MISASA VIII

Welcome to the international symposium of Misasa VIII on the “Future Planetary Exploration: Understanding of Planetary Surface Environments and Habitability” organized by the Institute for Planetary Materials (IPM), Okayama University.
IPM is located in Misasa town, Tottori Prefecture, which is a well-known hot spring resort. The Institute has a long tradition, originating from the Institute for Thermal Spring Research (1950-1985), which was reorganized into the Institute for Study of the Earthʼs Interior (ISEI) as a national collaborative research facility in 1985, and then into the current Institute for Planetary Materials in 2016. The mission of IPM is to study the origin, evolution and dynamics of the Earth and other planets and origin of life, and to promoting collaborative research and education in Earth and planetary material sciences by providing opportunities to access its broad spectrum of unique world-class analytical and experimental facilities to the domestic and international research community.
In April of this year, IPM established a new division on planetary surface environment research with the aim of contributing to human society through the social implementation of material science for planetary exploration and human space advancement. We welcomed new staff members so that we can grow into a leading research institute for this purpose. Coincidentally, Okayama University has been selected for the J-PEAKS program, and IPM belongs to the Institute for Advancing Cutting-Edge Research, playing a leading role in research as a research university. The introduction of the planetary surface environment simulator, hyperspectral camera, and low gravity device, which are the highlights of the new division, is progressing steadily with the support of the university. These will be open to a wide range of users regardless of field as new core facilities of the Joint Use and Research Center. We would be happy if this symposium could serve as a catalyst for new research fusion with IPM as a hub.

We look forward to meeting you in March 2025 at the symposium, and wish you will have a great experience during your stay in Misasa.

Takashi Yoshino,
Director of the Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University

Scope

This symposium will focus on “Planetary surface environments” and “Habitability” as revealed by recent and future planetary explorations, and aims to generate interdisciplinary discussion while touching on cutting-edge research results.
We welcome participation from a wide range of planetary science fields, including planetary geophysical observation, remote sensing, development of their instruments, geological and geomorphological analog studies on the Earth, water-rock reactions, and astrobiology.

Duration and venue

Duration: March 4 (Tue.)-5 (Wed.), 2025
Place: Blanc Art Misasa, Tottori

Symposium Schedule

March 4 (Tue)

・9:45-9:50 Welcome note
・9:50-12:00 1st session (Oral presentations from the invited speakers)

・Lunch
・14:00-16:00 2nd session (Oral presentations from the invited speakers)

・16:00-18:00 3rd session (Poster session)
・18:00-20:00 Banquet

March 5 (Wed)

・9:00-11:00 4th session (Oral presentations from the invited speakers)

・11:00-12:00 Discussion
・Lunch
・13:30-15:00 IPM lab tour

Registration (for participants not related to Okayama University)

Those who wish to participate must register using the following registration form by Feb. 15. Anyone is welcome to make a presentation at the poster session. Participation is free. Lunch on 3/4 and 3/5 and dinner on 3/4 will be provided for participants. We will also provide accommodation for students/graduate students during the stay in Misasa, but unless there is a special reason, it is encouraged to make a poster presentation. If you have any questions or requests, please contact us: misasa-8@okayama-u.ac.jp
The following registration form will be available soon.
・For students
・For all others
*If you are a member of Okayama University, please register your participation from the campus email that will be sent to you separately.

Shuttle Bus

A shuttle bus will be provided between the main gate of the Tsushima Campus of Okayama University and the venue hotel at Misasa. If you plan to use this service, please let us know in the registration form above.
March 4 (Tue) 7:00 departure from Okayama University 9:00 arrival at Misasa Onsen
March 5 (Wed) 16:00 departure from Misasa Onsen 18:00 arrival at Okayama University

Abstract Submission

Call-for-abstracts starts: January 15, 2025
Deadline: February 15, 2025
All presenters are required to submit an abstract. Abstracts should be prepared using the attached template and submitted to: misasa-8@okayama-u.ac.jp.
*Please note that abstracts will be open to the public on this website.
*The title of the email should be “Abstract submission_Misasa8_Your name”. The file name of the attached word file should include the name of the first author.

Poster Information

Poster display boards will be optimized for A0 size in portrait orientation (841mm wide × 1189mm tall).

Event

March 4: Banquet
March 5: IPM Lab tour

Local Organizing Committee

Takashi Yoshino (Executive Committee Chairperson)
Akio Makishima
Katsura Kobayashi
Ryoji Tanaka
Jun Kameda (Executive Committee Vice Chairperson)
Takuya Moriguti
Matthew Izawa
Christian Potiszil
Trishit Ruj