PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 2, Number 41 (August 24, 2008) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Nic Richmond Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Matt Balme Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. [NASA] Due Date for Planetary Protection Research Proposals 2. [NASA] Three-Day Training Course on Planetary Protection 3. [NASA] Beta Test of New Planetary Data System Main Web Site 4. Fall AGU Session: Evolution of Planetary Atmospheres 5. Hubble Outreach Coordinator, European Southern Observatory 6. Position at Marshall Space Flight Center in Lunar and Planetary Science 7. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions o---------------------------------------------------------------------o 1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1 [NASA] DUE DATE FOR PLANETARY PROTECTION RESEARCH PROPOSALS The Planetary Protection Research component of ROSES, element C.18, is soliciting proposals that address aspects of planetary protection not covered in other ROSES elements. Of particular interest for this call are proposals to investigate 1) the limits of life in planetary environments; 2) modelling transport mechanisms to planetary surfaces or subsurfaces; 3) adaptation of sensitive molecular or biochemical detection technologies for planetary protection purposes; and 4) novel or improved spacecraft sterilization technologies. The research announcement is available at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method= init&solId={17B3B3FF-EBBC-4349-A25A-9E823EEFC347}&path=open Proposals are due to NSPIRES on Sept. 5th, 2008. Questions may be addressed to Dr. Catharine Conley, Planetary Protection Officer, NASA Science Mission Directorate, Phone: 202-358-3912, Email: Cassie.Conley@nasa.gov. 2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2 [NASA] THREE-DAY TRAINING COURSE ON PLANETARY PROTECTION Course: "Planetary Protection: Policies and Practices" Dates: October 7-9, 2008 Location: Center of Marine Biotechnology, Baltimore, Maryland We cordially invite all interested parties to participate in the upcoming course on Planetary Protection Policies and Practices, which is designed to familiarize current and future practitioners with NASA and COSPAR planetary protection programs. The course provides an overview of applicable policies, practices and procedures necessary to implement a successful planetary protection program, emphasizing integration of managerial, administrative, and laboratory activities. It is supported by the NASA Planetary Protection Officer and the NASA Astrobiology Institute. http://planetaryprotection.nasa.gov/pp/course/index.htm Enrollment: 20 participants Application: contact tasalb@msn.com 3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3 [NASA] BETA TEST OF NEW PLANETARY DATA SYSTEM MAIN WEB SITE The Planetary Data System main web site is about to undergo a revision designed to make data and tools easier for researchers to find. You can help make this revision better by trying out the beta test version of the site and sending feedback on any problems you encounter or suggestions for further improvement. Visit the beta test site at: http://pdsbeta.jpl.nasa.gov/ Send feedback to Mark Rose at NASA Ames Research Center (Mark.Rose@nasa.gov) or use the link on the front page of the beta test site. 4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4 FALL AGU SESSION: EVOLUTION OF PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES 2008 Fall AGU Meeting, San Francisco, December 15-19 Abstract submission deadline: September 10th, 2008 P08: Evolution of Planetary Atmospheres Sponsor: Planetary Sciences CoSponsor: Atmospheric Sciences Convener: Feng Tian (MIT/EAPS), James F. Kasting (PSU) Understanding the evolutionary histories of planetary atmospheres is one of the key scientific questions driving planetary mission planning. While the evolution of our own planet, the Earth, is constrained by geological and geochemical data, the evolutionary paths of other planetary bodies in and outside our solar system must be constrained by planetary mission data and astronomical observations. The recent discoveries of extrasolar planets greatly expand the interests of the scientific community and provide a new opportunity for interdisciplinary collaborations between geoscientists, astronomers, and planetary scientists. The session welcomes both observational and theoretical studies which are relevant to the grand theme of the atmosphere evolution of planetary objects in and outside of our solar system (including the Earth). http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm08/ 5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5 HUBBLE OUTREACH COORDINATOR, EUROPEAN SOUTHERN OBSERVATORY You will work within a newly merged group (ESO-Hubble public outreach) being responsible for the European Hubble outreach activities, i.e. managing the production of press releases, visuals, web pages etc. Based on agreements between ESA, NASA and ESO, the European public outreach for the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope is carried out at the ESO headquarters in Garching bei Muenchen, Germany. The Secretariat for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 and the press office for the International Astronomical Union are also part of ESO-Hubble public outreach. The combined outreach activities make ESO an exciting centre for astronomy outreach and education in the world. The group is very strong in the production of astronomical images, exhibitions, HD video products (e.g. video podcasts, video compilations) and powerful educational programmes. The Hubble Outreach Coordinator will report to the Head of Outreach and will perform the following duties: -Production of news, photo and video podcasts. -Writing of educational material. -Oversee the integration of written and visual material. -Preparation of event-related outreach material (e.g. press kits) and support of external requests from journalists, scientists and the general public. Requirements, application procedure and further information: https://jobs.eso.org/ESOCP370/documents/DOC0000156.PDF Deadline: 15 September 2008 6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6 POSITION AT MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER IN LUNAR AND PLANETARY SCIENCE I would like to draw your attention to a open civil servant position at Marshall Space Flight Center in lunar and planetary science. Please forward this to anyone who might be interested and feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions. I've been at MSFC nearly a year and am thoroughly enjoying it. The position consists of two distinct elements, a research element and a programmatic element. The research element involves studying the origin, composition, structure, and evolution of the bodies of the solar system such as the planets and their satellites, asteroids, meteorites, and comets. Programmatic responsibilities include serving as a scientific advisor to the NASA Lunar Precursor Robotics Program Office for the purpose of developing scientific strategies, goals and objectives and accomplishing exploration-directed tasks. You must apply through the USAJobs.gov web site by September 2. Go to: http://www.usajobs.gov/ and search on Job Announcement Number MS08D0254. Cheers, Barbara Dr. Barbara Cohen, lunatic NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (256) 544-8289 | Lunar Precursor Robotics Program (256) 961-7566 | National Space Science and Technology Center Barbara.A.Cohen@nasa.gov 7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html October 7-9, 2008 Planetary Protection: Policies and Practices http://planetaryprotection.nasa.gov/pp/course/index.htm Baltimore, MD May 2-5, 2009 American Astronomical Society Division on Dynamical Astronomy Meeting http://dda.harvard.edu/meetings/2009/ Virginia Beach, VA [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 at psi.edu.] *********************************************************************** * * The Planetary Exploration Newsletter is issued approximately weekly. * Current and back issues are available at * * http://planetarynews.org * * To subscribe, go to http://planetarynews.org/pen_subscribe.html * * To unsubscribe, go to http://planetarynews.org/pen_unsubscribe.html * * Please send all replies and submissions to pen_editor at psi.edu. * Announcements and other messages should be brief with links to URLs * for extended information, including detailed descriptions for job * announcements. 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