PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 4, Number 2 (January 10, 2010) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Mark V. Sykes Co-Editors: Melissa Lane, Nic Richmond Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. SETI Institute Seminar Series 2. NSRC Pre-Registration Deadline: 15 January 3. Call for AOGS 2010 Abstracts: Icy Satellites, Rings, and Icy Dwarf Planets 4. Call for AOGS 2010 Abstracts: Ices and Astrobiology 5. Call for AOGS 2010 Abstracts: Origin and Evolution of Plansts and Small Bodies 6. [NASA] PDS Releases More Cassini ISS and VIMS Data 7. Planetary Science Slides and Illustrations 8. Second Announcement of a Workshop - Nix and Hydra: Five Years After Discovery 9. Job Announcement: Astrogeology Project Management Analysts at USGS 10. Call for Abstracts: Planetary Geomorphology (GM1.3) at European Geophysical Union General Assembly 11. [NASA] Proposal Writing Workshop at LPSC 12. 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 SETI INSTITUTE SEMINAR SERIES The SETI Seminar Series is a weekly scientific colloquium held in Mountain View California. We have speakers from around the Bay Area and beyond talk about their latest science results. We have archived more than 70 talks on you tube here: http://youtube.com/setiinstitute Our web page is here: http://seti.org/csc/lectures You can subscribe to our twice-weekly email list for future talks: http://mailman.seti.org/listinfo/colloquium Any comments or questions to Dr. Adrian Brown, abrown@seti.org. 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 NSRC PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 15 JANUARY Pre-Register for NSRC Before Jan 15 to Guarantee Your Seat: The early registration deadline for the Next-Gen Suborbital Researchers Conference (Boulder, Colorado; 18-20 February) is right around the corner next week-on January 15th. We are encouraging those interested in attending to register early because attendance will be limited by the meeting facility size; early registration is also less expensive than full registration. For more information on the meeting program, list of speakers, linked speaker abstracts, and how to register, go to: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/nsrc2010/ About NSRC: The Next-Gen Suborbital Researchers Conference (NSRC) will bring together researchers from government, industry, and academia, NASA and FAA officials, and firms building next-gen suborbital vehicles. NSRC will provide a forum to learn about the experiment and EPO capabilities of these new suborbital systems and their revolutionary capabilities. NSRC will also provide an opportunity for attendees to make inputs on vehicle design requirements for science and education. 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 CALL FOR AOGS 2010 ABSTRACTS: ICY SATELLITES, RINGS, AND ICY DWARF PLANETS Meeting is July 5-9, 2010 in Hyderabad, India Session: PS08 Abstract deadline: 1 March 2010 Reg Fee Waiver Application deadline: 1 March 2010 Conveners: Steve Vance, Jun Kimura, Hauke Hussmann, Juergen Schmidt, Frank Sohl, Frank Postberg, Sushil Atreya, Jianping Li and Athena Coustenis Session URL: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2010/mars/pubSessionView.asp?sID=23 Conference: URL: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2010/ This session will be devoted to icy satellites, rings and icy dwarf planets, their physical properties and related prospects for supporting life. The session will include solicited, contributed, and poster presentations addressing (1) interior structure and thermal evolution, (2) surface geology and composition, (3) orbital dynamics and satellite interactions, (4) structure and dynamics of planetary rings, (5) physical properties of ring particles and small satellites of outer planets 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 CALL FOR AOGS 2010 ABSTRACTS: ICES AND ASTROBIOLOGY Meeting is July 5-9, 2010 in Hyderabad, India Session: PS03 Abstract deadline: 1 March 2010 Reg Fee Waiver Application deadline: 1 March 2010 Conveners: Murthy Gudipati, Andrew Domic Fortes, Ryo Nakamura, Razvan Caracas, Kensei Kobayashi, Takenori Toyota, Francois Raulin, Ken Williford, Christopher McKay and Steve Vance Session URL: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2010/mars/pubSessionView.asp?sID=18 Conference: URL: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2010/ Astrobiology is the quest for understanding and characterizing life in the Universe, past and present, including its origin(s) and distribution. Water, a requirement for the emergence and development of life as it is currently understood, is abundant in the Solar System (and likely beyond) in the form of ice. This session focuses on physical, chemical, and spectroscopic properties of ices and related materials in the context of life. Particular topics of interest include the role of ices in origin, evolution and sustenance of life on Earth, Mars, and elsewhere; preservation and creation of biosignatures and sources of chemical energy; and effects from radiation. Contributions in the broader context of astrobiology are also welcome. 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 CALL FOR AOGS 2010 ABSTRACTS: ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF PLANETS AND SMALL BODIES Meeting is July 5-9, 2010 in Hyderabad, India Session: PS12 Abstract deadline: 1 March 2010 Reg Fee Waiver Application deadline: 1 March 2010 Conveners: Takashi Ito, Patryk Sofia Lykawka, Arika Higuchi, Daniel Boice, Daisuke Kinoshita, A.-Chantal Levasseur-Regourd, Ji Jianghui Session URL: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2010/mars/confSessionView.asp?sID=27 Conference URL: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2010/ Our understanding of planet formation processes, particularly those of our own solar system through the study of the solar system small bodies such as asteroids, comets, and meteors, has progressed a great deal in recent years due to important advances in many areas that involve theoretical, observational, and experimental fields of astronomy and planetary science. These progresses have contributed to our new view of the origin and evolution of our solar system as well as extrasolar planetary systems that have been discovered with incredibly large variety. In this session, we will review a part of the latest results in these fields through theoretical, experimental, and observational aspects in terms of dynamical, physical, and chemical points of view. Participants with various different interests are quite welcome to contribute to this session. 