CONVENERS
Dr. Stephen Mackwell,
   Lunar and Planetary Institute
Dr. Eileen Stansbery,
   NASA Johnson Space Center

SPONSORS
Lunar and Planetary Institute,
NASA Johnson Space Center

The 39th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference will be held at the South Shore Resort and Conference Center in League City, Texas, March 10–14, 2008. This conference brings together international specialists in petrology, geochemistry, geophysics, geology, and astronomy to present the latest results of research in lunar and planetary science.

The five-day conference will be organized by parallel sessions of topical symposia and problem-oriented categories.  Selection of contributed abstracts will be based on the relevance of the subject matter to the conference and the quality of the science.  All abstracts for special sessions, whether invited or contributed, must be submitted by the advertised deadlines for consideration by the program committee.

Professional attire:  Because the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference offers networking opportunities for career paths, all presenters are expected to wear appropriate professional attire at the time of their presentation.

Mode of presentation:  First authors may indicate a preference for oral, poster, or print-only presentation. The program committee will make final decisions on the mode of presentation to ensure a balance of as many important new research results as possible.

First-author policy:  Two abstracts per first author, for contributed oral or poster submissions.  (Invited presentations are the only exception.)  Print-only submissions are allowed only under specified conditions and are limited to one request per first author.  Read the abstract submission policies below for more information.

Oral presentation format:  10 minutes for speaking and 5 minutes for discussion and speaker transition.

Audio-Visual Equipment:  Laptop PCs and Macs and an LCD projector. NO option for dual-screen presentations. For more information, read the instructions for electronic presentations.

Poster presentation format:  Poster size is 44" × 44" (1.1 m × 1.1 m), to be affixed with pushpins to a 4’ × 8’ (122 cm × 244 cm) (inside frame) free-standing panel. Two presenters share one side of one panel, so displays must be confined to the specified limit.

Because of space limitations, tables, computers, video equipment, etc., cannot be accommodated as a part of a poster display.

Poster Viewing:  Posters may be viewed any time between noon on Monday and 10:00 a.m. on Friday. Two separate evening sessions will be scheduled, at which time authors will be present at designated timeslots for presentations.

The final announcement will contain poster installation and removal instructions and poster session details.

Authors submitting abstracts for special sessions should select the appropriate “Special session:” topic on the abstract submission form. Submission to a special session constitutes one of the two abstracts allowed for contributed requests, unless a presenter is an invited speaker.

Special Session on MESSENGER at Mercury:   On January 14, 2008, MESSENGER will be the first spacecraft to fly near Mercury in nearly 33 years. This flyby will feature color imaging of portions of the surface never before seen by spacecraft, the first high-resolution spectral reflectance measurements (UV to near-IR) of surface composition, the deepest penetration yet into Mercury’s magnetosphere, the first spacecraft altimetric measurements of surface topography on the planet, and searches for previously undetected species in Mercury’s surface-based exosphere.

ABSTRACT DEADLINE —
PDF files:  5:00 p.m. (CST) Tuesday, January 8, 2008 (see U.S. time zone map).
** NO exceptions for late abstracts. **  Those having technical difficulty must contact us immediately (phone:  281-486-2142 or -2188) so we will have time to assist you.

Non-PDF files:  5:00 p.m. (CST) Thursday, January 3, 2008. 
** Non-PDF submissions that arrive after January 3, 2008, will NOT be considered. **

Hard-copy provision:  If for some reason authors are unable to submit their abstract electronically, they must contact the LPI by fax (281-486-2125) to request the necessary forms and instructions for submitting by hard copy. Requests must be accompanied by a valid fax number, phone number, and e-mail address.

SUBMISSION POLICIES —
Abstract limitation:  First authors are limited to TWO abstracts for oral or poster presentation requests.

Authors may request any combination of two — but no more than two — oral and poster presentation formats (i.e., two orals, two posters, or one oral and one poster).

Authors submitting two abstracts for oral presentation will be asked to rank them in order of preference.

Invited presentations:  Invited presenters may submit their invited abstract in addition to their two contributed abstracts.

Print-only abstracts:  Authors requesting a print-only abstract cannot submit an abstract for an oral or a poster presentation.

