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Consensus Study Report

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Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. It is an inherently interdisciplinary field that encompasses astronomy, biology, geology, heliophysics, and planetary science, including complementary laboratory activities and field studies conducted in a wide range of terrestrial environments. Combining inherent scientific interest and public appeal, the search for life in the solar system and beyond provides a scientific rationale for many current and future activities carried out by the National Aeronautics and Science Administration (NASA) and other national and international agencies and organizations.

Requested by NASA, this study offers a science strategy for astrobiology that outlines key scientific questions, identifies the most promising research in the field, and indicates the extent to which the mission priorities in existing decadal surveys address the search for life's origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the universe. This report makes recommendations for advancing the research, obtaining the measurements, and realizing NASA's goal to search for signs of life in the universe.

RESOURCES AT A GLANCE

Video(s):

Public Briefing Video

Suggested Citation

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2019. An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25252.

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Publication Info

188 pages |  8.5 x 11 | 

ISBNs: 
  • Paperback:  978-0-309-48416-9
  • Ebook:  978-0-309-48419-0
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/25252

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Videos

Public Briefing Video

During this video, committee chair Barbara Sherwood Lollar and committee member Alan Boss discuss the report's recommendations and take questions from the audience.

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