Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution,
distribution, and future of life in the universe: extraterrestrial life and
life on Earth. This interdisciplinary field encompasses the search for
habitable environments in our Solar System and habitable planets outside our
Solar System, the search for evidence of prebiotic chemistry, laboratory and
field research into the origins and early evolution of life on Earth, and
studies of the potential for life to adapt to challenges on Earth and in outer
space. Astrobiology addresses the question of whether life exists beyond Earth,
and how humans can detect it if it does. (The term exobiology is similar but
more specific — it covers the search for life beyond Earth, and the effects of
extraterrestrial environments on living things.)
Astrobiology makes use of physics, chemistry, astronomy,
biology, molecular biology, ecology, planetary science, geography, and geology
to investigate the possibility of life on other worlds and help recognize
biospheres that might be different from the biosphere on Earth. Astrobiology
concerns itself with interpretation of existing scientific data; given more
detailed and reliable data from other parts of the universe, the roots of
astrobiology itself — physics, chemistry and biology — may have their
theoretical bases challenged. Although speculation is entertained to give
context, astrobiology concerns itself primarily with hypotheses that fit firmly
into existing scientific theories.
(Wikipedia Encyclopedia)
