PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 5, Number 39 (September 4, 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. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 2. The NASA Postdoctoral Program Welcomes Applications for the November Cycle 3. [NASA] Two Week Delay of Proposal Due Dates 4. Postdoctoral Researchers in Lunar Science 5. Postdoctoral Researcher: Petrology of Planetary Materials 6. Application Deadline for Eugene M. Shoemaker Impact Cratering Award 7. Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter - September 2011 8. [NASA] PDS: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 18 9. Post-Doctoral Position in Cometary Science 10. Titan Through Time II Workshop, April 3-5, 2012 11. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions 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 PLANETARY GEOMORPHOLOGY IMAGE OF THE MONTH The September 'image of the month' is now available at the IAG's Planetary Geomorphology web page: http://www.psi.edu/pgwg/images/Sep11Image.html This month's topic is on "Lunar Sinuous Rille" Images and caption contributed by Scott Mest, Planetary science Institute, Tucson, Arizona. 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 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 THE NASA POSTDOCTORAL PROGRAM WELCOMES APPLICATIONS FOR THE NOVEMBER CYCLE The next deadline to apply for a NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) fellowship is November 1, 2011. These competitive one- to three-year 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. 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 [Edited 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] TWO WEEK DELAY OF PROPOSAL DUE DATES In order to give more time to proposers who are without power because of Hurricane Irene, the proposal due date for the following programs are delayed by two weeks: The Planetary Protection Research (PPR) program in Planetary Science. The new proposal due date is now Friday, September 16, 2011. The Cross Division Supplemental Outreach and Education Programs, respectively. The new proposal due dates 6 are now Friday, September 16, 2011. Questions concerning the Planetary Protection Research Program, may be addressed to Catharine Conley at HQ-PPR@mail.nasa.gov or 202-358-3912. Questions concerning the Supplemental Outreach and Education Awards for ROSES Investigators may be addressed to Jim Lochner at james.c.lochner@nasa.gov or 202-358-3858. [Edited for length.] 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 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. 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 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. 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 APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR EUGENE M SHOEMAKER IMPACT CRATERING AWARD Dear Colleagues, A reminder - Applications for the GSA Planetary Science Division's Eugene M. Shoemaker Impact Cratering Award are due September 9, 2011. The Eugene M. Shoemaker Impact Cratering Award is for undergraduate or graduate students, of any nationality, working in any country, in the disciplines of geology, geophysics, geochemistry, astronomy, or biology. The award, which will include $2500, is to be applied for the study of impact craters, either on Earth or on the other solid bodies in the solar system. Areas of study may include but shall not necessarily be limited to impact cratering processes; the bodies (asteroidal or cometary) that make the impacts; or the geological, chemical, or biological results of impact cratering. Details about the award as well as an application form for interested students can be found at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/science/kring/Awards/Shoemaker_Award/index.html David A. Kring, Ph.D. USRA - Lunar and Planetary Institute 281-486-2119 Center for Lunar Science & Exploration: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/nlsi/ 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 MARS EXPLORATION SCIENCE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 2011 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 September 2011 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 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: MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA RELEASE 18 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 18 includes data collected between November 9, 2010 and February 8, 2011. There is raw radio science data but not derived gravity data for this release. HiRISE data were collected between April 30, 2011 and August 1, 2011 (Orbits 22,300 - 23,499). To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20110901.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 POST-DOCTORAL POSITION IN COMETARY SCIENCE The Planetary Group, Department of Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park has an immediate post-doctoral position opening in infrared spectral data analysis from the Deep Impact prime mission to Tempel 1 (Jul. 2005) and the extended mission's flyby of comet Hartley 2 (EPOXI; Nov. 2010). Successful applicants will join a team of researchers at UMD working with Deep Impact and EPOXI and a group of planetary scientists whose projects span from dynamical studies to observational programs and who hold major roles in several planetary missions. Prospective researchers should have a strong background in surface and/or gaseous spectroscopy in addition to knowledge of and experience with small body research and/or remote sensing. Successful applicants are expected to be versatile, have a strong and broad interest in planetary science, and have relevant experience as thesis research or as other post-doctoral activities. The position is open immediately. Starting dates in late 2011 are preferable. The University of Maryland is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Full text of the job description and application procedure is on the AAS Job Register: http://jobregister.aas.org/job_view?JobID=40095 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 TITAN THROUGH TIME II WORKSHOP, APRIL 3-5, 2012 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD We are pleased to announce the dates for the second workshop on "Titan Through Time: Formation, Evolution and Fate" in 2012, following the very successful first workshop in 2010. The second meeting will have a similar format, with a 2 1/2 science program comprised of themed sessions, and featuring a mixture of invited reviews, and contributed talks and posters. As in 2010, we welcome scientific reports and attendance from the widest possible cross-section of the scientific community, including both those studying Titan directly, but also those whose research interests have intersections with Titan science in areas such as laboratory chemistry and spectroscopy; modeling of planetary atmospheres, surfaces and interiors; terrestrial analogs and comparative planetology; and the formation and evolution of the solar system. Further details including the program of invited talks will be publicized in due course. A link to the website (when available) can be booked-marked here: http://www.astro.umd.edu/~nixon/ttt-2012.html Hope to see you in 2012. Conor Nixon, Univerity of Maryland Ralph Lorenz, Johns Hopkins APL Co-chairs, science program. 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html January 8-12, 2012 219th AAS Meeting http://aas.org/meetings/aas219 Austin, TX April 3-5, 2012 Titan Through Time II Workshop http://www.astro.umd.edu/~nixon/ttt-2012.html GReenbelt, MD April 22-27, 2012 European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2012 http://meetings.copernicus.org/egu2012/ Vienna, Austria August 13-17, 2012 AOGS-AGU (WPGM) Joint Assembly http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2012/public.asp?page=home.htm Singapore [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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