The Astrophysical Context of Life Book

Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY....................1
1 INTRODUCTION....................7
The Astronomical Perspective....................7
Goals of the Current Study....................10
2 RELATED EFFORTS....................11
National Research Council's Life in the Universe Report....................11
National Aeronautics and Space Administration....................11
Origins Roadmap....................11
Cosmochemistry....................12
Space Radiation and Human Health....................12
Other Agencies....................13
National Science Foundation....................13
Department of Energy....................14
Astrobiology in Europe....................14
3 NASA EFFORTS IN ASTROPHYSICS FOR ASTROBIOLOGY....................15
What Is Astronomy? What Is Astrobiology?....................15
Astrophysical Research at NASA....................16
NASA Astrobiology Institute....................16
Other NASA Programs....................18
Broadening the Range of This Research....................19
4 AREAS THAT COULD BENEFIT FROM AUGMENTATION AND INTEGRATION....................21
Galactic Environment....................22
Current Work and Gaps....................22
Areas of Relevant Independent Astronomical Research....................23
Areas of Potential Interdisciplinary Interaction....................24
Missions, Role of Other Agencies....................24
Cosmic, Solar, and Terrestrial Irradiation....................25
Current Work and Gaps....................25
Areas of Relevant Independent Astronomical Research....................27
Areas of Potential InterdisciplinaryInteraction....................28
Missions, Role of Other Agencies....................33
Interstellar and Protostellar Nebular Chemistry....................33
Current Work and Gaps....................33
Areas of Relevant Independent Astronomical Research....................34
Areas of Potential Interdisciplinary Interaction....................35
Missions, Role of Other Agencies....................35
Bombardment....................36
Current Work and Gaps....................36
Areas of Relevant Independent Astronomical Research....................38
Areas of Potential Interdisciplinary Interaction....................39
Missions, Role of Other Agencies....................40
Prebiotic Chemistry and Photosynthesis....................41
Current Work and Gaps....................41
Areas of Relevant Independent Astronomical Research....................44
Areas of Potential Interdisciplinary Interaction....................45
Missions, Role of Other Agencies....................47
Molecular Evolution in a Variable Astronomical Context....................48
Current Work and Gaps....................48
Areas of Relevant Independent Astronomical Research....................50
Areas of Potential Interdisciplinary Interaction....................50
Programs of Other Agencies....................51
5 INTEGRATING ASTRONOMY WITH THE OTHER DISCIPLINES OF ASTROBIOLOGY....................52
Common Goals and Interests....................52
Common Language....................53
Background and Education....................53
Student Research Training....................53
Graduate Student Exchange Program....................54
Postdoctoral Fellowships....................54
Faculty Enrichment....................55
Recommendations....................55
APPENDIXES A Context and Statement of Task....................59
B Related Reports and Programmatic Activities....................62
C Glossary....................70
D Committee Member and Staff Biographies....................75