Planetary Sciences Community Meetings Calendar
Organized by LPI/USRA *
December 2014
4-5 |
Hayabusa 2014: Second Symposium of Solar System Materials,
Sagamihara, Japan
Hayabusa return samples have been preliminary examined, followed by research in 1st and 2nd AO. This time spectroscopy is more emphasized to relate these samples with processes on small planets. Let us join and set a perspective to the future solar system science driven by these topics with this symposium! |
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15-19 | AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, California |
January 2015
6-8 | 12th Meeting of the NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG), Phoenix, Arizona | |
8-10 |
Conference on Spacecraft Reconnaissance of Asteroid and Comet Interiors 2015 (#astrorecon2015) *,
Tempe, Arizona
The goal of the Conference is to identify and evaluate the best technologies for spacecraft robotic reconnaissance of comets, asteroids, and small moons, paving the way for advanced science missions, near-Earth asteroid redirection, hazard mitigation, in situ resource utilization, and human visitation. |
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13-15 |
Earth-Life Science Institute 3rd International Symposium,
Tokyo, Japan
The main theme of ELSI's 3rd International Symposium is the fundamental question: “Is there life in the universe, outside Earth?” Robotic exploration within the solar system, as well as observations of planets circling other stars, may soon give us more tentative hints, and possibly even convincing evidence, of extraterrestrial forms of life. During the 3-day symposium, we will address three questions, respectively: 1) which planets seem fit as potential cradles of life; 2) what can we say about the likely properties of more universal forms of life, different from the one specific example we know on Earth; and 3) how can we best try to find signs of life elsewhere? |
February 2015
4-5 |
Workshop on Early Solar System Bombardment III (#bombardment3) *,
Houston, Texas
One of the legacies of the Apollo program is the concept of late heavy bombardment or a lunar cataclysm that may have resurfaced the Moon and thermally metamorphosed its crust. Several recent studies have continued to test that concept and explore the implications any bombardment may have for our understanding of lunar evolution and for the origin and early evolution of life on Earth. That lunar record has also recently been expanded to include studies of asteroids and other solar system bodies. Another legacy of the Apollo era is the giant impact model, in which the Moon forms as a result of an oblique impact between the early Earth and another planet-sized body. Computer simulations have established that such an impact can produce an appropriately massive and iron-poor disk around the Earth. However, uncertainty remains as to how best reconcile the impact theory with key observed properties of the Moon. These include the Moon’s close compositional similarity to the Earth’s mantle, the lunar depletion in volatile elements, and a potentially water-rich lunar interior. Recognizing the community’s interest in these topics, the LPI and partners within the NASA Solar System Exploration Research Institute (SSERVI) have organized a workshop to explore them. The workshop will provide an opportunity to integrate several diverse components of the above topics. Example topics relevant to the lunar cratering record include an assessment of the geologic record of impact cratering throughout the solar system, cosmochemical constraints on any early bombardment, and dynamical models that might explain the flux of debris and potential changes in the flux of debris. Example topics relevant to lunar origin include cosmochemical and geophysical constraints on lunar formation; giant impact simulations; the chemical, thermal, and/or dynamical evolution of the protolunar disk; and the accretion and early evolution of the Moon. |
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10-12 | WISE at 5: Legacy and Prospects, Pasadena, California | |
11-13 |
Workshop on Collisions in the Solar System,
Belgrade, Serbia
The importance of collisions in shaping our solar system has been recognized many years ago. Since that time, increasingly sophisticated tools have been developed for tracing the collisional history of various small-body populations, and understanding the role of collisions in producing observed features. This includes collisions involving the main-belt asteroids, near-Earth objects, and, in recent times, space debris. The aim of this workshop is to review the-state-of-the-art of the research on related topics, and to discuss directions for the future development. The meeting is particularly designed to prepare young researchers to start working in the field and to develop real projects. |
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18 |
Workshop on the Potential for Finding Life in a Europa Plume *,
Moffett Field, California
Current Europa missions under study by NASA are focused on answering the question “Is Europa habitable?” However, the potential presence of water plumes on the satellite could present an opportunity to pursue the question “Is there life on Europa?” Answering this question is far more challenging because measurements currently possible may provide only ambiguous results from a mission that either orbits or flies by Europa at relatively high velocity. To that end, NASA’s Planetary Science Division is convening a workshop to consider strategies to investigate Europa’s putative plumes for evidence of life. |
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19-20 |
Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG),
Moffett Field, California
OPAG is NASA's community-based forum designed to provide science input for planning and prioritizing outer planet exploration activities for the next several decades. It is chartered by NASA's Solar System Exploration Division and reports its findings at meetings of the Solar System Exploration Sub-Committee of the NASA Space Science Advisory Committee. Open to all interested scientists, OPAG regularly evaluates outer solar system exploration goals, objectives, investigations and required measurements on the basis of the widest possible community outreach. |
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23-27 | Physics of Exoplanets: From Earth-Sized to Mini-Neptunes, Goleta, California | |
24-26 |
Planetary Protection Course: Policies and Practices,
NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida
NASA’s Planetary Protection Office has developed a course on planetary protection policies and practices to familiarize current and future practitioners with NASA and COSPAR planetary protection programs. The course is held twice a year at different locations in the United States and once a year in Europe. It provides a comprehensive review of all applicable policies, practices and procedures necessary to implement a successful planetary protection program, emphasizing integration of managerial, administrative, and laboratory activities. The course is supported by the NASA Planetary Protection Office and the NASA Astrobiology Institute. |
