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The investigation of the origins of life has been hindered by what we think we know about current living organisms. This includes three assumptions about necessary conditions: 1) that it emerged entirely on Earth, 2) that it is dependent on the availability of liquid water, and 3) that it is coextensive with the emergence of molecules able to replicate themselves.

Dr. Nesbet will describe (in layman's terms) implications of a theory that differs from standard particle physics and cosmology only by imposing a universal symmetry principle. This theory has been found to explain dark energy and dark galactic halos without invoking dark matter. Subgalactic phenomenology (relevant to our solar system) is retained.

The search for signals out of noise is a problem not only with radio signals from the sky but in the study of animal communication on Earth. Like SETI radio signal searches, dolphin sound analysis includes the detection, recognition, analysis, and interpretation of signals.

The atmospheric boundary layer on Mars is where the influence between the surface and atmosphere (and vice versa) takes place on Mars.  To better validate and improve mesoscale atmospheric models we suggest that direct observations of the interactions between the surface and atmosphere are needed.  Such direct measurements of the forcings (and response) between surface and atmosphere allow much tighter c

The past decade has seen an explosion of creativity and progress in radio astronomy telescopes and techniques.  In the coming decade, we will harvest the fruit of these innovations with a powerful new generation of radio telescopes that are coming on line.  These will open avenues for new science, in areas such as the epoch of reionization, synoptic surveys for radio transients, and exquisitely sensitiv

Scott Snibbe will present selections from twenty years of interactive exhibits, interactive art, and interactive music. He will show many experiences that draw inspiration from science to create unabashedly emotional, social, and physical entertainment, including recent work creating the first app album with Björk: Biophilia; and the recent interactive exhibits for James Cameron's movie Avatar. He will discuss the educational and societal benefits of interactivity; and the joys, challenges, and research involved in the creation and distribution of interactive media.

Sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is in rapid decline.  This reduction in ice extent and thickness has resulted in a longer open water season and higher marine productivity.  Until recently, phytoplankton blooms on continental shelves were thought to be restricted to waters free of sea ice.

With an icy exterior covering a global ocean, Europa has long been a target of interest in the search for life beyond Earth.  Europa exists in a dynamic environment, subject to intense irradiation and impact as well as immense tides from Jupiter.  These processes deliver important thermal and chemical energy that could be critical to supporting a putative biosphere. In the past few decades the debate about habitability of Europa has been focused strongly on the thickness of the ice shell.  However, an arguably more critical question is: how does the ice shell recycle?