First Steps in the Origin of Life in the Universe

The Sixth Trieste Conference on Chemical Evolution for the first time has also been a Euroconference. This year we focused on "First Steps in the Origin of Life in the Universe". (Both this Centre and the ICGEB have been sponsors since we first started planning the series with Professors Abdus Salam and Cyril Ponnamperuma.)
Over 90 participants allowed us to make a truly comprehensive review of our subject. In 82 presentations we had contributions from experts in questions related to the origin, evolution, distribution and destiny of life in the universe, topics that are known together as the science of astrobiology. The publication of these proceedings was largely due to a generous grant form the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy . The general topic of the conference concerned the origin, evolution, distribution and destiny of life in the Universe, a subject referred to as astrobiology and also as exobiology. In this report we prefer the synonym Astrobiology. It aimed to discuss the transition from inert matter to cellular life, as we know it on Earth. It also proposed to discuss the possibility of life occurring elsewhere as well, particularly in other environments in our own and other solar systems. The theoretical framework may be probed with forthcoming series of space missions, which at the time of writing are being planned for the next ten to 15 years
Advanced extraterrestrial life can also be probed by means of radio astronomy in the well-established project of search for extraterrestrial intelligence. We aimed to bring together researchers in all of these fields, both from the European Community, particularly form the host country, from the United States and Japan; finally an important component were those scientists whose expertise is in this interdisciplinary area , who are currently working in the Third World.
The progress of the main space agencies the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was highlighted. The main sessions of the Conference were the following :
Life without starlight:
• Can life originate in the absence of starlight?
• Can life evolve to the point where it is truly independent of starlight?
• How important is the "invention" of photosynthesis for the evolution of
life?
Is there indigenous organic material on Mars?
The search for prebiotic and biological indicators in the satellites of the outer solar system.
New Approaches to the Detection of Extraterrestrial Intelligent Radio Signals andSome of its Implications.