March 2015
2-5 |
Ground and Space Observatories: A Joint Venture to Planetary Science,
Santiago, Chile
The goal of this workshop is to explore synergies between ground and space-based observatories with planetary missions for exploring the Solar System and planets, and to foster collaborations between the different communities by sharing scientific and technical knowledge, needs, requirements, and techniques. Scientific topics include, e.g., planetary atmospheres, surfaces and rings, moons, asteroids, TNOs and comets. |
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15-18 |
Ringberg Workshop on Spectroscopy with the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy,
Schloss Ringberg, Germany
The conference venue, Ringberg Castle, will provide a unique setting for in-depth discussions on current and future unique science with SOFIA. In particular, sessions on new scientific results, on synergies with other observatories, and on new instruments enabling new science are envisioned. |
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16-20 | 46th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (#LPSC2015) *, The Woodlands, Texas | |
22-27 |
Habitability in the Universe: From the Early Earth to Exoplanets,
Porto, Portugal
This workshop adresses three basic questions that fascinate and intrigue scientists, and the general public alike: Where, when and how did life emerge and evolve on Earth? What are the conditions under which life can exist? Does life exist elsewhere in the universe and, if it does, how can it be detected and identified? The workshop has specifically excluded the search for intelligent extraterrestrial life in its portfolio. |
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23-27 |
Star and Planet Formation in the Southwest,
Oracle, Arizona
The Southwestern US is rich with astronomers working in the fields of star and planet formation. This conference will feature pedagogical reviews, invited topical talks, and numerous contributed talks by junior scientists. A primary goal of this meeting is to forge collaborations across institutes in the Southwest, and to highlight the contributions of post-doc and graduate student attendees. This meeting will foster extended, unstructured discussion and interaction between the senior review speakers and other attendees. |
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24-26 |
Workshop on Planetary Protection Knowledge Gaps for Human Extraterrestrial Meetings *,
Moffett Field, California
While planetary protection requirements are in place for robotic missions, there is presently insufficient scientific and technological knowledge to establish effective quantitative requirements for the development of crewed spacecraft and missions. To prepare for such future missions, NASA created the NASA Policy on Planetary Protection Requirements for Human Extraterrestrial Missions (NPI 8020.7) that outlines the need to increase knowledge in the following study areas while iteratively developing an appropriate set of requirements: Study Area 1: Microbial and human health monitoring; Study Area 2: Technology and operations for contamination control; Study Area 3: Natural transport of contamination on Mars. The goal of this workshop is to capture the current state of knowledge in the aforementioned areas and identify additional research to appropriately inform planetary protection requirements development for the human exploration of Mars. |
April 2015
7-8 |
Workshop on Venus Science Priorities for Laboratory Measurements and Instrument Definition (#venustech) *,
Hampton, Virginia
The objectives of this two-day workshop are to (1) present, discuss, and document the status of the instrument technologies and the definition of new instruments; and (2) present, discuss, and document the status and needs of laboratory experiments in support of fundamental science as well as mission preparation. The objectives will be worked as guided by the recently released VEXAG Goals and Objectives, Pathways, and Technology Plan documents. The workshop presentations and discussions will form the basis of peer-reviewed papers or other documents that capture the relevant technologies and their readiness. These documents will be made available to the broader science and technology communities to enable them to attack the necessary problems. Participation by science, technology, and mission communities will be sought and encouraged for this workshop. |
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12-17 |
European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2015,
Vienna, Austria
The EGU General Assembly 2015 will bring together geoscientists from all over the world to one meeting covering all disciplines of Earth, planetary, and space sciences. The EGU aims to provide a forum where scientists, especially early career researchers, can present their work and discuss their ideas with experts in all fields of geoscience. |
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13-17 | IAA Planetary Defense Conference, Frascati, Italy |
May 2015
3-7 | Joint Assembly AGI, GAC, MAC, CGU, Montreal, Canada | |
4-6 |
Comparative Tectonics and Geodynamics of Venus, Earth, and Rocky Exoplanets (#geodyn15) *,
Pasadena, California
Venus and Earth display dramatically different geodynamical and tectonic regimes despite having nearly the same size and bulk composition. Venus lacks evidence of recent plate tectonics but may present analogies with early Earth tectonics. Furthermore, rocky exoplanets likely have a broader range of geodynamic outcomes. This workshop will bring together scientists studying Earth, Venus, and rocky exoplanets to explore the role of key variables such as mass, composition, temperature, atmospheric interaction, and volatiles on tectonic and geodynamic processes, and to compare planetary evolutionary paths within our solar system and beyond. |
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4-6 | Life on Earth and Beyond: The History and Philosophy of the Origin of Life, Ven Island, Sweden | |
5-7 |
Planetary GIS Workshop,
Madrid, Spain
The Planetary GIS workshop aims at targeting geospatial data, users, and producers in a broad sense. An informal combination of presentation, hands-on, and discussion sessions is envisaged where the following broad areas will be presented and discussed: (1) scientific needs and use cases (existing, new, cross-disciplinary); (2) existing technical solutions; and (3) open problems and areas suitable to improvement (particularly with respect to future PSA). |
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5-7 |
