Federation of Astrobiology Organization

**Telecon/Meeting Notes**

**August 25, 2005**

  --- -------------------------------- --- --------------------------------
  X   R. Grymes                            J. Martinez-Frias

  X   A. Brack                         X   F. Raulin

      H. Edwards                       X   N. Holm

  X   Carol Oliver for Malcolm Walter      A. Lazcano

      Alan Boss for Karen Meech            G. Cody

      A. Ellery                            

  X   D. Lancet                            
  --- -------------------------------- --- --------------------------------

-   **FAO Telecon Coordination**

    -   Next meeting to occur in late October or early November, will
        poll FAO for consensus.

-   **Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN)**

    -   Rose Grymes[;]{.underline} The conclusion of the team awards
        will occur in 06. The competition is open to international
        teams. Although they can compete and be selected, the funding
        rests with their organization. There are a variety of ways that
        individuals can serve as an international PI at a team. They are
        collaborating members of the team, but do not receive funding.

    -   

-   **NAI Partnerships:**

    -   Rose Grymes: Looks forward to arranging a more formal
        relationship between EANA and the NAI. She would like to put in
        place documentation that is useful in NASA underpinning the
        exchange of researchers and students. For those that are not
        bilateral partners, it provides the rationale research
        opportunities, and is vital for the issuance of visas.

-   **Joint Astrobiology Meetings** -

    -   Alan Boss: If the major AB meetings were in better concert with
        one another it would benefit the entire astrobiology community.
        Alan and Karen are awaiting word from Antonio and the Italians
        in the hopes of oraganizing a formal meeting to have
        Bioastronomy join them. Antonio is acting as the conduit to
        facilitate the meeting. Doron will send the Italian POC's email
        address to Boss.

    -   Andre Brack: There is a strong desire to hold a joint meeting
        in 08. Will discuss the idea with Antoinio of holding a meeting
        with ISSOL members, Meech and Boss to see if this is a
        possibility.

    -   Rose Grymes: Need to address the issue of having two AB meetings
        within a couple of months of each other in 08. There should be
        dialogue on how best to manage that. It is evident that the
        various astrobioogy meetings will need session chairs, abstract
        reviewers, and help with logistics. The FAO represents several
        international astrobiological organizations and would like to
        contribute to making these meetings a great success.

-   **[Astrobiology Meetings (AB) 06]{.underline}**

    -   **5^th^ EANA Workshop on Astrobiology October 10-12, 2005**

    -   Andre Brack: To be held in Budapest Hungary. So far 25-30
        students have been funded. The program will be announced in
        early September. The workshop is open to everyone. If anyone has
        announcements please send them to Andre. The Unio is the
        conference hotel.

    -   **ILASOL Meeting December 25, 2005**

    -   [Doron Lancet:]{.underline} Will conduct usual meeting in
        December. This year it occur on the 25^th^, we already have
        meeting participants. Will develop circular in the very near
        future.

    -   **Nordic Astrobiology Meeting May 8-10, 2006**

    -   [Nils Holm:]{.underline} The Swedish AB community is currently
        planning the Nordic Astrobiology Meeting. There are plans to
        join forces and invite international guests. The dates proposed
        are tentative.

    -   **Pilbara Fieldtrip Date TBD**

    -   Carol Oliver: The ACA had a very successful scientific meeting,
        and fieldtrip to the Pilbara on June 25-July 2, 2005. As a
        result the success of this project, another one is planned for
        August 2006. The Deputy Administrator Fredrick Gregory visited
        the ACA, he was especially interested in the ACA's AB education
        program. The AB field guide is moving along with the hopes of
        being completed next year.

    -   **06 Santander Summer School July 2006**

    -   Rose Grymes: This year the NAI and the CAB held a joint
        Astrobiolgy summer course. The course was entitled Tiatn
        Titanand prebiotic Chemistry. It was a great success. The
        speakers were highly prepared in the materials presented. This
        is a unique experience where the weeklong scientific course
        allows the students to pursue working relationships with AB
        colleagues from other countries. It sets the arena for students
        to work together on future space exploration projects. The NAI
        and the CAB plan on holding a course in 06.

    -   **Pale Blue Dot Meeting** (possible date, August or September)

    -   Rose Grymes: The NAI received an inquiry from the Adler
        planetarium, they had a private donor who wanted to sponsor a
        scientific meeting, where the theme would relate to Carl Sagan.
        The meeting would also focus on the areas of extrasolar
        planetary detection, and the limits of habitable zones. The NAI
        is just beginning to form a scientific program organizing
        committee. The private sponsor asked for vast media coverage as
        an avenue of engaging the public. The meeting will occur at the
        Adler Planetarium located in Chicago, the end of August or early
        September 06. The meeting venue holds approximately 250 people.
        The NAI looks forward to the participation of the international
        community.