Astrobiology in Scotland

The Origin, Evolution and Distribution of Life in the Universe

Fri 27 May 2005, Gateway Centre University of St.Andrews

Sponsored by: The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance ( SUPA ), EPSRC Transfer of Engineering and Analytical Technology to Astrobiological Exploration (TREATAE) Network

Astrobiology: Understanding the origin, evolution and distribution of life in the Universe is one of the most profound and intriguing challenges facing science. Life has existed on Earth for well over 3 billion years and has colonised nearly every environmental niche available on Earth's surface and shallow subsurface. Complex organic molecules are present in interstellar gas clouds. Water has been documented on Mars. Over 150 extra-solar planets have been identified. These discoveries form the impetus and rationale for the search for answers to some of the most fundamental questions of all:
What is life? How does life emerge? Do other habitable planets exist? Is life present on those planets? How will we recognise it?

Purpose of Meeting: This one-day conference at the University of St.Andrews will assemble researchers from across Scotland and the UK to discuss these fundamental issues and to launch a new initiative of Astrobiology research in Scotland. The conference aims to act as a catalyst to stimulate collaborative, inter-disciplinary research and to discuss the creation of

  • an Astrobiology Research Group in Scotland and
  • a Scotland-wide graduate level Astrobiology course
    • extending across the disciplines relevant to Astrobiology and utilising the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA) telepresence infrastructure as part of the SUPA graduate school curriculum.
    The range of topics under the umbrella of Astrobiology is broad and includes research areas such as the search for habitable planets, extra-solar planets, extremophiles, origin of life and early evolution of life on Earth, and artificial life in cyberspace.

    Meeting Venue: The meeting will take place in the Gateway Centre , at the University of St.Andrews . This is located on the western edge of the town, on the North Haugh. There is plenty of free car parking space close-by. The Gateway Centre is the round building opposite Physics & Astronomy (Building No. 19 on the interactive map of St.Andrews ). You will be need to make your own arrangements for overnight accommodation, if required. A list of local B&Bs and hotels is available here .

    REGISTRATION Download a registration form . The conference fee will be £10 and will include morning/afternoon refreshments and a buffet lunch. For further information regarding registration, accommodation and travel please contact the Conference Administrator: Mr Richard Batchelor: email: rab#st-andrews.ac.uk


    The conference will run from ca. 10:00 to 18:00. The programme (below) includes two keynote addresses, short talks (15-20min) and posters.

    CONFERENCE ORGANISERS:
    Prof John Parnell (John Parnell,j.parnell#abdn.ac.uk)
    Prof Keith Horne (Keith D Horne, kdh1#st-and.ac.uk)
    Dr Tony Prave (Tony Prave, ap13#st-and.ac.uk)

    Abstracts of talks and posters . Note also the Cormack Astronomy Meeting on 13 May 2005.
    FINAL Programme: talks , posters , photo , HOME .
    Return to Astronomy Group Homepage
    Keith Horne (kdh1#st-and.ac.uk)