The Humans to Mars Summit,
Washington, DC
H2M is a comprehensive Mars exploration conference that addresses the major technical, scientific, and policy challenges of getting humans to Mars, as well as how such missions can have positive impacts on STEM education, American Competitiveness, and other important collateral issues. |
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6-8 | Exoplanets in Lund 2015, Lund, Sweden | |
6-8 |
User Training in JWST Data Analysis,
Baltimore, Maryland
The purpose of this meeting is to introduce the data analysis tools being developed at STScI to the JWST user community. The meeting will include topics like “Python for the Novice User” and “Getting Familiar with Astropy” and will focus on Astropy tools, as well as follow the workflows of a few example use cases for data analysis to illustrate how the tools which currently exist fit within this framework. A major component of the meeting is enabling hands-on use of tools, soliciting feedback, and collecting suggestions for improvement. The science and operations center for the James Webb Space Telescope will provide data analysis tools for users. |
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13-14 |
European Lunar Symposium,
Frascati, Italy
This meeting will build upon the success of previous European Lunar Symposiums (ELS) held in Berlin (2012) and in London (2014). The third ELS will be held under the umbrella of the European nodes of the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), previously the NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI). The meeting format will consist of both oral and poster presentations divided into four broad themes of: “Science of the Moon”, “Science on the Moon”, “Science from the Moon” and “Future Lunar Missions”. |
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19-21 | Landolt Standards and 21st Century Photometry, Baton Rouge, Louisiana | |
19-22 | Fourth Annual International Planetary Dunes Workshop (#dunes2015) *, Boise, Idaho | |
19-22 |
Workshop on Issues in Crater Studies and the Dating of Planetary Surfaces (#craterstats2015) *,
Laurel, Maryland
The purpose of this conference is to improve our understanding of the crater population and how craters are analyzed, and to better understand the proper statistical tools when using craters as tracers for various geologic, geophysical, and dynamical processes such as deriving surface ages. |
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25-28 |
Geobiology in Space Exploration: Workshop on Extraterrestrial Subsurface Exploration,
Iglasias, Spain
This workshop will explore strategies and approaches to the subsurface exploration of other planetary environments, and the geomicrobiology of such habitats. The surrounding region has a large number of diverse mine and cave networks have a range of speleothem, microbial, and mineral features for geomicrobiological research. |
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25-29 | 1st Advanced School on Exoplanetary Science, Salerno, Italy | |
26-29 | Stellar and Planetary Dynamos, Göttingen, Germany | |
28-29 |
Emerging Researchers in Exoplanet Science Symposium,
University Park, Pennsylvania
Its purpose is to give these emerging researchers the opportunity to present their research to an interested audience, to provide plenty of opportunities to network with peers, and to enhance collaborations within exoplanet community. |
June 2015
1-7 |
International Forum : 'SpaceKazan–IAPS–2015,
Kazan, Russia
The International Forum “SpaceKazan–IAPS–2015” will give a broad outlook of scientific areas: analytical, numerical and structure analysis of early and modern Moon, Earth and planets on micro-, meso- and large scales; space geodesy, micro-arcsecond astrometry, geophysical budget of lunar and planetary rotation, free and forced lunar librations, space topography; Lunar and Planetary ephemeris; asteroid and comets, NEO hazards; solar and space physics, planetary science: physics, dynamics and chemistry of the Sun, Planets, Moon, moons; Lunar and Martian meteorites; gravitational and magnetic fields of the Sun, Planets, Moon, moons; lunar and planet dichotomies; microgravity and space life sciences; modern ground observations, space missions and future prospective. |
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2-4 |
Workshop on the Formation of the Solar System II,
Bonn, Germany
This workshop aims to bring together researchers working in various fields such as: cosmochemical constraints on the physical/chemical conditions in the solar nebula; timescales of the dust and planetesimal growth for the solar system; models of the Kuiper belt formation; the role of the stellar environment, with emphasis on star cluster dynamics; early planetary system development; and future evolution of the solar system. |
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7-12 |
22nd ESA Symposium on European Rocket and Balloon Programmes and Related Research,
Tromsø, Norway
New trends and latest developments in the use of sounding rockets and balloons for scientific research will be highlighted in this symposium. This will facilitate the establishment of a strategic and lasting roadmap towards the future progress of these activities. |
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8-11 | Autonomous Spacecraft Navigation: New Concepts, Technologies and Applications for the 21st Century, Bonn, Germany | |
8-11 |
Second Planetary Data Workshop (#planetdata2) *,
Flagstaff, Arizona
The purpose of this worskhop is to provide a forum for discussion of available planetary data, including information on how the data are found, downloaded, processed, and used for cartography and scientific data analysis. The goals of the workshop are to bring planetary scientists, data providers from current and recent space exploration missions, and technology experts together to exchange ideas on the latest tools and technologies that can be used to address current needs in planetary research and data analysis. |
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9-10 |
The Future of Planetary Radio Astronomy with Single-Dish Telescopes,
Green Bank, West Virginia
Radar studies of near-earth asteroids, mapping of planet and lunar surfaces, chemical compositions of comets, asteroids, and planetary atmospheres, and origins of solar systems, are just some of the exciting topics currently being studied through the use of large single-dish telescopes. This workshop will bring together researchers to discuss how the large single-dish telescopes such as the GBT and Arecibo can best contribute to future research in these and other topics, including new and improved capabilities and instrumentation. The intimate setting of the Green Bank Observatory fosters highly interactive meetings. Attendance will be limited to roughly 30 participants, and we aim to provide plenty of time for discussions. We expect the agenda to evolve as we hear from potential participants. There will be no registration fee, and meals and local housing will be provided without charge. In the unlikely event that we have more registrants than spaces available, preference will be given to those who are contributing a presentation. Weather permitting, workshop participants will tour the 100-meter diameter Green Bank Telescope. |
