Astrobiology is defined in the 1996 NASA Strategic Plan as "The Study of the living universe. This field provides a scientific foundation for a multidisciplinary study of (1) the origin and distribution of life in the universe, (2) an understanding of the role of gravity in living systems, and (3) the study of the Earth's atmosphere and ecosystems." Ames Research Center has been assigned the lead role for astrobiology within the agency.

In a response to the challenge from the NASA administrator to develop new cross-disciplinary programs and strengthen existing efforts for the study of life in the universe, Ames will host a scientific workshop, organized around several major questions in astrobiology:

• How does life originate?
• Where and how are other habitable worlds formed?
• How have the Earth and its biosphere influenced each other over time?
• Can terrestrial life be sustained beyond our planet?
• How can we expand human presence to Mars?

The Astrobiology Workshop will be held at Ames Research Center on September 9-11, 1996. Following is the preliminary program, subject to confirmation of times by the individual speakers.

0800 registration

0900 Harry McDonald

Welcome and Keynote

0930 Carl Pilcher

Astrobiology and space science

0945 William Townsend

Astrobiology and earth science

1015 Arnauld Nicogossian

Astrobiology and life science

1030 Frank Martin

Astrobiology and exploration

1045 David Morrison

Key questions in astrobiology

1130 lunch break

Co-chairs: MRC Greenwood & David Morrison

1300 Stuart Kauffman

Chemical and physical pathways to complexity

1340 Geoff Marcy

Detection of planets orbiting Sun-like stars

1420 James Kasting

Habitability of planets

1500 Chris McKay

The search for life on Mars

1540 William Sprigg

Near term evolution of Earth's climate

1620 Emily Holton

Gravity and biology

1730 Reception

Co-chairs: Warren Gore & Kevin Zahnle

0800 Scott Sandford

Complex molecules in the interstellar medium

0830 John Cronin

Organic chemistry of the early solar system

0900 David Des Marais

Evolution of the early Earth and its biosphere

0930 Brian Toon

Extinctions due to impacts, past and future

1015 David Peterson

Response of Earth's ecosystems to global change

1045 Ken Nealson

Response of microbial ecosystems to global change

1115 Anne Erlich

The current great extinction

1200 Working lunch

Co-chairs:Nancy Daunton & Charles Fuller

1330 Lewis Feldman

Evolution of light- and gravity-sensing genes in plants

1400 Debra Wolgemuth

Vertebrate development in space: clues and complications

1430 Muriel Ross

Gravity sensor plasticity in the space environment

1500 Ben Levine

Human cardiovascular adaptation to altered environments

1530 Amy Kronenberg

Biological responses to exposure to the space radiation environment

Co-chairs: Alan Hargens & SAm Pool

1615 Mike Duke

Science and habitabilty goals for Mars exploration

1645 Larry Young

Artificial gravity for human missions

1715 Scott Parazynski

Destination Mars: An astronaut's perspective

Co-chairs:Jeffrey Bada, Robert Pepin, & Frank Shu

0800 Jack Welch

Observations of planetary system formation

0830 Pat Cassen

Theory of planetary system formation

0900 Don Brownlee

Primitive materials and planetary formation

0945 Norman Sleep

Planetary perspective on life on early Mars and the early Earth

1015 David Deamer

Origin of protocells

1045 Norman Pace

Biological perspective on the Earth and the chemistry that spawned life

Co-Chairs: Michael Carr & Don DeVincenzi

1115 David McKay

Evidence for past life on Mars

1200 Jack Farmer

Exploring Mars for evidence of past or present life

1230 Working lunch

Co-chairs: Michael Carr & Don DeVincenzi

1400 Frank Drake

Intelligent life in the universe

1430 Final panel and discussion session; formulation of recommendations

1730 Adjourn

Any problems or questions, please Email;
Symtech Corp

Last updated Feb-10-1997

Webmaster: Symtech Corp