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General Meeting Information
NRC's Planetary Decadal Survey will be simulcast on
Meeting Location and Date
The 42nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference will be held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, 1601 Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, Texas, 77380 (Get Directions), March 7–11, 2011.
This conference brings together international specialists in petrology, geochemistry, geophysics, geology, and astronomy to present the latest results of research in planetary science.
The schedule for the conference consists of parallel sessions of contributed presentations that emphasize planetary processes in addition to presentations related to planetary bodies. Contributed abstracts were peer reviewed, and selections for presentation were based on the overall relevance of the subject matter to the conference and the quality of the science.
The conference will feature five full days of oral and poster sessions covering the latest results of planetary science research and current missions. A number of special sessions and events will also be featured, including:
Masursky Lecture — Monday, March 7, 1:30 p.m.,
Waterway Ballroom 4
Watch Video Archive
Planetary Decadal Survey Briefing — Monday, March 7, 5:30 p.m., Waterway Ballroom 4
Watch Video Archive
Electronic Presentation
NASA Headquarters Briefing — Wednesday, March 9, 5:30 p.m., Waterway Ballroom 4
Watch Video Archive
Electronic Presentation
For more detailed information about the meeting schedule, refer to the Program and Abstracts and Highlighted Events sections of this website.
Additional Information
For further information regarding meeting logistics, please contact
Universities Space Research Association/Lunar and Planetary Institute
Phone: 281-244-2011
E-mail: [email protected]
Organizers
Sponsoring Organizations
Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems
Conveners
For questions regarding the scientific content of the meeting, contact:
Stephen Mackwell
Lunar and Planetary Institute
[email protected]
Eileen Stansbery
NASA Johnson Space Center
[email protected]
Meeting Planning
For questions regarding sponsorships or the Exhibitor Showcase, contact:
Kécia Mallette
Lunar and Planetary Institute
Phone: 281-486-2183
E-mail: [email protected]
For questions regarding logistics or peripheral meetings, contact:
Kira Honnoll
Lunar and Planetary Institute
Phone: 281-244-2011
E-mail: [email protected]
For questions regarding registration or abstracts, contact:
Linda Tanner
Lunar and Planetary Institute
Phone: 281-486-2142
E-mail: [email protected]
Program and Abstracts
To browse through the entire conference program, view the
Program with Links to Abstracts
To find a particular abstract, or determine where a specific abstract has been scheduled for presentation, view the
Special Sessions
Special sessions at this year’s conference will cover a variety of topics:
Cryospheres and Ice Processes of Terrestrial Bodies
These sessions focus on the cryospheres and ice processes of terrestrial bodies, including Earth, Mars, and the icy moons of the outer solar system. The sessions include research on laboratory experiments under planetary conditions, analog sites, models, and remote sensing observations of ice processes.
Monday Morning, March 7, 8:30 a.m., Waterway Ballroom 1
SPECIAL SESSION: Cryospheres I: Icy Insights into Mars Paleoclimate
Tuesday Morning, March 8, 8:30 a.m., Waterway Ballroom 1
SPECIAL SESSION: Cryospheres II: Martian Ground Ice and Associated Landforms
Tuesday Morning, March 8, 10:15 a.m., Waterway Ballroom 1
SPECIAL SESSION: Cryospheres III: Active Ice Processes
Planetary Magmatic Volatiles
Volatile species, such as H2O, CO2, S, and halogens, dissolved in magmas have many critical effects on the formation and evolution of terrestrial planetary mantles and crusts. This session includes contributions from analytical, theoretical, and experimental research on a wide range of topics involving volatiles in planetary interiors and crusts, including element transport and partitioning, isotopic composition, fluid-rock interaction, and effects on melting and crystallization.
Monday Morning, March 7, 8:30 a.m., Waterway Ballroom 6
SPECIAL SESSION: Planetary Magmatic Volatiles
Comet Hartley 2: The View from EPOXI and from Earth
The remarkably close approach of Comet 103P/Hartley 2 to Earth near the time of the EPOXI flyby of the comet provides a remarkable opportunity for a wealth of studies of a cometary nucleus and the inner coma. These sessions include talks by various members of the EPOXI science team and various collaborators who were observing with various techniques from Earth or Earth orbit.
