NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI)

Astronomy Focus Group

Sara Seager, Chair
Carnegie Institution of Washington
Washington, D.C.
seager@dtm.ciw.edu

External Link: Astronomy Focus Group Website

Background and Significance to Astrobiology

The Astrobiology Roadmap defines astrobiology as the study of the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. Although new astrobiology subdisciplines have been developed (e.g., evogenomics), the well established field of astronomy has yet to have its fullest impact on astrobiology or to draw substantial scientific benefits from “cross-pollination” research opportunities. The NAI Astronomy Focus Group (established September, 2003) will ensure that there is a strong astronomical component to the nascent field of astrobiology, and will serve as an advocate and source of advice for achieving scientific goals of astrobiological significance with current and future NASA missions. The NAI Astronomy Focus Group has the potential to influence the field of astrobiology in a significant fashion by helping to develop a strong astronomical component to astrobiology research. This astronomical component includes topics regarded as pure astronomy but also new subdisciplinary topics fostered by interaction among researchers in different, yet overlapping fields of research.

Focus Group Objectives

The Astronomy Focus Group will:

• Examine the observations that could directly address astrobiological topics in existing missions (in flight and under development);
• Ensure that advanced planning for future missions includes capabilities and instrumentation to support research on astrobiology related topics;
• Ensure that any mission replanning will not adversely affect astrobiology related topics;
• Act as a catalyst for proposals for future space missions in the Origins Probes, Discovery, MIDEX or SMEX programs that could capitalize on the potential for missions of astrobiological significance;
• Identify gaps in how NASA’s array of current and future missions address astrobiology goals;
• Foster dialogue between astronomers and astrobiology related disciplines;
• Provide a discussion forum for astronomers in NAI.