IMPORTANT DATES

August 22, 2016
Deadline to register at reduced rate

September 5–9, 2016
Sixth International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration, Reykjavik, Iceland

International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration


Science Background

For nearly two decades, our understanding of the martian polar regions has been greatly advanced by the analysis of data acquired by the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Express, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft as well as the Phoenix lander.

These data have yielded the first high-resolution topographic maps of the north and south polar layered deposits; submeter-scale images of the stratigraphy exposed in the polar troughs and reentrants; radar sounding investigations of the internal structure and basal topography of the polar deposits; year-round coverage of the thermophysical, radiative, and compositional properties of the polar atmosphere and surface; and in situ investigations of the near-surface volatiles stratigraphy, soil composition, geology, and meteorology of the martian high arctic.  Furthermore, comparisons of polar features to terrestrial analogs have proven to be very fruitful in understanding the processes involved.

Some of the specific issues and questions that will be addressed at the meeting include the key questions identified at the end of the fifth conference:

Note: All electronic submission forms are part of the USRA Meeting Portal, which requires users to set up a personal profile to access our electronic forms (setting up a profile is quick and easy, requiring only a few minutes of your time).