Wednesday Morning, March 9, 8:30 a.m., Waterway Ballroom 5
SPECIAL SESSION: Comet Hartley 2 and Related Bodies, In Situ and Remote I
Wednesday Afternoon, March 9, 1:30 p.m., Waterway Ballroom 5
SPECIAL SESSION: Comet Hartley 2 and Related Bodies, In Situ and Remote II
Results from the Hayabusa Mission
On June 13, 2010, the Hayabusa spacecraft burned up in Earth’s atmosphere, bringing its dramatic seven-year mission to an end. However, in the process, it returned a tiny capsule containing particles from asteroid Itokawa, therefore becoming the first mission ever to return a sample of material snatched from the surface of a world beyond the Moon. Examination of the particles began in January of this year, and researchers will reveal the results of their initial analyses.
Thursday Morning, March 10, 8:30 a.m., Waterway Ballroom 4
Information for Presenters
Author notification letters will not be mailed out. To see the method of presentation and time that has been assigned to your abstract, refer to the author index.
Oral Presentations —
Oral presentations are scheduled for 15 minutes per talk: 10 minutes for speaking, and 5 minutes for discussion and speaker transition.
Audio-visual equipment provided will include laptop PCs and Macs and an LCD projector. There is no option for dual-screen presentations.
Presentation check-in and laptop validation will be in the Sterling Ridge Room. Checking in oral presentations is the most important step presenters can take to ensure their presentations are successful. Those presenting on Monday morning should check in their presentations on Sunday evening when they register.
For more information, including a detailed schedule of presentation validation times and tips for preparing effective electronic presentations, read the following document:
Instructions for Electronic Presentations
Poster Presentations —
Poster sessions will be on Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Poster presenters are expected to be present at their poster on their assigned evening.
Poster location assignment guides will be available in the Town Center Exhibit Area and at the conference registration desk.
Poster Size: | 44" × 44" (maximum) |
Materials Provided: | Pushpins |
Setup for Tuesday Posters: | Sunday, March 6, 2011, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. OR |
Removal for Tuesday Posters: | Tuesday, March 8, at 9:00 p.m. |
Setup for Thursday Posters: | Wednesday, March 9, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. |
Removal for Thursday Posters: | Thursday, March 9, at 9:00 p.m. Thursday posters must be removed at the conclusion of the Thursday poster session |
Any posters that are not removed by the conclusion of the poster session will be discarded.
For poster presenters who are interested in having their posters printed after they arrive at the conference, there is a Fedex/Kinkos located at 1640 Lake Woodlands Drive at Six Pines Drive (the street behind the hotel), less than a mile from the Convention Center. Approximate charges to print a 44" × 44" color poster are $7.25 per square foot (matte finish) or $12.00 per square foot (photo/glossy finish).
Orders can be placed online at www.fedex.com/printonline. If there are enough orders, they are willing to deliver to the hotel. For more information, contact them at 281-292-8735 (phone) or 281-292-8782 (fax).
Preparing Your Poster —
For examples of tips on how to best prepare a poster presentation, visit
Poster Presentations: Designing Effective Posters
Tips and Guidelines for Preparing Your Professional Presentation
Highlighted Events
Sunday Night Registration and Reception —
The welcome reception will be held on Sunday, March 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Convention Center. The conference registration desk will be open from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Planetary Decadal Survey Briefing —
The Planetary Decadal Survey Briefing will be held on Monday, March 7, at 5:30 p.m. in Waterway Ballroom 4. The featured speaker will be Dr. Steve Squyres, Chair of the 2013 Planetary Decadal Survey. Squyres’ presentation will be followed by comments from Dr. James Green, Director of the Planetary Sciences Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. The briefing is open to all interested members of the community.
NASA Headquarters Briefings —
NEW DAY!! The NASA Headquarters Briefing session will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, in Waterway Ballroom 4. This session is open to all interested members of the community. The speaker will be Dr. James Green, Director of the Planetary Sciences Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
Plenary Session Featuring Masursky Lecture —
The plenary session featuring the Masursky Lecture will be held on Monday, March 7, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Waterway Ballroom 4. This year’s lecture, “Formation of Planetary Satellites,” will be presented by Dr. Robin Canup of the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado. The winners of the 2010 Dwornik Awards and the 2011 LPI Career Development Awards will also be recognized.
Student/Scientist Reception —
A student/scientist reception will be held on Monday, March 7, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Montgomery Ballroom. The reception will honor the Masursky Lecturer, 2010 Dwornik award winners, and all students presenting at this year’s LPSC.
