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May 31, 2006
May 30, 2006
Astrobiology Science News 30 May 2006
May 29, 2006
Astrobiology Science News 29 May 2006
May 28, 2006
Principal Investigator Lessons Learned Workshop Presentations
Presentations and papers from the recent NASA Principal Investigator Lessons Learned workshop are now available on the Science Mission Directorate website: http://science.hq.nasa.gov/research/041106.html
Astrobiology Science News 28 May 2006
MARS Journal open for submissions
The MARS Journal, a new online peer reviewed open access journal, is now open for submission of manuscripts. The MARS Journal will publish scholarly papers in three general categories:
Mars Science: Observations, data, theory, models, and reviews of scientific literature Mars Technology: Instruments, spacecraft, missions, tools and techniques, and software Mars Policy: Exploration strategy, economics, planetary protection, history, and commentary Be among the first to publish (for free) in The MARS Journal.
May 27, 2006
Astrobiology Science News 27 May 2006
Daily Webcam Images From Devon Island Greenhouse
Editor's note: The Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse woke up several weeks ago. Located at the Mars Institute's HMP Research Station on Devon Island, this greenhouse has several webcams located inside which are now sending back images on a more or less daily basis. Webcam 2 looks south at the growing trays. Webcam 3 looks north at the heating system. Note: ignore the date stamp on these webcam images - apparently both cameras lost track of time during the several months of darkness when they were inactive.
During fall 2005 there was some unusual activity in and around the greenhouse and the report listed below describes what is known to date. Another update to this report will follow soon.
- 2005 Preliminary Fall Report (PDF)
- Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse Update, July 20, 2005
- Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse (ACMG): Frequently Asked Questions
Astrobiology 2.0
"Astrobiology emerged at a time when NASA was in a state of flux and ARC and other field centers were faced with possible closure or drastic cutbacks. The community that formed around this nascent program at ARC turned adversity and uncertainty into opportunity and built a rich program out of that chaos. Now tough times are here again. Take a hard look at astrobiology and don't be afraid to respond to this challenge by looking at ways to make it more efficient as well as more relevant to the President's stated vision."
ASU Award for Students Pursuing Research in Meteoritical Sciences
The Center for Meteorite Studies at Arizona State University is pleased to announce the 40th Anniversary of the Nininger Award for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing research in meteoritical sciences.
Permitted research topics include, but are not limited to, physical and chemical properties of meteorites, origin of meteoritic material and cratering. Observational, experimental, statistical or theoretical investigations are allowed.
The Nininger Award recognizes outstanding student achievement in the meteoritical sciences as embodied by an original research paper. Papers must cover original research conducted by the student and must have been written, submitted or published between January 1, 2005 and November 15, 2005. Applicants must be the first, but not sole, author of the paper and must be studying at an educational institution in the United States.
The 2005 Nininger Award, in the amount of $2500, may be awarded as a single or divided prize. Application deadline is November 15, 2005. Further information about the Nininger Award and paper submission instructions are located on the Center for Meteorite Studies Nininger Award website: http://meteorites.asu.edu/nininger
Questions regarding the application or application process may be sent to: nininger@asu.edu
May 26, 2006
Europa Focus Group Presentations Now Available
The NAI sponsored workshop of the Europa Focus Group at NASA Ames Research Center, from February 27 - 28, 2006, involvied 115 participants. Presentations from this successful meeting are now available at: http://astrobiology.asu.edu/focus/europa/discuss/discuss.html
NRC Report on Next Decade Mars Architecture
"Review of the Next Decade Mars Architecture" is tentatively scheduled for release during June. However, release dates of National Academies reports depend on successful completion of the review process and on printing schedules.
This report evaluates NASA's Mars exploration program for the next 10 years, and looks at whether it optimizes scientific returns, given the agency's current funding limitations. The report also discusses whether the program incorporates findings from current missions and follows guidelines outlined in a previous report from the Research Council.
Reporters who would like to be notified when a report is due for release should contact the Office of News and Public Information -- tel. 202-334-2138 or e-mail news@nas.edu -- and ask to be placed on the contact list for that report.
Astrobiology Science News 26 May 2006
NRC Integrated Arctic Observing Network Report
Toward an Integrated Arctic Observing Network, Committee on Designing an Arctic Observing Network, National Research Council
ISBN: 0-309-10052-6, 128 pages, 8 1/2 x 11, paperback (2006)
This report outlines the potential scope, composition, and implementation strategy for an arctic observing network (AON). Such an integrated, complete, dynamic, and multidisciplinary environmental observing network will improve society’s understanding of and ability to respond to ongoing systemic changes in the Arctic and its capability to anticipate, predict, and respond to future change both in the Arctic and around the globe.
