Summer school/workshop "Microsatellites in planetary and atmospheric research"
Tartu, Estonia, 6 - 11 August 2018
The use of micro- and nanosatellites in space missions have been one of the hot topics in space research and space technology during the last years. As opposed to traditional spacecraft missions which can take decades to prepare and may cost up to billions of Euros, microsatellites (<100 kg) and nanosatellites (<10 kg) offer a quick, low-cost alternative for atmospheric and space research, which is ideal for early career people. However, in order to plan missions involving such small satellites successfully, intensive interaction and cooperation between scientists and space technologists are necessary, which is still lacking in some potential key applications.The early career scientist workshop/summer school "Microsatellites in planetary and atmospheric research" will take place from 6 to 11 August 2018 at the University of Tartu. It aims to:
- Give participant an overview into the most pivotal research questions in planetary and atmospheric sciences
- Highlight the possible potential of microsatellites in those areas
- Explore novel applications of microsatellites in a multitude of different fields including astronomy, planetary and atmospheric sciences, geosciences and astrobiology
- Foster the interaction between space researchers and technologists
- Allow participants to start the design and planning of new space missions
- Contribute to the training of a new generation of space researchers
Participants will also have the possibility to display their own research results in a poster session. Furthermore, a half-day excursion to interesting sites in the area (Ice Age Museum, Lake Peipus) and a walk in Tartu are included as a social programme. Accommodations and meal costs are very low.
The event is aimed for students and early career scientists and open to applicants from all nationalities. Detailed information about the summer school and the application procedure (
deadline 31 May 2018) can be found at the
website:
http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/Tartu2018
Summer school "Impacts and their Role in the Evolution of Life on Earth"
Kuressaare, Saaremaa, Estonia, 25 July - 3 August 2017
The course "Impacts and their Role in the
Evolution of Life" will take place from 25 July to 3 August 2017 at Kuressaare and the
Kaali impact crater site on the island of Saaremaa,
Estonia. It aims to give students a thorough introduction in the role of meteorite and comets impacts in the formation of Earth, its atmosphere and the evolution of life. The course consists of lectures, pratical exercises and student-led discussions. Participants will also have the possibility to display their own research results in two poster sessions.The Stockholm University Astrobiology Centre, the
University of Tartu, the European Astrobiology Campus, and the Nordic Network of Astrobiology will
function as co-organisers of the course and the following subjects
will be covered by the lectures:
- Roles of impacts in the formation of habitable planets
- Physical and chemical properties of comets and
meteorites
- Detection and investigation of impact craters by
geological methods and remote sensing from space
- Ecological consequences of impacts and the role of
impacts in mass extinctions
- Transfer of life through meteorite impacts
- Threat of life on our planet by near-Earth asteroids
and comets
The lecture programme will be complemented by practical
exercises concerning:
- Electromagnetic mapping of impact sites
- Analysis of pollen indicators of the
Kaali impact event.
- Microscopy of impactites
- Georadar profiling at
Kaali
Participants will also have the possibility to display
their own research results in two poster sessions. Furthermore,
excursions to geologically interesting sites like the Panga
cliffs.
See the summer school website for details. The deadline for application is 30 April 2017 23:59:00 UTC.
Summer school "Biosignatures and the Search For Life on Mars"
Iceland 4 - 16 July 2016
The summer school "Biosignatures and the Search For Life on Mars", which will be held in
Iceland from
4 to 16 July 2016, aims to cover the subject of the search for life in different environments, both on early Earth, below Earth's surface and on Mars. It will bring together students and researchers from a multitude of different fields. It is co-organised by the
Nordic Network of Astrobiology, the
European Astrobiology Campus, and the EU COST Action "Origins and Evolution of Life on Earth and in the Universe". Field studies on the colonisation of lava fields and Mars analogue landscapes will complement the lectures. The programme of the summer school comprises:
- lectures by internationally leading scientists covering a broad range of subjects in astrobiology
- investigation of colonisation of fresh lava fields and Mars analogue landscapes with in situ life detection techniques
- excursions to geologically and astrobiologically interesting sites (lava caves, new lava fields):
- Kerlingarfjöll hot spring area
- Barðabunga lava field
- Námaskarð geothermal area
- Krafla volcanic area
- the Mars analogue landscapes at Askja
- the Myvatn area with the Skútustaðir pseudocraters and the Hverfjall cinder cone
- a poster sessions for students and early career scientists
- participant-led discussions
A multitude of highly merited researchers have agreed to teach at the course (see the
