Bioastronomy (Report of Iad Commission 51)

Abstract

In the recent years, science have become able to give more definite answers to the questions of the abundance of planetary systems, of the pathways of chemical evolution leading to the emergence of simple self-reproducing structures, to the origins of life within and beyond the Solar System. At the same time a new question has been raised: the duration of life-sustaining environment, what is a prerequisit for the emergence of technology. Thanks to the fast progress of computer technology, the search for intelligent radio signals has become affordable. The number of observatories participating in this venture increases rapidly. Preparations are in progress for a large scale systematic survey.