The Astrophysical Context of Life

National Research Council author Division on Earth and Life Studies author Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences author Space Studies Board author Committee on the Origins and Evolution of Life author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:National Academies Press

Published:25th Jun '05

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The Astrophysical Context of Life cover

In 1997, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) formed the National Astrobiology Institute to coordinate and fund research into the origins, distribution, and fate of life in the universe. A 2002 NRC study of that program, Life in the Universe: An Assessment of U.S. and International Programs in Astrobiology, raised a number of concerns about the Astrobiology program. In particular, it concluded that areas of astrophysics related to the astronomical environment in which life arose on earth were not well represented in the program. In response to that finding, the Space Studies Board requested the original study committee, the Committee on the Origins and Evolution of Life, to examine ways to augment and integrate astronomy and astrophysics into the Astrobiology program. This report presents the results of that study. It provides a review of the earlier report and related efforts, a detailed examination of the elements of the astrobiology program that would benefit from greater integration and augmentation of astronomy and astrophysics, and an assessment of ways to facilitate the integration of astronomy with other astrobiology disciplines.Table of Contents

  • Front Matter
  • Executive Summary
  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 Related Efforts
  • 3 NASA Efforts in Astrophysics for Astrobiology
  • 4 Areas That Could Benefit from Augmentation and Integration
  • 5 Integrating Astronomy with the Other Disciplines of Astrobiology
  • Appendix A: Context and Statement of Task
  • Appendix B: Related Reports and Programmatic Activities
  • Appendix C: Glossary
  • Appendix D: Committee Member and Staff Biographies

ISBN: 9780309096270

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

93 pages