Skip to main content

What Is Astrobiology?

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
  • 2437 Accesses

Abstract

Astrobiology is a multidisciplinary scientific field encompassing biology, chemistry, physics, geology, planetary science and astronomy. Scientists participating in this field are interested in trying to answer fundamental questions of life. These questions may include the search for extraterrestrial life through the discovery of primitive life forms such as bacteria or by detecting other intelligent beings in the universe. The basic premise of this research is to deepen knowledge of ourselves as human beings.

Astrobiologists are required to apply a scientific approach to assessing the potential for extraterrestrial life forms and developing methods for their discovery. There are possible locations for extraterrestrial life to thrive on Mars and icy satellites. Another target in the search for life is extrasolar planets. However, we require a method to search for life outside of Earth, but based on our current knowledge of life on Earth.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Bertka CM (ed) (2009) Exploring the origin, extent, and future of life: philosophical, ethical, and theological perspectives. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Cataling DC (2013) Astrobiology: a very short introduction. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Cockell CS (2015) Astrobiology: understanding life in the universe. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • NASA Home page: https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/about/

  • Sullivan WT III, Baross JA (eds) (2007) Planets and life: the emerging science of astrobiology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulmschneider P (2006) Intelligent life in the Universe. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Vakoch V (ed) (2013) Astrobiology, history, and society: life beyond Earth and the impact of discovery. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson JD (1976) Molecular biology of the gene, 3rd edn. Benjamin, Menlo Park, p 69

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Akihiko Yamagishi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Yamagishi, A. (2019). What Is Astrobiology?. In: Yamagishi, A., Kakegawa, T., Usui, T. (eds) Astrobiology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3639-3_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics