Astrobiology Workshop

This workshop is the first attempt to bring together those working on astrobiology in the Australia/New Zealand region. We expect the workshop to attract a cross disciplinary group of scientists interested in the origin, distribution and future of life in the universe. For examples of the type of work that is likely to be covered at the workshop, see the Astrobiology Australasia web site.

The registration deadline is May 18th 2001. Please register for the meeting using the online registration form. This form can also be used to submit papers for the workshop.

There will be a registration fee of $40 to cover the cost of lunches, tea and coffee during the workshop. We will collect this at the workshop.The charge of $45 per person for the workshop dinner will also be collected at this time.Payment must be in Australian dollars and should be in the form of a cheque, crossed and payable to the University of Western Sydney, or cash (sorry but we can't accept credit cards)

A public lecture by Prof. Paul Davies will be held on the evening of July 11th at 6.30pm in the Macquarie Theatre. The title of the lecture is "Did Life Come From Mars?". The lecture is free to workshop participants, but please indicate on the registration form if you will be attending so that we can reserve a place. Should you wish to purchase additional tickets for family members or friends these will be available for $11.00 each from the Australian Museum Society (TAMS) - phone (02) 9320 6225.

There will be a reception following the lecture. These two events will mark the formal opening of the Australian Centre for Astrobiology.

The scientific program will cover two full days and will consist of invited talks, contributed talks and poster presentations. The online registration form should be used to submit contributed talks and posters. The deadline is May 18th 2001 (the same as that for registration). Topics covered in the program will include:

The Origin of Life
Early History of Life on Earth
Extremophiles
Extrasolar Planets
Life on Other Planets
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

Accommodation

Participants are expected to make their own accommodation arrangements. Options close to the meeting venue are as follows:

Travelodge Hotel — 81 Talavera Road, on Macquarie University campus — Rate $119 per night. Book through the travelodge web site (http://www.travelodge.com.au/) or by:

email: reservations@travelodge.com.au
phone: 02 8874 5200
fax: 02 8874 5300

Robert Menzies College — 136 Herring Road, adjacent to campus — Rates $58 per night Bed & Breakfast, $70 per night including all meals.

email: accommodation@rmc.nsw.edu.au
phone: 02 9936 6000
fax: 02 9936 6005

Dunmore Lang College — 130 Herring Road, adjacent to campus — Rate $80 per night including all meals.

email: dlc@laurel.ocs.mq.edu.au
phone: 02 9856 1000
fax: 02 9856 1009

Stamford North Ryde — Corner of Epping and Herring Roads (about 5 min walk from campus) — Rates $140 to $173 per night. These rates are "Smart Deal Specials" only available for online booking. Standard rates can be much higher.

phone: 02 9888 1077
fax: 02 9805 0655

El Rancho Hotel Motel — Corner of Epping and Herring Roads (about 5 min walk from campus) — Rates $90 single, $100 double. (Only has 13 rooms so book early if you want to stay here).

email: ranch@speednet.com.au
phone: 02 9887 2411
fax: 02 9888 9145

Travel

From Sydney City Centre to Macquarie University

By Taxi — will take about 20-25 minutes and cost about $30.

By Bus — services 288, 290, 292 and 294 depart from York Street (next to the Queen Victoria Building) and take about 40 minutes to the university.

By Train — Take train to Epping station (about 3km from the university) — Then get a 288 or 290 bus to the university.

From Sydney Airport to Macquarie University

By Taxi — will take about 40 minutes and cost about $50.

By Bus/Train — Take Airport Express bus to the Queen Victoria Building, or take train to Town Hall (there are stations at the domestic and international terminals) — then get 288, 290, 292 or 294 bus as above.

Sydney Bus Timetables

Sydney Train Timetables

Organising Committee

Jeremy Bailey	Anglo-Australian Observatory
Ragbir Bhathal	University of Western Sydney
Maria Hunt	University of New South Wales
Malcolm Walter	Macquarie University
Fred Watson	Anglo-Australian Observatory

For further information please contact: Jeremy Bailey

email: jab@aaoepp.aao.gov.au
phone: 02 9372 4823
fax: 02 9372 4880

General Information	Registration	Program
Accommodation	Travel	Organising Committee