Other highlighted events that are open to the community:
LRO Diviner Data Users Forum —
The LRO Diviner Science Team will host a Diviner Data Users Forum on Sunday, March 6, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in Waterway Ballroom 4. The purpose of the forum will be to acquaint the community with Diviner’s new high-level mapped data products. These products include global maps of brightness temperature, solar reflectance, composition, and thermophysical properties. This extensive new dataset will be made available via the NASA PDS Geosciences Node on March 15, 2011. The forum will also provide an opportunity for potential users to ask questions and provide feedback to the team. This is a public meeting, and all are welcome to attend.
Proposal Writing Workshop —
NASA will host a proposal writing workshop on Sunday, March 6, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. in Waterway Ballroom 1. The workshop is open to all interested planetary scientists at no cost. The session will focus on understanding NASA’s research programs and will include information on how to write a research proposal, where to apply for funding, and pathways for participation on missions. To register, send an e-mail with your name, affiliations, and current position to [email protected].
NASA Headquarters Research and Analysis (R&A) Town Hall
Meeting —
The Science Mission Directorate of NASA Headquarters will host an informal luncheon on Monday, March 7, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Montgomery Ballroom.
Next Generation Lunar Scientists and Engineers Meeting
and Discussion —
The Next Generation Lunar Scientists and Engineers will meet on Monday, March 7, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in The Woodlands Room. The Next Generation Lunar Scientists and Engineers is a group designed to provide a forum where the next generation of lunar scientists and engineers can get together, interact, and develop connections that will foster future collaborations. Anyone is welcome to join, contribute, and help us get back to the Moon!
Women’s Networking Event —
A women’s networking breakfast will be held on Tuesday, March 8, from 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. in the Montgomery Ballroom. All are invited to attend. To register, e-mail the Women in Planetary Science bloggers via [email protected] so the organizers can get a headcount.
Exploration of Near-Earth Objects: Open Community NEO Outbrief and NASA NEO Users Team (NUT) Summary —
A brief status report from the February 22 Open Community NEO Workshop will be held on Tuesday, March 8, from 5:15 to 6:00 p.m. in The Woodlands Room. Following this report (from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.), a summary of NASA’s NEO Users TEAM (NUT) activities and products will be presented and will be open for discussion. All interested in robotic and human exploration of NEOs are welcome to attend.
ANSMET Briefing and Slideshow —
The ANSMET team will host a show-and-tell on Tuesday, March 8, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in Waterway Ballroom 4. Come hear and see highlights of the 2010–2011 ANSMET expedition, which returned more than 1200 meteorites to the Johnson Space Center. Members of the team will share their experiences and show slides of their adventures.
LEAG Town Hall Meeting —
The Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG) will host a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, March 9, from 12:00 to 1:15 p.m. in Waterway 6.
VEXAG: Students and the Exploration of Venus in the
Next Decade —
The Venus Exploration and Analysis Group (VEXAG) will host this event, which will be held on Thursday, March 10, from 12:00 to 1:15 p.m. in the Montgomery Ballroom.
Closing Celebration —
The closing celebration will be held on Friday, March 11, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Acqua Lounge. Stay and have a drink with your friends and colleagues compliments of LPSC to celebrate another successful conference (limit one complimentary drink per attendee).
Education Public/Outreach Events
There will be a number of E/PO-related events during this year’s LPSC. The locations listed below are at the conference venue, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and Convention Center.
Undergraduate Planetary Science Research Conference
Sunday, March 6, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Town Hall Exhibit Center
As part of the NASA SMD Year of the Solar System (YSS), an Undergraduate Planetary Science Research Conference is being hosted in conjunction with the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC).
The Undergraduate Planetary Science Research Conference includes:
- Panels on “How to Choose the Grad School Right for You,” “Alternative Careers in Science,” and “Women in Planetary Science”
- Poster sessions where students will present their posters to other student and to the scientific community
- “Meeting Mentors,” which will pair students with a scientist for part of the LPSC meeting, so students can learn how to engage at a scientific conference
- Opportunities to meet other undergraduate researchers, graduate students, and scientists
Undergraduate students currently conducting research in planetary sciences, astrobiology, and lunar sciences are eligible. To apply, please go to http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/yssurc2011/. Applications are due by close of business February 1, 2011.