First authors are limited to ONE print-only request. Print-only abstracts are allowed only under the following conditions:  (1) from members of the community who may not be able to attend the meeting or (2) from authors who are NOT submitting an abstract for oral or poster presentation.

Use of Meteorite Names:  Information regarding the acceptable use of meteorite names is contained in the detailed instructions for authors. A representative of the Meteorite Nomenclature Committee will be reviewing the LPSC abstracts to make certain all authors comply with these policies. The program committee reserves the right to reject any abstract found to be in violation of these rules.

File Sizes:  Abstracts file sizes can be no larger than 1MB. Larger files will be automatically rejected by the electronic submission form.

PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS —
Abstracts can be submitted in 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 preparing their abstract file, authors have to use the electronic abstract submission form to upload the file containing their abstract (instructions are provided on the form).

Abstracts sent by e-mail will NOT be considered.

Abstract files must be RECEIVED at the LPI by 5:00 p.m. U.S. CST (see U.S. timezone map). Authors are encouraged to start early so the LPI staff will have time to provide assistance in the event of technical problems.

Because of the number of abstracts received and the time required to process them, exceptions cannot be made for anyone, regardless of the reason.

GSA STEPHEN E. DWORNIK STUDENT AWARDS (U.S. Citizens Only) —
Description:  Each year the Planetary Geology Division of the Geological Society of America (GSA) gives the Stephen E. Dwornik Planetary Student Paper Awards for the best student research presentations, one for an oral presentation and one for a poster presentation. The purpose of these awards is to provide encouragement, motivation, and recognition to outstanding future planetary scientists who are U.S. citizens, as specified by the benefactor and GSA policy.

Eligibility:  The awards are open to U.S. citizens currently enrolled as students at any degree level in the field of planetary geosciences. Recent graduates, pre-college students, and postdoctoral fellows are not eligible.

Criteria:  Only one abstract per student will be considered for the award. The student must be the senior author of the abstract, and the material must not have been previously presented at another meeting. Judging will be based on both the written abstract and the presentation.

Application:  To apply for the award, students MUST complete the student award application form and MUST send the original application, with an original signature by their advisor, to LPI on or before the deadline of January 8, 2008.

Judging:  The Dwornik committee is looking for volunteers to serve as judges for this year’s competition. Those willing to serve as a judge should write a note to that effect in the comments box of the abstract submission form.

KEY POINTS
Non-PDF Deadline:
   January 3, 2008
   5:00 p.m. CST

PDF Deadline:
   January 8, 2008
   5:00 p.m. CST

(U.S. timezone map)

Sunday Night Registration and Reception:  Sunday evening, March 9, 2008, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the LPI (see area map). Shuttle buses will operate from selected hotels to LPI on Sunday night.

NASA Headquarters Briefings:  Michael Griffin will speak on Monday, March 10, and Alan Stern and Jim Green will speak on Wednesday, March 12. Both briefings will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Plenary Session Featuring Masursky Lecture:  Monday, March 10, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Education/Public Outreach Activities:  E/PO activities associated with this year’s LPSC include a pre-conference workshop entitled “Reaching the Moon” (Sunday, March 9); displays of outreach programs and activities (Sunday evening, March 9); a variety of educator workshops conducted by space science mission specialists throughout the week of the conference; and the education poster session.

For more more details about LPSC-related E/PO activities, including registration forms, visit the LPSC Education/Public Outreach Activities website.

Student/Scientist Reception:  Monday, March 10, Marina Plaza Ballroom, South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center, immediately following conclusion of Headquarters Briefing. Reception will honor the Masursky Lecturer, 2007 Dwornik award winners, and all students presenting at this year’s LPSC.

Overview of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission:  An informal session will be held on Thursday evening, March 13, to provide the community with information about the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission. In October the U.S. will launch LRO, a spacecraft and payload designed to provide a multidisciplinary global map of the Moon for scientific and exploration purposes. The payload includes LROC (a high- and low-resolution imaging system), LOLA (laser altimeter), DRLE (thermal radiometer), CRATER (cosmic-ray telescope), LEND (neutron spectrometer), mini-RF (SAR imaging system), and LAMP (ultraviolet imaging system). The session will provide an overview of the mission and presentations regarding the instruments, their characteristics, and the scientific questions they will address.

