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Review
. 2016 Mar;16(3):201-43.
doi: 10.1089/ast.2015.1441.

AstRoMap European Astrobiology Roadmap

Gerda Horneck  1   2 , Nicolas Walter  3 , Frances Westall  4 , John Lee Grenfell  5 , William F Martin  6 , Felipe Gomez  7 , Stefan Leuko  2 , Natuschka Lee  8   9 , Silvano Onofri  10 , Kleomenis Tsiganis  11 , Raffaele Saladino  12 , Elke Pilat-Lohinger  13 , Ernesto Palomba  14 , Jesse Harrison  15 , Fernando Rull  16 , Christian Muller  17 , Giovanni Strazzulla  18 , John R Brucato  19 , Petra Rettberg  2 , Maria Teresa Capria  14
Affiliations
Review

AstRoMap European Astrobiology Roadmap

Gerda Horneck et al. Astrobiology. 2016 Mar.

Abstract

The European AstRoMap project (supported by the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme) surveyed the state of the art of astrobiology in Europe and beyond and produced the first European roadmap for astrobiology research. In the context of this roadmap, astrobiology is understood as the study of the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the context of cosmic evolution; this includes habitability in the Solar System and beyond. The AstRoMap Roadmap identifies five research topics, specifies several key scientific objectives for each topic, and suggests ways to achieve all the objectives. The five AstRoMap Research Topics are • Research Topic 1: Origin and Evolution of Planetary Systems • Research Topic 2: Origins of Organic Compounds in Space • Research Topic 3: Rock-Water-Carbon Interactions, Organic Synthesis on Earth, and Steps to Life • Research Topic 4: Life and Habitability • Research Topic 5: Biosignatures as Facilitating Life Detection It is strongly recommended that steps be taken towards the definition and implementation of a European Astrobiology Platform (or Institute) to streamline and optimize the scientific return by using a coordinated infrastructure and funding system.

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Figures

<b>FIG. 1.</b>
FIG. 1.
Timeline in million years from the formation of the Solar System to the appearance and evolution of life on Earth. [1] Cloud, ; [2] Grosberg and Strathmann, ; [3] Knoll, ; [4] Mills et al., ; [5] Javaux, ; [6] Parfrey et al., ; [7] Melezhik, ; [8] Holland, ; [9] Nisbet and Wilks, ; [10] Altermann and Wotherspoon, ; [11] Dhuime et al., ; [12] Byerly et al., ; [13] Hofmann et al., ; [14] Tice and Lowe, ; [15] Westall and Southam, ; [16] Walsh, ; [17] Westall, ; [18] Ohtomo et al., ; [19] Tera et al., ; [20] Holland, ; [21] Van Kranendonk et al., ; [22] Westall, ; [23] Elkins-Tanton, ; [24] Wilde et al., ; [25] Lebrun et al., ; [26] Zahnle et al., ; [27] Kleine et al., ; [28] Dalrymple, ; [29] Sagan and Mullen, ; [30] Gough, ; [31] Feulner, ; [32] Walsh et al., ; [33] Baker et al., .
<b>FIG. 2.</b>
FIG. 2.
The AstRoMap Roadmap: An astrobiology roadmap for Europe, consisting of five research topics to be addressed in parallel towards reaching the final goal—a better understanding of life within the context of cosmic evolution. Background picture: M51 Hubble Remix (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080614.html). Credit: S. Beckwith (STScI), Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA), ESA, NASA. Additional Processing: Robert Gendler. Graphic Design: Kerstin Kopp, DLR.
<b>FIG. 3.</b>
FIG. 3.
AstRoMap Roadmap, approaches to reach the key objectives of Research Topic 1 “Origin and Evolution of Planetary Systems” within the next 10, 20, or follow-on years.
<b>FIG. 4.</b>
FIG. 4.
AstRoMap Roadmap, approaches to reach the key objectives of Research Topic 2 “Origins of Organic Compounds in Space” within the next 10, 20, or follow-on years.
<b>FIG. 5.</b>
FIG. 5.
AstRoMap Roadmap, approaches to reach the key objectives of Research Topic 3 “Rock-Water-Carbon Interactions, Organic Synthesis on Earth, and Steps to Life” within the next 10, 20, or follow-on years.
<b>FIG. 6.</b>
FIG. 6.
AstRoMap Roadmap, approaches to reach the key objectives of Research Topic 4 “Life and Habitability” within the next 10, 20, or follow-on years.
<b>FIG. 7.</b>
FIG. 7.
AstRoMap Roadmap, approaches to reach the key objectives of Research Topic 5 “Biosignatures as Facilitating Life Detection” within the next 10, 20, or follow-on years.
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