Some travel support will be available to students who qualify. Priority will be given to students of diverse backgrounds. Students are encouraged to attend LPSC and the travel support includes registration for and participation in LPSC. For additional information, please contact Dr. Emily CoBabe-Ammann at [email protected].
The YSS Undergraduate Planetary Science Research Conference is supported by the NASA Science Mission Directorate, the NASA Lunar Science Institute, and the NASA Astrobiology Institute.
Planetary Science Education Share-A-Thon
Sunday, March 6, 1:00 to 5:30 p.m., Alden Bridge
We’ve all got them — content or concept challenges in our introductory or upper-division planetary science courses. Maybe you have the solution? If you have a resource, demo, activity, visualization, lab, or computer interactive that you have either developed or found that solves a content or concept challenge in your classroom, share it with your community!
The Planetary Science E/PO Forum is hosting this half-day workshop for undergraduate teaching faculty. The goals of the workshop are to:
- share resources and strategies for teaching planetary science to undergraduates
- use a new online clearinghouse tool for sharing course materials (content, syllabi, laboratories, etc.)
- continue to develop a collaborative network of undergraduate teaching faculty in planetary sciences
If you have something to share or are just interested in attending, please RVSP to Emily CoBabe-Ammann at [email protected].
Education and Public Outreach: Applying What We Know to Teacher Professional Development and Citizen Science
Tuesday, March 8, 1:30 p.m., Montgomery Ballroom
This oral session will examine successes and lessons learned from teacher professional development and citizen science programs.
Poster Session I: E/PO Posters
Tuesday, March 8, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Town Hall Exhibit Center
Education and Public Outreach: Meteorites
Education and Public Outreach: Moon
Education and Public Outreach: Community Engagement
Education and Public Outreach: Scientist Engagement in Education and Public Outreach
Education and Public Outreach: Undergraduate Education
Education and Public Outreach: Training the Next Generation of Scientists and Engineers
Education and Public Outreach: High School Research/Competition
Education and Public Outreach: K–12 Resources
.
Registration
Through February 18, 2011 | $205.00 professionals; $100.00 students |
February 19–March 5, 2011 | $230.00 professionals; $125.00 students |
March 6–March 11, 2011 Onsite registration only |
$260.00 professionals; $150.00 students |
Credit card registrations: Participants registering by credit card MUST use the secure electronic registration form.
Note: USRA has recently launched a new login system in our Meeting Portal. To participate in our meetings, create a personal profile. By logging in with your e-mail address, completing electronic forms such as indication of interest, abstract submission, or registration is quick and easy. The estimated time to complete the profile is four (4) minutes. You will always have the opportunity to update your contact information at any time.
Other methods of payment: Those registering using any other method of payment (check, money order, or traveler’s check) MUST use the downloadable registration form.
Cancellations: Requests for cancellation with a fee refund (less a $25.00 processing fee) will only be accepted through February 18, 2011. Those who fail to attend and do not notify the LPI prior to the February 18 deadline will forfeit their full fee.
Check-in: The conference registration desk at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Convention Center will be open from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Exhibitor Showcase
Companies, publishers, planetariums, government agencies, educational institutions, scientific societies, and others were invited to take advantage of an opportunity to exhibit the latest in scientific instruments and software, books and journals, educational products and programs, and other material and information of interest to the scientific community.
Attendees at this conference represent a broad spectrum of the lunar and planetary science community, and include representatives from government, academia, and private industry.
Featured Exhibitors —
Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences
Bruker Nano
Center for Lunar Science and Exploration
EHS-Publishing
Isotopx
Jacobs Technology
JHU/Applied Physics Laboratory
JMARS — Mars Space Flight Facility — Arizona State University
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company
Lunar and Planetary Institute
NASA In-Space Propulsion Technology Project
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory — Europa Mission/Outer Planets
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory — Eyes on Earth
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory — Radioisotope Power Systems
NASA Lunar Science Institute
NASA Planetary Data System Geosciences Node
Planetary Science in Wikipedia
Regional Planetary Image Facility (RPIF) Network
Springer
The Boeing Company
USGS Astrogeology Science Center
Wiley-Blackwell
Click here for a complete description of the exhibitors, including their contact information.
