• Explores some of the big unanswered questions about the universe
• Considers the origins of life on Earth and its evolution, to understand the possibility of life elsewhere
• Brings together the ideas of microbiologists, astronomers, planetary scientists, and geologists
• Looks at the origins of astrobiology and the discoveries it is making

  
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. 
　
　
REVIEWS:
"Although this is a very short introduction, it is very comprehensive. The subject is introduced and pursued with a workman-like manner, getting down to the essentials directly." - The Skeptic, Norman Hansen