"What is the most widely accepted theory on how photosynthesis evolved from non-photosynthesis based life?"
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Planetary System Formation Focus Group
Chairs: Alan Boss and Ed Young
The Planetary System Formation Focus Group (PSFFG) will focus on the general area of the physical and chemical processes involved in the formation of planetary systems as they relate to topics of astrobiological significance, such as the formation of habitable planets and satellites. The PSFFG will work on helping NASA plan for future missions that will address the astrobiological goals relevant to planetary system formation, such as completing the census of extrasolar planetary systems, studying the chemistry and physics of protoplanetary disks, and assembling all of these constraints into a self-consistent theoretical picture of the planet formation process. Activities: The most important short-term task for any astronomically-related NAI FG is to provide input for the upcoming National Academy of Science (NAS) Decadal Survey of Astronomy. These surveys are used by NASA and OMB to decide the fate of major NASA missions. The next Decadal Survey is expected to be critical for the future of two missions of great astrobiological significance, the Space Interfermetry Mission (SIM) and the Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF). SIM is planned to be able to detect Earth-like planets around nearby stars, and TPF is planned to be able to characterize the planets discovered by SIM as well as discover other planets in these and other systems.
