This looks like a very interesting event. Planetary Science is a field that really interests me, and is getting a lot more publicity these days thanks to missions like the Mars Rovers, and of course Phoenix which has just positively concluded that there is water ice on Mars.
I'd love to hear from anyone who's planning to go, and of course a report after the event!
Below is part of a media release for the event:
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2008 Australian Earth Sciences Convention
New generation advances in geoscience
20-24 July 2008, Perth
http://www.iceaustralia.com/aesc2008
With only weeks to go until the 2008 Australian Earth Sciences Convention, planetary scientists are being urged to register quickly to secure a place at this major event.
To be held in Perth from 20-24 July 2008, the Convention is Australia’s premier geoscience conference and a major event on the international geosciences calendar. It is expected to attract more than 1000 Australian and international delegates and will feature more than 135 presenters and 450 papers.
Mass extinctions on Earth, asteroid impacts, what 3.5 billion year old fossils can tell us about evolution, and exciting information being gathered by NASA’s current mission to Mars will be among a wide range of planetary science topics on offer at the mega-conference.
Essentially several major conferences wrapped into one, the Convention boasts five key streams:
* Evolution of life and the Solar System
* Resources – foundation for our future
* Geoscience in the service of society
* Earth’s environments – past, present and future
* The dynamic Earth – from crust to core
The Evolution of Life and the Solar System stream will include commentary from Australian and international experts including Dr Jeffrey Taylor, Research Professor at the Hawai`i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, who will speak on New views of the chemistry and geology of the crust of Mars. Papers are also being presented by representatives from NASA, the Mars Society of Australia, Mt Stromlo Observatory, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Institut De Physique Du Globe De Paris, and many other universities and planetary research organisations.
Given Western Australia is a treasure trove when it comes to asteroid and meteorite impacts, the Convention is also well-placed to consider the ‘big issues’ of planetary science from a local perspective.
Visit
www.iceaustralia.com/aesc2008 to view the hundreds of topics on offer through the Convention’s five streams. A program overview can be found in the Media section of the website.
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Planetary Scientists - 2008 Australian Earth Sciences Convention
Oh well, at least the boss is away. 
I worked all through WA and the NT mainly.
