PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 3, Number 50 (October 18, 2009) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Mark V. Sykes Co-Editor: Nic Richmond, Melissa Lane Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. [NASA] Cassini Release 19 Data Available from the Planetary Data System 2. Lunar Exploration Analysis Group Annual Meeting Announcement 3. Registration Open for Next-Gen Suborbital Researchers Conference 4. Postdoctoral Position in Experimental Astrophysics 5. Post-Doctoral Planetary Scientist 6. Planetary Geophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship 7. Reminder - VEXAG Meeting #7 - October 27,28, 2009 - Irvine, CA 8. Third Announcement: UCF Winter Workshop 9. Soliciting Session Proposals for the Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting 10. 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] CASSINI RELEASE 19 DATA AVAILABLE FROM THE PLANETARY DATA SYSTEM Cassini Release 19 data is available from the NASA Planetary Data System (PDS) on the Imaging Node website at http://pdsimg.jpl.nasa.gov. The delivery covers the period October 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 and includes the Imaging Science System (ISS) volumes coiss_2049, coiss_2050 and coiss_2051; Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) volumes covims_0031 and covims_0032; and Radar volumes CORADR_168 - CORADA_0178. 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 LUNAR EXPLORATION ANALYSIS GROUP ANNUAL MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT The annual meeting of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG) will be held November 16-19 at the Lunar & Planetary Institute in Houston, Texas. The program will be available on the meeting web site: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/leag2009/ within the next day or two. The program is comprised of invited and contributed talks and, like previous LEAG meetings, sessions will be centered around questions and there will be plenty of time for discussion. The aim of this meeting is to gather community input to the "Sustainability" theme of the LEAG-coordinated Lunar Exploration Roadmap http://www.lpi.usra.edu/leag/ler_draft.shtml but will begin with community updates from three NASA mission directorates, the Lunar Quest Program, the leader of the NASA input to the Augustine Commission, the NASA Lunar Science Institute, OSEWG, and it is hope these will be headlined by a keynote address from the NASA Deputy Administrator, Lori Garver. Day 2 of the meeting is devoted solely to the current results of the LRO-LCROSS missions. Day 3 is sponsored by the Space Resources Roundtable and focuses upon Lunar In Situ Resource Utilization. I hope to see many of you at this meeting. Sincerely, Clive R. Neal (LEAG Chair) 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 REGISTRATION OPEN FOR NEXT-GEN SUBORBITAL RESEARCHERS CONFERENCE A new generation of space vehicles capable of economically delivering payloads and researchers is coming on line beginning in 2010. These vehicles will revolutionize space access by providing frequent, low-cost access to space and the capability to carry research and education crew members. They will also carry experiments for technology demonstrations, for scientist in-the-loop research, and for educational/public outreach demonstrations. Fields including atmospheric science, solar physics, microgravity science, planetary science, space life science, space physics, and education and public outreach (EPO) stand to benefit from these vehicles. The Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference (NSRC) will be held February 1820, 2010, at The Millennium Harvest House Boulder, 1345 28th Street, Boulder, Colorado, 80302. NSRC2010 will provide a forum to learn about the research and EPO capabilities of these new systems, their experiments, and EPO integration processes. NSRC2010 will also provide input on vehicle design requirements for science and education. Abstracts are due November 12th. Go to http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/nsrc2010/nsrc20101st.shtml for more information. 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 POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN EXPERIMENTAL ASTROPHYSICS A postdoctoral position in experimental astrophysics is available in the group of Professor Gianfranco Vidali at Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY. The candidate will work on a new project to study the formation of molecules on surfaces of interstellar dust analogues. The position begins in early 2010 and is for one year renewable for a second year. The successful candidate should hold a PhD in physics or related field and have a strong experience in ultra-high vacuum and surface science techniques. Additional experience in atomic/molecular beams and low temperature techniques is a plus. Review of materials will begin immediately and applications will be considered until the position is filled. For further information about the research in Prof. Vidali's group see the Web-site http://physics.syr.edu/astro. For full consideration, qualified candidates must complete an online application at www.sujobopps.com (job number 025533) and attach their curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a statement of their qualifications, and the email/phone numbers of three references. Syracuse University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Members of minority groups and women are especially encouraged to apply. 