ASBIO12 Aveiro, Portugal OCTOBER 2012

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1 ASBIO12 Aveiro, Portugal OCTOBER 2012 I Preliminary scientific program

2 OVERVIEW Astrobiology is an interdisciplinary field of knowledge that deals with fundamental questions such as the possibility of life in other planets and the origins and evolution of life. It involves the collaboration of disciplines like biology, physics, geology, chemistry, planetary sciences and medicine, as well as science communication and education to deal with the following specific issues: - Which instruments and techniques are used to investigate life (past and present) on other planetary bodies; - Which chemical processes are crucial for life; - What are the limits for life on Earth; - What can we learn by studding Mars analogue extreme environments on Earth; - Which other planets can support Earth- like life; - How to improve public engagement with astrobiology. This workshop is intended to facilitate an international and interdisciplinary forum for discussion. It will focus, as well, in maximizing resources, gathering and sharing expertise. The workshop will be also an excellent platform to introduce astrobiology to university students and researchers of related fields. The structure of the workshop includes lectures by several national and international visiting scientists, a round table and two poster sessions for graduate students, researchers from academia or companies that can demonstrate the applied aspects of research. On the last day there will be a field trip to a geological formation of interest to Astrobiology. Another objective of the workshop is to increase awareness on Astrobiology among the non- scientific community, by offering an open session to general audience and parallel activities for children. The event is open to interested parties from all nationalities and from different disciplines and is aimed particularly for researchers, entrepreneurs and representatives of the media. We wish you all a productive Workshop and a pleasent time in Aveiro! On behalf of the scientific organizing committee, António Correia Luísa Rodrigues II

3 ORGANIZING COMMITTEE SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE A. Correia UA&CESAM, Aveiro, PT A. Alves - UA&CESAM, Aveiro, PT L. Rodrigues - UA&CESAM, Aveiro, PT/VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL P. Pombo - UA&Fábrica, Ciência Viva, Aveiro, PT B. Foing VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL G. Davies VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL P. Russo Leiden University, Leiden, NL P. Ehrenfreund Leiden University, Leiden, NL/Space Policy Institute, USA European Astrobiology Network Association (EANA) LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITEE L. Rodrigues - UA&CESAM, Aveiro, PT A. Alves - UA&CESAM, Aveiro, PT C. Oliveira - UA&CESAM, Aveiro, PT Fábrica, Centro de Ciência Viva de Aveiro - Aveiro, PT Contact E- mail: bio- astro@ua.pt III

4 TOPICS Interstellar Chemistry Extremophiles Tools for molecular life detection Astrobiology Space Missions Education and communication The solar system: search for Life on Mars, Europa, Titan Future perspectives on Astrobiology SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 10:00 11:00 Registration 11:00 12:00 Tutorial 12:00 13:00 Lunch 13:00 14:00 Press- conference/media Briefing 14:00 14:20 Welcome session (UA Rectorate) 14:20 Opening Plenary/Lecture - "Astrobiology with ESA Missions" (B. Foing, ESA- ESTEC) (40 min., including questions) 15:00 - Panel 1: Exploring Space (Session chair: Physics Dep. UA) - The stability of astronomical conditions for life on Earth R. Agostinho (Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon) (20 min.) - Detecting water abundance on the giant planets implications for the solar system formation F. Simões (GSFC- NASA) (20 min.) - Cold sky mapping D. Barbosa (Telecomunications Inst., UA) (20 min.) 16:10 Coffee- break 16:30 Panel 2: Strange kind of life (Session chair: A. Alves, DBUA & CESAM) - Looking for life in the Solar System (E. Velasco, VUA) (20 min.) - Terrestrial invaders how to prevent contamination from Earth (L. Rodrigues, DBUA&CESAM/VUA) (20 min.) - Life in extreme environments (20 min.) IV

5 18:00 Contributed Talks/Poster session I 18:00 Collaboration meeting 19:30 Workshop Dinner 21:00 Public (open) session (Fábrica, Centro de Ciência Viva de Aveiro) (Moderator: P. Pombo, Fábrica, Centro de Ciência Viva de Aveiro) Conference by R. Agostinho (Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon) Children sessions "Dad, I m going to space and I will be right back (Fábrica, Centro de Ciência Viva de Aveiro) FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19 9:30 Panel 3: Searching for life (Session chair: GeoSciences Dep. UA) - Deep- sea discoveries - a changed view of life M. Cunha (DBUA&CESAM) (20 min.) - Molecular tools in astrobiology S. Direito (VUA) (20 min.) 10:20 Coffee- break 10:50 Panel 4: New challenges (Session chair: A. Correia, DBUA & CESAM) - Space environment health challenges for cancer disease J. Valdivia- Silva (Ames- NASA&UNAM) (20 min.) - Astrobiological Aspects of Simulated Mars mission and Human Factors B. Rai (VUA&ILEWG Amsterdam) 11:30 Contributed Talks/Poster session II 12:30 Lunch 14:00 Panel 5: Education and communication (Session chair: P. Pombo, Fábrica Centro de Ciência Viva de Aveiro) - Scientific Publishing from the Inside Out M. Cruz (Science Magazine, UK) (20 min.) - Break the news: We found extraterrestrial life! P. Russo (Universe Awareness International Project Manager, LU) (20 min.) 14:50 - Closing Plenary/Lecture - "Astrobiology Future perspectives" P. Ehrenfreund (LU/SPI) (40 min., including questions) 15:30 16:00 Closing Session (DBUA&CESAM) V

6 18:00 Trip to Caminha 19:30 Dinner (Porto/V.N. Gaia) (1h trip Aveiro- Porto+1h30 trip Porto- Caminha) 22:30 Arrival to Caminha SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 9:00 - Brief on Field Trip (Caminha) T. Valente (DCT/UM) 9:30 Field Trip Valdarcas - mine drainage site with potential interest as an extremophile environment 11:45 Lunch buffet 13:00 Trip back to Aveiro VI