Booth Information —
Each exhibitor will be provided with a 10' × 10' draped exhibit booth. Each exhibit space will be supplied with an 8'-high background and 3'-high side-rail divider. In addition to the drapery, included in each 10' × 10' booth will be
1 — 6' × 30"-high draped table, topped and skirted on three sides
2 — side chairs
1 — wastebasket with liner
1 — 7" × 44", black-on-white identification sign depicting the organization name and booth number
Download the Exhibitor Kit (Password: lpi10525)
The Exhibitor Kit includes a utilities form for ordering special services through the hotel, including Internet service, computer monitors, phone lines, etc. Questions about these services should be directed to Diego Solis, Director of Event Technology at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott (phone: 281-681-5732; e-mail: [email protected]).
Exhibitors with special needs can contact the USRA Meeting and Publications Services team at [email protected].
The exhibit booth area will be co-located with the poster presentations, with highlighted poster sessions on Tuesday, March 8, and Thursday, March 10, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Exhibit Setup:
Tuesday, March 8, between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
All exhibits must be removed by NOON on Friday, March 11
Exhibit Hours*:
Tuesday, March 8, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 9, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 10, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
*Exhibitors are encouraged, but not required, to be at their booths during these hours. Because the exhibits are co-located with the poster presentations, security will not be provided during these hours.
Exhibitors will receive two exhibitor badges per booth, which will allow access to all technical sessions. In addition, each exhibitor will receive a conference program booklet.
Questions may be directed to Kecia Mallette, Manager, Meeting and Publication Services, phone: 281-486-2183; e-mail: [email protected].
Exhibits must be related to the scientific interests of the science community. We reserve the right to determine the eligibility of any company applying for exhibit space. Lease of an exhibit space does not constitute endorsement of the exhibitor’s products or services by LPI, USRA, or NASA.
Press Information
MEDIA ADVISORY 2: Asteroids and Comets: The Challenges and Benefits of Near-Earth Objects
LPSC Media Contact:
Julie Tygielski
Lunar and Planetary Institute
Phone: 281-486-2122
E-mail: [email protected]
Members of the working press and news media are invited to attend the 42nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference at the The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, The Woodlands, Texas, on March 7–11, 2011.
This five-day annual conference brings together over 1800 international specialists in petrology, geochemistry, geophysics, geology, and astronomy to present the latest results of research in planetary science. This is the premiere conference for planetary scientists, and has been a significant focal point for planetary science research since its beginning in 1970, when it was known as the Apollo 11 Lunar Science Conference.
NEWS MEDIA REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Media representatives providing press credentials will receive a complimentary badge allowing access to all conference sessions, including Highlighted Events and Special Sessions. Members of the press can register using the electronic registration form. Please note that you will be prompted to create an account allowing you to access the Meeting Portal. Once logged in to the Meeting Portal, media representatives should select “Working Press” as the registration type to receive your press badge at no charge. Your press credentials will be checked at the registration desk, where your press badge will be issued. Advance registration is open through March 5, 2011.
Onsite registration at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center will be open on Sunday, March 6, 2011, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and throughout the entire week of the conference.
HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS AT THE LUNAR AND PLANETARY SCIENCE CONFERENCE
Media representatives are also invited to attend Highlighted Events, most notably the Planetary Decadal Survey Briefing on Monday, March 7, at 5:30 p.m. The featured speakers are Dr. Steve Squyres (Chair of the 2013 Planetary Decadal Survey), followed by Dr. Jim Green, Director of the Planetary Sciences at NASA’s Science Missions Directorate. The NASA Headquarters Briefing will be held on Wednesday, March 9, at 5:30 p.m., and will also feature Dr. Green. There is also a Plenary Session featuring the Masursky Lecture, which will be presented by Dr. Robin M. Canup. The plenary session will be held on Monday, March 7, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Additional events are listed under Highlighted Events.
SPECIAL SESSIONS
The conference provides an opportunity for the media to get firsthand access to detailed results from the EPOXI mission science team following the recent flyby of Comet Hartley 2. Significant contributions regarding the comet’s nucleus, dust, and gas are expected to be presented. Also presented in a special session will be the first results of investigations of the samples of asteroid Itokawa collected during the Japanese Hayabusa mission.
A complete listing of the Special Sessions is now available.
HIGHLIGHTED ABSTRACTS
The technical program and abstracts of 1735 presentations (557 oral; 1178 poster) are now available on our website.
A schedule of Highlighted Abstracts of special interest to the news media is also available.
PRESS BRIEFINGS
A media advisory will be posted on this page to announce scheduled press briefings to be held in association with the 42nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Members of the working press and news media are encouraged to attend.
