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1 - The Foundations of Astrobiology

from Part I - Astronomical Origins

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2024

Manasvi Lingam  and
Amedeo Balbi
Manasvi Lingam
Affiliation:
Florida Institute of Technology
Amedeo Balbi
Affiliation:
Università degli Studi di Roma 'Tor Vergata'
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Summary

The first part of this chapter introduces and defines key concepts that are commonly encountered in this subject: astrobiology, habitability, and life; in doing so, it also clarifies the ambiguities inherent in these terms. The second part briefly chronicles the lengthy and rich history of speculations about the plurality of worlds and extraterrestrial life in myriad societies across different epochs. It concludes with a summary of developments in astrobiology in the early- and mid-twentieth century, and describes how the future of this field looks optimistic.

Keywords

definition of astrobiologydefinitions of lifedefinition of habitabilityhistory of astrobiologyplurality of worlds
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Chapter
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From Stars to Life
A Quantitative Approach to Astrobiology
 , pp. 3 - 12
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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