PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 3, Number 15 (March 29, 2009) 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. Planetary Sciences Decadal Survey Chair Appointed 2. Mars Dust Cycle Workshop 3. Solicitation of Manuscripts for GSA Special Paper 4. Planetary Science Journal Club 5. Postdoctoral Scholar Northern Arizona University 6. 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 PLANETARY SCIENCES DECADAL SURVEY CHAIR APPOINTED The chairman of the National Research Council has approved the appointment of Steve Squyres of Cornell University to chair the planetary sciences decadal survey committee. The appointment of Larry Soderblom of the U.S. Geological Survey to serve as the survey's vice-chair was also approved. Additional information about the decadal survey can be found at www.nas.edu/ssb. David H. Smith Study Director Planetary Sciences Decadal Survey 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 MARS DUST CYCLE WORKSHOP NASA/Ames Research Center September 15-17, 2009 Indication of Interest Due: May 1, 2009 Website: http://humbabe.arc.nasa.gov/MarsDustWorkshop/DustHome.html Workshop convenor: Robert M. Haberle (NASA/Ames) Robert.M.Haberle@nasa.gov The Martian climate system is characterized in terms of the seasonal cycles of dust, water, and CO2, which are coupled and driven by the general circulation. Recent workshops have focused on the water and CO2 cycles, but a workshop focused on the dust cycle, perhaps the most complex component of the climate system overall, has not been held since the post Viking data analysis programs of the 1980's. Given the enormous volume of data acquired since then, as well as the advances in modeling and laboratory methods, the time is right to hold a workshop focused on dust cycle. This workshop seeks to understand the global behavior of dust in the atmosphere by focusing on its lifting, transport, and deposition in the present climate regime. 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 SOLICITATION OF MANUSCRIPTS FOR GSA SPECIAL PAPER Analogs for Planetary Exploration A Special Paper on planetary analogs and exploration has recently been approved to begin the publication process by the Geological Society of America. We are soliciting manuscripts that fall under three main themes regarding analog studies as we prepare to return to the Moon, Mars, and beyond: 1) field guides, 2) research, and 3) mission simulations. This Special Paper is an avenue for articles that might not fit into traditional research journals including unpublished field guides to geologic analogs and reviews of analog field tests and training for human and robotic exploration, past and present. Authors interested in contributing should send us a title, brief synopsis (3-5 sentences), list of authors, and contact information for lead author. April 30, 2009: Author commitments confirmed Sept. 30, 2009: First drafts of manuscripts due Summer/Fall 2010: Final publication Please contact us with questions or for additional details. Sincerely, Dr. W. Brent Garry Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum garryw@si.edu Dr. Jacob E. Bleacher NASA Goddard Space Flight Center jacob.e.bleacher@nasa.gov 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 PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL CLUB The Planetary Science Journal Club (PSJC) is a newly-formed Google Group aimed at planetary scientists and students that functions as an online journal club: http://groups.google.com/group/psjc We will discuss a paper about once a week, alternating between Mars and non-Mars topics. Note that weekly participation is not required (in fact, I expect that most members will only have time to read 1 or 2 papers a month). Articles discussed so far include: Mumma+ (2009) Methane on Mars Head+ (2008) Volcanism on Mercury Russell+ (2008) Martian Polar Avalanches Turtle+ (2009) Lakes on Titan Even non-members can read the discussion threads, so feel free to check them out: http://groups.google.com/group/psjc/topics Hope you join the club! Asmin "Oz" Pathare Research Scientist Planetary Science Institute pathare@psi.edu 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 POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Northern Arizona University (NAU) seeks an outstanding postdoctoral scholar to work with Professor David Trilling on studies of Near Earth Objects (NEOs). Professor Trilling leads a large Warm Spitzer program to observe 700 NEOs. The primary tasks for the successful candidate will be to help lead the daily operations of this project; participate in data analysis; and report scientific results. Additional tasks may include related ground-based observing and supervision of student research assistants. The successful candidate will also be encouraged to lead his/her independent projects. NAU has full competitive access to all University of Arizona Observatories facilities (LBT, MMT, Magellan, etc.). Ample research and travel funds are available. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in an appropriate field and good organizational and interpersonal skills. The position is available immediately, and is expected to last for two years, with a third year possible, depending on funding. NAU offers an excellent benefits package to postdocs. For more information and to apply, go to: http://hr.nau.edu/ (job #558009) submit a brief research statement, CV, and the names of three references. Applications will be considered beginning April 10, 2009. Inquiries to David.Trilling@nau.edu. 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 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html June 3-5, 2009 Workshop on the Surface Composition of Mercury from Ultraviolet-Visible-Infrared Spectroscopy: State of the Art and Future Strategies http://www.mbc09.unipr.it/ Parma, Italy November 3-6, 2009 From Circumstellar Disks to Planetary Systems http://www.eso.org/sci/meetings/disks2009/index.html Garching, Germany [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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