PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 5, Number 33 (July 24, 2011) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Mark V. Sykes Co-Editors: Melissa Lane, Susan Benecchi Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Conway Leovy (July 16, 1934 - July 9, 2011) 2. AGU Fall 2011 Session: P07. Experimental Research Supporting the Exploration of Small Bodies 3. AGU Fall 2011 Session: P14. Integrated and Valid In Situ Exploration of Planets (Including Earth) 4. AGU Fall 2011 Session: P18. Mars System Science: Integrating Martian Planetary Processes from the Subsurface to the Surface 5. AGU Fall 2011 Session: P38. Geophysical & Atmospheric Science of Exoplanets 6. [NASA] GRAIL Guest Scientist Program (GSP) 7. [NASA] Postdoctoral Program Fellowships 8. VEXAG Meeting 9. High Resolution Topographic Data for your Research 10. Postdoctoral Researcher: Petrology of Planetary Materials 11. Postdoctoral Researchers in Lunar Science 12. Soliciting Abstracts for Planetary Geology Division-Sponsored Sessions 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 CONWAY LEOVY (JULY 16, 1933 - July 9, 2011) Conway Leovy was a professor in Atmospheric Sciences and Geophysics at the University of Washington, Seattle, whose contributions to planetary science spanned over forty years. He made major contributions to our understanding of planetary atmospheres, including those of Earth, Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Titan. His work was recognized by a NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal in 1973 and the Kuiper Prize of the American Astronomical Society's Division of Planetary Science in 2000. In Mars exploration, Conway participated in imaging experiments on the Mariner 6 and 7 flyby missions in the 1960s, while in the 1970s, he was part of the teams for the imaging experiment of Mariner 9 and the Meteorology Experiment on the Viking Landers. Conway was also a Co- Investigator for the Mars Climate Sounder instrument on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Conway remained engaged with friends, colleagues and family up until a couple of weeks before he died of cancer on July 9, 2011. His sharp mind, modesty, and generosity will be much missed by everyone. Memorial information and a more detailed tribute to Conway's career can be found here: http://www.atmos.washington.edu/people/leovy 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 AGU FALL 2011 SESSION: P07. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH SUPPORTING THE EXPLORATION OF SMALL BODIES Dear Colleagues, You are welcome to participate in and submit an abstract to the session P07 "Experimental Research Supporting the Exploration of Small Bodies" Description: Our understanding of small bodies has significantly progressed over the past decades thanks to increased capabilities of ground-based facilities as well as dedicated space missions. Interpreting these observations relies on laboratory measurements, whether they are obtained from spectroscopic techniques, RADAR, or geological imaging. This session will survey the current state of knowledge of experimental research in the perspective of recent observations and future exploration of small bodies. Emphasis will be laid on laboratory measurements obtained on very porous, very cold, very exotic material, and address, for example, the impact of space weathering, the properties of methane and nitrogen ices, volatile trapping, etc. Deadline for abstract submission: 04 August 2011 http://agu-fm11.abstractcentral.com/ Conveners: Julie Castillo-Rogez (julie.c.castillo@jpl.nasa.gov) Reggie Hudson (reggie.hudson@nasa.gov) Mark Loeffler (mark.loeffler@nasa.gov) Mathieu Choukroun (mathieu.choukroun@jpl.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 AGU FALL 2011 SESSION: P14. INTEGRATED AND VALID IN SITU EXPLORATION OF PLANETS (INCLUDING EARTH) Please consider submitting an abstract. Conveners: Max Coleman, Frank Grunthaner, and Kris Zacny http://sites.agu.org/fallmeeting/scientific-program/session-search/648 To maximize scientific return from planetary exploration it is important to integrate data from sample handling, in-situ science instruments and from remote observations. Exploration on Earth, for example, increasingly combines data from field laboratories and in situ instruments on the surface and in boreholes. We want to encourage debate and transfer of ideas between the planetary and terrestrial geoscience communities. We welcome a broad range of papers that describe individual devices and show how the data from these devices complement or have complemented data from other devices. Papers can relate to any planetary body and to Earth and hence contributions on topics in these areas will be welcomed from the planetary and terrestrial geoscience communities. The deadline to submit an abstract is to AGU is 02 September 2010 - 23:59 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) or 03:59+1 GMT. 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 AGU FALL 2011 SESSION: P18. MARS SYSTEM SCIENCE: INTEGRATING MARTIAN PLANETARY PROCESSES FROM THE SUBSURFACE TO THE SURFACE This session will focus on linking processes that delivered material from the martian interior to the surface and shallow subsurface environment, fluid/rock interactions at deep and shallow levels that could have modified this material, and processes that may have redistributed material across the martian surface. Integrating our understanding of these processes is fundamental to developing new insights into geochemical cycling on Mars and its evolution over time. We invite diverse contributions from martian geochemistry, petrology, and geophysics. The deadline for abstracts is August 4. Conveners: Hanna Nekvasil, Stony Brook University, Hanna.Nekvasil@sunysb.edu Thomas Sharp, Arizona State University, tom.sharp@asu.edu Gokce Ustunisik, Stony Brook University, Gokce.Ustunisik@sunysb.edu Please contact either of the conveners for more information. 