Astrobiology

As humans first came to the realization of self and the universe, there came the intriguing question, 'are we alone'? Many ancient Greek philosophers were confident that intelligent beings could be found far beyond Earth. As the telescope was invented and pointed to our moon and the planets, people’s desire for there to be life beyond are world led to the interpretation of features as proof of such existence. And science fiction has soared with such dreams.

Only in the past couple of decades has biology, geology, astronomy, and other sciences converged to look at the question of extraterrestrial life as a discipline. As we come to understand the origins of life on Earth, it helps us predict the conditions which life might arise in other places... other worlds... at least life similar to ours.

Discoveries of microbes that thrive in extreme conditions (by our standards) have increased the belief that life could and might survive elsewhere, even in our own solar system. With hundreds of billions of galaxies each filled with hundreds of billions of stars and around many of those stars there are planets, the idea that we are alone is not plausible.

As more and more planets are being discovered and technology advances, so has the intensity of the research into the question of life in the universe which has lead to this class.

This is an interdisciplinary class. As we look at the possibility of life beyond earth, we do so in the scientific context and will use ideas from astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, mathematics, meteorology, oceanography, philosophy, physics and sociology. We will look at life on earth, the definition of life, the search for life in the universe and beyond our solar system. What is the nature of life on earth and its habitability, the origin and evolution of life? What are the characteristics of our known planets and the possibility of life there?

Astrobiology is a young yet exciting field with new things being learned all the time. With all that is involved in it, there should be something for everyone’s interest.

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