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