Questions about the origins of life on Earth, and the existence and detection of extraterrestrial life.
Questions tagged [astrobiology]
51 questions
14
votes
4 answers
Why do aliens have to be carbon based lifeforms?
So correct me if I'm wrong, but when searching for extra terrestrial life, scientists usually search for signs they would expect for life on earth to thrive in. We look for conditions on planets that meet certain criteria e.g close enough to a sun…
mystery man
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4
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2 answers
Why search for water?
Most of the news about extraterrestrial search focuses on possibility for existence of water and temperatures like earth. Why do scientists feel this would lead them to extraterrestrial life?
After all, we are searching for something that doesn't…
Black Jack 21
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4
votes
1 answer
Biosignatures for anaerobic or other early microbiology?
What are some possible atmospheric bio-signatures for a planet with anaerobic life? or even microorganisms before oxygen builds up in the atmosphere? Would there be a way of telling if methane, etc. is possibly not from abiotic causes?
Jack R. Woods
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