First Earth-like Worlds Workshop

Post date: Mar 26, 2015 9:10:32 PM

Scientists from Puerto Rico get together to study habitable planets.

One of the main goals of exoplanet science is the detection and characterization of Earth-like planets. So far, there are about 30 exoplanets considered potentially habitable out of the nearly two thousands already confirmed. However, some or all of these planets might turn out not suitable for life depending on their bulk composition and atmospheric properties.

The Planetary Habitability Laboratory of the UPR Arecibo is organizing a workshop to work on present and future problems on the characterization of Earth-like worlds. The purpose of this workshop is to initiate new multidisciplinary research collaborations on the chemical and biological constraints for simple and complex life on Earth-like planets.

Scientists and graduate students from Puerto Rico interested in the search for life in the universe, especially those with a biology or chemistry background, are invited to this two-hour workshop. The workshop will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2015 from 10AM to 12 Noon at the ISMuL Conference Room of the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo.

The workshop is sponsored by the Planetary Habitability Laboratory (PHL), the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI), the Integrated Science Multi-use Laboratory (ISMuL), and the Center for Research and Creation (CIC) at the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo (UPR Arecibo).

More information is available on phl.upr.edu/press-releases/ew2. Register online or send an email to abel.mendez@upr.edu or call ISMuL at (787) 815-0000 x3680/3690 or (787) 817-4611. Spaces are limited.

Agenda

10:00 AM    Welcome and Introductions

10:10 AM    Introduction to Potentially Habitable Worlds

    Why study habitable worlds?

    Current Definition of the Habitable Zone

    Research Problem: The habitable zone for Earth-like worlds.

11:10 AM    Discussion

12:00 PM    Adjourn

Additional Resources

• On Twitter follow @PlanetaryHabLab or @ProfAbelMendez for updates. Hashtag of the workshop is #earthw2.

  • Recommended reading for those new to the topic: McKay, C. P. (2014). Requirements and limits for life in the context of exoplanets. PNAS, 111(35), 12628-12633.

  • Spanish press release of the workshop is available here with associated image.

  • Workshop flyer, PDF and JPG.