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 [NASA] PDS RELEASES MORE CASSINI ISS AND VIMS DATA The Planetary Data System (PDS) announces the availability of the Cassini Radar, Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) and Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) Data Release #20. This data can be found on the PDS Imaging Node website at URL: http://img.pds.nasa.gov/ The PDS Imaging Node now contains all released Cassini ISS, RADAR and VIMS data captured through 2009-03-31 (2009-090). 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 SCIENCE SLIDES AND ILLUSTRATIONS Are you looking for some great slides or illustrations to use in your classes this term? The Planetary Science Research Discoveries (PSRD) website has powerpoint slides for 24 of its latest articles covering fundamental topics in planetary science. The slides are annotated with captions and notes, and are linked to PSRD articles that provide the full context, additional graphics, and references. Go to http://www.psrd.hawaii.edu/Archive/Archive-PSRDpresents.html In addition, many college instructors have recommended their students begin with PSRD when researching topics for term papers or other research projects. All 140+ articles are available in the archive at http://www.psrd.hawaii.edu/Archive/ [Editor Note: These materials are made available without charge.] 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 SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT OF A WORKSHOP - NIX AND HYDRA : FIVE YEARS AFTER DISCOVERY Date: May 11-12, 2010 Location: Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, MD Online registration is now available for the Nix-Hydra workshop at: http://www.stsci.edu/institute/conference/nix-hydra Attendance will be limited to ~50 people, so please register early. The registration fee is $75 before March 1st and $100 after that date. It covers morning and afternoon snacks, coffee breaks, and an end-of-meeting mixer with food and drink. The website provides the meeting agenda and information on the local arrangements (hotels, maps, etc.). Most of the presentations are invited oral talks, but there is an opportunity for contributed posters and a limited number of short (~15 mins) contributed oral presentations. Abstracts for contributed papers (whether oral or poster) must be submitted by March 19th during the web registration process. (Note: You can register first and submit an abstract at a later time.) For scientific program questions contact Hal Weaver (hal.weaver@jhuapl.edu). For meeting logistics questions contact Darlene Spencer (spencer@stsci.edu). Please join us for what promises to be an interesting and stimulating workshop. SOC: Hal Weaver, Alan Stern, Bill McKinnon LOC: Darlene Spencer, Max Mutchler, Keith Noll, Iain Reid, Hal Weaver 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 JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: ASTROGEOLOGY PROJECT MANAGEMENT ANALYSTS AT USGS The U.S. Geological Survey's Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, AZ invites applicants for one or more Project Management Analysts (GS-301-11/12*) to assist with planning, monitoring, and coordinating multiple NASA-funded planetary science projects. *GS-11: $57,408 to $74,628; GS-12: $68,809 to $89,450 Go to http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/a9IN08i.aspx Applicants should search for one of the following job codes: WR-2010-0135 - open to all U.S. citizens WR-2010-0137 - open only to current and former Federal employees and certain veterans Applicants must apply online at the USAjobs site to be considered and must be U.S. citizens . Hard copy applications are not accepted. Applications will be accepted through January 15, 2010. [Editor Note: Reduced for length.] 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: PLANETARY GEOMORPHOLOGY (GM1.3) AT EUROPEAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION GENERAL ASSEMBLY Planetary geomorphology is advancing at an unprecedented rate due to the ever growing stock of publicly available remote-sensing and in-situ planetary data. In this session we aim to bring together both terrestrial geomorphologists and planetary scientists to share their knowledge for the benefit of all. Research themes for this session include: - remote sensing studies of solid body planetary landforms and processes - in-situ studies of planetary landforms and processes from landing craft data; especially new observations from the Mars Phoenix Lander - terrestrial field and laboratory studies of landforms and processes with application to other planetary bodies. - new techniques in remote sensing, GIS, and computing that can advance the study of planetary geomorphology. - studies of planetary surfaces that have can tell us more about geomorphological processes on our own planet. Presentations discussing landforms and processes on Mars, Titan, Venus, Mercury, the Moon, asteroids and other solid bodies will all be welcome. Meeting dates: 2-7th May 2010 Location, Vienna, Austria Deadline for abstract submission: 18th January 2010 Session conveners Matt Balme, Sanjeev Gupta, Colman Gallagher, Alistair Bargery Please contact Matt Balme for more details (m.r.balme@open.ac.uk). 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 [NASA] PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOP AT LPSC NASA will host a Proposal Writing Workshop on Sunday, February 28, at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. The workshop is open to all interested planetary scientists at no cost. The session will focus on understanding NASA's research programs and will include information on how to write a research proposal, where to apply for funding, and pathways for participation on missions. The workshop will be held at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Convention. To register, send an e-mail with your name, affiliation, and current position to curt.niebur@nasa.gov. 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html September 6-9, 2010 Herschel and the Formation of Stars and Planetary Systems http://www.chalmers.se/herschel Goeteborg, Sweden [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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