Lecture 1

Question 1

What is Astrobiology?

Answer 1

The study of life in the universe

Question 2

What is a Scientific Theory?

Answer 2

A hypothesis or a group of hypotheses that have been supported with repeated testing and evidence

Question 3

What is the end product of Scientific Method?

Answer 3

A Scientific Theory

Question 4

What is the main purpose of science?

Answer 4

To better understand the world/universe around us

Question 5

In science, the term hypothesis is used for:

Answer 5

a possible explanation for an observation that is also testable

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why scientists generally think that no advanced civilization has ever lived on any other world in our solar system?

Answer 6

We have photographed all the planets and large moons with enough resolution to be confident no advanced civilization has ever existed on any of them.

Question 7

Why did Frank Drake formulate the famous equation in the 1960ties, that now bears his name, and forms a nice conceptual guide for our course?

Answer 7

He wanted to establish the parameters that are crucial to calculate the frequency of intelligent and communicative life in our galaxy