CONFERENCE ON LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE

A meeting to explore prospects for research
into the nature and distribution of life in the Universe

June 19 and 20, 1979

NASA Ames Research Center

General Chairman: John Billingham

PRELIMINARY AGENDA

June _ 19
ORIGIN AND EARLY EVOLUTION OF LIFE IN THE GALAXY
Chairman: Richard Young

9:00 a.m. Welcome

9:05 a.m. Introduction

9:15 a.m. Cosmic Evolution Eric Chaisson
An overview of the concept of cosmic
evolution from the origin of matter
to the rise of civilizations:

9:45 a.m. Organic Chemical Evolution Sherwood Chang
A review of chemical evolution
emphasizing the environmental
circumstances under which pro-
gressively more complex organic
molecules will arise, with special
attention to competing reactions and
the conditions which govern reaction
rates,

10:10 a.n. Biogenesis Alexander Rich
A discussion of the development of
unicelluar organisms from self-rep-
licating molecular systems, with
emphasis on environmental consid-
erations.

10:35 a.n. COFFEE
June 19

10:55 a.m.

11:20 a.m.

12:0CG noon

1:30 p.m.

1:55 p.m.

2:20 p.m.

2:45 p.m.

3:05 p.m.

3:30 p.m.
4:55 p.m.

6:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.

Evolution of the Biosphere
A discussion of the origin and
evolution of planetary atmos-
pheres and hydrospheres, includ-
ing biological influences thereon.

Contributed Papers

LUNCH

Stellar Influences
A discussion of stellar characteristics
and dynamics potentially related to the
origin and evolution of life, including
luminosity, spectral energy distribution,
flares, spot activity, winds, and vari-

ability.

Orbit Stability
A discussion of the formation and longev-
ity of planets in multiple star systems.

The Origin and Evolution of Continents and

Oceans

A discussion of the development and sta-~
bility of large contiguous land masses
amidst bodies of water, including an
evaluation of the importance of planet-
specific factors.

COFFEE

Other Planetary Systems
An outline of prospects for the detection
of extrasolar planets and the measurement
of their gross physical characteristics.

Contributed Papers

Adjourn

DINNER

Biogeocosmopoetry:

AFTERNOON SESSION

Major Events in the Evo-
lution of Life on Earth and Speculations Re-
garding their Possible Relevance to Extra-
terrestrial Evolution:

Lynn Margulis

Adrienne Timothy

Robert Harrington

Carl Turekian

David Black

J. William Schopf
June 19

8:15 p.m.

10:00 p.m.

June 20

8:30 a.m.

8:35 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:25 a.m.

9:50 a.m.

10:10 a.m.

Panel Discussion

Philip Morrison, Chairman H. Masursky
Helmut Abt . John Oro

A. J. Boucot Tobias Oven

A. G. W. Cameron Richard Wetherald
Adjourn

THE EVOLUTION OF COMPLEX LIFE IN THE GALAXY

Introduction _ John Billingham

The Emergence and Radiation of Multicellular James Valentine
Organisms

A discussionof the origin, evolution, and

adaptability of various phylum-level bio-

logical strategies, including the import-

ance of particular specialized organs and

systems to the exploitation of different

environmental opportunities.

Biological Evolution Dale Russell
A discussion of the evolution of complex
organisms and ecosystems, with emphasis
on factors responsible for its rate and
direction.

Evolution of Technological Species Bernard Campbell
A discussion of the co-development of
intelligence, manipulative ability, and
social organization, with emphasis on
environmental conditions required.

COFFEE

Climatological Stability Donald Hunten
A discussion of planetary characteris-
tics which influence climate change, such
as ocean currents, albedo, atmospheric
composition, and variations in plaue-
tary motions.
June 20

10:35 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

12:00 noon

1:15 p.m.

1:40 p.m.

1:55 p.m.

2:20 p.m.

2:40 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

Astrophycical Influences Wallace Tucker

A discussion of cosmic phenomena that

might influence the rate and direction

of biological evolution, including the

evolution of the parent star, nearby

supernovae, passage through galactic

dust clouds, and violent activity in

the galactic nucleus.

Contributed Papers

LUNCH

THE DETECTABILITY OF TECHNOLOGICAL CIVILIZATIONS
Chairman: Frank Drake

The Identifiability of Suitable Stars Kenneth Janes
A discussion of problems in the deter-
mination of important stellar charact-
eristics, including temperature, lumi-
nosity, age, and chemical composition.

Manifestations of Advanced Civilizations Ronald Bracewell
A survey of possible characteristics
of advanced technologies that might
be observable across interstellar
distances, including the possiblilty
of deliberate communications.

Search Strategy Bernard Oliver
An analysis of the scientific and
technological considerations which
underlie a choice of search strategy.

COFFEE

The Radio Signature of Earth Woodruff Sullivan, III
An analysis of how Earth would appear
to a nearby extraterrestrial civili-
zation at radio frequencies and what
that civilization might learn from
observing it.

Sky and Frequency Surveys Robert Edelson
An outline of a practical program to
search for powerful radio transmitters
by using an all-sky, broad-frequency
survey.
June 20
3:30 p.m. High Sensitivity Observations John Wolfe
An outline of a practical program
intended to search for radio sig~
nals from extraterrestrial civili-
zations by maximizing sensitivity.
CONCLUDING EVENTS
4:00 p.m. Reflecticns Philip Morrison

4:30 Adjourn