Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of extraterrestrial life. This interdisciplinary field encompasses the search for habitable environments in our Solar System and habitable planets outside our Solar System, the search for evidence of prebiotic chemistry, laboratory and field research into the origins and early evolution of life on Earth, and studies of the potential for life to adapt to challenges on Earth and in outer space. Astrobiology addresses the question of whether life exists beyond Earth, and how humans can detect it if it does. (The term exobiology is similar but more specific — it covers the search for life beyond Earth, and the effects of extraterrestrial environments on living things.)
Astrobiology makes use of physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology, molecular biology, ecology, planetary science, geography, and geology to investigate the possibility of life on other worlds and help recognize biospheres that might be different from the biosphere on Earth. Astrobiology concerns itself with interpretation of existing scientific data; given more detailed and reliable data from other parts of the universe, the roots of astrobiology itself—physics, chemistry and biology—may have their theoretical bases challenged. Although speculation is entertained to give context, astrobiology concerns itself primarily with hypotheses that fit firmly into existing scientific theories.
Caleb Scharf is Director of the multidisciplinary Columbia Astrobiology Center He received a B.Sc. in Physics from Durham University, and a PhD in Astronomy from the University of Cambridge, and did postdoctoral work in X-ray astronomy and observational cosmology at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the Space Telescope Science Institute in Maryland
He is now a research scientist at Columbia University, New York. He has an extensive research record in observational cosmology but more recently works on topics in exoplanetary science and astrobiology. He is the author of the upper-level undergraduate textbook "Extrasolar Planets and Astrobiology", published in 2008 by University Science Books, CA., and many published professional papers in peer-reviewed journals. He has 96 papers listed in theSAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS); three have been cited over 100 times each: the highest counts are 264, 139, 116, all in Astrophysical journal.
Graham Hancock (born 2 August 1950 in Edinburgh, Scotland) is a British writer and journalist. Hancock specialises in unconventional theories involving ancient civilizations, stone monuments or megaliths, altered states of consciousness, ancient myths and astronomical/astrological data from the past. One of the main themes running through many of his books is the possible global connection with a "mother culture" from which he believes all ancient historical civilizations sprang.
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Hancock's formative years were spent in India, where his father worked as a surgeon. Having returned to the UK, he graduated from Durham University in 1973, receiving a First Class Honours degree in Sociology.
As a journalist, Hancock worked for many British papers, such as The Times, The Sunday Times, The Independent, and The Guardian. He was co-editor of New Internationalist magazine from 1976–1979 and East Africa correspondent of The Economist from 1981-1983.
Lieutenant General David Lindsay Morrison AO (born 1956) is a senior officer within the Australian Army, currently serving in the position of Chief of Army.
David Morrison joined the Australian Army in 1979, after completing a Bachelor of Arts at the Australian National University. He graduated from the Officer Cadet School, Portsea into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps.
Between 1987 and 1988, Morrison served as the Australian Instructor at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom.
In 1992, Morrison attended Army Command and Staff College, Queenscliff, and was then appointed as the Brigade Major of the 3rd Brigade, based in Townsville, Queensland. During that time he took part in Operation Lagoon, acting as chief of staff for a multinational force that provided security to the peace conference held in Bougainville during 1994. The following year he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
In 1997 he was appointed as the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, holding that position until the end of 1998, when he was posted as Chief Instructor Command, Staff Operations Wing at the Army All Corps Promotion Training Centre in Canungra.
Rory Barnes (born 1946) is an Australian writer of popular fiction. Although born in London, he has lived most of his life in Australia.
Source: rorybarnes.net
Aurealis Awards
Ditmar Awards
Children's Book Council of Australia