The network would build on and enhance existing national and international efforts and deliver easily accessible, complete, reliable, timely, long-term, pan-arctic observations. The AON would be a system of observational infrastructureincluding satellites, terrestrial observatories, ocean buoys and moorings, weather stations, hydrologic monitoring stations, ecological sampling networks, arctic residents, and other data sourcesthat will collect, check, organize, and distribute arctic observations while taking the necessary measures to continuously adapt and improve the network. Because many potential components of the network already exist or are being planned, and because of the surge of activity during the International Polar Year, there is an immediate opportunity for major progress.
May 25, 2006
NASA/PBS TV Show "Looking for Life To Air
From Tom Pierson, SETI Institute: Jack Farmer wrote: Dear Tom: I wanted to draw your attention to a new television feature called "Looking for Life" that involves a collaboration between Macquarie University and NASA's Passport to Knowledge (public television's longest running series of interactive learning adventures). This new Passport to Knowledge, provides a broadly based survey of Astrobiology (see show description below). It will air on NASA Select and Public Broadcasting Service stations later this month (see schedule below).
A nice teaser can be found at: http://learners.gsfc.nasa.gov/mediaviewer/Lookingforlifeintro/. In addition to the feature, the new Passport to Knowledge also provides curriculum materials for teachers and students that take advantage of three NASA Learning Technology (NLT) tools:
1) The "Virtual Field Trip" allows students to explore selected field trip locations using spherical panoramic footage of a field site. Students are able to "look around" a 360-degree view of the environment and along the way, access videos where experts explain what they are seeing. Experts note points of interest, and students can jump from one location to another as they explore. Once they've started the "Virtual Field Trip," students can take an even closer look using the other two NLT other tools. A focus of the Virtual Fieldtrip for the "Looking for Life" adventure is the Pilbara region of western Austraila, site of the oldest known stromaolites and cellular fossils on Earth. This field trip was filmed during an international expedition to the Pilbara held last summer which was attended by Bruce Runnegar and Rose Grymes of the NAI, as well as one of your SETI folks - Seth Shostak. The "Virtual Lab" includes a suite of simulated microscopes that allow students to study the closeup features of rocks "back in the lab". Actual samples from a 3.5-billion-year-old stromatolite and modern-day microbial mats were scanned into electronic files, and can be explored by students using the virtual microscopes. For example, students can compare 3.5- billion-year-old fossils with samples of modern stromatolites.
3) NLT's "What's the Difference" tool helps students compare the details of microscopic images, with the modern and ancient environments of the Pilbara and Mars.
All of these NLT curriculum elements are accessible through the NASA Quest Web site.
A brief description of the "Looking for Life" special is given below:
Is life on Earth unique? Are humans the only intelligent beings in the universe? These are some of the deepest and most ancient of questions. Now, for the first time, we have the tools and technology to begin probing for the answers. Scientists believe these answers lie untouched in some of the most exotic and dramatic sites on our home planet. "Looking for Life" takes viewers to these distant locations for the most current reports on this exciting scientific frontier.
In the rust-red Pilbara desert of Western Australia, an international team of NASA and university researchers looks at ancient rocks to see if they offer unambiguous evidence of life on Earth as long as 3.5 billion years ago. At Shark Bay, a young graduate student dives in chilly waters to sample stromatolites, "living fossils" that may resemble early life-forms. In the startling red and yellow waters of Spain's Rio Tinto, an intrepid cameraman ventures underwater to photograph the rich organisms found in some of the most acidic streams on Earth. Nearby a NASA team tests a prototype drill that could be deployed to Mars or to Jupiter’s mysterious moon, Europa. North of the Arctic Circle, researchers from Indiana University look for life deep underground in the Lupin Mine. South of the Equator, far up in the Bolivian Andes, NASA's Nathalie Cabrol dives in the highest waters on Earth, whose salty shores resemble the ancient lakes recently found on Mars by NASA's rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. She finds organisms thriving in an environment of extreme cold and dangerous levels of radiation.
Special Airs on NASA Select:
Thursday, May 25, 2006
8:00-9:00 a.m., 4:00-5:00 p.m. and 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
8:00-9:00 a.m. and 4:00-5:00 p.m.
For PBS broadcasts, see local listings.
Please feel free to share this message with anyone you think will be interested. Thanks!
