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Volume 19, Number 26
June 29, 2025
Editor: Alex Morgan
Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Matthew R Perry
Email: pen_editor@psi.edu
Twitter: @pen2tweets
o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o
1. [EDITORIAL] Taking Action Against Historical Censorship by USRA
2. Tenure-Track Faculty Position at University of Iowa
3. NEO Surveyor Moving Object Scientist at IPAC
4. Submit Lunar Exploration Abstracts to the Geological Society of
America Connects 2025 Meeting
5. [AGU 2025] Session P008: Creating Sustainable Habitats and
Ecosystems Beyond Earth
6. [AGU 2025] Session P034: Redox Frontiers - Energy Pathways for Life
Across Planetary Systems
7. [AGU 2025] Session P042: The Nexus for Exoplanet System Science
(NExSS) - Building a Community for Interdisciplinary Research
Across NASA Science Divisions
8. [AGU 2025] Session P044: Titan at Equinox - Seasonal Changes on an
Ocean World
9. [AGU 2025] Session P049: Uranus Orbiter and Probe Mission Design -
Advances Since the Decadal Survey
10. MEPAG Search for Life-Science Analysis Group Science Community
Virtual Workshops
11. The Solar System in Context - Final Call For Abstracts
12. Jovian Icy Moons Workshop: Abstract Submission & Travel Grant
Deadline
13. Excellence in Science Leadership: A New Workshop on Strategies for
Unlocking Individual Potential
14. CNEOS Website Update Announcement
15. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions
16. Planetary Science Journal - New Papers
17. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets - New Papers
Commercial/Fundraising Announcements:
C1. Planetary Analog & Spaceflight Experience
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[EDITORIAL] TAKING ACTION AGAINST HISTORICAL CENSORSHIP BY USRA
Mark V. Sykes, Ph.D., J.D.
Senior Scientist
Planetary Science Institute
This statement is my opinion and does not reflect an official position
of the Planetary Science Institute.
Institutions are reeling from the spray of executive orders from the
White House since late January. Activities in support of diversity,
equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) have been particular
targets, with the cancellation of large numbers of research and other
grants and contracts and the bizarre purging of material from
government websites (including, for a time, information about the
airplane that dropped the first atomic bomb, the Enola Gay). Many of
these organizations have, in the absence of specific direction from
the government, overreacted with wholesale anticipatory obedience,
using the worst behavior of government actors as their guidance.
Websites and signage have been (and continue to be) purged of material
guessed to be offensive to the government. The history of government
funded activities are being rewritten as a consequence. For the
planetary science community, the censorship of our history by the
Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is particularly
impactful and demands community action.
For the full editorial, go to:
https://planetarynews.org/editorials/250629_against_censorship.pdf
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TENURE-TRACK FACULTY POSITION AT UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
The School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability (SEES) at The
University of Iowa seeks a tenure-track appointment at the rank of
assistant or associate professor with expertise in solid Earth
geology, focused on structural geology, tectonics, geochronology,
thermochronology, critical minerals, or geodynamics. Required
teaching duties will include structural geology, field courses,
tectonics, and other courses within the successful applicant's
expertise. We will consider all areas of research but encourage
candidates with strong field-based programs and interest in Earth
and planetary processes as well as in the interplay between solid
earth dynamics and environmental conditions in the hydrosphere,
biosphere, or atmosphere.
Apply online at:
https://jobs.uiowa.edu/
Refer to requisition #75645.
The deadline for full consideration is September 15, 2025. Screening
of applications will begin in early September, but the application
window will remain open until the position is satisfactorily filled.
Direct questions regarding this position to Dr. Emily Finzel,
emily-finzel@uiowa.edu.
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NEO SURVEYOR MOVING OBJECT SCIENTIST AT IPAC
The Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC) at Caltech invites
applications for the position of Moving Object Scientist for the NEO
Surveyor Survey Data System (NSDS). IPAC is building and will operate
the NSDS for NASA's NEO Surveyor (NEOS) mission. The NSDS ingests
imaging and engineering data from the flight system, processes those
data into calibrated image and source detection products, performs
automated searches for moving Solar System objects, assesses the
quality of the survey data, and distributes data products to NASA
archives and the user community, including sending moving object
tracklets to the Minor Planet Center. A key part of the NSDS is the
Moving Object Detection Pipeline (MODP), a software subsystem that is
in an advanced state of development and currently undergoing regular
performance testing and analysis. For details and to apply, visit:
https://tinyurl.com/k6k3yv49
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SUBMIT LUNAR EXPLORATION ABSTRACTS TO THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF
AMERICA CONNECTS 2025 MEETING
The GSA Connects 2025 meeting will be hosted in San Antonio, TX on
19-22 October 2025. One of the three themes for this meeting is "From
Earth to the Cosmos: Geoscience Beyond Our Planet". We encourage those
with active scientific studies of the Moon, involvement in lunar
missions, and those developing goals, concepts, or instrumentation for
future lunar exploration to submit abstracts to the GSA session: T168:
Lunar Science and Exploration in the Artemis Era.
