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3 June 2003

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/europa2004/

Workshop on Europa's Icy Shell: Past, Present, and Future
February 6-8, 2004
Houston, Texas

PURPOSE AND SCOPE 
                        
The Workshop on Europa's Icy Shell: Past, Present, and Future will be 
held on February 6-8, 2004, at the Lunar and Planetary Institute
(LPI). The LPI is housed in the Center for Advanced Space Studies,
3600 Bay Area Boulevard, Houston, Texas.

The large jovian satellite Europa is believed to have a subsurface
ocean. This ocean could harbor organic chemistry or even biological
organisms and is second only to Mars as a target for future
exploration. It is also a prime focus of the proposed Jupiter Icy
Moons Orbiter (JIMO) mission currently in development. Europa's ocean
is currently covered by an icy shell of uncertain thickness and it is
this icy shell that controls how the ocean and any biological agents
within it interact with the surface of Europa.

The purpose of this three-day workshop is to discuss our current 
understanding of the icy shell, its physical state and evolution, and 
its interaction with the putative subsurface ocean. Our aim is to
bring together divergent and diverse viewpoints to assess the limits
of our current knowledge, to advance our collective understanding of
this unique environment, and to foster new ideas and future
strategies. All aspects of the icy shell will be considered,
including composition, physical state (e.g, thickness, rheology),
geologic history, present-day activity, biology, and exploration
goals. Observational, theoretical, and speculative presentations are
encouraged from the planetary and terrestrial communities.

WORKSHOP FORMAT 
                        
The workshop will feature invited reviews of relevant data and
theoretical constraints, contributed papers, posters, and extended
discussion periods. Topical sessions will be held each morning and
afternoon. 

A special issue with papers from this workshop or related research is 
planned for a major planetary research journal. 

Tentative plans include a dinner on the second evening. 

FUTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS 
                        
Further details regarding the program, topics for discussion,
opportunities for participation, and guidelines for abstract and
poster preparation will be included in the second announcement that
will be posted on this Web site. 

INDICATION OF INTEREST 
                        
To subscribe to a mailing list to receive electronic reminders and
special announcements relating to the meeting via e-mail, please
submit an electronic Indication of Interest form by July 30, 2003.

Please submit the Indication of Interest even if you do not care
about electronic notification of future announcements. The number of
e-mails tallied will also serve to facilitate meeting planning.

CONTACT INFORMATION 
                        
For further information regarding the format and scientific
objectives of the meeting, contact

    Paul Schenk
    Lunar and Planetary Institute
    phone: 281-486-2157 
    e-mail: schenk{at}lpi.usra.edu. 

For information regarding meeting logistics, contact

    Sue McCown
    phone: 281-486-2144; 
    fax: 281-486-2125;
    e-mail: mccown{at}lpi.usra.edu. 

SCHEDULE
 July 30, 2003 
   Indication of interest deadline

 September 17, 2003 
    Second announcement posted on this Web site

 November 13, 2003 
    Abstract submission deadline

 Decemer 19, 2003 
   Final announcement with program and abstracts posted on 
   this Web site 

 January 22, 2004 
   Registration deadline 

 February 6-8, 2004 
   Workshop at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, Texas

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