"Following are recent comments (not questions) on the Nibiru/2012 hoax, sent to Ask an Astrobiologist."
Welcome to the NAI Newsletter! The Newsletter is a compendium of announcements, events, updates, and news items related to the NAI and its research. If you have news items or suggestions you can send them to the editor, Marco Boldt at: Marco.Boldt@nasa.gov.
Newsletter for June 16, 2009
- 6/29 NAI Director's Seminar: Chris Scholin, "Application of the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) in Deep-sea and Coastal Ocean Biomes"
- MIRS 2009 Sabbatical Awards
- 2009 Selections Announced for the NAI/APS Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research
- New Book: "Astrobiology of Earth: The Emergence, Evolution and Future of Life on a Planet in Turmoil"
- Ph.D. Position in Experimental Isotope Geochemistry/Petrology - Utrecht University
- Astrobiology Night at the Ballpark
- NASA Accepting Proposals for the Global Climate Change Education Cooperative Agreement Notice
- Expanding Horizons in Montana
6/29 NAI Director's Seminar: Chris Scholin, "Application of the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) in Deep-sea and Coastal Ocean Biomes"
Date/Time: Monday June 29, 2009 11:00AM Pacific
Presenter: Chris Scholin, Molecular Biologist, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
Abstract:
In late April 2009, a team of MBARI researchers tested the world's only deep-sea robotic DNA lab beneath the waters of Monterey Bay. This instrument is the latest version of the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP), which MBARI molecular biologist Chris Scholin has been developing for over 10 years. The ESP is a self-contained robotic laboratory that collects samples of seawater and tests these samples for different types of genetic material, such as DNA.
Over the last several years, Scholin and his team have used the ESP to study microscopic marine life near the sea surface in Monterey Bay. However, adapting the ESP to work in deep water added new challenges to what was already a very complicated project. Because of the immense pressure in the deep sea, the researchers had to build a special pressure housing to protect the delicate instrument. They also had to design and build an automated system to "depressurize" seawater before it could be introduced into the ESP.
Later this spring, the deep-ESP team will test the instrument for several days in water about 2,900 meters deep, offshore of Monterey Bay. In August, 2009, the deep ESP will be deployed for its first scientific mission - to study microorganisms near hydrothermal vents off the coast of Oregon. Later in 2009 it will be hooked up to the MARS undersea observatory, which will allow the team to run experiments and gather data from shore.
For more information and participation instructions: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/seminars/detail/156
MIRS 2009 Sabbatical Awards
The NAI is pleased to announce its selections for the 2009 NAI-Minority Institution Research Support (NAI-MIRS) program. The MIRS program provides summer sabbaticals, follow-up support, and travel opportunities for faculty and students from minority serving institutions.
This year the following two faculty members have been selected to lead new research in astrobiology.
Dr. Rakesh Mogul, from the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona will work with Kasthuri Venkateswaran, at JPL, on the characterization of Acinetobacter radioresistens 50v1, an extremophile isolated from the Mars Odyssey Spacecraft.
Dr. Aaron Cavosie, from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, will work with John W. Valley, at the Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, on developing methods to identify impact evidence from the early Earth: Isotopic and structural characteristics of detrital shocked zircon from the Vredefort Dome (South Africa).
For more information on the MIRS program, visit http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-minority-institution-research-support
2009 Selections Announced for the NAI/APS Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research
The NAI and the American Philosophical Society (APS) jointly sponsor graduate students, postdocs, and junior scientists for field studies through the Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology. For more information see http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/lewis-and-clark
We are very pleased to present the young investigators selected for 2009:
Jennifer Glass
Arizona State University
Evaluation of Molybdenum Diagenesis in Sediments of Castle Lake, California
Dominic Papineau
Carnegie Institution of Washington
Influences of Phosphorous on the Carbon Cycle in the Paleoproterozoic Aravalli Supergroup
Jimmy Saw
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Single-cell Genome Sequencing of a Novel Gloeobacter from an Epilithic Biofilm in a Hawaiian Basaltic Lava Cave
Dustin Trail
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
A Field and Geochemical Investigation of the Oldest Known Rocks on Earth: the ca. 4.03 Billion–year-old Acasta Gneiss Complex, Canada
Katherine Wright
University of Colorado at Boulder
Biomarkers for Sulfur Metabolism in Icy Non-terrestrial Environments
David J. Smith
University of Washington
Measuring Polymorphism in Northern Hemisphere Snow Algae Populations
Recently Published Research from the NAI
Cleaner than Clean: New Life Detection Protocols
NAI astrobiologists from the NASA Goddard Center for Astrobiology and their collaborators have developed a new cleaning protocol for space hardware which could benefit future missions searching for life on the Red Planet and elsewhere in the Solar System. Published in Astrobiology, the new protocol was developed as part of a project to investigate life that exists in extreme Arctic environments, where Mars analogue studies are ongoing. The decontamination protocol involves a cocktail of chemicals that were applied and tested on various sampling devices, including a glacial ice core drill and a rover scoop. The procedure goes beyond sterilization, also cleaning off trace organic molecules.