Combined Publishers’ Exhibit:  Featuring new publications in the fields of lunar and planetary sciences, astronomy, astrophysics, geology, geophysics, atmospheric sciences, mathematics, computer science applications, remote sensing, and image processing applications. A comprehensive exhibit catalog listing all participating publishers, all items on display, and contact information will be made available to conference participants at the exhibit.

Note:  This is NOT a book sale. All submitted exhibit items are for DISPLAY ONLY.

Publishers and authors are invited to submit materials related to these fields for display at this exhibit at no charge. Materials sent for the exhibit will become the property of the Lunar and Planetary Institute and will not be returned.

Deadline for submitting materials is February 15, 2008. For more information, contact Linda Chappell, Combined Publishers’ Exhibit Coordinator, at 281-486-2103 or chappell@lpi.usra.edu.

Currency exchange issues:  Foreign participants who state on the registration form that they have a currency exchange problem may pay in cash at the meeting and avoid late fees if they return the form by February 15, 2008.

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:  Requests for cancellation with a fee refund (less a $25.00 processing fee) will only be accepted through February 29, 2008. Those who fail to attend and do not notify the LPI prior to the February 29 deadline will forfeit their full fee.

Check-in:  Participants arriving on Sunday evening may register at the LPI from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. (see “Highlighted Events” above). Participants arriving after Sunday night will be able to register at South Shore Harbour between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Standard room rates are $104.00 per night, single or double occupancy, plus 12% tax. Guests are required to show proper government identification at check-in to be eligible for an occupancy tax exemption.

There is no charge for children 18 years and younger when they share a room with parent(s) and utilize existing beds. There will be an additional charge of $10.00 for a third or fourth adult (18 years or older) in a room. A maximum of four adults is allowed per room.

Check-in time is 4:00 p.m.; check-out time is noon. Guests arriving prior to check-in will be accommodated as rooms become available. The hotel will accommodate late check-outs subject to space availability.

All reserved guest rooms are guaranteed for late arrival to each individual.  “No-shows” will be billed for one night.  Individual cancellation of guest rooms must be made at least 48 hours prior to guest arrival.

To ensure a room at the special rate, reservations MUST be made by February 15, 2008. 
Note: The LPSC room block sells out early, so participants are encouraged to make reservations early.

Room Reservations —
To reserve a room, call the hotel directly at 800-442-5005 or 281-334-1000.

Registered guests will have access to the following amenities: complimentary covered parking, marina with rentals for water sports, a 185-foot tropical pool with heated jacuzzi, 70,000-square-foot fitness center (for a nominal fee), and golfing privileges at South Shore Harbour Country Club (green fees extra).

Please note that the hotel is a non-smoking property, which includes all public areas and guest rooms.  Evidence of smoking in the guest rooms will be subject to a $250.00 cleaning fee.  Since January 23, 2007, all restaurants within the hotel have become smoke-free in compliance with League City Smoking in Public Places Ordinance.

There are a number of other hotels in the area. When making reservations, you can ask if they offer any special rates for LPSC participants. The local area map shows the locations of the LPI, South Shore Harbour, and other local hotels. Participants on a budget who want to share housing expenses may use the roommate search form provided.

AIRPORT —
The Houston metropolitan area is primarily served by two airports:  George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), approximately 47 miles from South Shore Harbour, and William P. Hobby (HOU), approximately 20 miles from South Shore Harbour. Visit the Houston Airport System webpage for more information on both airports.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE SERVICE —
Galveston Limousine Service provides continuous shuttle service from both George Bush Intercontinental Airport ($60.00 round trip per person) and Hobby Airport ($50.00 round trip per person). Reservations for Galveston Limousine may be made via their Web site at www.galvestonlimo.com or by calling 1-800-640-4826.

Clear Lake Shuttle (281-334-3873), located in the lobby of South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center, is available to provide transportation to or from George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport. Contact them directly for current rate information.

CONFERENCE SHUTTLE SERVICE —
Conference shuttle service will be provided to the conference venue from a number of local hotels throughout the week. More detailed information will be available in the final announcement.

Mary Cloud
phone: 281-486-2143;
fax: 281-486-2125;
e-mail: cloud@lpi.usra.edu

For further information regarding abstract submission and registration, contact

Linda Tanner
phone: 281-486-2142;
fax: 281-486-2125;
e-mail: tanner@lpi.usra.edu