Lunar and Planetary Institute







Seventh International Conference on Mars (7th Mars 2007), July 9-13, 2007, Pasadena CA

Seventh International Conference on Mars (7th Mars 2007)

Second Announcement — March 2007

 

SPONSORS —
Mars Exploration Program,
Lunar and Planetary Institute,
California Institute of Technology,
National Aeronautics and Space
   Administration

CONVENERS —
Daniel McCleese, Chief Scientist,
   Jet Propulsion Laboratory
David Beaty,
   Mars Exploration Program,
   Jet Propulsion Laboratory

SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE —
Matt Golombek,
   Mars Pathfinder Mission
Arden Albee,
   Mars Global Surveyor Mission
Jeffrey Plaut,
   Mars Odyssey Mission
David Senske,
   Mars Odyssey Mission
Bruce Banerdt,
   Mars Exploration Rovers
Diana Blaney,
   Mars Exploration Rovers
Albert Haldemann,
   Mars Exploration Rovers
Augustin Chicarro,
   Mars Express Mission
Rich Zurek,
   Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Sue Smrekar,
   Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Leslie Tamppari,
   Mars Phoenix Mission
Deborah Bass,
   Mars Phoenix Mission
Ed Stolper,
   Mars Science Laboratory
Ash Vasavada,
   Mars Science Laboratory
Joy Crisp,
   Mars Science Laboratory
Michael Mischna,
   Mars modeling
Oded Aharonson,
   Mars modeling
Steve Clifford,
   Mars modeling
Michael Meyer,
   Mars Exploration Program,
   NASA
Jim Garvin,
   Chief Scientist,
   Goddard Space Flight Center
  PURPOSE AND SCOPE
  The Seventh International Conference on Mars will be held at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), July 9–13, 2007. This year we will have completed an unparalleled ten years of concentrated exploration of the Red Planet. This period includes six successful missions (1996 Mars Global Surveyor, 1996 Mars Pathfinder, 2001 Mars Odyssey, 2003 Mars Exploration Rover, 2003 Mars Express, and 2005 Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter), as well as telescopic observations from Earth, studies of martian meteorites, and a variety of numerical and laboratory modeling activities. This is an ideal time to consolidate our primary paradigms for Mars. In addition, this conference will provide an opportunity to review and debate the key questions and controversies that remain open.

 

  KEY POINTS:
Date:  July 9–13, 2007
Location:  Pasadena, California

 

  MEETING FORMAT
  The first four days of the conference will be structured with morning and afternoon oral sessions organized around topical themes, along with mid-day poster sessions of broader scope. Each oral session is envisioned to consist of a mixture of one or more invited summary papers to introduce the topic, a set of supporting contributed papers, and ample time for discussion. The oral sessions will be held in Beckman Auditorium, which has a seating capacity of 1100. The poster sessions will have a broader scope than the oral sessions, and papers on almost any aspect related to understanding Mars are solicited. The posters will be displayed in Dabney Garden, an outdoor venue. There is partial shade around the perimeter, but bring a hat and sunscreen if needed. The fifth day of the conference, Friday, July 13, will be reserved for summaries. It is envisioned that for each of the principal theme areas, a pre-selected synthesizer will present a summary of our current paradigm in the area, major open questions, and possible future investigation strategies. It is expected that the conference will conclude by 1:00 p.m. on July 13, to allow participants to catch the afternoon/evening flights home.

In order to maximize the opportunities for the participants to interact around the posters, box lunches will be provided for the first four days of the conference.

