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Astrobiology
If humanity lives in an otherwise barren Universe, we'll have to forge philosophy that fills the void.
Life might be more common across the Universe than the "Hard Steps Model" suggests.
Motility was suggested as a promising "biosignature" as early as the 1960s, but the technology was insufficient — until now.
Astronomer Adam Frank reflects on some responses to his recent appearance on the Lex Fridman Podcast.
Earth is actively broadcasting and actively searching for intelligent civilizations. But could our technology even detect ourselves?
Known as orphaned planets, rogue planets, or planets without parent stars, these "outliers" might be the most common type of planet overall.
Recent controversies bode ill for the effort to detect life on other planets by analyzing the gases in their atmospheres.
Astronomer Adam Frank asks: With so many extraordinary claims, why can't anybody produce the proof?
How did life on Earth begin? Is there life on other worlds? An answer to either question will reflect heavily on the other.
MIT Scientist Jason Soderblom describes how the NASA mission will study the geology and composition of the surface of Jupiter’s water-rich moon and assess its astrobiological potential.
Here's the dark side of first contact.
Mars and Earth were sister planets in many ways, with early similar conditions. Why did Mars die? The leading explanation isn't universal.
Could life be widespread throughout the cosmos, in the subsurface oceans of ice-covered worlds? NASA's Europa Clipper mission investigates.
Caption:“At this time in Mars’ history, we think CO2 is everywhere, in every nook and cranny, and water percolating through the rocks is full of CO2 too,” Joshua Murray says.
Scientists might be looking for Martian life in the wrong place.
Finding life beyond our Solar System requires understanding its host planet.
So far, Earth is the only planet that we're certain possesses active life processes. Here's what we shouldn't assume about life elsewhere.
Life arose on Earth early on, eventually giving rise to us: intelligent and technologically advanced. "First contact" still remains elusive.
The recent discovery of a large cave on the Moon highlights the importance of caves not just for future space explorers but astrobiology as well.
Earth, the only rocky planet with a large, massive satellite, is greatly affected by the Moon. Destroying it would cause 7 major changes.
7mins
“The physics of the universe doesn't predict the emergence of biology.” Glasgow chemist Lee Cronin explains how inanimate matter becomes evolutionary:
The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) will have a light-collecting power 10 times greater than today's best telescope.
Physicists have increasingly begun to view life as information-processing "states of matter" that require special consideration.
A long view of biological survival might point us to new possibilities for finding life elsewhere in the Universe.
3mins
“I study the mineral kingdom — and its secrets could lead us to alien life.”
The near and far sides of the Moon are so different from each other, and no one is sure why. New lunar samples could confirm a wild theory.
This research team is working out how to detect extraterrestrial cells in the liquid water ocean hidden beneath Enceladus’s icy crust.
7mins
“We could be wrong. But if we are right, it’s profoundly important.” Leading mineralogist Dr. Robert Hazen on the missing law of nature that could explain why life emerges.
John Templeton Foundation
The Moon is the most likely place for evidence from the dawn of life on Earth to be preserved in cold storage.
The threats Mars astronauts face — and how NASA is working to solve them.