For questions about this session, email Tracy Becker
(tracy.becker@swri.org) or Akbar Whizin (akbar.whizin@swri.org).
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[AGU 2025] SESSION P008: CREATING SUSTAINABLE HABITATS AND ECOSYSTEMS
BEYOND EARTH
If we decide in the future to create sustainable habitats and
ecosystems beyond Earth, then science will have a critical role to
play. As the cost of access to space continues to fall, a fresh look
at the research agenda for this topic is timely. We encourage
contributions on all aspects of both local and global terraforming,
including planetary atmospheres, climate modeling and climate
feedbacks, monitoring of climate change beyond Earth, spacecraft data
analysis, hydrology, soil/regolith composition and suitability (or
otherwise) for life, biogeochemistry, in-situ resource utilization,
oxygen production, ecology, and space physics and space environment
monitoring, as well as the exploration and distribution of
terraforming-relevant resources. Submissions on technologies and
techniques that support terraforming goals are also encouraged.
To submit an abstract, please visit:
https://agu.confex.com/agu/agu25/prelim.cgi/Session/248293
Conveners: Edwin Kite, Robin Wordsworth, Nina Lanza, and Chuanfei Dong
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[AGU 2025] SESSION P034: REDOX FRONTIERS - ENERGY PATHWAYS FOR LIFE
ACROSS PLANETARY SYSTEMS
Redox processes serve as the fundamental energetic basis connecting
non-living geological systems with living biological ones on Earth and
potentially throughout the cosmos. This session explores how electron
transfer processes mediate energy flows on Earth and across planetary
bodies providing crucial framework for understanding habitability. We
invite contributions examining redox dynamics in early Earth and Mars
environments, ocean worlds such as Europa and Enceladus, and
exoplanetary contexts. Topics include how interactions between
atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere create redox gradients that
could support biological activity; metabolic adaptations to varying
redox environments; redox stratification in the geologic record; and
methods for identifying habitable redox conditions on distant worlds.
By bringing together the Earth and planetary science communities, we
aim to develop a unified understanding of how redox chemistry shapes
habitability in the Solar System and provides essential context for
the search for life in the universe.
Please submit your abstract here by Wednesday, 30 July 2025 at 23:59
EDT, to join us!
https://agu.confex.com/agu/agu25/prelim.cgi/Session/248744
Co-Convenors: Adam Valantinas, Patrick Gasda and Sam Howell
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[AGU 2025] SESSION P042: THE NEXUS FOR EXOPLANET SYSTEM SCIENCE
(NEXSS) - BUILDING A COMMUNITY FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH ACROSS
NASA SCIENCE DIVISIONS
Exoplanet research has provided unique opportunities to promote
multidisciplinary work, as it requires expertise from the fields of
Earth Science, Planetary Science, Heliophysics, and Astrophysics.
NExSS was created to bring together teams that are associated with
these corresponding divisions of NASA's Science Mission Directorate.
NExSS's goal is to make interdisciplinary connections possible,
promoting activities that increase communication and collaboration
between research teams and individuals, and streamline research
objectives across its science community. The session will cover both
NExSS activities as well as general topics on interdisciplinary
research. In the spirit of broadening connections, we encourage
submissions not only about unique NExSS activities or NExSS-related
projects, but also non-NExSS projects that demonstrate the unique
value of highly interdisciplinary research; effective means to create
and encourage interdisciplinary research within the AGU community; the
value of interdisciplinary research in public outreach; or the
benefits of interdisciplinary research for science education.