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9-11 |
The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) LCPM-11,
Berlin, Germany
The focus of the 11th Low-Cost Planetary Missions Conference is on missions characterized by those of NASA's Discovery program and ESA's Cosmic Vision Small Class and Medium program. These missions of scientific exploration are conducted at a fixed cost that includes spacecraft and science payload development, launch, operations, science data analysis, and all relevant mission-specific technology development. The conference is a forum for planetary scientists, technologists, engineers, project managers and agency officials to gather for the exchange of information and ideas for making this class of robotic mission richer scientifically while remaining affordably low-cost. |
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13-14 |
Short Course: Radio Flyers,
Cologne, Germany
Sending space vehicles to other worlds is one of humankind’s most challenging and rewarding ventures. The 12th International Planetary Probe Workshop (IPPW-12) will bring together engineers, technologists, scientists, mission designers, space agency leaders, and students from around the world for a compelling, week-long collaboration focused on exploring solar system destinations via in situ missions. |
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14-18 |
The Future and Science of Gemini Observatory,
Toronto, Canada
Focusing on scientific results made possible from Gemini’s latest capabilities, including new observing and proposal modes, this gathering of Gemini’s users and stakeholders will also consolidate plans to ensure that our scientific legacy is sustained well into the future. Contributions from participants and partner communities will serve as a focal point for next-generation instruments, observing modes and synergies with other facilities, as the Observatory looks ahead to 2020 and beyond. |
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15-19 |
12th International Planetary Probe Workshop,
Cologne, Germany
The 12th International Planetary Probe Workshop (IPPW-12) will bring together engineers, technologists, scientists, mission designers, space agency leaders, and students from around the world for a compelling, week-long collaboration focused on exploring solar system destinations via in situ missions. |
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15-19 |
Astrobiology Science Conference 2015 (#abscicon) *,
Chicago, Illinois
The Astrobiology Science Conference 2015 (AbSciCon2015) is the next in a series of meetings organized by the astrobiology community. The conference will convene scientists from all over the world who are working in the multi-disciplinary field of astrobiology — the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. AbSciCon2015 will provide a forum for reporting new discoveries, sharing data and insights, advancing collaborative efforts and initiating new ones, planning new projects, and educating the next generation of astrobiologists. The 4.5-day conference will feature plenary sessions on current and controversial topics, topical sessions, evening programs, and public events. |
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21-26 | Electromagnetic and Light Scattering XV: Celebrating 150 Years of Maxwell's Electromagnetics, Leipzig, Germany | |
22-26 |
In the Spirit of Bernard Lyot 2015: Direct Detection of Exoplanets and Circumstellar Disks,
Montreal, Canada
This conference will be focused on the direct detection and characterization of exoplanets and circumstellar disks. |
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23-25 |
The 2015 TMT Science Forum,
Washington, DC
The annual Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Science Forum brings together members of the international community to meet, collaborate, and plan for future TMT science programs. The Forum is the premier opportunity to learn about the status of the observatory, its instrumentation and adaptive optics systems, and to get involved in shaping the future of TMT. The theme for this year's Forum is “Maximizing transformative science with TMT.” With 9 to 14 times more collecting area than today's 8- to 10m-class telescopes, and 12.5 times better angular resolution than the Hubble Space Telescope in the near-infrared, TMT will enable amazing new science. The 2015 Forum is an opportunity to think ahead about how to maximize the scientific return from TMT through innovative collaborations, telescope operations, data management, and instrumentation development. The meeting will feature presentations about the transformative science enabled by TMT, and then focus on how best to accomplish that science. There will be working sessions devoted to planning for possible “key programs” that could span the international TMT partnership as a means to carry out projects that might exceed the capacity of individual scientists and teams within any single partner. The implications of such programs for TMT operations, and the evolution of its instrumentation suite, will all be discussed. |
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28-Jul 3 |
Gordon Research Conference on Origins of Solar Systems,
South Hadley, Massachusetts
The Gordon Conference on Origins of Solar Systems brings together a diverse group of scientists to discuss research at the frontier of understanding how planets and planetary systems form. Invited speakers from the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, cosmochemistry, planetary science, and geochemistry will present their latest findings. Discussions will also focus on the promise of new laboratory techniques, astronomical facilities, and spacecraft missions, including ALMA, Herschel, and HST, to make transformational discoveries that will have lasting impact on the field over the next decade. Particular topics of discussion will include what meteorites tell us about the birth environment of our solar system and planetary building blocks, how asteroids and icy bodies record the accretion epoch of the solar system history, new observational and theoretical constraints on gas and dust in protoplanetary and debris disk systems, and how the properties of exoplanets are determined and what they tell us about how those planets formed. |
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29-Jul 1 | 13th Meeting of the NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG), Washington, DC | |
29-Jul 3 | Early E-ELT Science: Spectroscopy With HARMONI, Oxford, UK | |
