Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Encyclopedia
The Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC), jointly sponsored by the Lunar and Planetary Institute
(LPI) and NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), brings together international specialists in petrology
, geochemistry
, geophysics
, geology
and astronomy
to present the latest results of research in planetary science
. Since its beginning in 1970, the LPSC has been a significant focal point for planetary science research, with more than 1700 planetary scientists and students attending from all over the world.
In a speech delivered at the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC) in Houston, Texas in March 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson
announced the formation of the Lunar Science Institute (LSI). The creation of the LSI was the culmination of meetings and events involving the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Academy of Science, Universities Research Association
and several major universities. Initially operated by the National Academy of Sciences, the Universities Space Research Association
took over the management of the Lunar Science Institute on December 11, 1969.
A program of visiting university-based scientists was established, the first symposium was organized, and the first lecture of the LSI seminar series was presented. The first science conference, known as the Apollo 11
Lunar Science Conference, was held in Houston from January 5-8, 1970. During the early days of the Apollo Program, meetings focused on the study of the lunar samples. In 1978, the name of the conference was changed from the Lunar Science Conference to the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference to reflect the expanded scope of research that included planetary science. After four decades, this conference continues to draw planetary scientists and researchers from around the world.
The conference has been held yearly since 1970. The first 3 were held in January and each from 1973 on have been held in March with the most recent being the 42nd which was held March 7–11, 2011, in The Woodlands, Texas
, 31 miles north of Houston, Texas
. The first 13 conferences were titled Lunar Science Conference and the name changed to the current Lunary and Planetary Science Conference in 1978
Highlighted events of the conference include a welcome reception, a briefing from the Planetary Sciences Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate
, plenary sessions, education/public outreach presentations, workshops, networking opportunities, and a closing celebration. Special events for women in science
and students are also featured. Every ten years a Planetary Science Decadal Survey
Briefing is held as part of the LPSC. This decadal survey "shall broadly canvas the field of space- and ground-based planetary science to determine the current state of knowledge and then identify the most important scientific questions expected to face the community...In addition, the survey and report shall address relevant programmatic and implementation issues of interest to NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF)."
Lunar and Planetary Institute
The Lunar and Planetary Institute is a scientific research institute dedicated to study of the solar system, its formation, evolution, and current state. The Institute is part of the Universities Space Research Association and is supported by the Science Mission Directorate of the National...
(LPI) and NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), brings together international specialists in petrology
Petrology
Petrology is the branch of geology that studies rocks, and the conditions in which rocks form....
, geochemistry
Geochemistry
The field of geochemistry involves study of the chemical composition of the Earth and other planets, chemical processes and reactions that govern the composition of rocks, water, and soils, and the cycles of matter and energy that transport the Earth's chemical components in time and space, and...
, geophysics
Geophysics
Geophysics is the physics of the Earth and its environment in space; also the study of the Earth using quantitative physical methods. The term geophysics sometimes refers only to the geological applications: Earth's shape; its gravitational and magnetic fields; its internal structure and...
, geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
and astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
to present the latest results of research in planetary science
Planetary science
Planetary science is the scientific study of planets , moons, and planetary systems, in particular those of the Solar System and the processes that form them. It studies objects ranging in size from micrometeoroids to gas giants, aiming to determine their composition, dynamics, formation,...
. Since its beginning in 1970, the LPSC has been a significant focal point for planetary science research, with more than 1700 planetary scientists and students attending from all over the world.
History
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
announced the formation of the Lunar Science Institute (LSI). The creation of the LSI was the culmination of meetings and events involving the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Academy of Science, Universities Research Association
Universities Research Association
The Universities Research Association, Inc. is a consortium of 87 leading research oriented universities, primarily in the United States, with members in Canada, Japan, and Italy. It is based in Washington, D.C.- History and purpose :...
and several major universities. Initially operated by the National Academy of Sciences, the Universities Space Research Association
Universities Space Research Association
The Universities Space Research Association was incorporated on March 12, 1969 in the District of Columbia as a private, nonprofit corporation under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences . Institutional membership in the Association has grown from 49 colleges and universities when it was...
took over the management of the Lunar Science Institute on December 11, 1969.
A program of visiting university-based scientists was established, the first symposium was organized, and the first lecture of the LSI seminar series was presented. The first science conference, known as the Apollo 11
Apollo 11
In early 1969, Bill Anders accepted a job with the National Space Council effective in August 1969 and announced his retirement as an astronaut. At that point Ken Mattingly was moved from the support crew into parallel training with Anders as backup Command Module Pilot in case Apollo 11 was...
Lunar Science Conference, was held in Houston from January 5-8, 1970. During the early days of the Apollo Program, meetings focused on the study of the lunar samples. In 1978, the name of the conference was changed from the Lunar Science Conference to the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference to reflect the expanded scope of research that included planetary science. After four decades, this conference continues to draw planetary scientists and researchers from around the world.
The conference has been held yearly since 1970. The first 3 were held in January and each from 1973 on have been held in March with the most recent being the 42nd which was held March 7–11, 2011, in The Woodlands, Texas
The Woodlands, Texas
The Woodlands is a master-planned community and a Census-designated place in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area. The population of the CDP was 55,649 at the 2000 census—a 90 percent increase over its 1990 population. According to the 2010 census, The Woodlands' population rose...
, 31 miles north of Houston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. The first 13 conferences were titled Lunar Science Conference and the name changed to the current Lunary and Planetary Science Conference in 1978
LPSC today
The schedule for the five-day conference consists of parallel sessions of contributed presentations that emphasize planetary processes and those related to planetary bodies. Contributed abstracts are peer-reviewed, and selections for presentation are based on the overall relevance of the subject matter to the conference and the quality of the science. The conference features five full days of oral and poster sessions covering a variety of topics in planetary science research. A number of special sessions and events are also scheduled. Every year special sessions are held covering a variety of topics, including recent events in planetary science and current planetary missions and their results. Special sessions are scheduled throughout the week of the conference and throughout the event venue.Highlighted events of the conference include a welcome reception, a briefing from the Planetary Sciences Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate
Science Mission Directorate
The Science Mission Directorate of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration engages the United States’ science community, sponsors scientific research, and develops and deploys satellites and probes in collaboration with NASA’s partners around the world to answer fundamental questions...
, plenary sessions, education/public outreach presentations, workshops, networking opportunities, and a closing celebration. Special events for women in science
Women in science
Women have made contributions and sacrifices to science from the earliest times. Like many men in science, women have received little or no distinction for their work during their lifetimes. Science is generally and historically a male-dominated field, and evidence suggests that this is due to...
and students are also featured. Every ten years a Planetary Science Decadal Survey
Planetary Science Decadal Survey
The Planetary Science Decadal Survey is a publication of the United States National Research Council produced for NASA and other United States Government Agencies such as the National Science Foundation. The document identifies key questions facing planetary science and outlines plans for space...
Briefing is held as part of the LPSC. This decadal survey "shall broadly canvas the field of space- and ground-based planetary science to determine the current state of knowledge and then identify the most important scientific questions expected to face the community...In addition, the survey and report shall address relevant programmatic and implementation issues of interest to NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF)."
External link
- Lunar and Planetary Science Conference on FacebookFacebookFacebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...