Sponsors —
Lunar and Planetary Institute
U.S. Geological Survey

Convener —
Timothy Titus
   U.S. Geological Survey

Scientific Organizing Committee —
Timothy Titus,
   U.S. Geological Survey
Joshua Bandfield,
   University of Washington
Anthony Colaprete,
   NASA Ames Research Center
Thomas Prettyman,
   Planetary Science Institute

MEETING LOCATION AND DATE

The Third International Workshop on Mars Polar Energy Balance and the CO₂ Cycle will be held July 21–24, 2009, at the Best Western Executive Inn in beautiful downtown Seattle, Washington. The hotel is adjacent to the Space Needle and Seattle Center, which offers numerous dining, shopping, and entertainment options. The workshop will include a one-day field trip to study the glaciers at Mount Rainier National Park.

KEY POINTS:
  When:
     July 21–24, 2009
  Where:
     Seattle, Washington

The seasonal polar caps of Mars consist of CO₂ that condenses from the atmosphere to form surface ice at high latitudes following the autumnal equinox in both hemispheres. The seasonal caps are prominent features of Mars, first viewed by Herschel in 1784. They extend as far as 40ºS in the southern hemisphere and 55ºN in the northern hemisphere. Approximately 25% of the martian atmosphere is cycled annually into and out of the seasonal caps. Consequently, the seasonal CO₂ cycle plays a primary role in general circulation. Questions about the seasonal caps that remain unresolved concern local cap properties (column abundance, volumetric density, geometric thickness, albedo, and emissivity), energy balance terms, and CO₂ condensation mechanisms. The rate of seasonal deposition and sublimation of CO₂ ice is determined by the local energy balance, which depends on insolation, atmospheric properties (for example, dust optical depth), emissivity and albedo of the surface, advection of energy by the atmosphere, and energy storage within the regolith. 

Since 1997, five spacecraft have observed Mars polar processes, resulting in an unprecedented amount of data at spatial and spectral resolutions and ranges not available from prior missions in the 1960s and 1970s. These datasets provide a view of the seasonal caps in five dimensions:  three spatial, one temporal, and one spectral (compositional). The vast amount of new data and the complex nature of the Mars polar processes necessitate the bringing together of Mars polar scientists from around the world into a small group environment where the data, models, and emerging theories and understandings can be discussed. 

The Third International Workshop on Mars Polar Energy Balance and the CO₂ Cycle will consist of 30-minute invited keynote presentations, 15-minute contributed oral presentations, time for extended discussion, and a dedicated poster session. Each oral presentation will be followed by a 15-minute discussion period, to encourage interaction among attendees by providing a generous amount of time for questions, clarification, and suggestions. On Wednesday, July 22, there will be a one-day field trip to glaciers at Mount Rainier National Park. The field trip will be led by researchers active in the area and will be an integral part of the workshop.

Researchers in scientific disciplines appropriate to the purpose and scope of this workshop are invited to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentations.

All abstracts, whether invited or contributed, must be submitted electronically to the Lunar and Planetary Institute via the electronic submission form by 5:00 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 (see timezone map). Abstracts will be limited to two pages, including graphics, tables, and references, and MUST be submitted in PDF format. Templates and detailed instructions for formatting and submitting your abstract are provided.

Note:  It is in your best interest to submit early to allow for possible technical problems or delays in transmission. Please do not wait until the last minute to access the system; access to the web form will terminate at 5:00 p.m. CDT.

KEY POINTS:
  Abstract Deadline:
    Tuesday, May 5, 2009
    5:00 p.m. CDT

    (see timezone map)

A block of rooms has been reserved at the host hotel, the Best Western Executive Inn, 200 Taylor Avenue N., Seattle, Washington, 98109-5016, USA, at the rate of $149.00/night plus tax for single or double occupancy. This rate is below the federal per diem rate of $158.00/night for Seattle and is very competitive in the downtown area of the city. Your accommodation includes complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access throughout the hotel and a complimentary daily deluxe hot buffet breakfast served in Brella’s Restaurant, which is located in the lobby level of the hotel. 

Participants must make their own reservations. To receive the group rate of $149.00/ night plus tax, please call the Best Western Executive Inn at 800-351-9444 or 206-448-9444 and request the MPEB2009 group discount.  All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card.  A credit card must be presented at the time of check in for room charges, tax, and incidental charges.  The deadline to receive the $149.00 group rate is June 9, 2009. 

Seattle is served by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The Best Western Executive Inn is accessible via the Downtown Airporter Bus Service with connector service. The Downtown Airporter Bus Service provides inexpensive, convenient access from Sea-Tac Airport to downtown destinations, eliminating the need for costly car rental and parking.

KEY POINTS:
   Deadline for $149.00
   group rate is June 9, 2009. 

A registration fee will be assessed each participant to cover meeting costs including field trip transportation, daily lunches and breaks, and an evening poster session reception.  The registration fee schedule is as follows:

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, or traveler’s check) must use the downloadable registration form.

Cancellations:  A $25.00 cancellation fee will be charged on any cancellations received before July 13, 2009. No refunds will be given after July 13.

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

Timothy Titus
U.S. Geological Survey
phone: 928-556-7201
e-mail: ttitus@usgs.gov

For further information regarding workshop logistics, announcements, and accommodations, contact

Elizabeth Wagganer
Lunar and Planetary Institute
phone:  281-486-2164
e-mail: wagganer@lpi.usra.edu

For further information regarding registration or abstract submission, contact

Linda Tanner
Lunar and Planetary Institute
phone:  281-486-2142
e-mail: tanner@lpi.usra.edu