Article
Article
Astrobiology
Article By:
Goolish, Edward M. Astrobiology Institute, Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Moffett Field, California.
Last reviewed:August 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.800960
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The scientific discipline that studies the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. Astrobiology is an interdisciplinary science integrating contributions from biology, geology, astronomy, paleontology, and planetary science, among others. The first use of the term appears to have been in 1941 when it was defined as the subject of life in the universe other than on Earth (Fig. 1). The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) adopted the term in 1996 and expanded the meaning to include the origin and history of life on Earth, and the future of life in the universe. See also: Astronomy; Biology; Geology; Paleontology; Science; Universe
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