29-Jul 3 | From Super-Earths to Brown Dwarfs: Who's Who?, Paris, France |
July 2015
1-13 | Nordic-Hawai’i Summer School “Water, Ice and the Origin of Life in the Universe”, Reykjavik, Iceland | |
3-8 |
International Symposium and Workshop on Astrochemistry,
Campinas, Brazil
We are happy to announce the International Symposium and Workshop on Astrochemistry. This event will take place from July 3rd to 8th, 2016 at the Hotel Fazenda Solar das Andorinhas in Campinas-SP, Brazil. The main goal of this event is get together experimentalists, observers and modelists interested to contribute to the progress of the knowledge in astrochemistry. Additionally, during the symposium, we will have two hands-on workshops: one focusing on experimental astrochemistry and other focusing on observations. The hands-on workshop will have activities about the proposal submissions to the LNLS (Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory) laboratory, data reduction and to LLAMA (Large Latin American Millimeter Array) and ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter Array) radio observatories. During this meeting we will also have an opportunity to follow a real astrochemical experiment (in real time) at one of the beam lines of the LNLS that simulates the interaction between UV and soft X-rays with astrophysical ice analogues. |
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6-8 | The Second Workshop on Measuring Precise Radial Velocities, New Haven, Connecticut | |
13-17 | Pathways Toward Habitable Planets, Bern, Switzerland | |
19-23 | 2nd International Congress on Stratigraphy, Graz, Austria | |
19-25 |
Planetary Systems: A Synergistic View,
Quy Nhon, Vietnam
With exciting new results coming from both exoplanet observations and solar system exploration missions, it sometimes seems that the two fields of "planetary studies" aren't talking to each other. What new insights might come from a synergistic approach to planetary studies, where exoplanet and solar system scientists share data sets, develop and tune models jointly, and encourage postdoctoral fellowships and faculty positions that transcend the exoplanet/solar system divide? |
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20 |
Lunar and Small Bodies Graduate Conference 2015,
Mountain View, California
The sixth annual Lunar and Small Bodies Graduate Conference (LunGradCon 2015) will be held at NASA Ames on Monday, July 20, 2015. LunGradCon will address the following research topics of the NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute: Dust/Regolith and Plasma; Geology and Geophysics; Volatiles/Exospheres; Missions and Human Exploration. LunGradCon will also present opportunities for social networking among LGC participants and senior scientists and engineers from NASA ARC and the NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute. |
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21-23 | NASA Exploration Science Forum, Moffett Field, California | |
25-26 |
The First Billion Years of Impact Records: Evidence from Lunar Samples and Meteorites,
Berkeley, California
A workshop about the first billion of years of impact records in the solar system. Meeting to be held immediately preceding the Meteoritical Society meeting scheduled July 27-31. |
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27-31 | 78th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society *, Berkeley, California | |
29-Aug 3 | 20th Humans in Space Symposium, Prague, Czech Republic |
August 2015
2-7 | 12th Annual Meeting of the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS), Singapore | |
3-7 | NBIA Summer School on Protoplanetary Disks and Planet Formation, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
3-14 | XXIX IAU General Assembly, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
4-6 | Second Landing Site Workshop for the Mars 2020 Rover, Pasadena, California | |
12-14 |
6th Planetary Crater Consortium Meeting,
Flagstaff, Arizona
The 6th Planetary Crater Consortium meeting will be held August 12-14, 2015, at the US Geological Survey in Flagstaff, AZ. The Planetary Crater Consortium is open to planetary scientists interested in any aspect of impact cratering on solar system bodies, including observational, theoretical, experimental, and numerical studies. The meeting is a combination of invited talks, contributed talks, and open discussion. Abstract deadline is Monday, August 3, 2015. |
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17-21 |
Cosmic Dust,
Tokyo, Japan
This series of cosmic dust meetings is aimed at finding a consensus among experts on the formation and evolution of cosmic dust: Where does it come from and where does it go? |
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18-20 |
Planet Signatures from Precision Spectroscopy,
Sao Paulo, Brazil
A wealth of information can be inferred from stellar spectra. The effective temperature, surface gravity, projected rotational velocity, and chemical composition can be readily obtained from standard analyses. The classical approach results in errors in effective temperature of about 50 - 100K, and in errors in chemical abundances of about 0.05 dex. However, predicted signatures of planet formation on the host star’s chemical composition demands both precise stellar parameters (effective temperatures within about 10 K) and precise elemental abundances (0.01 dex). This exquisite precision can be achieved by a careful, strict differential analysis between nearly identical stars (stellar twins), as was demonstrated first using solar twins by Melendez et al. (2009) and Ramirez, Melendez & Asplund (2009). Besides being important to study planet signatures (e.g., Ramirez et al. 2011), high precision is also key to study stellar evolution (e.g., Monroe et al. 2013; Tucci Maia et al. 2015), star clusters (Yong et al. 2013), and Galactic chemical evolution (e.g., Melendez et al. 2014; Nissen 2015). The aim of this hands-on workshop is to train a small group of astronomers (~10) on the strict differential technique. We will discuss with the participants all steps necessary to reach precise abundances, including observations, data reduction, equivalent width measurements, line-by-line analysis, stellar parameters, chemical abundances, and determination of errors. The activities will be led by Jorge Melendez (Univ. São Paulo) and Ivan Ramirez (Univ. Texas at Austin), pioneers of the high precision differential technique. Members of our group will help as tutors, and will also present their own work. During the workshop we will also discuss the different applications of high precision abundances, in particular on planet signatures, but also on the determination of stellar masses and ages, signatures of stellar evolution, and galactic chemical evolution. Members of our group will present different applications, and the participants are welcome to present a talk on their own work. |