 

  SPECIAL EVENING EVENTS AND SOCIAL PROGRAM
 
Sunday, July 8Registration and reception, 5:00–7:00 p.m.
(location will be listed in the final announcement)
Monday, July 9Mars discussion topic (more details in the final announcement), open to the public; Beckman Auditorium
Tuesday, July 10BBQ dinner on the Caltech Beckman Mall (also known as the Court of Man). After dinner, a Mars townhall discussion sponsored by MEPAG, and led by the Mars Exploration Program; Beckman Auditorium
Wednesday, July 11Panel discussion featuring recent results from MRO; open to the public, Beckman Auditorium
Thursday, July 12Conference banquet; Caltech Athenaeum
(separate fee of $65.00)

 

  CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
  The technical content of this conference will revolve around a key overriding question: What has the last decade of data told us about Mars? Abstracts should be submitted electronically using the electronic abstract submission form to the Lunar and Planetary Institute by April 11, 2007, 5:00 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time (see timezone map). Late abstracts will NOT be accepted. Contributors are specifically encouraged to address the following topics/questions:
  • Mars astrobiology — Where to go? What to do?
  • The martian sedimentary record — having found it, what can it tell us?
  • Water through geologic history
  • Weather and climate, past and present
  • The martian upper atmosphere — implications for planetary evolution
  • Surface and near-surface ice deposits
  • The interior of Mars and the evolution of the crust
  • Modern Mars — what do we know about its current processes?
  • Interpreting the geology of the martian surface: Mineralogy, structure, lithology, geomorphology, relationships — what do they mean?
  • Ideas for instruments, missions, future concepts
  • Science and human exploration
  • Other
Researchers are invited to submit extended abstracts that may not exceed FOUR pages, including graphics, tables, and references. File sizes are restricted to 1.5 MB. Abstracts should address topics of broad interest to the Mars community; poster contributions on potential missions or instruments, as well as print-only abstracts, may be accepted.

The program committee will establish the conference program on the basis of the abstract submittals. An abstract volume on CD-ROM will be prepared in a format similar to that established by the LPSC meeting.

The abstracts and preliminary program will also be available in electronic format and accessible via the conference web page on May 24, 2007. These files will be in PDF format. Authors will need to check the online program to find out where their abstract has been scheduled.

Preparation of Abstracts
Abstracts can be submitted in any of the following formats: PDF (preferred), PostScript, Microsoft Word for the PC and Mac, and rich text format (RTF). Templates and detailed instructions are provided. After you prepare your abstract file, you will have to fill out the electronic abstract submission form and upload the file containing your abstract (instructions are provided on the form). Abstracts sent by e-mail will NOT be considered.

Remember that electronic transmission of files is not always instantaneous; gateways can temporarily be shut down, local routers can fail, network traffic can be very heavy, etc. Because your abstract file must be RECEIVED at the LPI by 5:00 p.m., it's in your best interest to submit early to allow for possible delays in transmission. Because of the number of abstracts received and the time required to process them, exceptions cannot be made for anyone, regardless of the reason.

Abstract Deadline
The abstract deadline is 5:00 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time (i.e., local time in Houston, Texas; see time zone map) on Wednesday, April 11, 2007. No exceptions will be made for late abstracts. Whether the problem is loss of electricity, a computer crash, or anything else beyond your control, your abstract must be RECEIVED at the LPI by the deadline in order to be considered by the program committee. If you discover that you are having difficulty submitting your abstract on the website, please e-mail or call the LPI staff immediately (publish@lpi.usra.edu or 281-486-2142/-2188) so that they will have time to assist you.

 

  KEY POINTS:
Abstract Deadline: Wednesday, April 11, 5:00 p.m. CDT
(see timezone map)

 

  STUDENT SUPPORT
  The NASA Mars Program Office has announced that travel funding will be made available for as many as twenty-five students who are U.S. citizens, with Mars-related interests, to attend the conference. An application must be submitted by Wednesday, April 11, 2007, to be considered for this funding. NASA Headquarters will make the selections and students will be notified no later than Tuesday, May 8, 2007.

Reimbursable costs include transportation (airfare, mileage to/from airport, parking, rental car) and lodging/per diem. In most cases, actual expenses will exceed the funding provided.

Note:  Students who are applying for travel assistance should not pay the registration fee until they (1) have been notified that they have not received an award or (2) have been notified that they have received an award and have successfully completed NASA's foreign travel approval process. Failure to comply with this requirement may prohibit reimbursement.

Travel costs up to $1000.00 will be reimbursed according to JPL/government-specified allowances. For reference, hotel/per diem rates can be found at www.gsa.gov (see per diem).

