F3 – Commission F3 Astrobiology
Description
Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe. The International Astronomical Union's Commission 51 was established in 1982 as "Bioastronomy: Search for Extraterrestrial Life" and was renamed simply "Bioastronomy" in 2006. After the commission reform exercise in 2015, it is now the International Astronomical Union's Commission F3 "Astrobiology".
Astrobiology encompasses the search for extant life, evidence of past life, or evidence of prebiotic chemistry on solar system bodies, including Mars, Europa, Titan and Enceladus; the search for planets around other stars and potential spectroscopic evidence and habitability and biological activity; the origin of the biogenic chemical elements and the study of biologically relevant molecules in the interstellar medium and in primitive solar system objects such as comets, undifferentiated asteroids and some meteorites; the search for intelligent signals of extraterrestrial origin; the study of the origin, early evolution, and environmental constraints for life on Earth; the coordination of efforts in all these areas at the international level; and the establishment of collaborative programs with other international scientific societies with related interests.
Under Division
Division F Planetary Systems and Astrobiology
Commission Working Groups
Inter-Commission C1-F2-F3-H2 WG Education and Training in Astrobiology
NASA/GSFC
Solar System Exploration Division
Code 690
Greenbelt MD 20771
Maryland (MD)
United States
Phone: +1 301 286 9467
Email: joseph
a
nuth
nasa
gov
Organization website: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html
NCA adherence: United States
Last updated:
September 13, 2018
University of Hong Kong
Laboratory for Space Research
Room 405B 4th floor, Block A Cyberport 4
Pokfulam Rd
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
China, Nanjing
Email 1: sunkwok
hku
hk
Email 2: skwok
eoas
ubc
ca
Personal website: http://www.scifac.hku.hk/kwok/
NCA adherence: China, Nanjing
Last updated:
October 1, 2020
Organizing Committee