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 AGU FALL 2011 SESSION: P38. GEOPHYSICAL & ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE OF EXOPLANETS Recent years have seen an exponential increase in the number of extrasolar planets discovered and the first observational constraints on the chemistry and dynamics of exoplanet atmospheres. Geophysical and atmospheric scientists have a great deal to contribute to the characterization and study of exoplanets. Additionally, data from exoplanets may allow us to test and generalize our theories for Earth and other Solar System planets. We are hoping for a broad and lively session and encourage the submission of studies on any of the following topics: interiors of exoplanets, exoplanet atmospheres, general considerations relating to planetary habitability, and issues related to early Earth that might apply to exoplanets. To submit an abstract, go to: http://sites.agu.org/fallmeeting/scientific-program/session-search/672 Invited Speakers: Heather Knutson (CalTech) Ray Pierrehumbert (U of Chicago) Adam Showman (U of Arizona) Diana Valencia (MIT) Session Organizers: Dorian Abbot (abbot@uchicago.edu) Nick Cowan (n-cowan@northwestern.edu) Jacob Haqq-Misra (haqqmisra@psu.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] GRAIL GUEST SCIENTIST PROGRAM (GSP) The goals of the program are to: a) enhance the scientific return from the GRAIL mission by broadening participation in the mission, and b) augment the existing GRAIL science team to include new members conducting investigations that broaden and/or complement the funded Principal Investigator (PI)-led investigations, thus maximizing the contribution of GRAIL to the future exploration and scientific understanding of the Moon. Because the intention is to enhance and broaden the scientific return, investigations submitted by the GRAIL PI and Co-Investigators (Co-I) will not be considered. Selected Guest Scientists (GSs) will become members of the GRAIL science team and be required to fulfill some of the same responsibilities as those of current science team members. The selected GSs will coordinate their activities and analyses with the GRAIL Mission Project Scientist, Co-Investigators (Co-Is), and NASA Program Scientist, and they will be bound by team agreements. Notice of Intent due date: August 18, 2011. Proposal due date: October 12, 2011. Go to: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ select "Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then "NNH11ZDA001N". Robert Fogel 202-358-2289 rfogel@nasa.gov [Edited for length.] 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] POSTDOCTORAL PROGRAM FELLOWSHIPS The next deadline to apply for a NASA Postdoctoral Program fellowship is November 1, 2011. These competitive one- to three-year fellowship appointments advance NASA's missions in space science, earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, lunar science, and astrobiology. Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in hand before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. U. S. citizens and foreign nationals who hold Lawful Permanent Resident status or who are eligible for J-1 status as a Research Scholar may apply. An H-1B Visa status is not acceptable because the NPP is not an employment program. Stipend rates for Postdoctoral Fellows start at $50,000 per year, with moderate supplements for high cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Funds are available for relocation expenses, up to a specified limit, and health insurance is available through the program. Fellows also receive $8,000 per appointment year to support travel to conferences, meetings, and other activities that directly support their research. Applications are accepted March 1, July 1, and November 1. For further information about this opportunity and to apply online, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions regarding this opportunity may be submitted by e-mail to nasapostdoc@orau.org 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 VEXAG MEETING The next 1.5 day VEXAG meeting will be held Aug. 30-31 at the Hazy Center, Smisthsonian Air & Space Museum near Dulles airport. A key goal of this meeting is to update the top science questions, goals, objectives, and investigations in response to the 2011 Decadal Survey Report. Another goal is to define a new exploration theme that can support the selection of Venus missions in the coming decade. The current goals/objectives/investigations document and proposed science questions are available on the VEXAG website. All parties interested in the future of Venus exploration are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting. Additionally, a new student focus group is being formed and student travel support is available. A Venus science meeting will be held August 31-Sept. 1. Abstracts are due August 10, 2011. Meeting details are available on the VEXAG website: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag 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 HIGH RESOLUTION TOPOGRAPHIC DATA FOR YOUR RESEARCH This announcement describes opportunities for obtaining digital topographic data in support of geologic mapping and other research that are of particular importance because the NASA PG&G Cartography program does not currently support the systematic production of topographic map quadrangles. The Astrogeology Team of the USGS, Flagstaff operates a Planetary Photogrammetry Guest Facility on behalf of the PG&G program. Qualified scientists are welcome to use this facility to produce digital topographic models (DTMs) from stereo images. Training and use of the system are free but researchers are responsible for their travel expenses because the state-of-the-art hardware/software system cannot be used remotely. For more information about capabilities and how to apply, see http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/Technology/Photogrammetry/ Cartographers of the Astrogeology Team are also available to partner with researchers to deliver DTMs via subcontract to a research proposal. The cost of DTMs depends on the volume and complexity of the image data analyzed and the ancillary products included, but is in the range of $5-10K for HiRISE and LROC-NAC DTMs with meter-scale resolution and ~10^8 height points. For further information see the web page above or send inquiries to Dr. Randolph Kirk at the USGS (rkirk@usgs.gov). 