as·tro·bi·ol·o·gy

(ăs′trō-bī-ŏl′ə-jē)

The scientific study of the possible origin, distribution, evolution, and future of life in the universe, including that on Earth, using a combination of methods from biology, chemistry, and astronomy.

as′tro·bi′o·log′i·cal (-ə-lŏj′ĭ-kəl) adj.

as′tro·bi·ol′o·gist n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

astrobiology

(ˌæstrəʊbaɪˈɒlədʒɪ)

1. (Biology) the branch of biology that investigates the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe

2. (Astronomy) the branch of biology that investigates the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

as•tro•bi•ol•o•gy

(ˌæs troʊ baɪˈɒl ə dʒi)

n.

the science that studies the origin and evolution of life in the universe, the effects of extraterrestrial conditions on living organisms from Earth, the potential existence of life beyond the Earth's atmosphere, and the prospects for the future of life on Earth and beyond. Compare exobiology.

[1950–55]

as`tro•bi`o•log′i•cal (-əˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl) adj.

as`tro•bi•ol′o•gist, n.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

astrobiology - the branch of biology concerned with the effects of outer space on living organisms and the search for extraterrestrial life

exobiology, space biology

biological science, biology - the science that studies living organisms

Translations

bioastronomie

astrobiologia

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

According to the study conducted by NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) team at the Georgia Institute of Technology, there is considerable evidence that the evolution of life passed through an early stage when RNA played a more central role, doing the jobs of DNA and protein before they appeared.

Iron played major role in sustaining life on Earth 3bn-yrs ago

A piece of it was examined at the Buckingham Centre for Astrobiology and Cardiff University.

'Egg-shaped' globule could be 'evidence of life on Mars'

The result is a bottom-up, or arm-up, decision mechanism rather than the brain-down mechanism typical of vertebrates, like humans, according to the study which was presented at the Astrobiology Science Conference.

Octopus arms may have minds: Study

Editorial Note: Residing in Cardiff, Wales, Chandra Wickramasinghe is the director of the Centre for Astrobiology at the University of Buckingham.

Our Cosmic Ancestry in the Stars

Tests and experiments were conducted in the fields of engineering, planetary surface operations, astrobiology, geophysics/geology, life sciences and other areas.

DOES SPACE INTEREST YOU? OAS IS GAME TO HELP YOU

Paul Quast, director of the Beyond the Earth Foundation, recently published an inventory in the International Journal of Astrobiology. It turns out many of the objects we've sent to space are potentially helpful, such as a diagram of our solar system and sketches of human bodies-but then there are also weirder items, such as Stephen Colbert's DNA on a microchip, a Doritos ad, and even a Tesla.

What We Send to Space

Using an academic approach firmly rooted in anthropology, astronomy, astrobiology, and physics, Masters penned, "Identified Flying Objects: A Multidisciplinary Scientific Approach to the UFO Phenomenon." According to Masters, "The aim of this book is to initiate dialog regarding the possibility that alien and UFO sightings may in fact be legitimate events involving extratempestrials - or our time traveling descendants - whose humanoid form and advanced technology is the result of sustained human evolution here on Earth, long into the distant future."

Identified Flying Objects: Dr. Michael Masters' New Book Asks, "Could Aliens Simply be Us, But from the Future?"

During our field expedition, we always address scientific questions, study the geological context and do technology trials to support current or planned astrobiology missions, seeking evidence of life on planetary surfaces and underground."

UAE deserts offer perfect Mars-like conditions, says Nasa scientist

The team involving researchers at the University of Tokyo and Astrobiology Center of the National Institutes of Natural Sciences investigated 227 exoplanet candidates based on data from second mission of NASA's Kepler Space Telescope (K2 mission), as well as using other space telescopes and ground-based telescopes.

Astronomers discover over 100 new exoplanets

Emerging from that gathering, 22 papers cover Enceladus geophysics, geology, and geochemistry; Enceladus plumes and the E Ring; Saturn's icy moons; and astrobiology and exploration of Enceladus.

Enceladus and the Icy Moons of Saturn

Astrobiology Network of Pakistan, in collaboration with Forman Christian College, Lahore Astronomical Society (LAST) and Khwarizmi Science Society (KSS), is going to mark the WSW 2018 with the theme of 'Let's Explore the Universe'.

Let's explore the universe!