The goal of this module is to give interdisciplinary bases in exobiology for planetology.
Astrobiology (or exobiology) is the study of life in the universe. More specifically, it includes the study of the conditions and processes which allowed the emergence of life on our planet, and could or could allow it elsewhere, the study of the evolution of organic matter towards complex structures in the universe, and the research concerning the distribution of life in all the forms it could take, and its evolution.
This is a large interdisciplinary area, addressing the study of the origins and evolution of life on Earth, its dependence on environmental conditions and the habitability of the planet, the search for life traces on the primitive Earth, elsewhere in the solar system, and beyond, in exoplanets.
Course plan:
1) Conditions of appearance of life: Hervé Cottin (LISA/UPEC)
2) Habitable zone and habitable planet: François Forget (LMD/CNRS)
3) Primitive Earth and traces of life: Vincent Busigny (IPGP/UPC)/Karim Benzerara (IMPMC/CNRS)
4) Limits of life: Adrienne Kish (MCAM/MNHn)
5) Planetary analogues for astrobiology: Maeva Millan (LATMOS, CNRS)
6) Research strategies for extraterrestrial life (Solar System / Exoplanets)
Fabien Stalport (LISA/UPC)/Benjamin Charney (LESIA/CNRS)