Jack
Explorer School Teachers Set To Visit Atacama
Live TV of NASA Explorer School Teachers at Atacama Desert Moon/Mars Analog Research Site, NASA ARC Quest
"What are seven NASA Explorer School teachers doing in the Atacama desert in Chile? They are studying side-by-side with NASA scientists who search for life in extreme environments, closely approximating what they expect to find on other planets. Why the Atacama -- an inhospitable, seemingly lifeless, sun drenched spot that is probably the driest place on Earth? This natural environment on Earth poses some of the same challenges for human explorers as would a seemingly lifeless planet."
Planetary Society Mounts Unprecedented Ad Campaign To Fight NASA Space Science Cuts
Campaign Update: The Planetary Society Takes the Fight to Washington
"In contrast to Kennedy's vision, the fiscal year 2007 budget proposed for NASA contains cuts that threaten to end the era of exploration that brought us the Hubble Space Telescope, Mars Exploration Rovers, Cassini-Huygens at Saturn, Deep Impact and Stardust. The Administration proposes to drastically cut future space science, especially astrobiology research; to stop work on new missions to Europa and to find terrestrial planets; and to not include Mars planning in the Vision for Space Exploration. The presentation is part of the Society's SOS (Save Our Science) campaign, and will be hosted in conjunction with the House Science Committee."
"Along with the presentation the Society is also launching an ad campaign, calling on Congress to preserve funding for space science. Prominent advertisements, featuring a trash can and the slogan "Don't Trash Space Science!" will appear on May 25 in the Washington Post and Congress's own Roll Call."
Astrobiology Science News 25 May 2006
IODP International Workshop: Exploring Subseafloor Life With the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program
The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Management International (IODP-MI) and Joint Oceanographic Institutions (JOI) announce an international workshop on subseafloor life. The workshop will be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, October 3-5, 2006.
Apply online by June 21, 2006
This workshop will bring together microbiologists, biogeochemists, and others interested in exploring subseafloor life through scientific ocean drilling. IODP is an international marine research program dedicated to advancing scientific understanding of the Earth by monitoring and sampling subseafloor environments. Led by the United States and Japan, IODP has been adopted by 20 nations, and has funding of $1.5 billion for its 10-year science plan.
Workshop objectives are to: outline major themes and scientific drilling targets, advance understanding of subseafloor life, develop collaborative relationships, and evaluate protocols and technology required to advance knowledge in the field.
IODP-MI and JOI will support travel and expenses for approximately 60 participants. Interested scientists and engineers from all countries are advised to apply at www.iodp.org/subseafloor-life on or before June 21. Selected participants will be contacted by the steering committee. Places will be reserved for advanced students and early career scientists. For more information, please visit www.iodp.org/subseafloor-life.
Extremophiles 2006
September 17-21 2006, Brest, Brittany, France
Extremophiles 2006 International Conference will be held at the Quartz Congress Hall, Brest, Brittany, France, from 17th to 21nd September 2006. After the series of successful conferences since 1996, Extremophiles 2006 will offer an exciting opportunity for the colleagues to share the latest scientific knowledge in this fascinating field and to enjoy the remarkable and breathtaking natural beauty of the very western part of Brittany.
Abstract Deadline: May 31, 2006
Early Registration Deadline: May 31, 2006
For more information: http://www.extremophiles2006.org/
EANA Workshop
The 6th workshop of the European Astrobiology Network Association (EANA) will be held the 16-18th October 2006 at the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, France. This workshop will address all the main topics of astrobiology, as described at the website, http://eana06.univ-lyon1.fr/.
May 24, 2006
Astrobiology Science News 24 May 2006
NSBRI Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
"The National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) is soliciting applications for its Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. Two-year fellowships are available in any U.S. laboratory carrying out space-related biomedical or biotechnological research that supports the NSBRI's goals. NSBRI research addresses and seeks solutions to the various health concerns associated with long-duration human space exploration."
May 23, 2006
Klyuchevsky Volcano Expedition
The NAI is sponsoring an expedition to one of the Earth's most active volcanic regions. Jake Maule of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, will lead the expedition to the Klyuchevsky Volcano group in eastern Russia, from August to October of 2006. Developed under guidance of the Kamchatka Tiger Team, including representatives of the NAI, the Russian Astrobiology Center and the Australian Centre for Astrobiology, the expedition will obtain microbial mats, gas, water, mud, and rock samples from drill sites and vents in the hot springs and permafrost of the Kamchatkan peninsula. (POC: Jake Maule: j.maule@gl.ciw.edu)
NAI Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Accepting Applications
The NAI is very pleased to announce that it will be accepting applications for the August 1 cycle of the NAI Postdoctoral Program, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU).
