1. Astrobiology –Life and the Universe

2. Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe: extraterrestrial life and life on Earth.

3. The Science of Life in the Universe
Ancient cosmologies
Science as a way of knowing
Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton
Science fiction

4. The Nature of Life
What is life?
Cells
Metabolism
DNA
Extremophiles

5. Chemical building blocks of life are found throughout the universe
Life on Earth, (and possibly on other worlds)  carbon-based molecules
Occur throughout universe
Organic molecules needed for life probably brought to the young Earth by comets or meteorites

6. “We are made of star stuff”

7. Organic molecules formed in Earth’s primitive atmosphere
Miller-Urey experiment
Organic molecules formed in Earth’s primitive atmosphere

8. Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth
Origin of Life
Prokaryotes
Eukaryotes
Oxygen in Air
Impacts & Extinctions
Human Evolution

9. Searching for Life in the Solar System

10. Geological History of Earth
Geologic Timescale
Plate Tectonics
Relative/Absolute Dating

11. Planets formed at same time as Sun
Planet composition dependent upon where it formed in solar system

12. Mars
Science Fiction
Search for Life
Martian Meteorites
Exploration

13. Martian landing sites may once have been covered in water

14. Viking Lander  search for microorganisms on Mars, found no conclusive sign of presence

15. Meteorites from Mars have been scrutinized for evidence life
science community
is skeptical, more
samples needed
for additional
evidence

16. Curiosity

17. Europa

18. Titan

19. Exoplanets