To schedule interviews with the presenters, contact Julie Tygielski at [email protected]. A Press Room will be available on site.
ORGANIZERS
The 42nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference is sponsored by the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Additional support has been provided by Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems.
The Lunar and Planetary Institute is a nonprofit organization whose focus is on academic participation in studies of the current state, evolution, and formation of the solar system. The Institute is managed by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA). USRA/LPI seeks to foster scientific discovery while inspiring the next generation.
NRC Toolkit
The following site is set up as a toolkit with links to a variety of documents (including white papers), scheduled Town Hall meetings, etc.:
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/2013decadal/
This is the direct link to the 25 mission studies, which feature a wealth of exciting imagery:
http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/SSB_059331
Feel free to grab a screen shot of anything on these sites.
Media Advisory 1: Planetary Decadal Survey
Public Release at 42nd LPSC
Members of the working press and news media are invited to attend this special event at the 42nd LPSC:
NRC Planetary Decadal Survey 2013–2022
Visions and Voyages: Planetary Science in the Coming Decade
by Dr. Steve Squyres, Chair of the Decadal Committee
followed by the response from the NASA Science Mission Directorate
by Dr. Jim Green
Monday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. EST / 5:30 p.m. CST (GMT -6)
Waterway Ballroom 4
42nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center
1601 Lake Robbins Dr.
The Woodlands, TX 77380
The Decadal Survey will be broadcast live at http://www.livestream.com/2011LPSC.
Media representatives are also invited to attend the Q&A session immediately following in the Panther Creek Room.
For more information, contact:
Julie Tygielski
LPSC Media Contact
Phone: 281-486-2122
E-mail: [email protected]
Media Advisory 2: Asteroids and Comets: The Challenges and Benefits of Near-Earth Objects
Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 2:00 p.m.
Location: Panther Creek Room
Scheduled Panelists:
Paul Abell (Johnson Space Center)
Michael A’Hearn (University of Maryland)
Amy Mainzer (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
Mark Sykes (Planetary Science Institute)
Joe Veverka (Cornell University)
Hajime Yano (ISAS & JSPEC)
Important Dates
Deadline for Registration at reduced rate | February 18, 2011 |
Opening reception and registration | March 6, 2011 |
42nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference | March 7–11, 2011 |
Visa Information
- Visa Waiver Countries:
Citizens of countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program do not need to apply for a visa to attend the conference. They may enter the United States using their passports and their conference registration receipt.
All Visa Waiver travelers will be required to obtain an authorization from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security via ESTA (the Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before traveling to the United States; the website is https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/.
At the port of entry into the United States, conference participants should request they be granted “Visa Waiver for Business” (WB) status. This will allow participants to stay in the U.S. for the length of the conference.
The following countries currently participate in the Visa Waiver Program: | ||
Andorra | Australia | Austria |
Belgium | Brunei | Czech Republic |
Denmark | Estonia | Finland |
France | Germany | Greece |
Hungary | Iceland | Ireland |
Italy | Japan | Latvia |
Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg |
Malta | Monaco | The Netherlands |
New Zealand | Norway | Portugal |
San Marino | Singapore | Slovakia |
Slovenia | South Korea | Spain |
Sweden | Switzerland | United Kingdom |
· Non-Visa Waiver Countries:
Citizens of countries that DO NOT participate in the Visa Waiver Program will need to request a Business Visa (B-1) at their nearest U.S. Consulate. They must present their conference registration receipt and their valid passport at the U.S. Consulate.
Conference participants are urged to request their visa EARLY as there are often delays in this process.
Official letters of invitation (without financial commitment) can be requested from [email protected]. Your request should include your passport number and date of birth. Please keep in mind that while a copy of the letter can be e-mailed upon receipt of your request, the original signed copy is sent via airmail and the date of receipt cannot be guaranteed.
- Canada:
In most cases, Canadian business travelers may apply for temporary admission at a U.S. port of entry without first obtaining a nonimmigrant visa. At the port of entry, Canadian citizens attending the symposium should request a B-1 Temporary Business Visitor and provide evidence of identity and Canadian nationality (i.e., Canadian passport), evidence of a residence in Canada and intent to depart the U.S. (roundtrip airline ticket), and documentation describing their business purpose (conference registration confirmation).
