Australian Centre for Astrobiology

Australian Centre for Astrobiology, UNSW.

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

The researchers within the Australian Centre for Astrobiology have a broad range of interests including: origin of life, early life, chemistry, geology, metagenomics and science communication. We are based at UNSW in Sydney, Australia.

[UNSW Science @UNSWScience]

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Earlier this year, geoconservationist and @AussieAstrobio PhD candidate @clarefletcher42 spent four weeks living and working at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah.

This remote station provides scientists with a “testing ground” for identifying evidence of early life.

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

ACA student work across a variety of study fields in astrobiology. The ACA is proud to be a truly interdisciplinary research centre

[Clare Fletcher @fletch042]

I am extremely proud to have finally got my first journal article published! It's been almost 9 months of back and forth since first submitting to the journal, and was a similar amount of work to write in the first place. https://t.co/HZt42ZpuDR

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

The ACA has wrapped up for the year, and what a year it's been! We got a new Director, our previous Director is moving to Curtin Uni, and we've had students and postdocs start, finish, and continue doing their excellent research!
Happy holidays and we'll be back in the New Year!

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

The ACA's Prof. Martin Van Kranendonk led a trip of @NASA @esa @CSIRO & @AusSpaceAgency scientists and program leaders to the Pilbara, WA to see the oldest convincing evidence of life. These 2.7-3.5 billion year old stromatolite fossils help guide the search for life on Mars.

[ARCHIVED – NASA Astrobiology @NASAAstrobio]

Strap in – it’s time to meet your ancient ancestors! Fossilized microbial communities in Western Australia are helping scientists hone their skills for detecting potential ancient life on Mars. Join us on an expedition to see what our own backyard can teach us about the search for life elsewhere alongside members of @NASAMars, @ESA, @AusSpaceAgency, and @CSIRO. Dive into the details: https://t.co/j9ZScGo0gk

[UNSW Science @UNSWScience]

1/2 @UNSW scientists Prof. Martin Van Kranendonk, Luke Steller (@steller_luke) & Clare Fletcher (@clarefletcher42) recently led a two-way learning initiative in the Pilbara region, WA, where the rock fossils hold the oldest evidence of life on Earth!

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

A great article by @UNSWScience about our recent Pilbara trip collabing with the Marble Bar School, community, & Nyamal knowledge holders! Thanks to ACA members Prof Martin Van Kranendonk, @steller_luke & @clarefletcher42 for their knowledge & organisation
https://t.co/Al8EMblxjV

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

Our scientists @clarefletcher42 @steller_luke and Martin Van Kranendonk had the opportunity to go to Meentheena with Nyamal knowledge holders, school kids, @NASA @ESA @AusSpaceAgency and @CSIRO! We work to inspire next gen & the community. We enjoyed our learning and teaching!

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

New research has shown bioavailable phosphates exist on Enceladus! Read the article in The Conversation for an explanation of this research by ACA members Laura McKemmish, Albert Fahrenbach, and Martin Van Kranendonk: https://t.co/ckbht4NY86

[Steffi Nobs @its_snobsi]

Gave a little talk today for the @AussieAstrobio ACA Student Seminars to give a background on all thinks eukaryogenesis, microbial evolution and proteins! 🦠🔬👩‍🔬

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

ACA member and former Director, Martin Van Kranendonk, announced his Mars Sample Return mission for the Home Plate digitates at the #australianspacesummit today! Head to https://t.co/ahzEi1dV0R for more info!

[Clare Fletcher @fletch042]

Proud of and excited for my supervisor Martin Van Kranendonk for announcing LifeSprings Mars - an Aussie led Mars Sample Return mission at the #australianspacesummit Check out https://t.co/CbjdQVXI52 for more info! Ad astra 🚀

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

Stromatolite fossils from the Pilbara's North Pole Dome & Meentheena regions have been nominated for National Heritage Listing! The sites give clues to the origin of life, early Earth's environment, and guide the search for life elsewhere in the universe https://t.co/V1iE9LY0Id

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

A reminder that AAM Abstracts are due May 15th. Head to https://t.co/vqiwwnNAQA to submit your abstract, register, and check out our speakers! Hope to see you there!

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

The ACA is pleased to announce that we are hosting the 2023 Australasia Astrobiology Meeting! AAM2023 will take place at @UNSW's Kensington Campus, June 13-15th!
More details here: https://t.co/N1AE7Y7vgY
We look forward to reading your abstracts and seeing you there! 🚀🧬🧪

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

ACA PhD Student @clarefletcher42 presented to @UNOOSA COPUOS's 62nd Legal Subcommittee Meeting. Clare's presentation proposed creating a science-led policy to conserve Mars' outstanding universal geoheritage values.

Watch Clare's presentation here: https://t.co/8OhDiP1f7G

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

@DevyaniJambhul6 @MichaelaJDobson @UNSW Hi Devyani, you can apply to attend this conference from anywhere in the world, but note that you will have to arrange the funding to travel and attend.

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

The ACA is pleased to announce that we are hosting the 2023 Australasia Astrobiology Meeting! AAM2023 will take place at @UNSW's Kensington Campus, June 13-15th!
More details here: https://t.co/N1AE7Y7vgY
We look forward to reading your abstracts and seeing you there! 🚀🧬🧪

[Belinda Ferrari @ferrari_belinda]

The search for life on Mars is ramping up- there could be alien life on Mars, but will our rovers be able to find it?
https://t.co/PymQnHJeEi via @ConversationEDU

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

Please join us in welcoming our new director, Albert Fahrenbach!

Left to right are current ACA director Albert Fahrenbach, outgoing director Martin Van Kranendonk (2014-2023), and founding director, Malcolm Walter (2001-2014).

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

We are absolutely thrilled to hear that the ACA's very own @BurnsBrendan2 has been awarded an @arc_gov_au #DP23 grant! We can't wait to see what exciting research The Burns Lab will produce in the coming years 🦠

[Burns_Brendan @BurnsBrendan2]

Incredibly excited with the news our @arc_gov_au #DP23 was funded...together with amazing colleagues @iduggin @DebnathGhosal we get to dive down many rabbit holes in the elusive search for our microbial ancestors. To Asgard and beyond ⚔️

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

Want to learn about our planet?

Join ACA members and other scientists on a journey to Earth. They discuss deep time, the origin of life, how our planet has evolved over time, and the situation we face moving forward under the threat of climate change.

https://t.co/haCjEtemCo

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

A reminder that our event exploring the intersection of science and art is happening today at UNSW CLB 6 at 5pm! It will feature a talk by Steven Durbach and be accompanied by a SciArt showcase hosted by recent MPhil graduate @ScarlettLiW.

[Australian Centre for Astrobiology @AussieAstrobio]

We will also be showcasing some videos made by our talented students. Join us in UNSW's Central Lecture Block Rm 6 5pm 28/09 for an evening of showcasing how science and art can compliment one another!