Workshop on methane on Mars, Frascati, Italy

A workshop on 'Methane on Mars: current observations, interpretation and future plans' will be held from 25 to 27 November in Frascati, Italy.

Methane has been detected in the Martian atmosphere by Earth-based telescopes and from orbit. This discovery indicates that Mars is either biologically or geologically active. The goal of the workshop is to review the available measurements, potential reservoirs and release mechanisms of methane and its circulation in the atmosphere. All possible origins of this constituent will also be discussed.

The workshop will focus on the following topics:
- space observations of methane;
- ground-based observations of methane;
- Martian atmosphere, surface and subsurface data relevant to the study of methane;
- origin, source, and loss of methane;
- atmospheric circulation and chemistry;
- mechanisms for storage and release;
- microbial life and metabolism in water ice;
- biological experiments under Martian conditions;
- future measurements of methane, its dissociation products, and related trace gases.For further information, please visit:
http://www.congrex.nl/09c26/(opens in new window)