Upcoming Meetings (under construction)

Transit of Venus Observations June 8, 2004

Atmospheric Biomarker Signatures December 1-2, 2004

Overview

Astronomy remains the key fundamental discipline that has yet to fully impact the discipline of astrobiology. The National Academy of Sciences Committee on the Evolution of Life report in part urges NASA to "identify overlaps, common areas of research, and approaches to enhance the level of interaction in research between astronomical origins and astrobiology, as well as to develop bridges between astronomy and astrobiology-type programs."

The proposed Astronomy Focus Group will hold workshops on highly specific topics devoted to the sharing of information between astronomers and scientists in overlapping astrobiologial disciplines . Such meetings would aid researchers in overlapping disciplines to talk, educate each other and "cross-over" between the disciplines. The outcome of these workshops will be review articles that will benefit the astronomy and astrobiology communities as well as new avenues of astrobiology research, and education of scientists working on similar topics from different directions.

These workshops will be held as either special events at existing meetings (e.g., the NAI annual meeting, the semi-annual Gordon Conference on Origins of Solar Systems, the bi-annual American Astronomical Society meetings, etc.) or as meetings in their own right. Although there are many meetings that are well attended by both astronomers and scientists in related disciplines a more concentrated effort and different format is required to improve the sharing of information among jargon-laden disciplines. The workshops will encompass topics relevant to NAI astrobiology. Potential topics encompass a wide range including topics such as the effects of supernovae and gamma ray bursters on the development of life.