For Students and Young Investigators
New Book: "Astrobiology of Earth: The Emergence, Evolution and Future of Life on a Planet in Turmoil"
This new book, authored by Joseph Gale of Hebrew University is now available. From the author:
The approach here is the mirror image of most books on Astrobiology. First, the difficulties of defining life, and its strong association with liquid water, are discussed. Then, instead of starting with life on Earth and extrapolating to the universe in search of extraterrestrial life, the physical chemical factors of the universe (including of Earth itself) are studied with a view to understanding how life was enabled to begin on Earth. It then continues with the effect of cosmic and geological effects on the tumultuous evolution of life on Earth over some 3.6 Gy of its history. From there it goes to the effect of humans on the Biosphere, showing how all these factors interact. Finally it discusses the search for life in the cosmos and the suggestion that humans may escape a depleted Earth by colonizing other planets.
The book is designed as an outline for an undergraduate workshop. As it attracts students from many disciplines (biology, earth sciences and astronomy) it is written in a way that can be understood by all. Students are expected to use the basic material presented and the comprehensive bibliography, to prepare term papers which are the basis of class presentations and discussions.
For more information: http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/LifeSciences/EvolutionaryBiology/~~/dmlldz11c2EmY2k9OTc4MDE5OTIwNTgxMw==
Ph.D. Position in Experimental Isotope Geochemistry/Petrology - Utrecht University
An opening is available in the Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University, The Netherlands. The Ph.D. candidate will be based at the Department of Earth Sciences of the Faculty of Geosciences. Part of the analytical work will be carried out at VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences. Successful candidates will be offered a full-time Ph.D. position for a period of four years, contingent on a (yearly) satisfactory performance, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period.
For more information: http://applicaties.csc.uu.nl/uuvacature/detail.cfm?export=0&id=2811&taal=Engels
Astrobiology Night at the Ballpark
On June 5th, minor-league baseball fans in Madison, Wisconsin were treated to an out of this world experience at the local Madison Mallards game. NAI’s Wisconsin Astrobiology Research Center (WARC) sponsored ‘Astrobiology Night’ at the ballpark, and delivered a fun and educational experience for the 6250 fans in attendance.
A rover delivered the ball to WARC researcher Eric Roden who threw out the first pitch, but that was just the beginning of the festivities. Kids and families played with extremophile trading cards and special frisbees with an astrobiology timeline printed on them. The fans also enjoyed demonstration tables where they learned about stromatolites, the original ‘X-philes,’ and Earth’s oldest rocks….and even made their own Banded Iron Formations. To top it all off, there was a kids vs. aliens tug-of-war!
The whole WARC team participated in this innovative educational event which was specifically designed to reach those members of the public who might not otherwise be exposed to science learning opportunities. Soon they’ll have us all shouting “take me out to the ball game!”
NASA Accepting Proposals for the Global Climate Change Education Cooperative Agreement Notice
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Education, in cooperation with NASA's Science Mission Directorate, is accepting proposals in response to the NASA Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN): "Global Climate Change Education: Research Experiences, Teaching & Learning". The Global Climate Change Education (GCCE) project is designed to improve the quality of global climate change and Earth system science education at the elementary, secondary and undergraduate levels, and through lifelong learning. Each funded proposal is expected to take advantage of NASA's unique contributions in climate science to enhance learners' academic experiences and/or to improve educators' abilities to engage and stimulate their students.
