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Call for papers

Conference topics

Science Outreach and Education in Astrobiology Space exploration and astronomy, includes SETI Life signs on Early Earth Proof of Biogenicity – advances in technology for positive signal returns Modern analogues of early life

Abstract submission (Oral/Poster)

Key dates and locations

Conference venue

Ice breaker on Saturday 9th July 2016. Meeting – Sunday 10th to Tuesday 12th July 2016, CSIRO. Field trip – 6th-9th July 2016 Shark Bay. Field trip – 13th-17th July 2016. Pilbara Craton. Abstract submission deadline: 29th February 2016. Early bird registration deadline: 30th April 2016.

Pilbara Craton trip Dates: 13th - 17th July 2016 Theme: The early Archean Pilbara Craton of Western Australia is famous for hosting the most convincing evidence of the oldest life on Earth in the form of macroscopic stromatolites, chemical traces of metabolic activity (stable isotope fractionations), organic geochemical signatures, and controversial, putative bona fide microfossils. Come see the evidence for yourself on a five day safari through the Pilbara. During this time, we will investigate all of the major horizons with claim of early life, including the 3.48 Ga Dresser Formation and its dense network of hydrothermal chert-barite veins, the shallow marine stromatolitic carbonates and associated rocks of the 3.4 Ga Strelley Pool Formation, and the controversial microfossil locality in the Apex chert. We will also visit the spectacular stromatolites of the younger (2.72 Ga) lacustrine Tumbiana Formation, and stop in to see the Marble Bar Chert Member and gorgeous pillow basalts of the Warrawoona Group. Critical new evidence of the habitat of the earliest life will be investigated in the Dresser Formation. Accommodation: We’ll stay at an abandoned mining camp that has showers and a lovely kitchen area for us to use. There is no mining activity and the site is close to all areas. There are small rooms available for sleeping or you can swag it outdoors and marvel at the southern skies. Transport: Transport will be via plane from Perth to port Headland, and then by 4-wheel drive vehicle. Cost: 2450 AUD$ pp, includes flights, ground transport and food (but not alcohol - this will be charged extra per person). Number of people: Numbers may be limited. Leaders: Prof. Martin Van Kranendonk and Tara Djokic, Australian Centre for Astrobiology, UNSW.

Field trips

Please, fill the abstract submission form and use the provided template:www.aa-meeting2016.com. Abstract submission deadline for oral/poster presentations is on the 29th February 2016.

The Australasian Astrobiology Meeting 2016 will take place at CSIRO, Perth, Western Australia.Visit our website: www.aa-meeting2016.com.Further information about Perth and its surroundings can be found at: www.westernaustralia.com.

Call for papersShark Bay trip Dates: 6th - 9th July 2016 Theme: Life at the edge. Travelling with local guides, we will spend 3 days exploring the extreme habitats of Shark Bay, where life forms similar to those that first evolved on our planet are thriving today. After having visited the Carnarvon Space Museum, we will spend 2 nights and days at Carbla Station on the eastern side of the Hamelin Pool Marine Reserve, camping in a remote bush setting. At Carbla, we will explore the shore line and shallow subtidal environments of the geochemically complex and biologically diverse hypersaline marine microbial mats and stromatolites. On land, we will explore the calcretes and desert patina and their controversial association with Martian hematite spherules. On our third day, we will leave the hypersaline marine setting and explore the changes in the system as we move to metahaline marine conditions at the seaside town of Denham, stopping along the way at the iconic Shell Beach and the Ocean Park Aquarium. The day will conclude at Denham with a group dinner and overnight stay in Denham before a morning flight scheduled to be back in Perth with plenty of time to get to the Ice Breaker. Accommodation: 2 nights camping at Carbla station and 1 night at the Tradewinds Apartments in Denham. Transport: Transport will be via plane from Perth to Carnarvon, and then by 4-wheel drive vehicle. Cost: 2150 AUD$ pp, includes flights, ground transport, accommodation and food (but not alcohol - this will be charged extra/pp). Number of people: 19 people maximum. Leader: Therese Morris, Curtin University.

Invited speakers

Prof. Steven Tingay – Director, Science and Operations – Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy. Prof. Mitch Shulte, – Mars Exploration Program Scientist, NASA HeadquartersProf. Feng Tian – Tsinghua University, BeijingA/Prof. Mukund Sharma – Birbal Sahni Institute, IndiaProf. Eizo Nakamura – University of Misasa, JapanHaritina Mogosanu – New Zealand Astrobiology Initiative Prof. Pieter Visscher – UCONN, USA Dr Andrew Walsh – Curtin University, Australia

Registration

Registration Fee Early bird registration Late registration (before 30th April 2016) (after 30th April 2016)

Full registration 280 AUD$ 350 AUD$

Student registration 150 AUD$ 150 AUD$

Registration will open in January 2016 (see our website: www.aa-meeting2016.com).

Registration fees will include ice-breaker, catering for the 3 days conference and programs/bags.

Student sponsorship for fieldtripsStudent sponsorships for fieldtrips will be available for a limited number of students . Please, provide a one-page document highlighting your research topic and explain how attending one of the field trips could help you with your research project Also see www.aa-meeting2016.com. Email your CV and the one-page document to aameeting2016@gmail.com.

Applications Open: 1 January 2016Application Deadline: 31 March 2016 Recipients Announced: 15 May 2016

Accommodation and visas

Accommodation:Delegates should make their own arrangements for accommodation. There are many hotels, guest houses and self-catering apartments around Perth CBD.Some suggestions for accommodation include:• Quest Sout Perth – fully equipped apartments - 3.8 km from the venue• Drakes apartments with cars – fully equipped apartments and car - 4.1 km from the venue• Mantra on Murray – hotel rooms - 11.8 km from the venue (easily accessible by train/bus)• Ibis Hotel - hotel rooms - 11.5 km from the venue (easily accessible by train/bus) Visit our website (www.aa-meeting2016.com) for additional suggestions.

Visas:Please, be aware that non-Australian citizens will be required to hold a valid visa before entering the country. For further information, please visit the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection website (www.borders.gov.au).

Organising and scientific committees

Organising committee• Dr Anais Pages, CSIRO, Perth.• Dr Svenja Tulipani, CSIRO, Perth.• Chloe Plet, Curtin University, Perth.• Gemma Spaak, Curtin University, Perth.• Sureyya Kose, Curtin University, Perth.• Dr Sam Spinks, CSIRO, Perth.• Prof. Martin Van Kranendonk, UNSW, Sydney.

Scientific committee:• Prof. Martin Van Kranendonk, UNSW, Sydney.• Dr Brendan Burns, UNSW, Sydney.• Dr Ian Morrison, Swinburne University, Sydney.• Prof. Kliti Grice, Curtin University, Perth.