Eligibility:

  • Students must be U.S. citizens
  • Students must be enrolled at a university at the time of the conference or the semester immediately following the conference (if during break).
The NRC plans to hold a Mars Colloquium in Pasadena on the weekend preceding the Seventh International Conference on Mars. Topics for that colloquium include two upcoming NRC reports: Astrobiology Strategy for Mars Exploration, and The Limits to Carbon-based Life. Applications for student travel to that meeting will be considered along with those for Seventh Mars. As many as six students may receive travel expenses to provide audio-visual support for the colloquium. Please indicate your interest to attend one or both meetings by selecting one of the following options on the electronic application form:
  •  Seventh Mars only
  •  Seventh Mars plus NRC
  •  NRC only
Students wishing to apply for this assistance must submit the electronic student travel funding application form by Wednesday, April 11, 2007.

Interested students with questions are encouraged to contact Charles Budney (Mars Program Office, charles.j.budney@jpl.nasa.gov or 818-354-3981).

 

 
  REGISTRATION
  A registration reception will be held on Sunday evening, July 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The location of this event will be included in the final announcement. A fee will be assessed to cover conference services, including a printed program, abstract volume on CD-ROM, box lunches, coffee breaks, and barbeque dinner. Participants registering by credit card can use the secure electronic registration form; those registering using any other method of payment (check, money order, or traveler's check) must use the downloadable registration form.
Registration Fees     Before June 8, 2007After June 8, 2007
Professional$275.00$325.00
Student$100.00$125.00
A conference banquet will be held on Thursday evening, July 12, 2007, at the Caltech Athenaeum. The cost will be a separate fee of $65.00.

Cancellation Policy:  A $25.00 cancellation fee will be charged on any cancellations received before June 22, 2007. No refunds will be given after June 22, 2007.

 

  TRAVEL, HOTELS, AND MAPS
  Directions to Caltech from Los Angeles International Airport, the Bob Hope Airport (formerly the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport), and the Ontario Airport can be found at the following website: http://admissions.caltech.edu/visiting/getting-here#driving.

A number of hotels are located close to Caltech, a list of which can be found on the following website: http://admissions.caltech.edu/visiting/accommodations. The conference organizing committee has not reserved blocks of rooms.

The map of the Caltech campus shows the location of the various buildings. The primary conference venues are Beckman Auditorium (Bldg. #91), Dabney Garden (NE of Bldg. #40), and the Athenaeum (Bldg. #61).

 

    

   
  HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MARS
  The first International Conference on Mars was held in 1973 as data were being returned from Mariner 9, the first mission to orbit another planet. Conferences were next convened in 1979 and 1981 as data were returned from the Viking missions, which consisted of two orbiters and two landers. The fourth conference, in 1989, reviewed ten years of analysis of the Viking data and resulted in the publication of the classic 1498-page volume entitled Mars. The fifth conference was held in 1999 as data from Mars Pathfinder and Mars Global Surveyor, both launched in 1996, became widely available. The Sixth Conference was held in 2003, and it incorporated four more years of data by Mars Global Surveyor and the initial observations from Mars Odyssey.

 

    

   
  CONTACT INFORMATION
  For further information regarding format and scientific objectives, contact

    DAVID BEATY
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Phone: 818-354-7968
    E-mail: david.beaty@jpl.nasa.gov

For further information regarding conference logistics and announcements, contact

    KIMBERLY TAYLOR
    Lunar and Planetary Institute
    Phone: 281-486-2151
    E-mail: taylor@lpi.usra.edu

For further information regarding abstract submission and registration, contact

    LINDA TANNER
    Lunar and Planetary Institute
    Phone: 281-486-2142
    E-mail: tanner@lpi.usra.edu

 

SCHEDULE
April 11, 2007, 5:00 p.m. CSTDeadline for electronic abstract submissions
May 24, 2007 Final announcement with program and
abstracts posted on this website
June 8, 2007Deadline for preregistration at reduced rate
July 9–13, 2007Seventh International Conference on Mars

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