Astrobiology is the study of the origin and development of life on this and other planets. What fascinates people about astrobiology is that it seeks answers to long-standing unsolved questions: How quickly did life evolve on Earth and why did life persist here? Is there life elsewhere in the Solar System or beyond?

The research of astrobiology has become more crucial than ever in recent decades, as biologists have discovered microbes that live in ever more extreme settings, such as bubbling hot springs, in acid, or deep within rocks. Rooted in strong and rigorous research, astrobiology incorporates the work of microbiologists, geologists, and astronomers. In this Very Short Introduction, David C. Catling introduces the origins of astrobiology and demonstrates its impact on current astronomical research and potential future discoveries.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

• We started tracking this book on May 29, 2014.
• This book was £4.12 when we started tracking it.
• The price of this book has changed 81 times in the past 3,986 days.
• The current price of this book is £3.59 last checked 13 hours ago.
• The lowest price to date was £3.59 last reached on April 26, 2025.
• This book has been £3.59 2 times since we started tracking it.
• The highest price to date was £7.49 last reached on January 17, 2025.
• This book has been £7.49 one time since we started tracking it.
• This book is currently at its lowest price since we started tracking it.

• Science & MathsBiological SciencesBiologyGeneral
• Science & MathsAstronomy

• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 161 Pages
• File Size: 35 KB