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February 28, 2007
Astrobiologists Discuss Mars Habitability on NPR
On February 16th, NAI scientists were featured in a live broadcast of NPR's Science Friday. Tune in to the podcast to hear how astrobiologists are following the water and the energy, trying to target those parts of the planet most likely to harbor life. Plus, learn how the rovers Spirit and Opportunity have changed our ideas about the Martian environment, and what evidence future missions will look for. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7453410 [source: NAI Newsletter]
Salinity of Europa's Ocean
New research from NAI's SETI Institute Team published online in Icarus today outlines the empirical range of salt concentrations permitted for Europa's ocean. Solutions within the range imply high, near-saturation salt concentrations and require a Europan ice shell of less than 15 km thick, with a best fit at 4 km ice thickness. The paper examines the implications for subsurface habitability. [source: NAI Newsletter]
February 27, 2007
Spectra of Two Extrasolar Planets
Researchers from NAI's Carnegie Institution of Washington and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Teams have a new paper in Nature describing the infrared spectrum of exoplanet HD 209458b as obtained by the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope. Scientists from NAI's University of Arizona and Alumni Virtual Planetary Laboratory Teams are contributing authors on a similar paper in Astrophysical Journal Letters which details the spectrum of exoplanet HD 189733b.
Both sets of results show relatively flat spectra, with no significant absorption by water or methane, in contrast with the predictions of most atmospheric models. One spectral feature of HD 209458b is attributed to silicate clouds. The Nature paper features the work of an NAI Summer Undergraduate Intern at the Goddard Center for Astrobiology. Both papers were the subject of a recent NASA News conference. [source: NAI Newsletter]
February 26, 2007
Astrobiology News 26 February 2007
February 23, 2007
Astrobiology News 23 February 2007
February 22, 2007
Astrobiology News 22 February 2007
February 21, 2007
Astrobiology News 21 February 2007
February 20, 2007
Exo/Astrobiology: European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2007
Vienna, Austria, 15 - 20 April 2007: Session Description: Exo/Astrobiology - the study of the origins, early evolution, distribution and destiny of life - is a multidisciplinary science which encompasses, amongst others, the disciplines of chemistry, biology, geology, palaeontology, atmospheric physics, planetary sciences, astronomy and astrophysics. With the wealth of new information arriving from surface and orbital missions, there is plenty of fuel to fire our imaginations regarding the search for traces of past or present life on Mars. We therefore invite papers for this session on all aspects of astrobiology, especially those having particular relevance for upcoming and planned Mars missions, such as the European ExoMars mission (2013) and NASA's Astrobiology Field Laboratory (AFL-possibly in 2016).
The goals of ExoMars include the search for traces of present and past life in the shallow subsurface and within surface rocks, as well as understanding the potential habitability of the sites the Rover will visit. ExoMars may also include an Orbiter with remote science capability. AFL is under consideration within NASA's Mars Exploration Programme. Papers covering aspects of analytical instrumentation for Mars exploration, testing of such instruments in the laboratory and field, laboratory and/or space experimentation, as well as contributions that deal with issues related to planetary protection and spacecraft sterilization procedures are encouraged. Also, papers regarding orbital science of exobiological relevance, which may complement the results obtained by landed missions, and papers addressing suitable landing sites or geological environments for search-for-life missions are welcome in this session. With this scheme we hope to facilitate the exchange of latest knowledge on research and development regarding astrobiology exploration of Mars, as well as to stimulate discussion on future planetary exploration strategies including manned missions.
Deadline for Receipt of Abstracts: 15 January 2007
Session Title : Astrobiology and Mars
Session Coordinators: Frances Westall, Jan Toporski, Christian MAller, Jorge Vago
EGU Link: http://meetings.copernicus.org/egu2007/
More Information: EGU-ExoMars-Apr2007.pdf
February 19, 2007
Astrobiology News 19 February 2007
February 16, 2007
Astrobiology News 16 February 2007
February 15, 2007
Astrobiology News 15 February 2007
February 14, 2007
Astrobiology News 14 February 2007
Alan Stern Selected to Lead NASA Science Mission Directorate
NASA Administrator Michael Griffin announced Monday that Dr. S. Alan Stern will be the agency's associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, effective April 2. Stern succeeds Dr. Mary L. Cleave who announced her retirement.
