PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 4, Number 53 (December 5, 2010) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Susan Benecchi Co-Editors: Melissa Lane, Mark V. Sykes Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Passing of Tom Ahrens 2. Job Opening - Lunar Sample Curator 3. Mars Exploration Science Request for Feedback 4. Astronomers Explain Recent Discoveries in Podcasts from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) 5. [NASA] Open Recruitment for members of SMD's Advisory Subcommittees 6. 9th IAA Low Cost Planetary Missions conference 7. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 8. [NASA ] PDS Releases More Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Data 9. Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter - December 2010 10. Post-Doctoral Research position at Lunar and Planetary Lab 11. Fourth Meeting of the NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group 12. [NASA] Explorer 2011 Amendments Posted 13. 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 PASSING OF TOM AHRENS Planetary science suffered a loss this past week with the passing of Tom Ahrens, 74, who was known for his work on planetary impacts and the behavior of geologic materials under extreme conditions. Cal Tech has released a press release about Tom at: http://media.caltech.edu/press_releases/13395 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 JOB OPENING - LUNAR SAMPLE CURATOR This is a heads-up that a civil servant position will be opening at the NASA Johnson Space Center for the position of Lunar Sample Curator. The successful candidate will oversee the Apollo lunar sample collection and the lunar sample laboratory suite, and will be encouraged to perform independent research. If you have any questions about the position feel free to contact Carlton Allen, Astromaterials Curator, by email at carlton.c.allen@nasa.gov or by phone at 281-483-5126. JSC Human Resources will post the vacancy announcement on USAJOBS in early January, if all goes as planned. The announcement will contain details on the position. In the meantime, anyone interested may want to get familiar with USAJOBS: http://www.usajobs.gov/ specifically with the resume builder feature. For questions on the USAJOBS application process, contact Candy Hunt, HR representative, at candace.s.hunt@nasa.gov 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 MARS EXPLORATION SCIENCE REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK The MEPAG Supporting Research and Technology Science Assessment Group (SRT-SAG) is requesting your feedback for a report to be submitted to the Planetary Science Subcommittee (PSS) of the NASA Advisory Council. The PSS is conducting a study into supporting research and technology programs to assess program relevance and effectiveness, and suggest possible improvements in program management. We recognize that many of you may have already responded to a Planetary Science Division (PSD) survey on this topic, but we would like to hear your thoughts on the following topics from a Mars-specific perspective: * Which current science-related research and technology programs are essential in meeting Mars Program objectives? * Are there research/technology programs or infrastructure that appear to be missing currently, but that are essential in meeting Mars Program objectives? * Do you feel that non-Mars-specific R&A programs are maintaining a consistent attitude towards Mars-related research? * Any other topics not addressed above. Please send your responses to Vicky Hamilton (hamilton@boulder.swri.edu), by Friday, December 17, and be as detailed as possible. There will also be an opportunity to provide feedback to members of the SAG during the AGU Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, December 15. 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 ASTRONOMERS EXPLAIN RECENT DISCOVERIES IN PODCASTS FROM THE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF THE PACIFIC (ASP) The nonprofit Astronomical Society of the Pacific is happy to announce the availability of the 25th full podcast in the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series, a talk by Dr. Gregory Laughlin (University of California, Santa Cruz) on the ultimate fate of the solar system. You can find the audio podcasts, and instructions for getting to the video versions, at: http://www.astrosociety.org/education/podcast/ This series of free public lectures is cosponsored by NASA's Ames Research Center, The SETI Institute, and the Foothill College Astronomy Program. A second, shorter series of podcasts called "Astronomy Behind the Headlines" features short interviews with astronomers designed to give you a quick look at the latest ideas in astronomy and space science and to provide links to resources and activities for educators at various levels. The most recent (9th) episode features Dr. David Grinspoon discussing cosmic chemistry. Earlier podcasts covered black holes, the Kepler mission searching for other Earths, and gamma-ray bursts. To listen, access resources, and subscribe via iTunes or XML, go to: http://www.astrosociety.org/abh/ (Editor note: Edited for length) 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 [NASA] OPEN RECRUITMENT FOR MEMBERS OF SMD'S ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEES NASA's Science Mission Directorate solicits nominations of individuals who would serve on one of the following advisory subcommittees of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC): * NAC Astrophysics Subcommittee * NAC Earth Science Subcommittee * NAC Heliophysics Subcommittee * NAC Planetary Protection Subcommittee * NAC Planetary Science Subcommittee Either self nominations or nominations of others are acceptable. The membership term will be for two to three years. Members will be required to attend meetings two to four times a year, either in person or via telecon/WebEx. Terms of reference and meeting minutes of the NAC Science Committee and subcommittees may be found on: http://science.nasa.gov/science-committee/ Nominators should submit a vita and a one-page statement on their reasons for supporting a specific nominee (or themselves in the case of self-nominated individuals) to serve on the subcommittee. The full solicitation is available at: http://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2010/12/01 /Subcommittees-Open_Recruitment-101201b.pdf Questions or requests for further information should be addressed to: Dr. Jens Feeley (202) 358-1714 jens.feeley-1@nasa.gov 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 9TH IAA LOW COST PLANETARY MISSIONS CONFERENCE June 21-24, 2011 Hosted at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel MD. The 9th Low-Cost Planetary Missions Conference, organized and hosted by The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, MD, is an international forum for planetary scientists, technologists, engineers, managers, and agency officials to collect and exchange information and ideas for making this class of robotic mission scientifically valuable and yet affordably low cost. The Low-Cost Planetary Missions conference is designed to increase and enhance the global community of practitioners. Areas covered in the conference program include, but are not limited to: missions and scientific results; mission planning and operations; mission management, technology and engineering, and delivery methods. The Second Announcement and call for papers is posted: http://lcpm9.jhuapl.edu/submission.php Due date for Abstracts: February 1, 2011. Author notification will be sent by March 1, 2011 See: http://lcpm9.jhuapl.edu/index.php for more information. 