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER: PETROLOGY OF PLANETARY MATERIALS The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), part of the Universities Space Research Association, invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in the petrology of planetary materials. The successful candidate will work with Dr. Allan Treiman in NASA-funded efforts, focusing on planetary crusts and magmas, and their volatiles constituents; target materials include lunar highlands rocks, Martian meteorites, and terrestrial analogs. These efforts focus on planetary samples, starting with analyses by optical microscopy and electron microprobe; other instruments are available at nearby Johnson Space Center or with external collaborators. The candidate will be encouraged to design and conduct their own research in planetary science, propose for external funding, participate in grant review panels and analysis groups, and become involved with spacecraft missions. The successful candidate will have a recent Ph.D. in petrology or geochemistry; experience with planetary materials is helpful, but not required. The position would be for two years, with possible extension to a third year. Review of candidates will begin on November 15, 2011, with a hiring decision as soon as possible thereafter. Further information can be found on our website: http://www.lpi.usra.edu. The Universities Space Research Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS IN LUNAR SCIENCE The Universities Space Research Association's Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) invites applications for lunar science and exploration postdoctoral fellowships. Opportunities include: Lunar Surface Geology and Remote Sensing - Using new LRO data; integrating it with existing lunar data to evaluate processes associated with impact cratering and/or planetary differentiation. Experience with orbital remote sensing methods, photometry of lunar materials, and photogeology of lunar or lunar-like terrains preferred. Experimental and/or Analytical Petrology and Geochemistry - Using Apollo and lunar meteorite samples (or synthetic analogues) to evaluate processes associated with impact cratering and/or planetary differentiation. Experience with electron and ion microprobes, and/or LA-ICPMS techniques preferred. Modeling of Impact Cratering Processes - Using hydrocodes and relevant analytical techniques to evaluate different cratering processes on the Moon, to model specific crater or basin-forming events, and potentially guide future exploration scenarios. The successful candidate will be a member of the new LPI-JSC Center for Lunar Science and Exploration (http://www.lpi.usra.edu/nlsi/), one of the core teams within the NASA Lunar Science Institute. Further information, including submission requirements are found at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu Questions regarding science involved in the position, contact Dr. David Kring (kring@lpi.usra.edu). The Universities Space Research Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 SOLICITING ABSTRACTS FOR PLANETARY GEOLOGY DIVISION-SPONSORED SESSIONS 2011 Geological Society of America Annual Meeting Abstract Submission Deadline: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 The 2011 Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America will be held October 9-12, 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and will include special activities celebrating the 30TH ANNIVERSARY of the Planetary Geology Division. We encourage you to submit an abstract to one of our sessions: T210. Impact Cratering: Geology's Latest Revolution T211. 30+ Years of Teaching about Planetary Geology: Past Lessons Learned and Future Possibilities T212. Impact Cratering on the Earth, Moon, and Planets: Remote, Field, and Lab Studies T213. Robotic Exploration of Planetary Surfaces: The G.K. Gilbert Award Session T214. Exploring Mercury by Spacecraft: First MESSENGER Results from Orbit T215. Terrestrial Analogs in Solar System Studies T216. Lava Flows: Earth and Beyond T217. Dawn at Vesta: Initial Results from the Survey Orbit The abstract submission deadline is this coming Tuesday, July 26, 2011. You may submit an abstract through this URL: http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2011/sessions/topical.asp? CatID=Planetary+Geology&submit=Go We hope to see you in Minneapolis! Sincerely, David A. Williams 2011 Chair, GSA Planetary Geology Division 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 Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html October 10-12, 2011 Following the Photons: Astronomical Simulations for Instruments and Telescopes http://www.roe.ac.uk/roe/workshop/2011/ Edinburgh, United Kingdom August 20-31. 2011 Formation, Detection, and Characterization of Extrasolar Habitable Planets http://www.iau.org/science/meetings/future/symposia/1030/ Beijing, China [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, or * send a request to pen_editor at psi.edu * * To unsubscribe, send an email to pen_editor at psi.edu * * 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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