What is Astrobiology?

Astrobiology is the science of trying to understand the potential and actual distribution of life in the universe.

– The origin of life on Earth, the connections between the evolution of life and of planets, and the environmental requirements necessary to support life;

– The characteristics and evolution of the planets and satellites in our solar system, the occurrence of potentially habitable niches , and whether microorganisms are present; and

– The occurrence of planets around other stars, the processes by which they form and evolve and the implications for earth-like planets elsewhere, and the potential for life to exist there.