More information:
https://agu.confex.com/agu/agu25/prelim.cgi/Session/250198
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[AGU 2025], SESSION P044: TITAN AT EQUINOX - SEASONAL CHANGES ON AN
OCEAN WORLD
On May 6, 2025 the Saturn system passed through Northern Fall Equinox,
and the peak sunlight moved from Titan's northern to southern
hemisphere. Thus commenced a period of expected upheaval and change,
when Titan's atmospheric circulation will slowly begin to reverse
direction and may be accompanied by intense methane rainstorms as seen
soon after the last equinoctial passage in 2009. This year also marks
another major milestone: the 20th year since the Huygens landing on
Titan and the return to Earth of its incredible in situ dataset. This
topical Titan session solicits novel presentations on all aspects of
Titan science, including recent observations, new modeling and
laboratory work, and related analog and field work.
To submit an abstract, please visit:
https://agu.confex.com/agu/agu25/prelim.cgi/Session/248910
Conveners: Conor Nixon, Kathleen Mandt, Kendra Farnsworth, Samuel Birch
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[AGU 2025] SESSION P049: URANUS ORBITER AND PROBE MISSION DESIGN -
ADVANCES SINCE THE DECADAL SURVEY
The Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey recommended the
Uranus Orbiter and Probe as the top priority Flagship for the decade
2023-2032. We invite contributions on updated mission design concepts;
trajectory work; mission architecture trades, challenges, and
solutions that enable robust exploration of the Uranian system; and
innovative, but feasible, concepts that enhance the science return of
the mission. We encourage submissions to include how
cross-disciplinary science synergies are enabled by the updated work
(e.g., cruise science), but discussions of specific instrumentation or
science priorities do not fall under the purview of this session.
https://agu.confex.com/agu/agu25/prelim.cgi/Session/246909
10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10
MEPAG SEARCH FOR LIFE-SCIENCE ANALYSIS GROUP SCIENCE COMMUNITY VIRTUAL
WORKSHOPS
Part 1: July 8, 2025
Part 2: August 5-7, 2025
For more information, please go to the Indication of Interest Form:
https://tinyurl.com/nac5n5z2
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THE SOLAR SYSTEM IN CONTEXT - FINAL CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
The 2025 NOIRLab Science Conference, The Solar System in Context,
which will take place on 29 September - 2 October in Tucson, Arizona.
The conference will be focused on the interdisciplinarity of the
formation and evolution of the Solar System, exoplanetary systems,
and their stars.
Main topics include: disks; stellar evolution; planet-star
connections; (exo)planets; planetary demographics; habitability;
planet formation, migration, & evolution; rocky small bodies &
(exo)moons; active asteroids & (exo)comets; interstellar objects;
instrumentation & software tools, and more.
The abstract deadline is approaching! We welcome abstracts submitted
using the abstract submission form or through the conference website:
https://noirlab.edu/solar-system-in-context
The deadline for submitting abstracts is 11 July 2025.
Registration for the conference can be completed using the
registration form or through the website. In-person and virtual
attendance options are available. The registration deadline is 15
September.
Important Dates:
11 July - Abstract Submission Closes
15 September - Registration Deadline
Contact: solarsystemcontext2025@noirlab.edu
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JOVIAN ICY MOONS WORKSHOP: ABSTRACT SUBMISSION & TRAVEL GRANT DEADLINE
This is a friendly reminder that the deadline for abstract submissions
and travel grant applications for the Jovian Icy Moons Workshop is
approaching: July 28, 2025 at 23:59 CET.
The workshop will take place from November 3-7, 2025, at ESA/ESAC
in Madrid, Spain, and will bring together researchers to explore the
surface-environment interactions of Jupiter's icy moons.
We are also thrilled to welcome a distinguished lineup of invited
speakers, including:
- Scott Bolton (Southwest Research Institute)
- Oliver King (University of Leicester)
- Haje Korth (Johns Hopkins University)
- Alice Lucchetti (INAF - Astronomical Observatory of Padova)
- Tom Nordheim (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
- Fuminori Tsuchiya (Tohoku University)
- Claire Vallat (ESA/ESAC)
- Audrey Vorburger (University of Bern)
- Zhonghua Yao (University of Hong Kong)
Submit your abstract:
https://tinyurl.com/mrr9wcba
Apply for a travel grant (early-career researchers):
https://tinyurl.com/5n7f2mw5
Register for the workshop (open until October 6, 2025):
https://tinyurl.com/ytdkbdp4
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us:
Rozenn Robidel: rozenn.robidel@esa.int
Guillaume Cruz-Mermy: guillaume.cruzmermy@esa.int
We look forward to your contributions and to welcoming you to the
workshop!
