe. It encompasses the investigation of life on Earth, the conditions that support life, and the possibility of life beyond our planet. Astrobiologists examine extreme environments on Earth, such as deep-sea vents and acidic lakes, to understand how life might survive in harsh conditions elsewhere in space, like on Mars or the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. This field combines principles from various disciplines, including biology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy, to explore questions about the nature of life, the potential for extraterrestrial organisms, and the conditions necessary for life to arise and thrive. Astrobiology also involves the study of planetary systems and the characteristics of exoplanets that may harbor life.