PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 5, Number 2 (January 9, 2011) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Mark V. Sykes Co-Editors: Susan Benecchi, Melissa Lane Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. [NASA] PDS Releases New Cassini Data 2. [NASA] Due Date delayed for Lunar Advanced Science and Exploration Research (LASER) Program 3. [NASA] announces the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) 4. Job Opening - Lunar Sample Curator 5. A Decade of Exploration with the Magellan Telescopes 6. [NASA] PDS Releases Mars Odyssey Data 7. [NASA] Final Report from the Joint Jupiter Science Definition Team 8. [NASA] Job Announcements at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center 9. Small Bodies Roadmap Draft and Discussion 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] PDS RELEASES NEW CASSINI DATA The Planetary Data System (PDS) announces the availability of the Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) and Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) Data Release #24. This release includes ISS volumes coiss_2060 and coiss_2061 and VIMS volumes covims_0041. This data can be found on the PDS Imaging Node website at: http://img.pds.nasa.gov/ The PDS Imaging Node now contains all Cassini ISS and VIMS data captured through 2010-03-31 (2010-090). 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] DUE DATE DELAYED FOR LUNAR ADVANCED SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION RESEARCH (LASER) PROGRAM The Lunar Advanced Science and Exploration Research (LASER) program funds basic and applied lunar science. It is the objective of the LASER program to conduct a suite of lunar science investigations spanning the continuum from basic science to applied exploration science. Proposals having significant components of both basic and applied lunar science that further our understanding of the Moon and how to conduct science there are sought and highly encouraged. The LASER program also welcomes the submission of data restoration proposals. The program seeks to identify science data archives that are considered of significant value to lunar science that are in need of restoration and digital archiving. The proposal due date for LASER has been changed to February 24, 2011. This is to defer the LASER proposal due date until after the next delivery of Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) data to the Planetary Data System (PDS). Questions concerning LASER may be addressed to Dr. Robert A. Fogel 202-358-2289 HQ-LASER@mail.nasa.gov [Editor: shortened for length] 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] ANNOUNCES THE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (EPSCoR) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has released the FY 2011 Research Announcement for the NASA Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Each funded NASA EPSCoR proposal is expected to establish research activities that will make significant contributions to the strategic research and technology development priorities of one or more of NASA's four Mission Directorates - Aeronautics Research, Exploration Systems, Science, and Space Operations, the Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT), and NASA's ten Centers and contribute to the overall research infrastructure, science and technology capabilities, higher education, and economic development of the proposing jurisdiction. The National Science Foundation (NSF) determines overall jurisdiction eligibility for NASA EPSCoR. The following NASA EPSCoR jurisdictions may respond to this NASA EPSCoR solicitation: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Jurisdictions responding to this CAN may submit up to two proposals. This solicitation may be accessed through the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com 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 JOB OPENING - LUNAR SAMPLE CURATOR January 5 through January 26, 2011 Vacancy number: JS11B0022 Level: GS-14 The Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Directorate (ARES) at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) invites applications to a civil service position in Planetary Science in the Astromaterials Acquisition and Curation Office. The successful applicant will serve as Lunar Sample Curator. Responsibilities include overseeing the preservation, protection, and distribution of NASA's Apollo lunar samples; the safe operation of the Lunar Sample Laboratory Facility at JSC and the Curation Remote Storage Facility at the White Sands Test Facility; as well as providing overall technical insight into the development and management of policies, procedures, and operational schedules necessary for lunar sample curation. The successful applicant will also be encouraged to conduct their own fundamental research in planetary science and to support mission planning for exploration of solar system objects. For more information about Lunar Sample Curation see: http://curator.jsc.nasa.gov/lunar/index.cfm or contact Dr. Carlton Allen Astromaterials Curator carlton.c.allen@nasa.gov 281-483-5126 To apply please go to: http://www.usajobs.gov Add the vacancy number (JS11B0022) as the keyword in the first box and click on search jobs. 