Sponsored By
Lunar and Planetary Institute

Conference Co-Chairs
Francois Forget,
    Laboratoire de Meteorologie
    Dynamique, France
Joel S. Levine,
    NASA Langley Research Center,
    United States

Workshop Scientific Committee
Francois Forget,
    Laboratoire de Meteorologie
    Dynamique, France
Joel S. Levine,
    NASA Langley Research Center,
    United States
Steven W. Bougher,
    University of Michigan, United States
Marie-Christine Desjean,
    Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales
    (CNES), France
Therese Encrenaz,
    Observatoire de Paris, France
Robert M. Haberle,
    NASA Ames Research Center,
    United States
James W. Head,
    Brown University, United States
Oleg Korablev,
    Space Research Institute of Russian     Academy of Sciences (IKI), Russia
Steve Lewis,
    The Open University, United Kingdom
Miguel Lopez-Valverde,
    Instituto de Astrofisica de
    Andalucia, Spain
Daniel J. McCleese,
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United States
Michael A. Mischna,
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United States
Franck Montmessin,
    Service D'Aeronomie, France
Scott Rafkin,
    Southwest Research Institute,
    United States
Peter Read,
    University of Oxford, United Kingdom
Michael D. Smith,
    NASA Goddard Space Flight Center,
    United States
John Wilson,
    Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory,     United States
Olivier Witasse,
    European Space Technology Centre,
    The Netherlands
Richard W. Zurek,
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United States

WORKSHOP LOCATION AND DATE

The Third International Workshop on the Mars Atmosphere:  Modeling and Observations will be held November 10–13, 2008, at the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and Conference Center in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, located adjacent to the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center at 105 Visitor Center Drive, (757) 220-7960.

KEY POINTS:
  When:
      November 10–13, 2008
  Where:
      Williamsburg, Virginia

The unique interest that we have in Mars is due in large part to its atmosphere, which has shaped its history and surface and may have created climatic conditions that were suitable for sustaining surface liquid water and possibly life in the past. The study of the martian atmosphere is also of great interest for studies of comparative meteorology, in order to better understand Earth's atmosphere and to improve our knowledge of the martian environment for future robotic and human missions. 

The goal of the workshop is to bring together experts in modeling and observations of the Mars atmosphere and climate system and to discuss the following topics:

• nature of the atmospheric structure, circulation and chemistry (up to the neutral thermosphere)
• dust cycle
• water cycle (vapor, clouds, and frost)
• carbon dioxide cycle (polar caps and clouds)
• photochemistry of the Mars atmosphere
• the early atmosphere of Mars
• the evolution of the atmosphere of Mars

The first five topics above were also focal points of the first two Mars Atmosphere workshops in 2003 and 2006.

A call for abstracts will be included in the second announcement to be posted July 15.

The workshop will include invited and contributed talks and contributed poster presentations.

The Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and Conference Center, nestled on the edge of a 40-acre pine forest, is conveniently located adjacent to the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center for the 301-acre historic area. All workshop sessions will be held in the conference center, which overlooks a stream and waterfall. The hotel and conference center are part of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Colonial Williamsburg is the largest outdoor living history museum in the United States, with almost 500 public buildings, homes, stores, and taverns meticulously restored to 18th-century glory when Williamsburg was Virginia’s capital city during the time of the American Revolution.

Visitors may approach the historic area via a short walk on the nature trail or may take a shuttle bus from the visitor center. A map of the Woodlands Hotel and Conference Center in relation to the historic area is provided.

The Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel is holding a block of 125 rooms for this workshop. A special daily rate of $125.00 plus applicable taxes (10% Virginia state sales tax and $2.00 per room per night occupancy tax) will be available for three days prior to and three days after the meeting dates. The room rate includes a continental breakfast in the hotel lobby.

Access to the historic area is free; however, for access to selected buildings and museums in the historic area, the hotel is extending the option of purchasing a special conference pass, good for the duration of the conference, at the rate of $15.00 per ticket. (Note:  The regular price for a one-day pass is $50.00.)

Norfolk International Airport and Richmond International Airport, each located about 45 minutes from Colonial Williamsburg, serve all major air carriers. The Newport News-Williamsburg Airport is approximately a 20-minute drive and also serves the area. Connections to Colonial Williamsburg are available daily from all airports.

Driving Directions:
From Interstate 64, take exit 238 onto Route 143 East. Follow Route 143 to the second traffic light and bear right onto Route 132. Continue on Route 132, following signs to the visitor’s center. At the second left, turn onto the concrete aggregate road, Route 132Y. Turn at the first left. The Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel is at the top of the hill. The hotel is located at 105 Visitor Center Drive, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23185.

Please submit an electronic Indication of Intent form by June 17, 2008, to indicate your interest in attending the workshop. The indication of intent form will be used to plan the meeting and will subscribe you to a mailing list to receive electronic reminders and special announcements relating to the meeting via e-mail.

For further information regarding the format and scientific objectives of the workshop, contact

JOEL S. LEVINE
Science Directorate, NASA Langley Research Center  and
Mars Scout 2013 Program Scientist, Mars Exploration Program
NASA Headquarters
Phone:  757-864-5692
Fax:  757-864-6326
E-mail:  joel.s.levine@nasa.gov

FRANCOIS FORGET
Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique
Universite Paris
Phone:  (33) 1 44274763
Fax:  (33) 1 44276272
E-mail:  francois.forget@lmd.jussieu.fr

For further information regarding meeting logistics and announcements, please contact

MARY CLOUD
Lunar and Planetary Institute
phone:  281-486-2143
e-mail:  cloud@lpi.usra.edu