Astrobiology is the study of life in the universe. The main goal of astrobiology is to figure out how life could form on other planets, and where the best places to look for life would be. This involves using almost every aspect of science, from Physics to Geology. All knowledge is needed to help figure out this puzzle of life. This involves mostly theoretical (meaning not proven) work, and is mostly guesswork.

There are four elements that are considered essential for life. These are carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. These make up the basic structure needed to help figure out this puzzle of life. This involves mostly theoretical work (educated guesses using data and evidence). Scientists are in constant search for the four elements necessary for life on other planets, moons, and planetoids (small planets).

The search for life in the universe first began on our closest neighbor, the Moon. The Moon is a desolate rock, but it was not always this way. 4.5 billion years ago, a planetoid crashed into the still forming Earth, causing a massive chunk to come off it, making the Moon. This would be the most logical step towards finding life in the universe.

In 2015, Francis McCubbin examined some of the rocks gathered from Apollo missions. This showed there was water in the soil. Not only was there water, but there was 100 times more water than was originally thought. This, coupled with the evidence of oceans show there could have been some form of life on the Moon, but was likely destroyed by constantly being hit by meteors and asteroids.

Mars is the next closest place to search for life. With the Curiosity rover and other rover landings, we have found many signs that Mars once held life. The first big clue was the dried ocean beds that can be seen using a telescope. Once the first research rover touched down successfully in 2004 (Spirit), the search began for water.

While it only found evidence of water formerly existing, more rovers would go on, like the Curiosity rover, to find water in the atmosphere as well as water at the polar ice caps. This, coupled with the presence of methane gas (something only produced by living organisms) makes it highly likely that we will find some form of life on Mars, though to what extent no one is sure.

There is one more place to look for life in our solar system, namely the moon of Jupiter, Europa. Europa is completely covered in Ice, with deep oceans completely frozen over. Scientists believe this could be home to life, and the presence of Hydrogen Peroxide, which breaks down into Hydrogen and Oxygen when touching water, means simple life could have a means of food.

The search for life in our universe will go on only with the assistance of astrobiology. The more we learn, the more we'll know what to look for and what clues to search out. Scientists believe we are right around the corner from a breakthrough, and with all the evidence, it's hard to feel they are wrong.

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