Eligibility Information: Proposals will be accepted from higher education institutions (including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions); state, local, or federally recognized tribal government agencies; public school districts; and nonprofit organizations. NASA centers, federal agencies, federally funded research and development centers, education-related companies, and other institutions may apply through partnership with the lead organization.
Notices of Intent are required and due by July 2, 2009.
Full proposals are due Aug. 3, 2009.
Interested parties may also connect to a pre-proposal teleconference on June 18, 1-3 p.m. EDT, for further information. To dial into the teleconference, call 888-673-9782. The participant pass code is GCCECAN (4223226). (See the full CAN for further details.)
For more information regarding this opportunity, please visit the GCCE page on the NSPIRES website. Go to http://nspires.nasaprs.com and click on Solicitations, then on Open Solicitations.
Expanding Horizons in Montana
“Microbial Bingo” was the name of the game in a recent outreach event for more than 50 junior high-aged girls from across Montana. The girls came to Montana State University’s astrobiology laboratories this Spring for “That’s Hot! Investigating the Edge of Life” as part of the national program called Expanding Your Horizons. The girls learned about MSU’s research in Yellowstone National Park, and how astrobiology might give us new insights into the early earth as well as life on other planets. The girls then became scientists themselves, using observational data in a race to fill bingo cards by identifying “mystery” micro-organisms.
Expanding Your Horizons is a national program designed to introduce girls to careers in science, math, technology and engineering. It was started in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1974.
For the Astrobiology Community
Planetary Science Decadal Survey: White Papers Posted for Comment
Comments are being solicited from members of the astrobiology community on the following paper(s) that will be submitted to the 2009-2011 Planetary Science Decadal Survey. Papers will be revised based on community feedback. Additonal papers will be posted as they become available.
* Astrobiology Research Priorities for Exoplanets (Last Updated: May 28, 2009)
* Astrobiology Research Priorities for Mercury, Venus, and the Moon (Added: June 8, 2009)
* Astrobiology Research Priorities for Mars (Added: June 10, 2009)
* Astrobiology Research Priorities for the Outer Solar System (Added June 15, 2009)
Please send comments to ps_decadal@nx.arc.nasa.gov no later than July 31, 2009.
For more information and to download the papers, click here.
ROSES-09 Amendment 6: New proposal opportunity in Appendix D.11 entitled "Technology Development for Exoplanet Missions."
This amendment establishes a new program element in Appendix D.11 entitled "Technology Development for Exoplanet Missions." This new program element solicits proposals to develop specific technologies (TRL 4-6) that feed into key exoplanet exploration measurement techniques. The measurement techniques upon which future Exoplanet Exploration Program missions are likely to be based include astrometry, coronagraphy, interferometry, and precision photometry.
Notices of Intent to propose are due June 30, 2009, and proposals are due August 28, 2009. An informational workshop describing available ExEP testbed capabilities and providing guidance for developing robust development milestones will be held July 8, 2009. Workshop information will be posted on the web at http://exep.jpl.nasa.gov.
On or about June 1, 2009, this Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2009" (NNH09ZDA001N) will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then "NNH09ZDA001N").
Further information about the Technology Development for Exoplanet Missions (TDEM) program element is available from Dr. Douglas M. Hudgins, Astrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546; Telephone: (202) 358-0988; E-mail: Douglas.M.Hudgins@nasa.gov.
Timetree of Life
Scientists and non-scientists now have easy access to information about when living species and their ancestors originated, information that previously was difficult to find or inaccessible. Free access to the information is part of the new Timetree of Life initiative developed by NAI’s Blair Hedges, professor of biology with the Penn State Astrobiology Research Center, and Sudhir Kumar, a professor of life sciences at Arizona State University.
The Timetree of Life project debuted with the simultaneous release of a book titled The Timetree of Life (Oxford University Press), which is written by a consortium of 105 experts on specific groups of organisms and is edited by Hedges and Kumar.
“The TimeTree of Life web tool belongs to a new genre of resources that lets anyone easily mine knowledge previously locked up in technical research articles, without needing to know the jargon of the field,” said Kumar. “For example, if you type in ‘cat’ and ‘dog,’” Hedges said, “the program will navigate through the timetree of life to the point where the cat and dog species split, and it will find all the studies bearing on that divergence. Within a few seconds, you will learn that your pet cat and dog diverged in evolutionary time about 50 to 60 million years ago.”
For more information: http://www.timetree.org/
