The scientific study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe.
21
votes
2answers
238 views
How do biological communities at deep-ocean hydrothermal vents migrate between vents?
Much interest in the astrobiology community has been generated by the discovery of biological communities populating deep-ocean hydrothermal vents (i.e. "black smokers"). (1) These ecosystems rely on ...
17
votes
1answer
194 views
Is there any convincing evidence for the existence of nanobacteria?
The existence of nanometer scale microorganisms has been proposed and used explain several phenomena including morphological structures in a martian meteorite (ALH 84001) and implication in the ...
14
votes
1answer
178 views
What is the lowest pressure at which plants can survive?
What is the lowest pressure at which plants can survive? How the plants behave in a Martian-type atmosphere? Is there any plant that can survive such atmosphere?
Can a lichen grow at Martian ...
10
votes
2answers
133 views
How did the nucleobases in the Murchison meteorite form?
The Murchison meteorite is an important piece of evidence for abiogenesis, because it contained nucleobases from extraterrestrial origin, as this Wikipedia article explains.
These results ...
7
votes
2answers
68 views
Should we be looking for extra-terrestrial life on comets?
I have just read What elements are a possible basis for life? and I find myself wondering whether instead of seeking advanced life-forms at remote locales a La SETI, and perhaps fundamentally ...
7
votes
2answers
124 views
Is there life on other planets and if so how frequent?
Some shed tears of joy as the news about the successful landing of the Mars Rover Curiosity came in. Then the most comprehensive 3D map of our observable universe was published. 2012 is literally an ...
5
votes
3answers
172 views
What would need to be discovered to prove there is extraterrestrial life?
Curiosity is on the Martian surface and is equipped with a slew of laboratory equipment. What would Curiosity need to discover to prove there is or has been life on Mars? Would it have to find DNA (or ...
4
votes
1answer
81 views
If life is discovered on another planet, will it likely be classified using the current domain/kingdom/phylum system?
This may be a stupid question showing my lack of understanding of taxonomy, but I was wondering if the current classification system we use contains broad enough categories to include new life forms, ...
