Introduction to Astrobiology

Astrobiology encompasses research scientists from around the

world in a combined effort to understand life's origin, evolution,

distribution, and what is to become of our universe. The studies

include a range of scientific disciplines such as paleontology,

geochemistry, atmospheric physics, biology, and geology - just to

name a few. Astrobiology can be broken down into two basic themes:

(I) The study of the formation and evolution of Earth

(II) The search for habitats and for life in the Solar System and in other planetary systems (such as terraforming)