About Us

UCSC’s Astrobiology program is a collaborative, interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to the study of the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe. By probing how life forms, identifying the markers of living worlds, and observing our local astronomical neighborhood, UCSC astrobiologists bring a 21st century approach to bear on an ancient question: are we alone in the universe?

News

Following the elements from initial star-forming clouds into protoplanetary disks, to the building blocks of planets, and eventually into planets themselves, where volatile elements can move between the surface, atmosphere, and interior, and even be lost to space.

Illustration: D. Clark
Astrobiology Initiative

UC Santa Cruz Leads Interdisciplinary Consortium for Astrobiology Research

Illustration: J. Krissansen-Totton
Astrobiology Initiative

Study Warns of ‘Oxygen false positives’ in Search for Signs of Life on Other Planets

Credit: Johns Hopkins APL
Astrobiology Initiative

UCSC Astrobiology Initiative Brings Science, Humanities, and Art Together to Study the Ethics of Space Sciences
Earth Science

Hydrothermal vents on seafloors of ‘ocean worlds’ could support life, new study says

Research

Life Sciences

 

Earth & Planetary Sciences

 

Astrophysics

 

Astrobiology Events

Join Astrobiology for annual conferences, seminars, and workshops.

Every Friday (3-5 pm): Ethics & Astrobiology Reading Group: In the spring quarter, the reading group will meet (virtually) weekly on Friday’s from 3-5 pm to discuss previously circulated text.  UCSC graduate students, faculty, and postdocs are all welcome to participate. To sign up or learn more, please subscribe to the Ethics and Astrobiology group or email mdevecka@ucsc.edu.