In six lessons, biologist Peter Mestdag (UGent Public Observatory Armand Pien – ESERO) discusses the basic principles of astrobiology. It starts on Thursday, October 3rd, and the last lesson is on November 14th.
For centuries we have wondered whether life exists beyond Earth. This research has not yielded any conclusive answers at the moment, but there is still a lot that can be said about it. There is a good chance that the first extraterrestrial life will be discovered before 2050, but perhaps in our solar system. Microscopic life is assumed. This cycle relates to the great endeavor in our solar system. The best knowledge we currently have of this is the science of our living planet. And that knowledge… “Amazing”! The following topics are covered:
• Astrobiology: what, where and why?
• What makes Earth a living planet?
• How did life originate on Earth?
• An overview of the past and future of life on Earth, the main milestones.
• Simple life versus complex life.
• What terrestrial life can live outside Earth?
• The search for life on Mars: a long story of hope and disappointment, still open.
• Searching for promising icy moons around Jupiter and Saturn.
The following topics are not covered: Exoplanets