Stern joins NASA from the Southwest Research Institute's Space Science and Engineering Division, Boulder, Co., where he has been serving as executive director of the Space Science and Engineering Division.
As chief executive of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Stern will direct a wide variety of research and scientific exploration programs for Earth studies, space weather, the solar system and the universe beyond. In addition, he will manage a broad spectrum of grant-based research programs and spacecraft projects to study Earth and the universe.
Stern is a planetary scientist and an author who has published more than 175 technical papers and 40 popular articles. His research has focused on studies of our solar system's Kuiper belt and Oort cloud, comets, satellites of the outer planets, Pluto and the search for evidence of solar systems around other stars. He has worked on spacecraft rendezvous theory, terrestrial polar mesospheric clouds, galactic astrophysics and studies of tenuous satellite atmospheres, including the atmosphere of the moon.
Stern has a long association with NASA, serving on the NASA Advisory Council and as the principal investigator on a number of planetary and lunar missions, including the New Horizons Pluto-Kuiper Belt mission. He was the principal investigator of the Southwest Ultraviolet Imaging System, which flew on two space shuttle missions, STS-85 in 1997 and STS-93 in 1999.
He has been a guest observer on numerous NASA satellite observatories, including the International Ultraviolet Explorer, the Hubble Space Telescope, the International Infrared Observer and the Extreme Ultraviolet Observer.
He holds bachelor's degrees in physics and astronomy and master's degrees in aerospace engineering and planetary atmospheres from the University of Texas, Austin. In 1989, Stern earned a doctorate in astrophysics and planetary science from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
He is an instrument-rated commercial pilot and flight instructor, with both powered and sailplane ratings. Stern and his wife have three children. [Source: Astrobiology Institute Newsletter]
Astrobiology Pilot PBS Program Online
Pilot episodes of a new science television series, including one on "Extreme Virology," are available for viewing online. Produced by WIRED SCIENCE, a collaboration between WIRED Magazine and KCET/Los Angeles, these pilots may evolve into a larger PBS science program featuring astrobiology science topics. Check them out at: http://www.pbs.org/kcet/wiredscience/index.html [Source: Astrobiology Institute Newsletter]
Recently Published Research from the NAI
The following new papers have been published recently by NAI members. These and other recent NAI funded research are presented on the NAI member portal and collected in the NAI Research Highlights Archive - http://nai.arc.nasa.gov/research/. In this archive, you can link to the papers and any press materials that may have been generated about them.
If you have an upcoming or recent publication, please tell us about it as soon as possible. We will work with your institution to produce press releases, publicize the paper on the NAI website, and pre-populate your team's annual report with your publication. Please send any information to Daniella Scalice dscalice@mail.arc.nasa.gov
Biogeochemistry and Oxygenic Photosynthesis
Researchers from NAI's University of Colorado, Boulder Team recently reported in Earth and Planetary Science Letters their new biogeochemical model relating to the Great Oxidation Event. With ion microprobe data for individual sulfides from water-lain sedimentary units in the 2.45-2.22 Ga Huronian Supergroup, the team proposes a new model where enhanced weathering rates during interglacial thawing stimulated blooms of oxygenic photosynthesis, the demise of methane, and ultimately the irreversible rise in atmospheric oxygen between the first and second Huronian glaciations. The paper's lead author was also the recipient of an NAI Research Scholarship in 2004.
Greenhouse Gases on Early Earth Helped Keep It Warm
A team of researchers including members of NAI's University of Colorado, Boulder Team have provided the first direct field evidence supporting the theory that high concentrations of greenhouse gases could have helped avoid global freezing on the early Earth. They analyzed iron carbonates from 3.75-3.8 billion year old rocks in northern Quebec, and conclude that the atmosphere of early Earth contained high levels of CO2. Their paper appears in a recent issue of Earth and Planetary Science Letters.
