Astrobiology

A field that goes beyond biology or biochemistry is Astrobiology.
Astrobiology is the union of

astronomy and biology the focuses on life in the universe. It also includes studies about the
evolution of the planetary system. Understanding life and planetary systems are some of the
keys that will help in the search for life beyond Earth. According to Soffen (1999), astrobiology
addresses the question “Is life a cosmic imperative?”.
Astrobiology is studying life wherever and whatever it may be. The study of life in the universe
explores some of the most profound questions humans can ask. How does life evolve here on
Earth? What is life? Are we alone? How will we know it as humans when we see it? We
humans, normally think and ask about these questions for many years. Artists, Philosophers,
Scientists, Theologians, they all try to answer and provide an explanation for these questions.
For example, science fiction has explored these unanswered questions by portraying
extraterrestrial life in the form of civilizations, deeply cultured, and intelligent. These questions
are to be explored by the Scientist in order to seek occurrences of life on other moons and
planets by looking beyond the Earth and by studying the life forms on Earth. There are many
examples of life, but we only have one which is life on Earth. Since there are huge amounts of
types of life on Earth, we are all linked biochemically. But perhaps our explorations will find life
somewhere else in other solar systems near distant stars or in our solar system. Will you
recognize it when we encounter it? It will probably be very different.
The Chemistry of life may not be universal because it helps to look for markers and precursors
of life for its quest as we know it. We search for signs of organic molecules, sources of energy
on meteorites, moon, and plants, and for organic molecules for us to understand our own
origins. In order to fully understand the concept of astrobiology our own origins, we need to
investigate it by sending probes to seek clues on small bodies that may be found in the solar
system.
Astrobiology has a great effect on the plans for space missions of different agencies like the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency. Many
missions in Mars (Phoenix, Pathfinder, Global Surveyor, and others) and Titan (Cassini-Huygens)
focused on exploring signs for the past, present, and precursors of life in our own Solar System,
beyond Earth.
The OSIRIS-REx is invented mainly for the purpose of exploring the asteroid venue to locate a
carbon-rich asteroid that holds molecular building blocks and organic molecules that may be
used for the research of life near Earth. Once the sample is returned, the Scientist will study
them to reveal what may be the content of the ancient asteroids that molecules usually exist
inside of these. These molecules may be the source of water and organics that normally is the
foundation of life on Earth and in the solar system.
Life Beyond Earth
Many explorations have been made to find life beyond our planet. But what makes up a
habitable planet? An article published on the website of NASA stated that a planet’s habitability
depends on the complex network of interactions within the planet and its surroundings. Liquid
water is very essential in sustaining life, so it is one of the criteria for a planet to be habitable.
Another criterion is that the planet should also orbit within the habitable zone or it should not
be too far or too near to the energy source which is a star. But according to the same article,
the criteria should not end on those two. Many factors should be considered. There are planets
that orbit within the habitable zone but only one hemisphere is facing the star it orbits at all
times, therefore, that planet will not be habitable enough.
The Earth itself is used as a subject to learn more about life outside the Earth. Extremophiles
are used by Astrobiologists to understand life beyond Earth. According to an article written on
the website of the National Ocean Service, extreme environments, such as the dallol crater
which is one of the hottest places on Earth, are the places that an extremophile calls home.
One of the planets to be considered habitable is Mars. According to Redd (2018), billions of
years ago, water existed on Mars. He also stated that Mars was considered as a wet and warm
planet before. It was also discovered that there are organic molecules in the Red Planet.
Organic molecules are the building blocks of life so there is really a big possibility that life could
have flourished on the planet at some point in time.
One of the closest locations that reached the requirements to sustain life is Europa, which is
one of Jupiter’s moon. An article on the website of NASA stated that Astrobiologists believe
that Europa has the right chemical elements and contains enough to sustain life. But Europa is
too far from the Sun which prevents it from being a habitable place.
References
(n.d.). Retrieved December 08, 2020, from https://www.asteroidmission.org/?
fbclid=IwAR3yUsQjEwI-O0jCEd7lKgdnD-2exJnXmo7sqEPRs1U8JOX6XqJ_J37qb3g
Europa. (2020, October 12). Retrieved December 08, 2020, from
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/jupiter-moons/europa/in-depth/
Redd, N. (2018, August 18). Water on Mars: Exploration & Evidence. Retrieved December
08, 2020, from https://www.space.com/17048-water-on-mars.html
What Is Astrobiology? (2020). Retrieved December 08, 2020, from
https://depts.washington.edu/astrobio/wordpress/about-us/what-is-astrobiology/
What is an extremophile? (2008, February 01). Retrieved December 08, 2020, from
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/extremophile.html
Sellers Exoplanet Environments Collaboration (SEEC). (n.d.). Retrieved December 08, 2020, from
https://seec.gsfc.nasa.gov/what_makes_a_planet_habitable.html
Soffen, G. (1999). Astrobiology. Advances in Space Research, 23(2), 283-288.
doi:10.1016/s0273-1177(99)00048-4

Astrobiology

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A field that goes beyond biology or biochemistry is Astrobiology.

Astrobiology is the union of

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