The NAI Postdoctoral Fellowship Program provides opportunities for Ph.D., Sc.D., or M.D. scientists and engineers of unusual promise and ability to perform research on problems largely of their own choosing, yet compatible with the research interests of NASA and the member teams of the NASA Astrobiology Institute.
NAI Postdoctoral Fellows become full members of the NAI, and, as such, are included in the NAI database and on-line directory, invited to attend and submit abstracts for NAI General Meetings, given access to NAI collaborative tools, and are eligible for additional NAI funding opportunities. NAI Fellows have, therefore, a wide spectrum of opportunities for further collaboration with NAI researchers, as well as the broader scientific community. In this role, NAI Fellows act as 'Ambassadors' amongst the NAI Teams, and between the NAI and the broader scientific community, - helping to define and lead the new discipline of astrobiology. For additional information about the program see http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc.
19th UCL Astronomy Colloquium: "Astrobiology"
The 19th UCL (University College London) Astronomy Colloquium: "Astrobiology" will be held at Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Great Park, from Monday 10 (noon) to Thursday 13 (morning) July 2006.
Selected topics include:
- Extrasolar planets
- Planet formation
- Planet atmospheres
- Astrochemistry
- Extremophiles
- Mars and Aurora
For more information: http://www.star.ucl.ac.uk/~cl2006/LOC2006/
Gordon Research Conference - Origin of Life
Applications are now being accepted for the 2006 Gordon Research Conference on the Origin of Life, at Bates College, Maine, July 23-28. Please visit http://www.grc.org/programs/2006/origin.htm for more information. Due to the the first Origin of Life Graduate Research Seminar being held in conjunction with the regular GRC OOL, a significant response is anticipated. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
From Stars to Brains: Pathways to Consciousness in the Natural World
20 - 21 June, 2006, Shine Dome, Australian Academy of Science, Gordon Street, Acton, ACT
This conference is convened to pay tribute to the work of Paul Davies, following the occasion of his 60th birthday (4.22.2006). Davies' publications explore pathways starting from the Big Bang, subatomic particles, atoms and molecules, through to the origin of life and intelligence, realms of human consciousness and spiritual dimensions, and leading to the motto "We were meant to be here." (Davies, 1998). For more information: http://www.manningclark.org.au/events/stars/index.html
Pale Blue Dot III Searching for Life on Distant Worlds (Terrestrial to Astronomical Biosignatures)
The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum and the NAI (http://nai.arc.nasa.gov/) are co-convening the third Pale Blue Dot workshop, which is made possible by the Brinson Foundation. Pale Blue Dot III will provide a venue to forge links between terrestrial and astronomical biosignatures, and to develop ideas and methods that may be used for the detection of life beyond Earth. Pale Blue Dot III will also establish a two way dialogue between scientists and media that will facilitate lasting relationships, better media coverage of science, and enhanced public awareness and understanding of science.
Scientific themes addressed by the workshop include:
- Earth as a Pale Blue Dot: Planetary Scale Biosignatures
- Environmental Evolution of Venus, Earth, Mars and Titan
- Remote-Sensing Techniques for Biosignature Detection
- Recognizing Habitable Environments in our Cosmic Neighborhood
- Future Observations of Distant Habitable Worlds
- Contemplating the Distribution of Life in the Universe
To receive further news and updates on the workshop, please register your expression of interest at http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/pale_blue_dot
May 20, 2006
NRC On Value of Astrobiology
An Assessment of Balance in NASA's Science Programs, National Research Council
"[Page 20]: "The decadal surveys for astrophysics and for solar system exploration both embraced astrobiology as a key component of their programs, with the questions encompassed by astrobiology serving as overarching themes for the programs as a whole. The missions put forward in the solar system exploration survey are all key missions in astrobiology, whether they are labeled as such or not. And issues and missions related to astrobiology represent one of the key areas of interest identified in the astronomy and astrophysics communities.
Astrobiology provides the intellectual connections between otherwise disparate enterprises. NASA's astrobiology program creates an integrated whole and supports the basic interdisciplinary nature of the field. Further, the Vision is, at its heart, largely an astrobiology vision with regard to the science emphasis. In developing the future of the program, the missions actually feed forward from the basic science. Astrobiology is just beginning the type of synthesis and integration that will allow it to provide science input for future mission development. Without it, the science and the scientific personnel will not be in place to support the missions when they do fly.
At a time of increasing desire for cross-disciplinary programs, astrobiology represents an outstanding example of the development of a successful new interdisciplinary area."
May 18, 2006
NAC Science Committee Presentation
NASA Advisory Council Science Committee Presentation 18 May 2006
Astrobiology
- These scientific investigations support NASA's strategic goals. In addition, this program is particularly attractive to the general public.
