A number of cataclysms have occurred in the history of the universe and the Solar System. The Symposium will review those that had a critical influence on the evolution of habitable worlds and on the emergence and survival of life on Earth, and possibly elsewhere. The sessions will discuss the following topics:

• Big Bang and the formation of light elements, element nucleosynthesis in stars and Supernovae
• Violent processes in star formation, interstellar/circumstellar shocks and the synthesis of molecules
• Collisions and planetary formation
• Formation of the Moon and its influence on Earth
• Late heavy bombardment and the emergence of life
• The role of impacts in inhibiting, transporting or threatening life
• Hazards from stellar flares and space weather
• Hazards from black holes and gamma ray bursts
• Cosmic habitability, prevalence of Earth-like planets, the fate of the Earth
• Historical, outreach and education aspects of cataclysms (e.g. Tunguska 1908)

This symposium is an invitation to the wider scientific community to present and discuss in depth the science topics which constitute the broad themes mentioned above.
The program will include a number of invited talks, which will give an overview of the science themes, plus a number of contributed talks.

Invited Speakers

L. Ziurys (Arizona), N. Prantzos (IAP), R. Liseau (Chalmers), M. Robberto (Baltimore), J. Blum (Braunschweig), J. Greaves (St Andrews), A. Morbidelli (Nice), W. Benz (Bern), D. Kring (Arizona), G. Horneck (DLR), D. Prieur (Brest), P. Ehrenfreund (Washington), K.-H. Glassmeier (Braunschweig), B. Thomas (Washburn), I. Ribas (Madrid), R. Lundin (Kiruna), F. Selsis (Bordeaux), T. Owen (Hawaii), E. Pilat-Lohinger (Vienna)

Programme

Monday 10 November 2008

Introduction: Session 1:

Cosmic Cataclysms: the biological overview Big Bang and Nucleosynthesis

Tuesday 11 November 2008

Session 2: Session 3:

Star Formation and Synthesis of Molecules Planetary formation and the role of collisions

Wednesday 12 November 2008

Session 4: Session 4:

Late Heavy Bombardment, the Moon-Earth System and the Emergence of Life on Earth The Role of Impacts on Life

Thursday 13 November 2008

Session 6: Session 7:

Emergence and habitats of life in the Universe Hazards from the Sun, Stars and the universe and resilience of Life

Friday 14 November 2008

Session 8:

Cosmic habitability, prevalence of Earth-like planets and the fate of the Earth

This symposium is an invitation to the wider scientific community to present and discuss in depth the science topics which constitute the broad themes mentioned above.

The program will include a number of invited talks, which will give an overview of the science themes, plus a number of contributed talks.