Astronomers enjoy “Evening with Champagne and Hydrofluoric Acid” at the Astrogeobiology Laboratory

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As a part of the meeting Impacts in Planetary Systems in Lund May 15-17, 2017, the participants were invited to a mingle session “Evening with Champagne and Hydrofluoric Acid at the Astrogeobiology Laboratory”

Among the ca. 70 minglers most were astronomers, but all with a great interest, not only in the champagne and good cheese that was served, but also our peculiar way of doing astronomy by dissolving ancient sedimentary rocks in acids.

Our lab was visited by several of the leaders in research on the evolution of the solar system and the asteroid belt based on space-based astronomical data. This opened up for many interesting discussions and much cross-disciplinary transferal of knowledge.

Note that the participants were not allowed to bring champagne or cheese into the acid laboratories!

Download the Full programme of the Impacts in the Planetary Systems meeting. programme-v1.5.2

Birger Schmitz explains the basic idea behind the Astrogeobiology Laboratory
Birger Schmitz explains the basic idea behind the Astrogeobiology Laboratory

 

The principles of stratigraphy and sedimentology.
The principles of stratigraphy and sedimentology. The rock section on the floor represents strata formed on the sea floor during two million years in the Ordovician period.

 

Enthusiastic astronomers.
Enthusiastic astronomers.

 

Barry Webb from Berkeley
Barry Welsh from UC Berkeley explained how efforts now are made to search in a more focused way for radio signals from regions of the universe where habitable exoplanets have been found, rather than from space in general.

 

Astronomers getting excited over a piece of rock being dissolved in acid.
Astronomers getting excited over a piece of rock being dissolved in acid.

 

Astronomers learning about our HCl-dissolution process.
Astronomers learning about our HCl-dissolution process.
Astronomers learning about our HCl-dissolution process.
Astronomers learning about our HCl-dissolution process.
What is left of 100 kg of sedimentary rock after treatment with HCl and HF
What is left of 100 kg of sedimentary rock after treatment with HCl and HF
The many articles by Bill Bottke (to the right) and David Nesvorny (left) from the University of Colorado, Boulder, on the evolution of the asteroid belt have been a central and strong source of inspiration to the work in the Astrogeobiology Laboratory. It was a very special, positive feeling to now have them as guests in the lab.
The many articles by Bill Bottke (to the right) and David Nesvorny (left) from the University of Colorado, Boulder, on the evolution of the asteroid belt have been a central and strong source of inspiration to the work in the Astrogeobiology Laboratory. It was a very special, positive feeling to now have them as guests in the lab.
To the left Christian Koeberl, who was an invited speaker at the Impacts meeting. He is the Director of the Vienna Natural History Museum and one of the world’s leading expert on impacts, To the right, his wife Dona Jalufka, a talented artist often using themes related to space research. Also Christian and Dona have been sources of much inspiration over the decades.
To the left Christian Koeberl, who was an invited speaker at the Impacts meeting. He is the Director of the Vienna Natural History Museum and one of the world’s leading expert on impacts, To the right, his wife Dona Jalufka, a talented artist often using themes related to space research. Also Christian and Dona have been sources of much inspiration over the decades.