Neuroscience and astrophysics

[pink_trike]

Is there a dedicated branch of science that researches the physiological and neurological effects that astrophysical patterns and processes may have on living organisms that exist on Earth?

 

Is this type of research considered a subcategory of astrobiology?

Edited June 19, 2010 by pink_trike

[tomgwyther]

There'll be a plethora of knowledge on how the cycle of the moon and the changing of the seasons affect the behaviour of living organisms.

Especially with reguard to mating/reproductive habits of animals.

IIRC, sea turtles on Ascension Island hatch on a particular full moon, alot of animals mating seasons allow that their offspring are born in spring time, many animals navigate - and thus behave - acording to the moon's position

it's more an aspect of biology than astrobiology.

[Speldosa]

Could you please provide some good source to how the moon behaviorally affects behavior in some animals?

[tomgwyther]

Here a few links.

BTW my original recolection "IIRC, sea turtles on Ascension Island hatch on a particular full moon"

Wasn't correct, they use the moon for navigation and the sand temperature for timing.

 

 

http://www.heritage.org.ac/HS23.htm

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8145000/8145125.stm

 

http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/insects/moths/moth.html

[ccdan]

Is there a dedicated branch of science that researches the physiological and neurological effects that astrophysical patterns and processes may have on living organisms that exist on Earth?

no, there isn't... but hey, there's a dedicated branch of pseudo-science that deals with that kind of stuff: astrology

 

Is this type of research considered a subcategory of astrobiology?

astrobiology deals with (the possible existence of) life on other bodies in outer space, like aliens, the habitability of other planets/moons and so on...