Planetary scientists from all over the world will come together at The Woodlands for the 48th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference March 20–24 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. The annual conference brings together international specialists to present the latest results of research in planetary science. It has been a focal point for planetary science research since 1970. It is a key meeting group for The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The robotic and human lunar missions in the 1960s and 1970s resulted in growth in understanding of the moon, and the conferences were a forum for presentation of new thoughts about the formation of the Earth-Moon system and a focus on the study of lunar samples. The word “Planetary” was added to the name of the conference in the late 1970s reflecting expansion of the meeting to include research about the entire solar system.
“The Lunar and Planetary Institute has hosted the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in The Woodlands for the past several years, and we have always been warmly welcomed by the town, meeting venue, businesses and community,” says Kira Honnoll, LPSC meeting planner. “LPSC brings nearly 2,000 university and NASA scientists from all over the world to The Woodlands.”
Attendance has grown from a few hundred scientists in 1970 to approximately 1,800 scientists from 35 countries last year. LPSC continues to thrive and grow due to the fact the meeting is accessible to young scientists. Student participation makes up nearly 30 percent of the overall attendance.
“We’re happy to have LPSC back for another year here in The Woodlands,” says Nick Wolda, president, The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The convention always brings incredible ideas and people to The Woodlands to experience our great site. We’re proud to be known as the host town to such an important convention in the planetary science community.”
