Tag: astrobiology

DEADLINE TOMORROW – International Geobiology Course 2026: Call for applicants! (doctoral students)

Join the International Geobiology Course (IGC), hosted by Penn State University

What: 5 weeks of immersive training in geobiology

Where: 2 weeks in Italy and 3 weeks in the USA, hosted at Penn State University

When: 6 June – 10 July 2026.

Eligibility is restricted to doctoral students in the geological or biological sciences. Participants must have valid passports. The course is taught in English.

Applications and details about international travel requirements are on the course website.

Course description: Fieldwork takes place in the Apennine and Sibillini Mountains, and at sulfidic springs, rivers, and cave systems in central Italy. Students will explore Fayetteville Green Lake, a meromictic system in upstate New York. The course includes expert lectures, laboratory and computer-based research.
Students are responsible for transportation to Italy and home from Penn State. Group travel from Italy to Penn State is provided. Housing and meals are provided, both in Italy and the US.

Questions: email us at geobio@psu.edu

Deadline for applications: February 2nd 2026

More information on the website

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdeFaxcCa0DeKkK_DkWx-s0veCOeaIxUwdRTaYsPYwCpiYeKA/viewform

LAST MINUTE INVITATION: Share your memes! TODAY!

The Massive Exoplanet MEME Exhibition (MEME) would like to invite you to today’s (30th January 2026) opening of their online exhibition hall!

The MEME focuses on communicating topics such as astrophysics, exoplanets, and research in general in a way that is both informative and a lot of fun by using memes. Check out their website. There you will find not only the memes shared by others but also today’s livestream:

16:45 Door opens

17:00 Welcome speech

17:15 Invited talk by Adam Dipert

17:30 Invited talk by Anja C. Andersen

17:45 Explore exhibition and vote

18:30 Closing remarks

All times are in CET (GMT+1)

See you there!

The exhibition hall stays open from January 30th to February 4th

EAI spring school in Czechia: Tracking the evolution of planetary systems and planets

The spring school “Tracking the evolution of planetary systems and planets” which is co-organised by the COST Action “The birth of solar systems” and the European Astrobiology Institute (EAI) will be taking place from 15th to 22nd April 2026 at Liblice Castle, Czechia. It aims to give attendees a thorough introduction into the formation of protoplanetary disks, planetary systems and planets with the focus on observational, experimental and theoretical methods to investigate the associated processes. Bursaries are available for early career scientists from most European countries (not only from EU countries, see a list here) covering the vast majority of costs for meals and accommodation aare available.

The lectures will cover the following programme points:

  • Main physical and chemical processes in the evolution of protoplanetary disks and early planetary systems
  • Molecules and the dynamic evolution of discs and planetary systems
  • The role of grains and ices in protoplanetary disks and their evolution
  • Observation of grains and ices in protoplanetary disks
  • Formation of planets via accretion
  • Planet-disc interaction
  • Molecular abundance in protoplanetary discs and dependence on different parameters
  • Laboratory methods investigating chemical processes relevant under planet formation
  • Modelling of reaction networks in planet formation
  • Atomic and molecular spectra (IR and optical) for astronomic observations
  • Evolution and chemistry of exoplanet atmospheres
  • Molecular observations of exoplanet atmospheres
  • Architecture of exoplanetary systems from the perspective of observer

Other programme points include:

  • Using JWST observations of molecules in disks and exoplanets as indicators of properties of disks and planets

  • Poster sessions

  • Discussions

  • Excursion: Prague for astronomers
Application deadline is 15 January 2026. Check out the school website for further information https://europeanastrobiology.eu/spring-school-tracking-the-evolution-of-protoplanetary-disks-home/

REMINDER: RED26 (school of astrobiology) application deadline soon

We would like to remind you that the deadline for the French school of astrobiology (RED26 – Rencontres exobiologiques pour doctorants) is approaching. If you want to take part in next year’s school, the application needs to be sent BEFORE December 14th 2025.

From the RED website:

RED is a Training School about the “Basics in Astrobiology”. Astrobiology addresses questions related to the origins of life, its evolution, and distribution in the Universe. This school aims to offer an interdisciplinary training in astrobiology to students and young researchers having a master’s degree in astronomy, planetology, geology, chemistry, biology, or history and philosophy of science. If you are preparing a thesis or are an early career scientist with a subject related to astrobiology, this training school is for you! 

The registration form for RED 26 must be filled in and completed before December 14th, 2025. The number of places at the school is limited to 40 participants. The main target audience of the school is PhD students, but (…) second year of master’s students (conducting a research project in the frame of their studies) and early career scientists are also accepted. The cost for registration is 550 € including the full board stay (…).

Life and Space DAYS, Polish online event, starting December 4th

The Polish Astrobiological Society (PTAstrobio) would like to welcome you to the 1st edition of Life and Space DAYS (LAS DAYS 25) – an international online science event dedicated to exploring the cutting edge of astrobiology, space science, and the origins of life.

The event will take place from December 4–7, 2025. Organized by the Polish Astrobiological Society, this inaugural edition will bring together researchers, students, and space enthusiasts from around the world to exchange ideas, spark new collaborations, and envision the future of life in the Universe. The event starts with a Big Bang – the opening keynote speaker is Peggy Whitson. Joining not long after her return from ISS, this accomplished astronaut and biochemist will share insights from her work. The opening lecture begins on December 4th at 18:00 CET.

How to Participate: All lectures will be streamed via the AstroBio YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PTAstrobio

PTAstrobio looks forward to your valuable presence and contributions to make this event a reservoir of knowledge and inspiration!

Useful links:
Event website: https://astrobio.pl/las25/
LAS DAYS 25 Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/751232691312185/
PTAstroBio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PTAstroBio