We plan to carryout three
investigations concerning the astronomical constraints
on the possible origins of life in the Universe.
Our first module will focus on astrochemical investigations
concerning the building blocks of life. Under the leadership
of L. Ziurys, we plan to: (i) undertake laboratory
studies to determine signatures for pre-biotic compounds
that might exist in the interstellar medium, with special
emphasis on ribose; (ii) initiate an observational
search for these gas-phase molecules that are important
for life using millimeter and sub-millimeter radio
telescopes to which we have access; and (iii) conduct
theoretical studies into the stability of complex organic
molecules in the gas phase ISM and the evolution of
their abundances in circumstellar disks in order to
interpret the broader implications of our findings
for the possibility of life elsewhere in the Universe.
This module will address Goal #3 in the NAI revised
roadmap.
Our second module will focus on the formation and
evolution of habitable worlds under the leadership
of S. Strom and J. Najita (NOAO). We plan to: (i) undertake
an observational program to learn when, when, where,
and how frequently planets form around young stars
to provide the possibility for constraints on habitable
planet formation; (ii) conduct an observational characterization
of circumstellar environments that give rise to life
and initiate a theoretical modeling program to determine
the frequency of giant impacts as traced through circumstellar
dust disk evolution, connecting the evolution of dusty
disks around sunlike stars to the history of our solar
system; and (iii) investigate the time evolution of
the UV/x-ray flux of young solar-type stars from the
protstellar phase through the epoch of terrestrial
planet formation to mature planetary systems. The investigation
will also include studies of stars that have evolved
further than the Sun, so as to predict the future variability
of the Sun. This module addresses Goal #1 of the NAI
Revised Roadmap, as well as aspects of #4 and #6.
Our third module, under the leadership of R. Angel
and P. Hinz and is aimed at the characterization of
planetary systems. We plan to: (i) initiate an observational
program aimed at the direct detection and characterization
of astrobiologically relevant extra-solar giant planets
(EGPs) to determine their frequency around solar-type
stars and characterize their composition through spectroscopy;
(ii) initiate a theoretical study of giant planet atmospheres
extending current modeling efforts down to 0.1 MJupiter
as a first step in understanding the detectability
of biosignatures in planet atmospheres with liquid
water present; and (iii) extend observational work
on the observed earthshine spectrum to near-infrared
wavelengths to close a gap in our understanding as
well as initiate a monitoring program. This module
addresses goals #1 and #7 in the NAI Revised Roadmap.
Our special emphasis on the revised roadmap Goal #1
arises because of current lack of understanding of
how the Solar System arose, and how it fits with the
many other planetary systems which are being discovered,
and which have substantial differences from the Solar
System. Our goal is to set a better, more appropriate
starting point for consideration of the origin of life,
and to start to explore the question of whether Earth
is or is not rare.
Our plans to strengthen the astrobiology community
revolve around the creation of the Laplace Center for
interdisciplinary astrobiology studies and the Astrobiology
Winter School to be held annually here at the University
of Arizona. The Laplace Center will be an interdisciplinary
program (IDP), a standard system for interdisciplinary
research and teaching at UA. It will serve as a focus
for our interdisciplinary research efforts and strengthen
the growing ties between the Departments of Astronomy,
Planetary Sciences, NOAO, Geosciences, Chemistry and
Biochemistry. Future plans call for including also
Microbiology and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology as
well as the Tree Ring Laboratory, Optical Sciences,
and parts of the Medical College.
The Center will host 2-3 extended visitors per year
and organize meetings to increase scientific interactions
across the boundaries that exist within the College
of Science. The Winter School will train up to twenty
students per year over the period of performance of
this proposal. We plan to host visiting faculty for
up to two months per year from partner NAI node institutions
as well as 10 graduate students for a four-month curriculum
in the origins of life. In collaboration with colleagues
throughout the College of Science we will offer two
interdisciplinary courses for graduate credit that
focus on the boundaries between the disciplines and
take advantage of the unique observational and laboratory
facilities on the University of Arizona campus.
Our efforts to “Strengthen the Astrobiology
Community” will include production of first rate
scholars in areas important to the future success of
the field. In addition to extant interdisciplinary
graduate programs at the University of Arizona such
as those in Planetary Science (Astrobiology Minor),
Chemistry (Astrochemistry emphasis), and Optical Sciences
(various joint degree programs) we will introduce an
Astrobiology minor as part of the IDP for the departments
within the College of Science.
A particularly innovative part
of this proposed project is for a significant and
integrated education and public
outreach component led by Tim Slater. Because a comprehensive
program to improve the public’s understanding
of the this interdisciplinary science requires targeting
schools, we will work directly with secondary school
teachers on improving their understanding of the myriad
of underlying concepts surrounding the search for other
worlds. Initially, we plan to conduct systematic studies
of the understanding and beliefs about the scientific
search for other worlds held by K-14 students, teachers,
and the general public. In addition to contributing
to the scholarly literature base of science education,
a detailed understanding of the existing notions and
attitudes people have about this interdisciplinary
science are crucial to designing the most effective
education and public outreach programs. This will be
accomplished through a systematic series of surveys,
interviews, and carefully monitored instructional interventions.
The results will be disseminated through journal articles
and presentations at professional education conferences.
Finally, we also plan to help other
graduate students and university faculty supported
by this program to
become informed about the reasoning difficulties K-12
students, teachers, and the general public have with
understanding the search for other worlds. If research
scientists have an appreciation for the specific parts
of this science that people find difficult, they will
be better able to communicate the exciting results
and enhance the public's attitudes toward supporting
this endeavor. This will be accomplished by conducting
frequent workshops and contributing scholarly papers
at professional science conferences as well as regularly
contributing to the program's seminar series. In support
of these efforts, the team will undertake the creation
and dissemination of an astrobiology public speakers
toolkit and a dynamic FAQ (frequently asked questions).
See Team Research Plan |