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21-22 | Cartography Beyond the Ordinary World, Niteroi, Brazil | |
24-26 | NASA Outer Planets Assessment Group Meeting, Laurel, Maryland | |
24-27 | 24th Annual Meeting on Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing, Logan, Utah |
September 2015
8-11 |
Comparative Climates of Terrestrial Planets II: Understanding How Climate Systems Work,
Moffett Field, California
NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is delighted to invite the science community to participate in -- and we as Co-Organizers are sincerely happy to announce -- the "Comparative Climates of Terrestrial Planets II: Understanding How Climate Systems Work" conference. This next conference (CCTP2) will be held at the NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California (close to Mountain View CA and ~40 mi south of San Francisco CA and ~15 mi north of San Jose CA), 8-11 September 2015. The first CCTP meeting was held in Boulder, Colorado 2012, and fostered a series of interdisciplinary conversations on a wide range of planetary climates. We are planning for a similar range of conversations at the CCTP2 meeting, including the effects of the Sun and other stars on the climates of Earth and other planets in and beyond the Solar System. We anticipate the publication of a formal NASA Conference Proceeding (CP) comprised of extended abstracts from this meeting, including abstracts from individual presentations, and an Executive Summary that captures the essence of the presentations and panel discussions during the conference. The theme of this year’s CCTP meeting is "Understanding How Climate Systems Work." We encourage the submission of any research that puts planetary climate in the perspective of a comparative framework, including (but not limited to) the effects from space weather, the parent star, and orbital forcing. Abstract submission will open on 26 March, and will close on 15 May. |
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11-18 | IRAM 30m Summerschool 2015, Pradollano, Spain | |
15-17 |
Life in a Cosmic Context,
Trieste, Italy
Four centuries after the Earth was displaced from the center of the universe by the Copernican revolution, times are ripe for terrestrial life to be set in a cosmic context. This task is felt as a priority by a growing number of scientists working on life's origins and Solar System exploration. The discovery of thousands of exoplanets is giving birth to new, life‐oriented fields, such as planetary habitability and the search for atmospheric biomarkers. The Fifth Workshop of the Italian Astrobiology Society will bring together scientists with widely different backgrounds with the aim of discussing fresh results obtained in the above mentioned fields. |
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21-25 |
3rd International Workshop on Microbial Life under Extreme Energy Limitations,
Sandbjerg, Denmark
The limits of microbial life and the exploration of the biological demand for energy is the focus of the 3rd International Workshop on Microbial Life under Extreme Energy Limitation, held 21-25 September at Sandbjerg Manor near Sonderborg, Denmark. |
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21-25 | Radiation Mechanisms of Astrophysical Objects — Classics Today, St. Petersburg, Russia | |
21-26 |
Bridging the Gap III: Impact Cratering in Nature, Experiments, and Modeling (#2015gap) *,
Freiburg, Germany
We invite all researchers working in the field of impact cratering to participate in this conference, which continues the tradition of the successful Bridging the Gap I and Bridging the Gap II meetings in 2003 and 2007 respectively. As with the previous meetings, this conference is aimed at bringing together researchers from different fields, including “observationalists” (remote sensing, field geology, etc.), experimentalists, and modelers. The meeting will be open to all aspects of impact cratering including cratering mechanics, planetary perspectives, environmental effects, impact probabilities. etc. |
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27-Oct 2 |
European Planetary Science Congress,
Nantes, France
The intention of the European Planetary Science Congress 2015 is to cover a broad area of science topics related to planetary science and planetary missions. The programme of the congress will contain oral and poster sessions, and it will emphasize workshops and panel discussions in order to have a strong interaction between the participants. |
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28-Oct 2 |
Astrobiology and Planetary Atmospheres,
Santiago, Chile
An important activity of the astrobiology community in Chile is the organisation of a major biennial symposium of astrobiology in Chile bringing together astronomers, biologists, geologists, and climatologists from all over the world to discuss the most recent progress in the quest for exolife. AstroBio 2015 is the third symposium of this series. |
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28-Oct 2 | Fourth Workshop on Robotic Autonomous Observatories, Torremolinos, Spain | |
29-Oct 2 |
Protoplanetary Disk Dynamics and Planet Formation,
Yokohama, Japan
The workshop's scope is the links between the new observations and recent progress in studies of the coupled dynamics of the disk gas, the embedded solid particles, and the newborn planets. The focus will be on exploring the mechanisms that concentrate the solid material during planets' growth, and identifying their signatures in the observations |
October 2015
5-8 |
From Clouds to Protoplanetary Disks: The Astrochemical Link,
Berlin, Germany
Recent advances in sub-millimeter (ALMA, NOEMA) and IR (Spitzer, Herschel, SOFIA) observational facilities and modeling have started to shed more light on the physical and chemical processes governing the evolution of interstellar clouds into pre-stellar cores, protostars, protoplanetary disks, and, eventually, planetary systems. Molecular spectroscopy has played a crucial role in these advances, as only lines can unveil the underlying dynamics and can provide information on the physical and chemical structure across clouds, cores and protoplanetary disks. Furthermore, chemo-dynamical models have become more and more detailed, thanks also to the great advances in (gas phase and surface) laboratory work as well as quantum chemistry calculations, while magneto-hydrodynamical simulations have included simplified chemical codes to test theoretical predictions. We believe this is the right moment to try to summarize a current status quo in this exciting field of astronomy, and to facilitate and foster future directions of astrochemistry research. Since astrochemistry is the trait d'union of different communities, the main goal of this well-focussed meeting will be to bring together observers, theoreticians and experimentalists to present their recent advances, to discuss about the main uncertainties and to plan future developments. Interaction between the different communities will be encouraged and mixed, lengthy discussions will be organized at the end of each session, and in the end of each conference's day. We will particularly encourage young scientists (students, PhD students, post-docs) to participate, with the main aim to help them to shape their knowledge and understanding of modern and forthcoming ideas about details of planet- and star-formation from a cohort of the world-leading experts. |
