AMITY CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN ASTROBIOLOGY, MUMBAI
AMASE - 2024
Amity Mission for Analogue Space Expedition
31st August 2024 to 7th September 2024 | Ladakh
Join us for the 8-day Mars Analogue Site Exploration & Expedition at Ladakh
Be a part of the scientific research, outreach activities and interact with experts in the field.
Amity Mission for Analogue Space Expedition (AMASE – 2024)
In continuation with two previous successful scientific expeditions to Ladakh, Amity Centre of Excellence in Astrobiology, Amity Institute of Biotechnology; welcomes you to the upcoming Amity Mission for Analogue Space Expedition (AMASE - 2024). AMASE – 2024 is an immersive eight – day and seven – night expedition to Ladakh, India; from 31st August 2024 to 7th September, 2024. This unique program offers scientific exploration, educational outreach, and cultural immersion in Ladakh's stunning landscapes. Join us for an unforgettable experience at the frontier of astrobiology and space exploration.
Dr. Aseem Chauhan
Hon'ble Chancellor & President, AUM
Prof. (Dr.) A.W. Santhosh Kumar
Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, AUM
Organizing Team
Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Mumbai, India
Why Ladakh?
Geographically, Ladakh is characterized by a diverse landscape comprising of high mountain ranges, rivers, glaciers, large pristine lakes, and hot springs. The thin atmosphere, intense UV radiation, and extreme temperatures, challenge life forms; making it an excellent analogue for Astro biological studies. The region boasts of a diverse geological landscape with ancient rock formations and mineral deposits, offering insights into potential habitats for microbial life and extremophiles. Ladakh's minimal human population and limited industrial activity reduce contamination risks, enabling researchers to study pristine environments and microbial communities in their natural state. The high-altitude desert, landscapes, extreme climatic conditions, geomorphology and the aeolian processes makes Ladakh an exceptionally good Mars analog site, meaning we can draw similarities between the features in Ladakh and on Mars.
Expedition Details
Field Research
Sample and data collection at the sites of scientific relevance.
Interactive Sessions
Engage in discussions with leading astrobiologists and researchers.
Night Sky Observations
Explore Ladakh's pristine night skies and learn about celestial bodies.
Outreach Activities
Popular talks by scientists, hands-on experiments, and group activities.
Saboo Village
This area was heavily affected in 2010 when a cloudburst over the region triggered a chain of disastrous events like floods, rock, and debris slides, portraying the adverse effects of climate change in this sensitive region.
Tsokar Lake
Tso Kar is a high-altitude hypersaline lake at an elevation of 14860 feet with salt flats in the northern part of the lake as well as permafrost mounds, constantly hit by high UV radiation making the site remarkably similar to ancient Mars.
Puga hot spring
Puga hot springs are geothermal springs that are in close proximity to the Indus suture zone and hydrothermal deposits, which have sinter deposits that are boron rich and highlight an immense potential for studying organisms living in extreme conditions - extremophiles.
Tsomoriri Lake
The high altitude Tsomoriri Lake is a freshwater to brackish lake lying at 4,595m above sea level, with wet meadows and borax-laden wetlands along the shores.
How to reach Leh, Ladakh?
There are several transport options to Ladakh that include air, road, bus, and train; depending on your starting point and preferences.
Registration
Application
Open to everyone
Cost
35,000 INR + GST per person (Excluding flight charges)
Limited Seating
20 seats available at a first come first serve
Important Dates
Application Deadline
July 25th, 2024
Confirmation of Selection
July 27th, 2024
Payment Deadline
July 31st, 2024