The last decade of Earth Science research has shown that many patterns observed on the surface of our planet are the results of interactions between the geosphere and the biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The coming decades will see revolutionary progress in our understanding of dynamic processes on Earth and other planets in our solar system. Planetary science is no longer a qualitative, descriptive endeavour. The study of pattern-forming processes on Earth will help us understand the evolution of our neighbouring planets and ultimately lead to an understanding of the emergence of life in our solar system. "Search for Life" missions to Mars in the near future may change forever the way we picture mankind's place in the Universe. This quest will go far beyond the realm of philosophy and will be followed by technological innovations that will change the way we live on Earth.

Astrobiology is the study of the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. It requires fundamental concepts of life and habitable environments that will help us to recognize biospheres that might be quite different from our own. Astrobiology embraces the search for potentially inhabited planets beyond our Solar System, the exploration of Mars and the outer planets, laboratory and field investigations of the origins and early evolution of life, and studies of the potential of life to adapt to future challenges both on Earth and in space. Interdisciplinary research is needed that combines molecular biology, ecology, microbiology, geology, physics, astronomy, information science and space exploration technologies. The broad interdisciplinary character of astrobiology compels us to strive for the most comprehensive and inclusive understanding of biological, planetary and cosmic phenomena. The intrinsic public interest in astrobiology offers a crucial opportunity to educate and inspire the next generation of scientists, technologists and informed citizens.

The Sverrefjell volcano in the Bockfjord Volcanic Complex, NW Spitsbergen (poto K.O. Storvik).

With a unique combination of volcanoes, hot springs and permafrost, the Bockfjord Volcanic Complex (BVC) on the Arctic islands of Svalbard is the only place on Earth with carbonate deposits identical to carbonates in the Martian meteorite ALH84001. As such, it provides a unique opportunity to study the interaction between water, rocks and primitive life forms in a Mars-like environment and is an ideal testing ground for instruments under development for future "Search for Life" missions to Mars. Following comparative studies between BVC rocks and the Martian meteorite ALH84001 ongoing since 1997 the "Arctic Mars Analog Svalbard Expedition" (AMASE) has been run by Hans E.F. Amundsen under PGP since 2003 in collaboration with the Carnegie Institution of Washington (CIW), NASA-JPL, NASA-Ames, the Lunar and Planetary Institute, University of Leeds, University of Burgos, Penn State University, MacQuarie University (GEMOC) and the Smithsonian Institution, and with invaluable help and support from the Norwegian Space Centre, the University Studies on Svalbard (UNIS) and the Norwegian Polar Institute.

a) The Martian meteorite ALH84001 and(b) associated dolomite-magnesite globules formed by water-rock interaction on Mars ca 3.8 billion years ago. (Photo courtesy of NASA). (c) Carbonate cemented lava breccia and (d) associated dolomite-magnesite globules from the Sverrefjell volcano. The only known Terrestrial analog to carbonates in the Martian meteorite ALH84001. (poto H.E.F. Amundsen).

AMASE research topics centre on formation and weathering of carbonate deposits in various BVC localities and include pattern formation in travertine terraces, cryogenic carbonate deposits and blue ice vents in subglacial volcanoes and associated microbial activity, bio-geo interactions and organic chemistry. Field work involves testing of "state of the art" biosensor technology under development by CIW and NASA-JPL for future Mars missions.

AMASE 2004 performed the first ever field test of a suite of instruments capable of detecting even a single microbial cell on Mars (1) and AMASE 2005 performed on-site detection of frozen microbial communities in blue ice vents inside the Sverrefjell volcano (2). Our US collaborators were recently awarded a major grant (PI: A. Steele/CIW) under NASA's "Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets" (ASTEP) program for testing and development of strategies and instruments for future "Search for Life" missions to Mars.

Coring of blue ice vents at the Sverrefell volcano. Maia Schweizer (Oxford) measuring the activity of rock-dwelling microorganisms (endoliths) in travertine at Troll Springs (poto K.O. Storvik).

AMASE 2005 crew members - dressed for the occasion...............