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 A DECADE OF EXPLORATION WITH THE MAGELLAN TELESCOPES April 25-28, 2011 The Huntington Library Pasadena, CA The twin 6.5 meter Magellan telescopes in Chile are widely considered among the best natural seeing telescopes in the world consistently delivering high quality images over extended periods of time. In their first decade of operations, the telescopes have made important contributions to many areas of astrophysics and cosmology including dark energy, dark matter, early galaxies, IGM, AGN and quasars, clusters of galaxies, the Milky Way and Local Group galaxies, extrasolar planets and the Solar System. This three day meeting will highlight scientific results from the telescopes and prospects for future science with the next generation of instruments. We are also taking advantage of this opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. Stephen Shectman who played a central role in the design and construction of the telescopes and continues to play a major role in the development of Magellan instrumentation. Some of Dr. Shectman's many contributions to astronomy will be described in a dinner in his honor held on the second day of the meeting. Deadline for abstract submission for talks and posters is March 1, 2011. For more information, please visit: http://magellan10.obs.carnegiescience.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 [NASA] PDS RELEASES MARS ODYSSEY DATA The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce a new delivery of Odyssey Data, Release 34, for the following instruments: GRS THEMIS SPICE This release also includes releases 101 and 102 of Odyssey Radio Science data. To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20110101.html To access the latest PDS Data Releases, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-Release.html All available PDS data may be found at: http://pds.nasa.gov/tools/data-search/ 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 [NASA] FINAL REPORT FROM THE JOINT JUPITER SCIENCE DEFINITION TEAM The final report from the Joint Jupiter Science Definition Team (JJSDT) for the Europa Jupiter System Mission (EJSM) is now available on the OPAG website: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/opag/ The EJSM consists of two spacecraft, the Jupiter Europa Orbiter (contributed by NASA) and the Jupiter Ganymede Orbiter (contributed by ESA). Over the past year the JJSDT has worked to finalize their definition of the EJSM science objectives, investigations, and measurements for the mission. The JJSDT is now disbanded, and NASA is taking their report into consideration as it makes plans for the Jupiter Europa Orbiter. Questions may be directed to Dr. Curt Niebur EJSM Program Scientist curt.niebur@nasa.gov 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 JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS AT NASA MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (1) LABORATORY MANAGER for the MSFC Noble Gas Research Laboratory (MNGRL) to assist in initial set-up and subsequent routine maintenance and operation of the new multi-collector noble-gas mass spectrometry facility. The incumbent will also participate in collaborative or independent research on geochronology of planetary materials. Qualifications include an MS or PhD in planetary or earth sciences and experience in high-precision mass spectrometry (noble gas and/or ICPMS, TIMS, etc.). Applications will be reviewed starting Feb. 1. For more information and how to apply please go to: http://cspar.uah.edu/research/lunarjobopportunity.html (2) POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW in noble-gas isotopic analysis of planetary materials. Postdocs will conduct a mix of directed and original research using noble gas mass spectrometry (Ar, Ne, Kr, Xe) on lunar, martian, and/or asteroid samples to obtain their isotopic age, cosmic ray exposure age, or isotopic composition. The application deadline is March 1. Candidates must apply through the NASA Postdoctoral Program: http://www2.orau.gov/NASA_Catalog/Opportunity/18395 and are encouraged to contact us directly to develop a research proposal. Additional information, application instructions, and more about the MSFC Planetary Science group and facilities can be found at: http://planetary.msfc.nasa.gov or by contacting Dr. Barbara Cohen Barbara.A.Cohen@nasa.gov 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 SMALL BODIES ROADMAP DRAFT AND DISCUSSION The NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group is working on the Roadmap for the future of small bodies exploration. You are welcome to participate. Go to: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/roadmap/ The draft document will be posted mid-next week at the URL above and discussed at the Fourth Meeting of NASA's SBAG, which begins Monday, January 24, in Washington DC. The meeting will begin with a technology forum on small bodies exploration (what science is enabled, what technologies should be prioritized for development to achieve science goals?). For registration and meeting agenda, please go to: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/ There is no fee for the meeting. Mark V. Sykes Chair, NASA SBAG sykes@psi.edu 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 February 22, 2011 Open Global Community NEO Workshop http://www.targetneo.org/ Washington, DC March 14-16, 2011 Second International Conference on the Exploration of Phobos and Deimos http://www.seti.org/PhD2011 Moffett Field, CA April 10-14, 2011 AAS Division on Dynamical Astronomy http://dda.harvard.edu/meetings/2011 Austin, TX [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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