As humanity continues its space exploration, understanding biological evolution in extraterrestrial environments will become crucial. On Earth, organisms have adapted to new environments, and some genetic data indicate positive natural […]
Societal Issues
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Intelligence & Language, Interstellar, People Of Astrobiology, SETI & Technosignatures, Societal Issues, Status Report
Stephen Hawking’s Warning on Contacting Aliens: A Physics Perspective on the Intelligence Trap
The search for extraterrestrial intelligence is a fascinating and important endeavor, but it raises significant ethical and safety concerns. In the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, scientists use knowledge of physics […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Citizen Science / Open Science, Education and Outreach, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, SETI & Technosignatures, Societal Issues, Status Report
Impact of Exoplanet Science on Society: Professional Contributions, Citizen Science Engagement and Public Perception
The impact of exoplanet science on both the scientific community and on the general public is presented through various indicators and examples. It is estimated that about 3-4% of all […]
Posted inCryobiology, Extinction events, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Life Support Systems, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Societal Issues, Status Report, Terraforming & Geoengineering
Safeguarding Earth’s Biodiversity By Creating A Lunar Biorepository
Earth’s biodiversity is increasingly threatened and at risk. We propose a passive lunar biorepository for long-term storage of prioritized taxa of live cryopreserved samples to safeguard Earth’s biodiversity and to […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Education and Outreach, People Of Astrobiology, Societal Issues
There Is An Officially Registered Astrobiology Tartan
Did you know there is an officially registered astrobiology tartan? You can thank Charles Cockell, Professor of Astrobiology, Edinburgh University, for making it happen. More information:
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Meteorites & Asteroids, Microbiology & Virology, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Sample Return, Societal Issues, Space Life Science, Status Report
Design, Development, And Operation Of An ISO Class 5 Cleanroom For Planetary Instrumentation And Planetary Protection Protocols
Cleanrooms are controlled environments where the number of airborne particles is reduced to a level defined by an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard. These facilities have applications in different […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Education and Outreach, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Societal Issues, Status Report
Astrobiology-Themed Imagery On Perseverance Mars Rover’s Mastcam-Z Calibration Target
The primary calibration target for Mastcam-Z, a pair of zoomable cameras aboard NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover, features color swatches used by scientists to fine-tune the cameras’ settings.
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Education and Outreach, Origin & Evolution of Life, Societal Issues, Status Report, Video, Audio, Webcasts, Podcasts
“Dark Biosphere” Planetarium Show
The European Astrobiology Institute (EAI) is delighted to announce that the planetarium show “Dark Biosphere” has won the Best Film Award at the highly regarded Full Dome Festival in Brno. […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Career Opportunities, Courses, Education and Outreach, People Of Astrobiology, Policy, Societal Issues, Status Report
Dialogues between Astrobiology and Earth Pedagogy: A Proposal To The Continued Training Of Science Teachers
Introduction and Objective. Assuming the need to rethink Education and its function as an element of social transformation and generator of a profound ethical change and promoter of other ways […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), SETI & Technosignatures, Societal Issues, Status Report
Terrestrial Life In Light Of The Copernican Principle
Although many solar systems have been discovered, only one example of life is known. Thus, terrestrial life represents merely one data point. Consequently, extrapolating from terrestrial life to life elsewhere […]