Background
Lake on Saturn’s moon Titan, possibly filled with liquid methane, is larger in size than lake Superior on Earth (right). Link to story: Titan's Lakes.
The College of Science established the Center for Astrobiology in 2005 to promote multidisciplinary excellence in research, education and collaboration in the nascent field of astrobiology.
The Center for Astrobiology works with researchers, programs, departments and colleges across campus and researchers throughout the world to build the research and educational programs needed to answer the profound questions raised in astrobiology: how did life arise and evolve toward intelligence, is there life elsewhere in the cosmos, and what are the prospects for expansion of Earth life into the cosmos.
From an initial core of astronomy, chemistry and planetary researchers funded through NASA’s Astrobiology Institute, the Center is growing to include researchers in the biological sciences, ecology and evolutionary biology, molecular and cellular biology and even hydrology and water resources.
Our Mission
The College of Science Center for Astrobiology provides interdepartmental, national and international opportunities for collaboration in research and education in the multidisciplinary field of astrobiology. The Center will provide a focal point for interactions between life and physical sciences through joint research, links to international astrobiology efforts, and development of an interdisciplinary astrobiology program at graduate and undergraduate levels. It will provide a nexus for new proposals for federal and private research funding and education and public outreach. It will catapult the University of Arizona into the position of leadership in the training of experts in this rapidly growing field.
Download Titan's Lakes - An Interview with Jonathan Lunine
NEW! Download Exoplanets - An Interview with Jonathan Lunine
Download Learning and Communicating Across Disciplines - An article about astrobiology at the University of Arizona