- Science Committee recommendation: NASA's Astrobiology Program shuld have been treated in the same way as any other R&A program, and should be in future planning.
May 14, 2006
Planetary Science Summer School
Session 1: July 24 - July 28, 2006 (18 participants)
Session 2: July 31 - August 4, 2006 (18 participants)
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California
Applications are due May 15, 2006, for NASA's 18th Annual Planetary Science Summer School, which will hold two sessions this summer, July 24-28 and July 31 -August 4, at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California. Science and engineering post-doctoral and graduate students with a strong interest in careers in planetary exploration are encouraged to apply. Preference is given to U.S. citizens.
The student teams will carry out the equivalent of an early concept study responsive to a selected NASA Announcement of Opportunity, prepare a proposal authorization review presentation, present it to a review board, and receive feedback. At the end of the week, students will have a clearer understanding of the relationships among mission design, cost, and schedule, and the trade-offs necessary to stay within cost and schedule while preserving the opportunity to acquire high-quality science. They will also understand the lifecycle of a space mission. Partial financial support is available to a limited number of individuals to help defray the expense of travel and lodging only. Applications are to be submitted electronically by May 15, 2006 at http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/pscischool/ .
For further information, visit http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/pscischool/ or contact Ms. Anita M. Sohus
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
M/S 111-B29
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109
phone 818-354-6613
e-mail Anita.M.Sohus@jpl.nasa.gov
May 12, 2006
Griffin In Science and Nature on Budget Cuts
NASA Budget: Crisis Deepens as Scientists Fail to Rejigger Space Research, Science
"... and NASA Administrator Michael Griffin in accepts a portion of the blame. "I made a mistake," Griffin told NASA's new science advisory panel. "I made commitments in advance that I wasn't able to keep," referring to his 2005 promise not to shift money from science to human space flight. NASA's current budget request would trim more than $3 billion from space science through 2011."
Outspoken: Mike Griffin on the NASA budget, Nature
"I did think astrobiology was less important than traditional space science. It had less intrinsic subject matter to it, and was less advanced. If the community rises up and says it should be funded, we'll rethink it."
NAC Planetary Science Subcommitee Report Comments on Astrobiology
Report of the NASA Advisory Council Planetary Science Subcommittee
"The cuts to the astrobiology Program, apparently made in the absence of advice from the scientific community, are particularly damaging. First, even if a 50% cut to an R&A program were warranted on scientific grounds, because many awards are for multiple years, the implementation of such a reduction over 1 or even 2 years means that many of the research projects that will be terminated, sharply reduced, or simply not started will include some of those most highly rated by the peer review process. Moreover, the central scientific themes of astrobiology underpin strategic plans for the exploration of Mars and the outer solar system, inform plans for the renewed exploration of the Moon, and constitute the basis for elements of the plans of the Astrophysics Division to characterize the habitability of planets around other stars. Targeting the astrobiology Program for anomalously large cuts is sufficiently inconsistent with the rationale enunciated for a broad sweep of SMD programs that budgetary restoration for that program should receive immediate attention."
May 11, 2006
What Griffin Thinks - and the Academy Says - About Astrobiology
Outspoken: Mike Griffin on the NASA budget," Nature
Deep cuts to NASA astrobiology - Griffin: "I did think astrobiology was less important than traditional space science. It had less intrinsic subject matter to it, and was less advanced. If the community rises up and says it should be funded, we'll rethink it."
NASA Lacks Resources Needed to Sustain Vigorous Science Program, National Academy of Sciences
Report: "An assessment of Balance in NASA's Science Programs" [excerpt Page 20]: "The decadal surveys for astrophysics and for solar system exploration both embraced astrobiology as a key component of their programs, with the questions encompassed by astrobiology serving as overarching themes for the programs as a whole. The missions put forward in the solar system exploration survey are all key missions in astrobiology, whether they are labeled as such or not. And issues and missions related to astrobiology represent one of the key areas of interest identified in the astronomy and astrophysics communities.
Astrobiology provides the intellectual connections between otherwise disparate enterprises. NASA’s astrobiology program creates an integrated whole and supports the basic interdisciplinary nature of the field. Further, the Vision is, at its heart, largely an astrobiology vision with regard to the science emphasis. In developing the future of the program, the missions actually feed forward from the basic science. Astrobiology is just beginning the type of synthesis and integration that will allow it to provide science input for future mission development. Without it, the science and the scientific personnel will not be in place to support the missions when they do fly.
At a time of increasing desire for cross-disciplinary programs, astrobiology represents an outstanding example of the development of a successful new interdisciplinary area."
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