Origins

Abstract

We may divide astrobiology, which is one of the most remarkable branches of biology, into four parts, to emphasise distinct aspects of the subject: Parts 1 and 2 correspond to the origin and evolution of life in the universe. They are supported by the fields of chemical evolution and Darwin’s theory of evolution, respectively. The third aspect of astrobiology, the distribution of life in the universe, still lacks an underlying theory and requires a strong component of the space sciences and missions specific to solar system exploration. The fourth aspect of astrobiology-the destiny of life in the universe-has a common frontier with the time-honoured disciplines of philosophy and theology. They will be discussed separately and briefly in our second lecture. We begin with a review of the space sciences needed for the School.