Second Announcement — June 2011
Purpose and Scope
The First International Planetary Cave Research Workshop is a follow-up to the 2008 Lava Tube Workshop held in Grant, New Mexico, which brought together researchers with interests in lava tubes from diverse backgrounds, ranging from image analysis to modeling to robotics.
This workshop is the first in a continuing series of meetings that are intended to promote the exchange of knowledge and ideas between planetary and terrestrial scientists interested in cave exploration and research across the solar system. In recognition of the broad scope, interdisciplinary nature, and strong international interest in this topic, the participation of any interested scientist with relevant theoretical, experimental, or field experience is strongly encouraged.
The workshop will incorporate oral and poster presentations as well as extended discussion dispersed around a one-day field trip to local caves. The workshop will bring together researchers with interests in planetary caves from diverse backgrounds in image analysis, modeling, and terrestrial analog studies. A small group setting will facilitate intensive discussion of problems and issues in an attempt to identify the most promising approaches to understanding these cave systems and to develop a collaborative interdisciplinary research agenda.
Meeting Location and Date
The First International Planetary Cave Research Workshop: Implications for Astrobiology, Climate, Detection, and Exploration will be held October 25–28, 2011, at the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, 400-1 Cascades Avenue, Carlsbad, NM 88220 USA (phone: 575-887-5518). The workshop will also include a one-day field trip.
Meeting Themes and Format
General Themes
- Cave Definitions/Categories
- Definition, classification, and types — What is a cave?
- Cave formation mechanisms (extraterrestrial speleogenetic mechanisms)
- Astrobiology and Cave Biodiversity
- Microbiology of caves on Earth with astrobiological significance
- Cave biosignatures (fossils, biotextures, geochemical traces, isotopic signals, etc.)
- Cave Microclimates
- Micrometeorology of caves, processes observable in Earth caves, and modelable as applicable to extraterrestrial caves
- Paleoclimate signals in caves, the planetary potential for similar data
- Cave Detection
- Orbital methods
- Landed methods
- Cave Exploration (Robotic) Techniques and Mapping
- Remote methods
- Human utilization of extraterrestrial caves on Moon and Mars
- Cave Funding Sources
Meeting Format
Tuesday, October 25 | Oral presentations and evening poster session and reception |
Wednesday, October 26 | Field trip to local caves |
Thursday, October 27 | Oral presentations |
Friday, October 28 (half-day) | Oral presentations, discussion of priorities, wrap-up |
Call for Abstracts
Abstract Deadline — Tuesday, August 9, 2011, 5:00 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time (GMT-5)
- No late abstracts will be accepted, regardless of the reason.
- Abstracts sent by e-mail will NOT be considered.
- Abstracts are limited to two pages.
- All abstracts must be submitted in PDF format.
- All abstracts must be submitted in U.S. letter size format (8.5" × 11"); A4 submissions will be rejected by the system.
- Abstract file sizes must be no larger than 1.5 MB; larger files will be automatically rejected by the system.
Preparation and Submission of Abstracts
Step 1: Download the appropriate template
Step 2: Write your abstract (no more than two pages) using the format shown in the template
Step 3: Create a PDF file (no larger than 1.5 MB)
Step 4: Fill out the electronic abstract submission form and upload your abstract file
Authors are encouraged to start the submission process early so our staff will have time to provide assistance in the event of technical problems. For technical assistance, contact Linda Tanner (281-486-2142) or Renée Dotson (281-486-2188), or send an e-mail message to [email protected].
Unable to Produce PDF Files? If you are unable to produce a PDF file, you may send your source file (must be in Word or PostScript format) to the LPI no later than August 2, 2011. We will create the PDF file and send it back to you, but it will still be your responsibility to submit that PDF file by the time of the deadline. Source files should be sent to [email protected].
Accommodations
Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and hotel reservations. For your convenience, a list of area hotels is provided along with their distance from the workshop venue.
Registration
Through September 23, 2011 | $325.00 professionals; $275.00 students |
September 24–October 11, 2011 | $375.00 professionals; $325.00 students |
No onsite registration will be available.
Credit card registrations: Participants registering by credit card MUST use the secure electronic registration form.
Other methods of payment: Those registering using any other method of payment (check, money order, traveler’s check, or wire transfer) must contact the LPI Meeting Registrar for detailed instructions.
Note: We now have a third-party payment page available. Participants required to register using a third party (e.g., SATERN for NASA civil servants) may still register in advance using the electronic registration form. The confirmation
e-mail you receive after registering will include payment instructions to submit to the third party. Please be aware, however, that your registration will not be considered complete until the funds have been received.
Cancellations: Requests for cancellation with a fee refund (less a $25.00 processing fee) will only be accepted through October 11, 2011. Those who fail to attend and do not notify the LPI prior to the October 11 deadline will forfeit their full fee.
Student Travel Assistance
The NASA Mars Program Office has announced that travel funding will be made available for as many as four students who are U.S. citizens or legal residents, with Mars-related interests, to attend this workshop. An application must be submitted by August 31, 2011, to be considered for this funding. NASA Headquarters will make the selections and students will be notified no later than September 20, 2011.
Reimbursable costs include transportation (airfare, mileage to/from airport, parking, rental car) and lodging/per diem allowance. In most cases, actual expenses will exceed the funding provided.
Note: Students who are depending on travel assistance should not pay the registration fee or make travel arrangements until they have been notified that they have received an award. If you are requesting funds to travel to the meeting from outside the U.S., you should also wait to register until you have successfully completed NASA’s foreign travel approval process. Failure to comply with this requirement may prohibit reimbursement.
Travel costs up to $800.00 plus the student registration fees 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 or legal residents.
- Students must be enrolled at a university at the time of the workshop or the semester immediately following the workshop (if during break).
Students wishing to apply for this assistance must submit the electronic student travel funding application form by August 31, 2011.
Interested students with questions are encouraged to contact Charles Budney (Mars Program Office, [email protected] or 818-354-3981).
Contacts
For further information regarding the scientific content of the meeting:
Dr. Timothy N. Titus
USGS Astrogeology Science Center
Phone:928-556-7201
E-mail: [email protected]
For further information regarding meeting logistics:
Kira Honnoll
Meeting and Publication Services
Universities Space Research Association (USRA)/
Lunar and Planetary Institute
Phone: 281-244-2011
E-mail: [email protected]
For further information regarding abstract submission or registration:
Linda Tanner
Meeting and Publication Services
Universities Space Research Association (USRA)/
Lunar and Planetary Institute
Phone: 281-486-2142
E-mail: [email protected]
Schedule
Abstract deadline | August 9, 2011 |
Final announcement with program and abstracts posted on this website | September 9, 2011 |
Deadline for registration at reduced rate | September 23, 2011 |
First International Planetary Cave Research Workshop: Implications for Astrobiology, Climate, Detection, and Exploration in Carlsbad, New Mexico | October 25–28, 2011 |