"Even though there is proof of water on Mars, is it still possible for life to exist on Mars with the atmosphere consisting of mostly carbon dioxide?"
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 September 4, 2008
- 9/29 NAI Director's Seminar: Norm Sleep, "Habitability of Superearths"
- ROSES-08 Amendment 23: New proposal opportunity for MOST U.S. Guest Observer Program - Cycle 1
- Stand Alone Mission of Opportunity Notice (SALMON) Announcement of Opportunity (AO); to include Astrobiology and Fundamental Space Biology
- Jack Hills Zircons: New Information About Earth's Earliest Crust
- Silicate Mineralogy on Mars Indicates Wet Past
- Iron Isotope Record Reflects Microbial Metabolism Through Time
- Marine Subsurface is a Distinct Microbial Habitat
- NAI/NASA Postdoctoral Program application deadline November 1, 2008
- Carl Sagan Postdoctoral Fellowships in Exoplanet Exploration
9/29 NAI Director's Seminar: Norm Sleep, "Habitability of Superearths"
Date/Time: Monday, September 29, 2008 11:00AM Pacific
Speaker: Norm Sleep, Stanford University
Abstract:
Silicate super-earths are rocky planets with masses up to ~10 that of the Earth. They are of astrobiological interest because they are relatively easy to detect around other stars. Tectonics enhances habitability on the Earth by exhuming biologically important elements. Plate tectonics are too poorly understood on the Earth to tell whether this process should occur on larger planets. Still the Gauss' law relationship that surface heat flow scales with surface gravity provides some insight and yields that the geotherm expressed in terms of pressure is to the first order invariant to planetary size. For subduction to occur, the mega-thrust fault needs to slip in friction, the lithosphere within the slab needs to bend with strains of ~1, and the slab needs to sink. It is not evident which process limits the rate of subduction of the Earth. Specifically, it is is not well understood why major faults fail at much lower shear tractions than would be expected for frictional sliding at near lithostatic pressure. It not evident whether the lithosphere through isostasy or the deep slab provides the negative buoyancy that drives surface plates. Plausible assumptions yield contradictory simple results. For example, the globally averaged heat flow scales with surface gravity when bending of the lithosphere under a yield stress (that does not depend on lithostatic pressure) regulates subduction. Plate tectonics are then a viable heat loss mechanism. If friction limits flow driven by the lithospheric isostasy, the heat flow is independent of surface gravity. Plate tectonics are then a phenomenon of earthlike planets. Volcanism, which maintains geochemical cycles, in analogy with Io is then a candidate heat-loss mechanism. The asthenosphere of a stagnant-lid super-earth is hot enough for less vigorous volcanism to maintain geochemical cycles. Other processes relevant to habitability, such as the energy per mass of impacting asteroids and the loss of gas to space, scale with gravitational potential (the radius times surface gravity). A planet with a ~1 bar H2 atmosphere is then conceivable. Life would operate in a highly reduced environment with CO2 a trace gas. Light harvesting biota might make organic matter from methane and water or make and store various oxidants.
For more information and participation instructions: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/seminars/detail/129
ROSES-08 Amendment 23: New proposal opportunity for MOST U.S. Guest Observer Program - Cycle 1
This amendment announces a new proposal opportunity in Appendix D.10 entitled “MOST U.S. Guest Observer Program – Cycle 1.” This program element solicits proposals for the acquisition and analysis of new scientific data from the MOST (Microvariability and Oscillations of STars) observatory through a partnership between NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Observations associated with the MOST U.S. Guest Observer -- Cycle 1 solicitation will begin on or around February 1, 2009 and awards will have a 12-month duration. The MOST mission is designed to conduct photometric studies with high precision sufficient to perform stellar asteroseismology studies and other variability analyses of stars and exoplanet systems. GO investigations may address any area of astrophysics and are not restricted to asteroseismological studies. Investigations may range from the study of a single target to many targets per field, and should optimize the amount of science that can be derived from a single pointed observation (field).