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5-9 |
Rainbows on the Southern Sky: Science and Legacy Value of the ESO Public Surveys and Large Programmes,
Garching, Germany
Since the start of the VLT science operations, about fifteen per cent of the whole science time on La Silla Paranal telescopes has been used for Large Programmes. In the last five years, the Public Surveys on VISTA, VST, VLT and NTT, have beed added to the ESO landscape thus enlarging the offer of large/coherent observing programmes for the community and increasing the legacy value of the data delivered by the ESO telescopes. In 2003 and 2008, ESO organised two workshops to assess the scientific return of Large Programmes; in 2012 the first results from the imaging ESO Public Surveys were also presented to the community. Following the recommendations from the Observing Programmes Committee and Public Survey Panels, ESO now wishes to discuss and put into perspective the scientific results achieved through these programmes together with their teams, the community and representatives of the reviewing panels. The scientific research carried out by members of the community at the Observatory via these Programmes covers all the subjects of observational astronomy. This is celebrated by the diversified scientific program of the workshop organised in six sections: Stars and Planets, Milky Way and Local Group, Extragalactic Astronomy, Galaxy Evolution, High-redshift Universe and Cosmology, Legacy Value of Public Surveys and Large Programmes. The workshop will feature the scientific presentations from all Public Surveys and a representative set of Large Programmes that were completed since the 2008 Large Programme workshop. The astronomers in charge of these Programmes will be invited to present their scientific results and the impact on their field of research. The workshop will include a session on the impact of these ESO programmes and on the developments required to increase the community access to the reduced data. The goal is to enhance their legacy value for the whole astronomical community. |
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6-9 |
15th EANA Astrobiology Conference,
Noordwijk, The Netherlands
The conference will focus on "Astrobiology and Spaceflight" and will include lectures by ESTEC colleagues. With Rosetta/Philae coming to a conclusion, Expose-R2 in orbit, ExoMars in the pipeline and nanosatellites under consideration, the focus comes at an ideal time. |
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9-15 |
OHP 2015: Twenty Years of Giant Exoplanets,
Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire, France
The Colloquium "OHP-2015" will be hosted to review all observed characteristics of giant gaseous exoplanets, from 51 Peg b up to distant giants including Jupiter-like exoplanets, and theoretical works that relate to the measured properties. We propose to discuss the key questions regarding giant planets and how to solve them in the coming years, exploring the synergies between current and new facilities, and confronting the predictions of theories. |
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12-16 | 66th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2015), Jerusalem, Israel | |
12-16 |
Exoplanetary Atmospheres and Habitability,
Nice, France
The aim of the workshop is to discuss chemical disequilibrium and its link to planetary habitability. In particular, the Thermodynamics, Disequilibrium, and Evolution focus group seeks to understand how disequilibria are generated in geological/chemical/biological systems, and how these disequilibria can lead to emergent phenomena, such as self-organization and eventually, metabolism. |
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12-16 | Exploring the Universe with JSWT, Noordwijk, The Netherlands | |
20-22 |
Annual Meeting of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (#leag15) *,
Columbia, Maryland
The 2015 LEAG annual meeting will bring together scientists, engineers, and commercial sector entrepreneurs to focus on issues involving science, exploration, and utilization of the Moon. |
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20-23 | 2nd International Planetary Caves Conference (#2ndcaves) *, Flagstaff, Arizona | |
26-Nov 6 | COSPAR Capacity Building Workshop on Planetary Data Mission Analysis, Guaratingueta, Brazil | |
27-29 | 13th Meeting of the Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG), Washington, DC | |
27-30 |
First Landing Site/Exploration Zone Workshop for Human Missions to the Surface of Mars (#JourneyToMars) *,
Houston, Texas
The purpose of this workshop is to identify and discuss candidate locations where humans could land, live, and work on the martian surface. |
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28-29 |
Missions to Habitable Worlds,
Budapest, Hungary
The conference will take place in Budapest, Hungary, to oversee astrobiology relevant aspects of next generation space missions, including Solar System exploration and space telescopes for exoplanet characterization, mainly coordinated by ESA. The two day long meeting will take place at the main building of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences on 28-29 of October 2015. During the conference review presentations will be given by experts and mission specialists of ongoing and planned space missions (including ExoMars, JUICE, CHEOPS, PLATO etc.) that support the understanding of the origin and evolution of life beyond the Earth. Beside overview talks, emphasis will be given on some specific research topics, including analogue field activity and planetary protection issues. The meeting will consist of two panel discussions: 1. on how to approach habitability from different disciplines (astronomy, biology, chemistry, Earth sciences, philosophy) and 2. on trans-domain research in astrobiology (including possible contribution to ESA missions), together with the initiative of the future European Astrobiology Institute. |
November 2015
1-4 | Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland | |
2-4 | Workshop on Space Weathering of Airless Bodies (#airlessbodies) *, Houston, Texas | |
2-5 | K2 Science Conference (K2SCICON), Santa Barbara, California | |
5-6 |
Second Off-Earth Mining Forum,
Sydney, Australia
