2 NZAI posters at AbSciCon 2015, and how to watch the conference live!
Two of two submitted posters for AbSciCon 2015 are at the conference! These are the SBNZ 2015 poster and SBNZ 2015 Education Poster. You can watch the conference streaming live here!
Professor Amy Fletcher
Professor Amy Fletcher – Policy and social implications of SETI, astrobiology and space exploration. Amy Fletcher is an Associate Professor of Political Science at The University of Canterbury. Her main area of expertise is science, technology and environmental politics. She has a long-term interest in the politics of space exploration and is currently focusing on […]
Modelling Biospheric Energization
How do we define life – or, in fact, can it be defined? So far, we cannot be sure that this question has been properly answered. Even so, NASA has proposed that life be taken as a self-sustained chemical system capable of undergoing Darwinian evolution. If we have a mind for science, we might then ask – is this consistent with basic principles? The life chemistry we find on Earth should accord with this, but as one particular case. This point of view can then allow us to seek for life in other places –“space” – say, but on the basis of rational enquiry.
Exploratory Science in New Zealand – Two Astrobiology Case Studies
We argue that, even though New Zealand is a small nation, our scientists cannot aim too high nor stretch too far. We should make the most of the special opportunities NZ has to offer, and steer towards new fields or methods of research when opportunities or needs arise. We describe our own efforts over 20 years to pioneer new directions in NZ on an astronomical project named MOA and a geological project on NZ hot-springs. The former project seeks to find habitable planets orbiting stars in the Milky Way. The latter seeks to understand how life arose on planets such as Earth and Mars in the first few billion years following their formation. Both projects attract international support and the participation of our ablest university students.
Olga Prieto Ballesteros
“I have chosen New Zealand’s gas hydrate deposits for two important reasons: one is that here we can study different types of gas hydrates relevant in other planets of the Solar System, formed in different extreme environments, whose dissociation sometimes produces highly intriguing features and in some cases are associated to unpredictable exuberant habitats ; the other is that researchers from NZ are leading experts in their fields, so we expect a fruitful multidisciplinary collaboration.”
New Zealand to participate in a mission to the Pavilion Lake astrobiology analogue site
In June, Dr Ian Hawes, from Christchurch’s Canterbury University will be part of a team working at the Pavilion Lake analogue site. He will be part of an international, collaborative science and exploration team investigating microbialites – rocks formed by microbes – and at the same time developing protocols for real-time management of science activities in missions to near earth asteroids (NEAs) and more distant objects. Microbially mediated rocks have a special place in astrobiology since on Earth they are the very earliest evidence of life, and on other planets where life began and then stopped they may be the only evidence left. It all starts on 20th June. Watch this space for more details!
Final report released: Spaceward Bound New Zealand 2015
In January 2015, the New Zealand Astrobiology Initiative (NZAI) organised an engaging, 6-day expedition for Kiwi educators and researchers, introducing them to the wonders of the Taupo Volcanic Zone in the central North Island. Partnering with NASA and incorporating speakers from all around the globe, Spaceward Bound New Zealand 2015 exposed its 50 participants to […]
No Life Under Ice at Europa?
There has been much speculation that there may be life in oceans of water under the ice layer of the Jovian satellites, particularly for Europa. In my theory, outlined in my ebook Planetary Formation and Biogenesis, there will be no such life.
Thank you SBNZ 2015 sponsors and supporters
New Zealand Astrobiology Initiative would like to thank the following organisations for their generous support, without which this project would not have been possible: Platinum Sponsor University of Auckland Gold Sponsor Institute for Applied Ecology, NZ, AUT Silver sponsors Blue Marble Space Institute of Science Eagle Technology Group GNS Maori Tourism Mars Society New Zealand Partners […]
NASA planetary scientists come to New Zealand to engage with teachers and students in our own backyard
New Zealand teachers will join a NASA Astrobiologists and New Zealand scientists in the North Island this January, 2015, to explore extreme environments and conduct scientific experiments that might one day provide insight for the search of life on other planets. The expedition is part of NASA’s Spaceward Bound programme, uniting teachers and research scientists in field activities and, ultimately, bringing the excitement of space exploration to New Zealand students.