Proposals are due October 6, 2008.
This Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2008" (NNH08ZDA001N) is posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select “Solicitations” then “Open Solicitations” then “NNH08ZDA001N”).
Questions concerning this solicitation may be addressed to Dr. Padi Boyd, Astrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001; Telephone: (202) 358-2368; E-mail: padi.boyd@nasa.gov.
Stand Alone Mission of Opportunity Notice (SALMON) Announcement of Opportunity (AO); to include Astrobiology and Fundamental Space Biology
NNH08ZDA009O, entitled "Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON)" is being released by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on September 3, 2008. This Announcement of Opportunity (AO) solicits investigations that address the science objectives of the Science Mission Directorate's (SMD) astrobiology, lunar science, and planetary science programs and the Exploration Science Mission Directorate's (ESMD) fundamental space biology program.
SALMON is an omnibus AO that is comprised of several independent proposal opportunities. Three proposal opportunities are being released for the SALMON AO. Two related proposal opportunities are being released for the ROSES-08 NRA. The three SALMON opportunities are:
1. Focused Mission of Opportunity (MO) to provide an in-situ dust detector investigation for the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE). Notices of Intent (NOIs) to propose due September 24, 2008. Proposals due November 4, 2008.
2. Partner MOs in lunar and planetary science. NOIs due October 15, 2008. Proposals due December 2, 2008.
3. Small complete MOs in astrobiology and fundamental space biology. NOIs due October 15, 2008. Proposals due December 2, 2008.
Simultaneous with the release of the SALMON AO, NASA will release two amendments to the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2008 (ROSES-08) NASA Research Announcement (NRA) (NNH08ZDA001N).
1. U.S. Participating Scientists in lunar and planetary science. NOIs due October 15, 2008. Proposals due December 2, 2008.
2. U.S. Participating Scientists in Earth science. NOIs due October 15, 2008. Proposals due December 2, 2008.
Participation is open to all categories of organizations (U.S. and non-U.S.), including educational institutions, industry, not-for-profit organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and other Government agencies. Upon the AO release, the full text of the AO and all appendices will be available electronically at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/. A preproposal conference will be held in Washington, DC for all the solicitations except the LADEE solicitation; see http://salmon.larc.nasa.gov/ for details.
Direct questions specifically regarding this solicitation to: Dr. Carlos A. Liceaga; Program Executive for Missions of Opportunity; Mail Stop 7F25; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Washington, DC 20546-0001; TEL: (757) 846-5880; E-mail: salmonao@nasa.gov (subject line to read "SALMON AO").
Recently Published Research from the NAI
Jack Hills Zircons: New Information About Earth's Earliest Crust
Members of NAI’s University of Wisconsin, Madison team have a new paper in Earth and Planetary Science Letters presenting their analyses of 4.35 – 3.36 billion year old detrital zircons from the Jack Hills, Western Australia. Their data reveal relatively high lithium abundances compared to other zircons, as well as lithium isotope ratios that are similar to continental crust weathering products rather than ocean floor basalts. The results support the hypothesis that continental-type crust and oceans existed by 4.3 billion years ago, and suggest that weathering was extensive in the early Archean.
Silicate Mineralogy on Mars Indicates Wet Past
Using data from the CRISM instrument on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, astrobiologists from NAI’s SETI Institute and Marine Biological Laboratory teams present findings of silicate mineralogy indicating a wide range of past aqueous activity in the Mawrth Vallis on Mars. This work, published in the August 8 issue of Science, suggests that abundant water was once present on Mars and that hydrothermal activity may have occurred. The Mawrith Vallis could be a landing site for future rover missions to Mars.
Iron Isotope Record Reflects Microbial Metabolism Through Time
NAI’s University of Wisconsin team presents a review of iron isotope fingerprints created through biogeochemical cycling in the May, 2008 issue of The Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences. This landmark paper brings together for the first time the co-evolution records of photosynthesis, bacterial sulfate reduction, and bacterial iron reduction in the early Earth. They review data on natural systems and experiments, looking at both abiological and biological processes, and conclude that the temporal carbon, sulfur, and iron isotope record reflects the interplay of changing microbial metabolisms over Earth’s history.
