Astrobiology is the study of the origin, distribution, and future of life in the universe. It applies multiple scientific disciplines and space technologies to address how life begins and develops, whether life exists elsewhere in the universe, and life’s future on the home planet and beyond. It thus integrates the interests of people who seek to understand the origins and evolution of life, people who search for evidence of life beyond Earth, and people who seek to establish a permanent human presence in space. Astrobiology addresses some of the most crucial and provocative issues ever explored by humankind. Only now, with new capabilities to access outer space, coupled with convergent revolutions in many technologies, can we expect to become a spacefaring people and find answers to these age-old questions.
Astrobiology rests upon a remarkable confluence of science, technology, and popular culture. This historical juncture invites collaborative and indeed synergistic action on the part of scientists from virtually all disciplines and on the part of the public. Through astrobiology we learn about the boundary conditions surrounding our own existence. Discovering how life begins and develops, finding out whether life exists elsewhere, and determining our future on Earth and beyond will have a profound and fundamental effect on the human species. Astrobiology affects our views of the universe, our science, our culture, and ourselves–in short, every aspect of our existence.
The Societal Implications of Astrobiology Workshop convened at NASA Ames Research Center on November 16-17, 1999, to discuss topics such as the implications of astrobiology for human psychology, society, and culture, and the contributions that the social sciences can make to the field of astrobiology. The workshop was organized around four questions;
- Why do we search for life or its beginnings?
- What are the implications of observation of life and human exploration
off the home planet?
- How should we respond to the discovery of life elsewhere?
- What is the evolutionary fate of human societies and cultures beyond
the home planet?
The workshop concluded with a general discussion leading to a set of research topics and action items.
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