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 POST-DOCTORAL PLANETARY SCIENTIST The Planetary Exploration Group of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory has an opening for a Post Doctoral researcher to assist in modeling, data analysis and scientific interpretation of planetary science data, with an emphasis on gamma-ray and neutron spectroscopy data. The successful candidate will participate in the modeling, analysis, and/or interpretation of orbital gamma-ray and neutron spectroscopy data from various missions. Specific areas of planetary science study include understanding the surface composition of Mercury and the Moon, as well as science objectives associated with lunar polar regions thought to contain enhanced hydrogen abundances. Applicants must possess a PhD in Planetary Geology, Planetary Physics, Physics or a related field. It is desired that applicants possess experience with reduction, analysis and interpretation of satellite -based planetary datasets; experience with techniques of gamma-ray and neutron transport modeling and/or experience with analysis and modeling of energetic particle instrumentation are desired. Interested candidates should send a curriculum vitae that contains a publication list, a letter discussing their qualifications, research interests, and goals, and the names of three professional references to Dr. David J. Lawrence, David.J.Lawrence@jhuapl.edu. Please include "Lunar and Mercury Post Doc Position" on subject line. 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 GEOPHYSICS POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) in Houston, Texas, a division of Universities Space Research Association, invites applicants to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship in planetary geophysics. The successful candidate will work with Dr. Walter Kiefer on studies of the nature of mantle convection on Mars and its effects on the thermal evolution and volcanic history of the planet. The candidate will also have the opportunity to conduct research in planetary geophysics of his or her own choosing. The position requires a Ph.D. in Planetary Science or Geophysics and experience in computer programming and numerical modeling methods, particularly finite elements. Experience with parallel computing in a Linux environment will be an asset. The position will be offered for an initial period of two years with a possible extension to a maximum of three years. Applicants should send a letter of interest, a CV with list of publications, a 2-3 page statement of research interests, and a list of three references. Applications should be sent to resume@lpi.usra.edu. Review of candidates will begin on November 10, 2009. Further information about LPI can be found at http://www.lpi.usra.edu Universities Space Research Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 REMINDER - VEXAG MEETING #7 - OCTOBER 27,28, 2009 - IRVINE, CA Venus Exploration and Analysis Group (VEXAG) meeting #7 will be mid-day Wednesday, October 28th, through Thursday, October 29th, at the Marriott Irvine, 18000 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, California, 92612, (949) 553-0100. A block of rooms will be available from Tuesday through Thursday nights under the block code VEXAG. This VEXAG Meeting follows the second Planetary Sciences Decadal Survey Inner Planets Panel meeting, which will be in Irvine on Monday mid-day to Wednesday mid-day (October 26th, 27th and 28th). This VEXAG meeting will emphasize discussions of future missions to Venus as well as providing a survey of the Venus White papers that have been submitted for the 2009-2011 Planetary Sciences Decadal Survey. If you plan on attending, please RSVP via the VEXAG website http://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/ For student travel grants, provide name, school affiliation, a brief description of interest in Venus, as well as a title for a poster and/or open mike presentation (1-2 slides and 5-10 minutes) to Tommy Thompson, JPL, (Thomas.W.Thompson@jpl.nasa.gov ). Deadline is this end-of-day, Monday, October 19th as it takes a few days to get the paperwork in place. 8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8 THIRD ANNOUNCEMENT: UCF WINTER WORKSHOP http://planets.ucf.edu/winterworkshop2010 6-8 January 2010, Orlando, Florida The UCF Winter Workshop features oral and poster presentations on the latest exoplanet research results. It also provides an entry point into the field for both students and experienced planetary researchers by starting each session with a graduate-level introductory lecture. - Name Change: The name has changed to UCF Winter Workshop: This is primarily a scientific conference. The old top-level URL will still work. - Session Leaders and Special Speakers: Andrew Collier Cameron, University of St. Andrews, Scotland Drake Deming, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Eric Gaidos, University of Hawaii Renu Malhotra, University of Arizona Adam Showman, University of Arizona Alan Stern, Southwest Research Institute - Deadlines Travel grant deadline THIS FRIDAY 23 October 2009 Abstract and early registration deadline: Saturday 31 October 2009 We hope you will join us! Prof. Joseph Harrington, Program Chair Dr. Csaba Palotai, Local Arrangements Chair and the UCF Planetary Sciences Group Department of Physics University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida 32816-2385 9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9 SOLICITING SESSION PROPOSALS FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC GEOPHYSICS MEETING Session proposals related to all areas of Planetary Sciences are currently being solicited for the next Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting. The meeting will take place June 22-25 in Taipei, Taiwan. Deadline for submission of proposals is November 6. Please see http://www.agu.org/meetings/wp10/index.php for more details. 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html March 14-19, 2010 9th Annual International Astrophysics Conference: Pickup Ions Throughout the Heliosphere and Beyond http://icnsmeetings.com/conference/9thannual/index.html Maui, HI April 25-29, 2010 Geospatial Infrastructure Solutions (GIS) Conference http://www.gita.org/gis Phoenix, AZ June 22-25, 2010 Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting http://www.agu.org/meetings/wp10/index.php Taipei, Taiwan August 30 - September 3, 2010 25th Summer School and International Symposium on the Physics of Ionized Gases http://webhost.rcub.bg.ac.rs/~spig2010/ Donji Milanovac, Serbia May 2-6, 2011 Exploring Strange New Worlds: Gas Giants to Super Earths Contact: Charles.A.Beichman@jpl.nasa.gov Flagstaff, AZ [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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