Marine Subsurface is a Distinct Microbial Habitat
Researchers from NAI’s Penn State, MBL, and UCLA Teams have completed a study of the subseafloor marine biosphere, which may be one of the largest reservoirs of microbial biomass on Earth, and which has recently been the subject of debate in terms of the composition of its microbial inhabitants. Their metagenomic analysis indicates that the subsurface environment is the most unique studied to date, distinct in its microbial make-up from the surface waters. The slowly-metabolizing populations may be akin to what could be found on other planets in our solar system, because such environments have much less energy available than on Earth. And, because they are so deeply buried, these microbes could have survived major Earth impacts, and ensuing extinction events. Their results are published in the July 23rd Early Edition of PNAS.
Astrobiology EPO, Undergrads, Grads, Postdocs
NAI/NASA Postdoctoral Program application deadline November 1, 2008
The NAI supports postdoctoral fellows hosted at NAI teams through the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP). The NPP provides talented postdoctoral scientists and engineers with valuable opportunities to engage in ongoing NASA research programs and serves as a source of talent to ensure the continued quality of the NASA research workforce. The deadline for the next round of applications is November 1. For more information on the program, please see http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-postdoctoral-fellowship-program/ and http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc.
Carl Sagan Postdoctoral Fellowships in Exoplanet Exploration
The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute announces the introduction of the Sagan Postdoctoral Fellowship Program and solicits applications for fellowships to begin in the fall of 2009.
The Sagan Fellowships support outstanding recent postdoctoral scientists to conduct independent research that is broadly related to the science goals of the NASA Exoplanet Exploration area. The primary goal of missions within this program is to discover and characterize planetary systems and Earth-like planets around nearby stars.
The proposed research may be theoretical, observational, or instrumental. This program is open to applicants of any nationality who have earned (or will have earned) their doctoral degrees on or after January 1, 2006, in astronomy, physics, or related disciplines. The fellowships are tenable at U.S. host institutions of the fellows' choice, subject to a maximum of one new fellow per host institution per year. The duration of the fellowship is up to three years: an initial one-year appointment and two annual renewals contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of NASA funds.
It is anticipated that 3 - 4 fellowships will be awarded in 2009. Please note that these are postdoctoral Fellowships only. Previous Michelson Fellowship holders are fully eligible to apply.
The Announcement of Opportunity (AO), which includes detailed program policies and application instructions, will be available by September 15, 2008. Applicants must follow the instructions given in the AO. Inquiries about the Sagan Fellowships may be directed to Dr. Dawn Gelino (dawn-at-ipac.caltech.edu).
The deadline for both applications and letters of reference is Thursday, November 6, 2008 at 4 PM PST. Offers will be made before February 1, 2009, and new appointments are expected to begin on or about September 1, 2009.
For more information: http://nexsci.caltech.edu/sagan/fellowship.shtml
Planetary Protection: Policies and Practices - Oct. 7-9, 2008
Location: Center of Marine Biotechnology, 701 East Pratt Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202
NASA has developed this course on planetary protection policies and practices to familiarize current and future practitioners with NASA and COSPAR planetary protection programs. The course provides a comprehensive review of all applicable policies, practices and procedures necessary to implement a successful planetary protection program, emphasizing integration of managerial, administrative, and laboratory aspects of planetary protection.
This course is designed for managers, engineers, designers, lab technicians, and others interested in learning about the theory behind and application of planetary protection principles. Participants learn how the work of personnel with diverse skills and responsibilities is coordinated to implement planetary protection programs. This course provides hands-on laboratory training in microbial sampling and data management. The course is taught by experts in the field with years of practical experience in all aspects of planetary protection.
Registration Deadline: Sept 22, 2008
For more information: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/files/brochure2008.pdf
