Astrobiology: Exploring Other Worlds Course offered by the University of Arizona from Coursera

The “Astrobiology: Exploring Other Worlds” course on Coursera, offered by the University of Arizona, delves into the fascinating field of astrobiology. Here’s an overview of what you can expect from the course:
Course Overview
The course provides an in-depth understanding of astrobiology, which is the study of the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe. It covers various aspects, including:

  1. The Origin of Life on Earth: Understanding how life began on our planet.
  2. Life in Extreme Environments: Exploring how life can survive in extreme conditions, which can give clues about life elsewhere in the universe.
  3. The Search for Extraterrestrial Life: Methods and technologies used to search for life on other planets and moons.
  4. The Possibility of Life on Mars: Examining past and current missions to Mars and what they reveal about the potential for life.
  5. Exoplanets and Habitability: Studying planets beyond our solar system and the conditions that might support life.
  6. The Future of Astrobiology: Speculating on the future discoveries and advancements in this interdisciplinary field.

Skills you will gain

By the end of the course, students will:

  • Have a strong foundation in astrobiology and related scientific principles.
  • Be able to identify the criteria that make a planet potentially habitable.
  • Be informed about the latest exoplanet discoveries and current research in astrobiology.
  • Be prepared to engage in informed discussions about the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe.

Instructors and Developers

  • Dr. Chris Impey: Professor of Astronomy with expertise in astrobiology and space science.
  • Xana Sound: Instructional Designer responsible for creating engaging and educational content.
  • Matthew Wenger: Education Program Manager ensuring the course meets educational standards and learning objectives.

This course offers a thorough and engaging journey into one of the most intriguing and rapidly evolving fields in science, providing learners with the knowledge and skills to understand and contribute to discussions on the search for life beyond Earth.

What you will learn

Course Modules

  1. Introduction to Astrobiology
    • Overview of Astrobiology: Introduction to the field and its importance.
    • Origins of Life on Earth: Theories and evidence about how life began on our planet.
  2. Life in Extreme Environments
    • Extremophiles: Study of organisms that thrive in extreme conditions on Earth.
    • Implications for Extraterrestrial Life: How extremophiles inform our search for life elsewhere.
  3. The Search for Extraterrestrial Life
    • Methods and Technologies: Techniques used by astronomers to search for life beyond Earth.
    • Current and Future Missions: Review of space missions aimed at discovering extraterrestrial life.
  4. Exoplanet Detection
    • Techniques for Finding Exoplanets: Transit method, radial velocity, direct imaging, and others.
    • Characteristics of Exoplanets: What we have learned from the discovery of numerous exoplanets.
  5. Habitability Criteria
    • What Makes a Planet Habitable?: Conditions necessary for life as we know it.
    • Habitable Zones: Regions around stars where conditions might be right for life.
  6. Chemistry of Life in the Universe
    • Chemical Ingredients for Life: Essential elements and molecules.
    • Astrochemistry: How the chemistry of space supports the possibility of life.

Key Learning Points

  • Astronomers’ Approaches to Finding Life: Utilizing ground-based and space telescopes, analyzing atmospheric compositions, studying extreme environments on Earth, and simulating extraterrestrial conditions in laboratories.
  • Exoplanet Discoveries: With the surge in exoplanet discoveries, especially through missions like Kepler and TESS, we have learned that planets are common in the universe, many of which reside in the habitable zones of their stars.
  • Likelihood of Extraterrestrial Life: Given the vast number of planets and the commonality of life’s building blocks, it is increasingly considered likely that Earth does not host the only life in the universe. However, definitive evidence remains to be found.