The forum will host speakers from across the spectrum of off-earth mining issues: missions, resources, mining technologies, robotics, automation, instrumentation, legal impediments, business risks, and ethical considerations. |
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8-13 | 47th Annual DPS Meeting, National Harbor, Maryland | |
9-13 |
2nd Symposium of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR): Water and Life in the Universe “COSPAR 2015”,
Foz do Iguacu, Brazil
COSPAR has initiated a new series of scientific meetings, the Symposia, aimed at promoting space research at a regional level and to be organized in countries with medium or small size space infrastructures. In Brazil, as in many emerging countries, priority has in recent years been given to space research, and COSPAR will hold its Second Symposium, “Water and Life in the Universe,” in Foz do Iguaçu, after a first successful event held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2013. The São Paulo State University, UNESP, and the National Institute of Space Research, INPE, will co-host the Symposium. |
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9-13 |
Re-Conceptualizing the Origin of Life,
Washington, DC
Our goal is to host a workshop of broad scope but with targeted impact on key questions and core concepts about the origin of life on Earth, the organization of the biosphere, and the nature of the living state. |
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11-13 |
Joint Meeting of the Paneth Kolloquium and DFG SPP 1385 "The First 10 Million Years of the Solar System",
Nördlingen, Germany
The meeting will be held in Nördlingen located in the center of the Nördlinger Ries meteorite impact site. The Paneth Kolloquium is a European meeting that brings together students and researchers from different fields of cosmochemistry, planetology and astrophysics. A field trip is optional. |
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16-18 |
Enabling Transiting Exoplanet Science with JWST,
Baltimore, Maryland
This workshop will provide a forum for the exoplanet community to learn about and discuss the capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to characterize transiting exoplanets. Talks will inform potential observers about the cutting edge science that JWST will enable. Discussion sessions will allow for community dialog on how best to enable exoplanet science with JWST. As JWST proposal opportunities approach, this workshop will serve as an important opportunity to understand how JWST will impact the field of exoplanet science |
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16-20 |
International Young Astronomers School on Large Ground-based 21st Century Radio Instruments: ALMA/NOEMA-SKA/LOFAR/NenuFAR,
Paris, France
Since the recent opening of ALMA to the astrophysical community, large ground based observational facilities in the radio centimeter and millimeter range are preparing a new era of radioastronomy for the coming century. In the (sub)millimeter range, ALMA has already provided exciting observations that chalenge our vision of, e.g., star and planetary systems formation processes. The NOEMA project upgrade of the Plateau de Bure interferometer will provide in the northern emisphere a welcomed complement to this world wide observatory. In the near future, LOFAR and the local facility NENUFAR at Nançay Observatory will offer a prefiguration of the major Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project that will open a new window to the distant Universe. All fields of Astrophysics are impacted, from planetary sciences to cosmology and including all scales of galactic studies. However, such large interferometer instruments are far from trivial to use, and getting the best scientific output from the time and ressources invested requires new skills from the coming generation of young astronomers. The goal of the present school is to introduce PhD students and Post-Doc researchers to these exciting developments. They will have the occasion to follow courses from some of the top scientists in the field. Ample time for discussions is scheduled, as well as various hands on sessions. |
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29-Dec 4 | Extreme Solar Systems III, Waikoloa Beach, Hawaii |
December 2015
3 |
Polar Regolith Workshop Without Walls,
Virtual meeting
NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) exists to integrate solar system science with the exploration needs of the human spaceflight program to explore space beyond low-Earth orbit. Those efforts may involve measurements that address strategic knowledge gaps, the development of mission concepts, and the identification of space resources that enhance exploration activities. A specific request for assistance has emerged from HEOMD that addresses plans to evaluate, and potentially exploit, ices and other volatile elements in the polar regions of the Moon. With that purpose in mind, SSERVI is organizing a 1-day virtual workshop that will bring together our current body of knowledge of the regolith properties in Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) that might affect the trafficability of robotic rovers, such as NASA's Resource Prospector mission. A few keynote presentations will help frame the issues involved and summarize recent published results with contributed presentations and discussion periods rounding out the program. |
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14-18 | AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, California | |
15-16 |
International Symposium on Moon 2020-2030: A New Era of Coordinated Human and Robotic Exploration,
ESTEC Noordwijk
The ESA space exploration strategy and the ISECG Global Exploration Roadmap underline the strategic significance of the Moon in a global space exploration endeavour. The international vision for lunar exploration calls for a new era of coordinated human and robotic missions enabled by broad international cooperation. The ISS program has demonstrated the importance of a robust international partnership for ISS development, assembly, operations, and effective utilization. Now is the time to build on this partnership and open it to new partners to continue the journey beyond low Earth orbit. The symposium "Moon 2020-2030" will be a key step in advancing the international approach for lunar exploration together with key players from agencies, academia, and industry. |
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28-Jan 8 |
Exoplanets: 33rd Winter School in Theoretical Physics,
Jerusalem, Israel
Through systematic lectures on the foundations of planetary origin, evolution and structure, this School will provide the background needed to explore and interpret the remarkable detection of thousands of exoplanets around other stars. This sets the stage for a more detailed understanding of their properties and system architecture in the coming decade. |