Programme page for details. The deadline for application is
31 March 2016 23:59:00 UTC.
Summer school "Volcanism, Plate Tectonics, Hydrothermal Vents and Life"
Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal 23 August - 1 September 2016
The course aims to give participants a thorough introduction into influence of volcanism, plate tectonics on life and the role of hydrothermal vents in the emergence of life. It is co-organised by the
Nordic Network of Astrobiology, the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership
"European Astrobiology Campus" and the EU COST Action "Origins and Evolution of Life on Earth and in the Universe". The summer school, which is held in the picturesque town of Angra de HeroÃsmo (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) will include:
- Lectures by internationally leading scientists covering a cornucopia of different fields
- Characterisation of microbes in lava caves and hot springs via Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- Exploration of lava caves
- Poster sessions for students and early career scientists
- Participant-led discussions about forefront-topics
Bursaries including travel grants are available for students and early career investigators affiliated to universities in most European countries.
The deadline for application is 15 March 2016 23:59:00 UTC .
For further information about the event, access its website.
Summer school "Formation and evolution of planetary systems and habitable planets"
Moletai, Lithuania 21 - 30 August 2015
The summer school will present an overview of the pathways formation of habitable planets both in our and extrasolar planets. It is co-organised by the Nordic Network of Astrobiology, the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership "European Astrobiology Campus" and the EU COST Action "Origins and Evolution of Life on Earth and in the Universe". Its programme includes:
- Lectures by internationally leading scientists covering a broad range of astrobiology
- observations of star transits as well as other interesting astronomical objects like Churyumov-Gerasimenko comet with the 1.65 m and broad field 51 cm telescope at the Moletai Observatory
- Remote observations using other telescopes in Europe
- 2 Poster sessions for students and early career scientists
- Participant-led discussions about forefront-topics
The deadline for application is 15 January 2015 23:59:00 UTC .
For further information about the event, access its website.
Nordic-Hawai'i Summer School "Water, Ice and the Origin of Life in the Universe", Iceland, 1-13 July 2015
The summer school Water, Ice and the Origin of Life in the Universe, which will be held in Iceland from 1 to 13 July 2015, aims to give participants a thorough high-level introduction into the role of water in the evolution of life in the cosmos, starting from formation of water molecules in space and ending with evolution of the first organisms. It will bring together students and researchers from a multitude of different science branches, making it a truly multidisciplinary event. Field studies on the colonisation of lava fields and glaciers will complement the lectures. The programme of the summer school comprises:
- lectures by internationally leading scientists covering a broad range of subjects in astrobiology
- investigation of colonisation of volcanic rocks and glaciers with in situ life detection techniques
- excursions to geologically and biologically interesting sites (lava caves, new lava fields)
- 2 poster sessions for students and early career scientists
A multitude of highly merited researchers have agreed to teach at the course (see the Programme page for details. The deadline for application is 20 March 2015 23:59:00 UTC. For details please check the summer school website
Summer course "Life on Earth and Beyond - The History and Philosophy of the Origin of Life"
Island of Ven, 4 - 6 May 2015
The aim of the course is to give participants a thorough overview of the historical, philosophical and ethical questions arising in this field. It is co-organised by the Nordic Network of Astrobiology and the EU COST Action "Origins and Evolution of Life on Earth and in the Universe". The course is open for students and scientists in humanities, natural, social and political sciences. It will, amongst others deal with the following themes:
- Definition of life in a historical and philosophical context
- Biochemical evolution
- The tree of bioogical evolution
- Search for life outside Earth
- Philosophical, ethical and political questions arising with the quest for life on other celestial bodies
A multitude of highly merited researchers have agreed to teach at the course: (see the course website for details. The deadline for application is 15 January 2015 23:59:00 UTC .
