The presence of life on Earth is directly related to both the origin and evolution of the Solar System and the initial conditions in the molecular cloud from which we originated.


 The life as it is known on Earth originated from complex chemical reactions, likely outcome of the interaction of organic molecules and inert material coming from space.


This mechanism that has evolved impressively on Earth may have occurred on other planets in our galaxy and even in our own Solar System.


This is the main topic investigated at Arcetri Astrobiology Laboratory part of
INAF - Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri in Florence, Italy. 


The lab is also involved in planetology studies and in the analysis of extraterretrial samples like meteorites and samples returned to the Earth by space missions. 













The laboratory host a series of physical and chemical instruments for the astrobiological and planetological study under simulated space conditions. 

A sample preparation facility and an extensive collection of analog materials complement the laboratory facilities.















Researchers of the Arcetri Astrobiology Laboratory are involved in several scientific project, from astrobiology to planetology, from basic reaserch to space mission partecipation.
















Research staff, postdocs, PhD and undergraduate students. Discover the team behind the Arcetri Astrobiology Laboratory








Lab latest news

▶ Launch of Hera mission

On the 7th October 2024 ESA's Hera mission was lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida with a SpaceX Falcon9. The mission is now on its way to Didymos =, a binary asteroid, where the spacecraft will study the effect of NASA DART mission that impacted Dimorphos, the smallest companion of the binary system, to test kinetic impact as planetary defence technique.

Researcher of the Arcetri Astrobiology Laboratory are part of the scientific team of the mission to support data interpretation with laboratory experiments.

We are member of: