Research
Research within the CU Center for Astrobiology:
The origin and evolution of habitable planets
- The formation of planetary systems
- Nature of planetary climate and habitability
- Evolution and habitability of the early Earth
- Evolution and habitability of Mars
- Evolution and habitability of Europa
- Terrestrial field work aimed at studying the ancient biogeochemical processes on Earth and Mars
The origin and evolution of life
- Evolution of the RNA World, the genetic code, and the origin of life
- Microbial ecology, life in extreme environments, and interactions between biota and their planetary environment
- Early biochemical evolution of Archaea and extremophiles
- Evolution of ecological systems on the Earth and their relevance to extrasolar planets
Philosophical and societal issues
- Philosophy of science issues in astrobiology
- Societal impact of astrobiology
- Societal impact of evolution
Participating Departments and Partners
LASP
GEOL
APS
BALL
CASA
CHEM
CEAE
CIRES
EEB
AERO
LMA
MCDB
ATOC
PHIL
SWRILaboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Dept. of Geological Sciences
Dept. of Astrophysical and Planetary Science
Ball Aerospace
Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy
Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Dept. of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Studies
Dept. of Ecology and Environmental Biology
Dept. of Aerospace Engineering
Lockheed-Martin Astronautics of Denver
Dept. of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Program in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science
Dept. of Philosophy
Southwest Research Institute of Boulder