[Source: Astrobiology Institute Newsletter]
NAI Minority Institution Research Support Program Application Deadline - April 2nd
The NAI Minority Institution Research Support (MIRS) Program provides opportunities for researchers from qualified Minority Institutions to initiate joint partnerships with researchers in the field of astrobiology. The NAI-MIRS program provides summer sabbaticals, follow-up support, and travel opportunities for faculty and students from Minority Institutions.
The purpose of this initiative is to increase the attendance and participation of underrepresented scientists in astrobiology research laboratories, at professional conferences, and as members in NAI Teams. Application materials and detailed information for sabbaticals starting Summer 2007 are available at http://www.nai-mirs.org/. [Source: Astrobiology Institute Newsletter]
NAI Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Application Deadline - March 1st
The NAI Postdoctoral Fellowship Program provides opportunities for Ph.D. scientists and engineers of unique 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. The next award cycle in which the NAI will participate has a March 1, 2007 application deadline. For additional information about the program see http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc . [Source: Astrobiology Institute Newsletter]
February 13, 2007
Astrobiology News 13 February 2007
February 12, 2007
Astrobiology EPO, Undergrads, Grads, Postdocs
Astrobiology Summer Institute for Undergraduate Science Majors - June 25-29, 2007, University of Washington, Seattle
This June the University of Washington alumni team is sponsoring a week-long Astrobiology Summer Institute aimed at underrepresented minorities in the sciences. All expenses are paid for undergraduate science majors who are finishing their 2nd or 3rd year. Deadline for applications is ideally 15 Feb., but those received a week or two late may still be eligible for consideration.
For more information: http://depts.washington.edu/astrobio/asi/index.htm [Source: Astrobiology Institute Newsletter]
Message from the NAI Director: John Evans Joins NAI Central Staff, as Kaye Faria Retires
Please join me in welcoming John Evans as a new member of the NAI Central staff. John is taking over the reins from NAI Resource Analyst, Kaye Faria, who retired this month. Kaye has been at the Institute from its earliest days; we appreciate all of her contributions, and wish her well in her new adventures.
John Evans comes from a background in the commercial world where he was a contract budget analyst for Sony Electronics, the Systems Integration Center, and SBC Telecommunications. In earlier years he worked for the Defense Contract Audit Agency, Kaiser Electronics and briefly for Lockheed. As NAI Resource Analyst, John is responsible for planning, analysis and tracking of the Institute's budget and expenditures. He also works closely with the NAI Director, Deputy Director, and the grants office at Ames, to assure timely funding of Cooperative Agreements and other NAI contracts, projects and activities. John's office is at Ames Research Center Bldg. 240, Room 109. His email address is jcevans@arc.nasa.gov, and his phone number is 650-604-3109. [Source: Astrobiology Institute Newsletter]
NAI Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology Application Deadline - March 15th
The Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology, a partnership between NAI and the American Philosophical Society (APS), is open to field studies in any area of interest to astrobiology. Grants may be used for travel and related expenses, including field equipment, up to $5,000. Applications will be reviewed by a committee that includes members of the NAI, the APS, and the wider science community as needed.
Recipients will be designated as Lewis and Clark Field Scholars in Astrobiology. Additional information, including the application forms and instructions, is available at: http://www.amphilsoc.org/grants/astrobiology.htm [Source: Astrobiology Institute Newsletter]
February 11, 2007
NAI Director's Seminar "New and Emerging Perspectives on Late Precambrian 'Snowball Earth' Glaciation"
Speaker: Tim Raub (Yale University), Date/Time: Monday, February 26, 2007 11AM PST
Background: Using atmospheric chemical models of a Snowball Earth, scientists from NAI's Alumni Virtual Planetary Laboratory Team showed that, during long and severe glacial intervals, a weak hydrological cycle coupled with photochemical reactions involving water vapor would give rise to the sustained production of hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide, upon release from melting ice into the oceans and atmosphere at the end of the snowball event, could mediate global oxidation events.
For more information and participation instructions, visit: http://nai.arc.nasa.gov/seminars/seminar_detail.cfm?ID=99 [Source: Astrobiology Institute Newsletter]
February 10, 2007
Astrobiology News 10 February 2007
February 9, 2007
Astrobiology News 9 February 2007
February 8, 2007
Astrobiology News 8 February 2007
February 2, 2007
Astrobiology News 2 February 2007
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