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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.
Commission Web Page
Commission Members (205)
Under Division
Division F Planetary Systems and Astrobiology
Commission Working Groups
Inter-Commission C1-F2-F3-H2 WG Education and Training in Astrobiology
Joseph A. Nuth
NASA/GSFC
Solar System Exploration Division
Code 690
Greenbelt MD 20771
Maryland (MD)
United States
NCA adherence: United States
Last updated:
September 13, 2018
Hervé Cottin
Université Paris Est Créteil (UPEC)
LISA
61 Avenue du Général de Gaule
94010 Créteil
France
NCA adherence: France
Last updated:
June 20, 2018
Masatoshi OHISHI
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
Public Relations Center
2-21-1 Osawa
Mitaka
Tokyo 181-8588
Kanto
Japan
NCA adherence: Japan
Last updated:
March 7, 2023
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