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EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE LEADERSHIP: A NEW WORKSHOP ON STRATEGIES FOR
UNLOCKING INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL
August 18-20, 2025, 4 hours daily, 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm EST (entirely
virtual)
We invite planetary scientists to join us for our reinvigorated
workshop. We offer best-practices to meet current challenges while
uplifting potential in ourselves and that of our professional
partners. If you are seeking expanded approaches to engage with
colleagues, groups, teams, committees, etc. with understanding and
ethics, this is your workshop. The content also includes specific
strategies to meet present challenges, including additional
resources, staying motivated, and avoiding burnout. Participants at
all career stages and experience levels are welcome, as well as those
who have previously attended past workshops. This offering (~25 people
or less, to encourage interaction) provides the basic tools needed to
enact positive change in personal and professional spheres. Entirely
on-line. Visit website (below) for more details and to fill out the
indication of interest form.
"Well organized and well-facilitated, great breadth and depth of
topics, and good novel interactive components as well. The content was
expertly curated and extremely well presented ..." -Participant,
November 2022
Facilitators:
Drs. Julie Rathbun (she/her/hers)
JA Grier (ee/em/eir)
https://workforce.psi.edu/leadership/
14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14
CNEOS WEBSITE UPDATE ANNOUNCEMENT
We would like to announce the following updates to the Center for
Near-Earth Asteroids (CNEOS) Fireballs page:
https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/fireballs/
- All fireball lightcurve PDFs have been replaced with updated
versions.
- The Lightcurves table now includes the raw lightcurve data in .txt
data files for most events.
- Several new events were added to the database, and many existing
events were updated with new measurements.
- The "Total Velocity" column was removed from the Fireball table;
users can still compute total velocity from the components.
Update history:
https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/fireballs/notes.html
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PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS
Note: Many face-to-face meetings going forward will have online
components. Check their websites for details.
Posted at https://planetarynews.org/meetings.html
August 18-20, 2025
Excellence in Science Leadership Workshop
https://workforce.psi.edu/leadership/
Online
December 15-19, 2025
AGU25 Annual Meeting
https://www.agu.org/annual-meeting
New Orleans, LA
[Editor Note: If there is a planetary-related meeting, conference or
workshop that you think your colleagues should be aware of, please
send the date, title, URL and location to pen_editor@psi.edu.]
16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16
PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL - NEW PAPERS
Direct Links to Open Access Papers
Editor, Faith Vilas
https://psj.aas.org
Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Sub-Neptune Exoplanet Hazes
through Laboratory Experiments
Lori Huseby et al. 2025 PSJ 6:145
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/adda4a
Constraints on Quaoar's Rings and Atmosphere from JWST/NIRCam
Observations of a Stellar Occultation
Benjamin Proudfoot et al. 2025 PSJ 6:146
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/addd02
A Convolutional Neural Network-Based Approach for Detecting Solar
System Objects in Wide-field Imaging
Aram Lee et al. 2025 PSJ 6:147
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/add409
A Limit on the Mass of the Taurid Resonant Swarm at Sub-100 m Sizes
Paul Wiegert et al. 2025 PSJ 6:148
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/adde50
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JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH: PLANETS - NEW PAPERS
Direct Links to Open Access (OA) Papers
Editor-in-Chief, Amanda Hendrix
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/21699100
The Meter-Scale Roughness of Asteroid (101955) Bennu From the
OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter
F. M. Rossmann, C. L. Johnson, E. B. Bierhaus
https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JE008799
The Influence of Interior Structure and Thermal State on Impact Melt
Generation Upon Large Impacts Onto Terrestrial Planets
Lukas Manske et al.
https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JE008481
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COMMERCIAL/FUNDRAISING ANNOUNCEMENTS
***********************************************************************
C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1
Commercial: Planetary Analog & Spaceflight Experience
Have you ever wanted to pick an astronaut's brain about "what it's
like?" How about doing that while exploring planetary analogs for the
Moon, Mars, and beyond in New Mexico? This fall will be your chance!
Join us with commercial astronaut Chris Sembroski (Inspiration4
mission), planetary geologist Dr. Kirby Runyon, classroom teacher
Erin Duncan-Sembroski, and space educator Dr. Mark Wagner November
7-9. From $1299. Register (or sponsor a teacher or student!!) at:
https://www.areslearning.com/earthandspace
Questions? mark@areslearning.com or kirby@planex.space.
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