The Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry and Geology, University of Nairobi in collaboration with COSPAR, IAU, IUCr and MiNT are proud to announce A COSPAR INTERNATIONALCAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP on MINERAL AND MATERIAL SCIENCES FOR SPACE EXPLORATIONwhich will be conducted in Nairobi and Lake Magadi, Kenya from 20th September to 3rd October 2026
The workshop aims to prepare a select number of participants for the next generation of projects, seeking a deeper knowledge and understanding of extraterrestrial minerals and rocks, ranging from those on large planets and moons to interstellar dust particles, using both in situ and remote analytical techniques. They will also learn about the formation of mineral growth patterns in the early Earth, our Moon, Mars, and other planets and moons, as well as meteorites and interstellar dust. Additionally, they will explore the relevance of minerals to the origin of life and the detection of primitive life forms. During the workshop, the students will analyze and discuss data from the mission Hayabusa2 (JAXA), Osiris-Rex (NASA), and the forthcoming Exomars mission (ESA) and Mars Sample Return and the studies made by the rovers “Perseverance”, Discovery” and “Curiosity”. Portable technology, including diffractometers and spectrophotometers designed for these missions, will be used during field trips to analyze rocks in the Rift Valley, a geological site relevant for the geochemistry of the earliest Earth.
The workshop is intended to instruct about 40 MSc, PhD students, postdocs and young researchers in modern crystallographic techniques in the fields of diffraction, imaging, spectroscopy and remote sensing.
Focus Points and Practical Activities
a) Crystallography for Space Sciences: Review and Prospective
b) X-ray diffraction: Diffraction of Polycrystalline Materials & Applications of X-Ray Powder Diffraction
c) Powder Diffraction Experiment
d) Sample Preparation and Data Collection
e) Study Cases: Meteorites, Lunar Rocks, Interstellar Dust, Crystallography in Mars & In situ X-ray Diffraction from Popocatepetl
f) Spectroscopic Methods & In situ Raman and Infrared Spectroscopy from Volcanic Rocks of Popocatepetl
g) Minerals in Space: Meteorites, Interstellar Dust, Comets, Moon, Mars & Other Planets Mineralogy
h) Crystallization in Space
i) The role of Space Minerals in the Production of Organic Matter in Space