Accommodations and Maps
Conference Venue —
The 42nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference will be held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, 1601 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77380, just north of Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
The Waterway Marriott is located in a beautiful wooded landscape on the The Woodlands Waterway. As the name of the area suggests, there are many trees and pleasant outdoor spaces for walking and visiting. Located nearby are many restaurants and shops, all within easy walking distance of the Convention Center. Attendees may also take advantage of the trolley and water taxi services available.
Please note that the hotel is a non-smoking property, which includes all guest rooms, public spaces, and associated work areas. Designed smoking areas are provided outside the building to accommodate the needs of guests who smoke.
Accommodations —
All guest rooms at the Waterway Marriott are sold out, but there are a number of other hotels in the area that will be on the conference shuttle route. We have negotiated with many of these properties to offer blocks of rooms at or below the current GSA rate for a limited time.
Need a roommate to share housing expenses? Try this:
For more details about available hotels, refer to:
The Woodlands Area Hotel Information list
Maps —
* Detailed location map (includes airports, local hotels, and
shuttle route)
* Detailed map of The Woodlands Town Center (includes restaurants and shopping areas)
* Map of the Convention Center
Roommate Search Form
Conference participants looking for a roommate to share housing expenses can fill out the search form below to post a notice on this website. Interested parties should contact each other via e-mail and should make appropriate arrangements between themselves. We are not responsible for the content of these postings, nor are we involved with matching up roommates or mediating disputes that arise from such arrangements.
If you have located a suitable roommate(s) and wish to remove your posting, please contact [email protected].
Child Care
There are a number of centers in The Woodlands area that will provide weekly child care upon request:
Children’s Courtyard
10505 Six Pines
The Woodlands TX 77380
Phone: 281-367-1334
E-mail: [email protected]
Edu-Care Center
121 Robinson Road
Conroe TX 77385
Phone: 281-363-2955
E-mail: [email protected]
Playtime for Kids
9595 Six Pines Dr.
The Woodlands TX 77380
Phone: 281-465 8080
E-mail: [email protected]
The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy
1500 Woodstead Court at Woodlands Parkway
The Woodlands TX 77380
Phone: 832-257-3563
E-mail: [email protected]
Transportation
The Greater Houston area (including The Woodlands) is served by two major airports: George Bush International (IAH), which is located 21 miles from the conference venue, and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), which is located 45 miles from the conference venue.
Please note that The Woodlands Waterway Marriott does not provide shuttle service from the airports. There are numerous options for transportation from the airports, including:
Galveston Limousine Service (conference shuttle provider)
Estimated rate $50 to $60 from either airport
SuperShuttle
Estimated rate $23 from IAH; $45 from Hobby (note that this is to conference hotel only; those further north are more expensive)
Yellow Cab Houston
Estimated rate $50 from IAH; $86 from Hobby
Other ground transportation options from the airport to The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and surrounding hotels, including taxis, shuttles, rental cars, and public transportation, are outlined on the Houston Airport System ground transportation page.
Driving Directions —
From George Bush Intercontinental Airport: Follow airport exit signs to Hardy Toll Road North. Proceed on Hardy Toll Road. The toll road will merge with I-45 North. Proceed on I-45 North to the Woodlands Parkway exit. Continue to Woodloch Forest Drive. Turn right. Go to the second stop light (Lake Robbins Drive). Turn left and proceed 0.25 miles to hotel on left.
From Hobby Airport: Take Airport Blvd. to I-45 North. Turn left, enter the freeway, and proceed on I-45 North to the Woodlands Parkway exit. Continue to Woodloch Forest Drive. Turn right. Go to the second stop light (Lake Robbins Drive). Turn left and proceed 0.25 miles to the hotel on the left.
Parking —
The Woodlands Waterway Marriot Hotel and Convention Center has two garages for guests and conference attendees.
Complimentary self-parking is available in the West Garage (Town Center Garage) located on Six Pines Drive. The West Garage offers easy access to the hotel and convention center via a climate-controlled Sky Bridge.
Pay parking is also provided in the East Garage located at the front of the hotel; rates are $11.00 per day for self-parking and $15.00 per day for valet parking.
Conference Shuttle Service —
Conference shuttle service will be provided between the conference venue and other area hotels. For more information, see the Shuttle Schedule.
Shuttle Schedule
The shuttle service for the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference is divided into three separate routes based on the location of the hotels.
Want to know which shuttle route you’ll be on? Look at:
2011 Hotel List by Shuttle Route
Want to see the detailed schedule? Look at: