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Astrogeology Committee

2009 Annual Report (PDF)

Mission Statement:

The purpose of the Astrogeology Committee is to provide AAPG members a forum for ideas on astrogeology and its relationships to terrestrial geology and energy issues.

Objectives:

Organizing symposia at AAPG and other earth science meetings, recommending speakers for distinguished lectures, encouraging technical sessions and field trips on astrogeology at AAPG meetings, and acting as liaison with groups having similar interests, such as NASA and other geological societies. The Committee encourages digital and/or paper publications on astrogeology. All who are interested in astrogeology, planetary science, and their application to energy, environmental, and other resource issues are invited to join the Astrogeology Committee.

Primary Goal in 2009-2010:

The primary goal for the 2009-2010 business year was to prepare and promote the AAPG Special Publication "Energy Resources for Human Settlement in the Solar System and Earth's Future in Space". This special publication, scheduled for compilation in 2011, is a review of energy resources in the Solar System, including materials that could sustain future human expeditions and settlements as well as meet Earth's energy challenges in the 21st century. The three main themes of the special publication are (1) providing sources of energy and materials for Earth importation, (2) manufacturing of propellants for exploration of the solar system and transportation systems in space, and (3) sustaining human habitation and settlement of the solar system.

Other Goals:

These included

1. arranging symposia at AAPG conventions that emphasize all aspects of astrogeology and their application to exploration for energy (or other) resources, including evaluation and production.
   • The Astrogeology Committee sponsored a technical session at the 2010 Annual AAPG Convention in New Orleans. Thomas Klekamp and William Ambrose co-chaired the oral and poster sessions "The Impact of Cosmic Collisions on Earth's History and the Occurrence of Hydrocarbon and Mineral Resources". Kadira Singh, who presented a poster titled "The Impact of Astroblemes on Earth's History and its Implications for Hydrocarbon Production" was recognized by AAPG for having one of the top ten posters of the several hundred total posters presented at the convention.
   • The Astrogeology Committee is sponsoring several activities at the 2011 Annual AAPG Convention in Houston, including a pre-convention field trip to NASA, the technical session "Destination Moon or Mars?", as well as an all-convention luncheon, and a Salute to NASA evening reception.
2. meeting with leaders of the NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) to develop a plan for both teacher and student education. Committee leaders contacted NSTA directors and developed overall goals of fostering an atmosphere where teachers can engage and interest students in earth science, space exploration, and energy resources in space. Discussions included:
   • having members of the Astrogeology Committee give lectures and conduct field trips for K-12 students,
   • AAPG Astrogeology Committee participation in NSTA regional and national conferences by scheduling technical sessions,
   • developing a series of 2-3 hour learning modules for K-12 students on planetary geology,
   • developing curricula for teachers to actively engage K-12 students in thinking and learning about geology, especially planetary geology and energy resources in space, and
   • preparing student competitions on planetary geology and energy resources for students.

Astrogeology Committee Membership and Leadership:

The Astrogeology committee welcomed new members David Buthman, Bruce Cutright, Art Johnson, David King, and Kadira Singh for the 2010-2011 year. Jim Reilly and William Ambrose served as Co-Chairs and Doug Peters served as Committee Co-Vice Chair. Thomas Klekamp was the Vice Chair for the 2010 Annual AAPG Convention in New Orleans. Ronald Hart was AAPG Staff liaison officer, Charles Caughey served as Committee Manager, and Ted Beaumont was AAPG EC liaison. William Ambrose will serve as the new Co-Vice Chair in 2010-2012, and Linda and Charles Sternbach are the Vice Chairs for the 2011Annual AAPG Convention in Houston. One of the committee's immediate goals for the 2010-2011 year was to appoint a new co chair to replace William Ambrose.

Website:

The Astrogeology Committee continues to develop its website. Among the posted items are: mission statement, goals, business plan, list of committee members and responsibilities, calendar of events, AAPG convention activities including technical sessions, field trips and forums, abstracts, presentations, calls for papers, and PowerPoint presentations in an Outreach section. The Committee greatly appreciates the services of Janet Brister who designed, created, and updated the website. It can be accessed at: http://www.aapg.org/committees/astrogeology/index.cfm.

Respectfully submitted,

James F. Reilly
William A. Ambrose
Astrogeology Co Chairs 2009-2010