This week a multinational and multidisciplinary team of researchers begin 2008 field operations in British Columbia for the Pavilion Lake Research Project. The Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets program is one of several contributors to the project.

The Pavilion Lake research team is studying limestone structures called microbialites, located on the floor of the lake. These microbialites are believed to have been formed by communities of microbes. The research team includes a number of astrobiologists who are interested in learning more about the structures, which may offer clues about what to look for in searching for evidence of microbial life on other planets. ASTEP-sponsored astrobiologist Dale Andersen reports on plans for this year’s expedition in his blog.

NASA Ames Research Center’s Spaceward Bound education program is sending teachers along on this year’s expedition.