Dr. Li Yiliang, from Department of Earth Sciences, the University of Hong Kong, gave us a splendid presentation titled “Astrobiology: The Origin, Evolution and Destiny of life in the Universe” on invitation at SHAO, 5 July, 2016, which is also a part of serial seminars co-held by CAR(Center for Astro-geodynamics Research) and KLPS(Key Laboratory of Planetary Sciences, CAS). With great enthusiasm, dozens of researchers and students attended the presentation and made effective communications as well.

Astrobiology is a brand new scientific field and thinking model which started from the US in the early 1990s, studying the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life on Earth and in the universe. Dr. Li introduced the origin of the universe, evolution of stars and nebulae, a habitable planet building and evolution, essential features of the origin and evolution of life on Earth. And what’s more, different views and controversies of origin of life on Earth as well as astronomy and geology were also presented. Together with Dr. Li, we understand the amazing world from the very beginning and find great interest in many of the examples he provided, like Martian Meteorite ALH84001 by NASA Johnson Space Center and Cambrian Explosion.

Dr. Li showed us tremendous charm of astrobiology with the wonderful talk. And after that, the attendees (researchers and students), according to their own research area, questioned the presenter on aspects they are interested in, exchanged views happily.