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 GEOMORPHOLOGY IMAGE OF THE MONTH The December 'image of the month' is now available at the IAG's Planetary Geomorphology web page: http://www.psi.edu/pgwg/images/Dec10Image.html This Month's topic is on "Rock breakdown on Earth and Mars: Linking the visible signs to the processes responsible" Images and caption contributed by Professor Heather Viles, School of Geography, University of Oxford, UK. Past images and captions are available at: http://www.psi.edu/pgwg/images/index.html Mary Bourke Coordinator of the IAG Working Group on Planetary Geomorphology 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 [NASA] PDS RELEASES MORE MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce a new delivery of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) data for the following instruments: CRISM, CTX, HiRISE, MARCI, MCS, RSS, SHARAD and SPICE In general, MRO Release 15 includes data collected between February 9, 2010 and May 8, 2010. The HiRISE release includes data acquired between August 1 and November 1, 2010 (MRO Orbits 18,800 - 19,999). This is the first release of CRISM TRDR products generated using Version 3 of the processing software. Raw Gravity data for the time period covered by Release 15 was delivered as part of Release 14, so there will be no raw gravity delivery this time. To access the above data, please visit: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20101201.html To access the latest PDS Data Releases, please visit: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-Release.html 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 MARS EXPLORATION SCIENCE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 2010 Dear Members of the Mars Community, On behalf of Dave Des Marais, the MEPAG Chair, Dave Beaty, Rich Zurek, and Charles Budney of the Mars Program Science Office, attached is the December 2010 edition of the Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter. The latest newsletter can be found on the web at: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov Regards, Joyce Pulliam 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITION AT LUNAR AND PLANETARY LAB Applicants are invited for a postdoctoral position associated with the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) located at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona. The research emphasis will be on quantitative studies of Mars geology that are relevant to HiRISE and which may also utilize digital topography and other data. Studies of other planetary surfaces, especially our Moon and Saturnian satellites, can also be accommodated. Researchers with primary experience and training in terrestrial geology and research that includes fieldwork on terrestrial analogs are welcome. The Research Associate will be encouraged to propose for additional research funding as PI. To apply, go to: https://www.uacareertrack.com/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/ Frameset.jsp?time=1291397017583 and click "search postings". 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 FOURTH MEETING OF THE NASA SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP January 24-26, 2011 Westin Washington National Harbor Washington, DC Registration: http://bit.ly/flrLkl Meeting Information and agenda: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/ The first half of the meeting will be a technology forum on small bodies scientific exploration in which we look forward to bringing the engineering and science members of our community together for a useful exchange of ideas and experience (with an eye towards the future). The second half of our meeting will be focused on the Roadmap for Small Bodies Exploration in which we want to lay out the paths to the future! To participate in the Roadmap process, please go to: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/roadmap/ See you there! Mark V. Sykes Chair, NASA SBAG 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 [NASA] EXPLORER 2011 AMENDMENTS POSTED Release Date: November 1, 2010 NOI to Propose Due: December 9, 2010 Proposals Due: February 16, 2011 The following amendments will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then notice number) Amendment No. 8 to the NASA Announcement of Opportunity “Stand Alone Mission of Opportunity Notice"(NNH08ZDA009O) "Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON) Appendix H7: Explorer 2011 Science Missions of Opportunity," is amended to (a) refine Education and Public Outreach requirements and (b) refine proposal page count restrictions and guidance. Amendment No. 24 to the NASA Research Announcement (NRA) "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2010" (NNH10ZDA001N) "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2010 Appendix E.7: Explorer U.S. Participating Investigators," is amended to clarify requirements in Section 2.2.3, Duration of Awards. Questions may be addressed to Barbara L. Giles HQ-Explorers@mail.nasa.gov (subject line to read "Explorer EX AO"). (Editor note: Edited for length) 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS February 24-25, 2011 PLATO Science Conference http://www-astro.physik.tu-berlin.de/plato-2011/ Berlin, Germany April 12-15, 2011 11th Symposium on Advanced Space Technologies in Robotics and Automation http://www.congrexprojects.com/11a06/ Noordwijk, The Netherlands June 8-10, 2011 International Workshop of Planning and Scheduling for Space http://www.congrexprojects.com/11c05/ Darmstadt, Germany June 20-24, 2011 9th IAA Low-Cost Planetary Missions Conference http://lcpm9.jhuapl.edu/index.php Laurel, MD July 30 - August 3, 2011 Connecting People to Science: The 2011 Education and Public Outreach Conference of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific http://www.astrosociety.org/events/meeting.html Baltimore, MD Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html [Editor Note: If there is a planetary-related meeting, conference or workshop of which your colleagues should be aware, 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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