The Seventh International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration is the latest in a continuing series of conferences intended to promote the exchange of knowledge and ideas regarding the polar regions of Mars. This group is international and interdisciplinary, and we welcome any interested scientist with relevant theoretical, experimental, or field experience.

The conference is designed to highlight and define the current state of Mars polar research, pulling together expertise from many fields, including geology, atmospheric science, and climate science. Primarily, the aim is to focus on advances made since the sixth conference, and to give attendees the opportunity to share their research with like-minded colleagues. The focus will also be on terrestrial analogs that can enhance our interpretation of remote sensing data from Mars, and on concepts for future missions. Several optional field trips during and after the conference will highlight the beauty of Tierra del Fuego and southern Patagonia and its relevance as a terrestrial analog to the polar and ice-populated regions of Mars. With the overarching goal of fully understanding the polar environments on Mars and contributing to the advance of planetary science, we will synthesize outstanding questions and developments in a publication dedicated to the results of this conference.

Another goal of this conference is to define options and science priorities for future missions and to serve as an important resource for scientists wishing to develop instruments, propose spacecraft, or participate as members of a science team in response to future Announcements of Opportunity. During the technical sessions, outstanding questions and methods to address them will be recorded and published at a later date. There will be time dedicated to preparing for the upcoming Decadal Survey, and for discussion of white papers leading up to that process.

The abstract deadline is October 30.

Early career scientists and students can apply for travel grants (support from IACS/IUGG and ICMPSE)

More details can be found on the homepage: https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/marspolar2020/