The workshop aims to start the development of a taxonomy of the microstructure of the Martian surface, bringing together results from Phoenix and past and present missions and placing it in the context of existing terrestrial soil science. This will be a small but focused meeting of about 30 planetary and terrestrial scientists from all relevant disciplines. Invited/contributed talks will focus on the following objectives:
Share what has been learned from Phoenix and other missions.
Build up a framework to better develop our understanding of the Martian surface.
Discuss the impact of ongoing and planned investigations such as MSL, both in the areas of science and engineering.
Attempt to understand the broader implications of the findings in areas such as Mars' aqueous history, geology, biology, climate and human exploration.
Point to needed experiments in the laboratory and on Mars.
Look at what can be achieved in planetary science by studies at the microscopic level.
WORKSHOP FORMAT
The two-day workshop will include invited and contributed talks on Thursday. To facilitate an exchange of ideas, participants are invited to bring along a favorite micrograph in an easily transportable format for informal discussions that evening. After further talks and discussion on Friday morning there will be a field trip in the afternoon to the island of Hven, home of the observatories of Tycho Brahe. The field trip will be followed by the workshop dinner. On Saturday discussions will focus on synthesizing the results of the workshop in the broader context of our understanding of Martian surface processes. The small group setting is designed to facilitate intensive and productive discussions.
