NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI)

University of California, Los Angeles

Executive Summary

Project Reports

Astrobiology at UCLA: An integrated multidisciplinary <BR>approach to research and education<BR>

EPO Reports

Project Reports

Organized by Astrobiology Roadmap Objective

Goal 1: Understand the nature and distribution of habitable environments in the Universe

• Objective 1: Determine whether the atmosphere of the early Earth, hydrothermal or exogenous matter were significant sources of organic matter. (Found: 1)

Goal 11:

• Objective 11: Determine (theoretically and empirically) the ultimate outcome of the planet-forming process around other stars, especially the habitable ones. (Found: 1)

Goal 12:

• Objective 12: Define climatological and geological effects upon the limits of habitable zones around the Sun and other stars to help define the frequency of habitable planets in the universe. (Found: 1)

Goal 13:

• Objective 13: Define an array of astronomically detectable spectroscopic features that indicate habitable conditions and/or the presence of life on an extrasolar planet. (Found: 1)

Goal 14:

• Objective 14: Determine the resilience of local and global ecosystems through their response to natural and human-induced disturbances. (Found: 1)

Goal 4: Understand how past life on Earth interacted with its changing planetary and Solar System environment

• Objective 4: Expand and interpret the genomic database of a select group of key microorganisms in order to reveal the history and dynamics of evolution. (Found: 1)

Goal 5: Understand the evolutionary mechanisms and environmental limits of life

• Objective 5: Describe the sequences of causes and effects associated with the development of Earth's early biosphere and the global environment. (Found: 1)

Goal 6: Understand the principles that will shape the future of life, both on Earth and beyond

• Objective 6: Define how ecophysiological processes structure microbial communities, influence their adaptation and evolution, and affect their detection on other planets. (Found: 1)

Goal 7: Determine how to recognize signatures of life on other worlds and on early Earth

• Objective 7: Identify the environmental limits for by examining biological adaptations to extremes in environmental conditions. (Found: 1)

Goal 8:

• Objective 8: Search for evidence of ancient climates, extinct life and potential habitats for extant life on Mars. (Found: 1)

Goal 9:

• Objective 9: Determine the presence of life's chemical precursors and potential habitats for life in the outer solar system. (Found: 1)