PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 5, Number 44 (October 2, 2011) 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. New Resources for Those who Teach Astronomy 2. The NASA Postdoctoral Program 3. Postdoctoral Researcher in Petrology of Planetary Materials 4. Postdoctoral Researchers in Lunar Science 5. Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund Travel Grant Opportunity 6. Outer Planets Assessment Group Meeting, 19-20 October 2011 7. Women and Mars Conference - VIP Invitation to MSL Launch 8. 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 NEW RESOURCES FOR THOSE WHO TEACH ASTRONOMY As the fall semester or quarter begins, here are a few new educational resources from the nonprofit Astronomical Society of the Pacific that may help you if you are teaching or explaining astronomy: 1. Frank Drake Tells How He Came Up with the Drake Equation: http://www.astrosociety.org/drake/ 2. A New Classroom Activity - How High Up is Space: http://www.astrosociety.org/education/activities/I11_How_High_Space.pdf 3. An "Astronomy Behind the Headlines" podcast on "Science from the Moon" (on current and future Moon missions, with guest Dr. Jack Burns, University of Colorado): http://astrosociety.org/abh/index.html 4. An Astronomer Looks at Astrology (an information sheet for both students and instructors): http://www.astrosociety.org/astrology.pdf 5. A new issue of "The Universe in the Classroom" with information and activities for the 2012 Transit of Venus: http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/78/78.html 6. The Universe at Your Fingertips 2.0 (a DVD-ROM with 133 hands-on classroom activities, and lots of articles, resources, images, and how-to videos for teaching astronomy at many levels and in many settings): http://www.astrosociety.org/uayf/ 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 The next deadline to apply for a NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) fellowship is November 1, 2011. These competitive 1-3 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. Applications for the NASA Postdoctoral Program are accepted three times each year: 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: nasapostdoc@orau.org 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 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN 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. 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 GERALD A. SOFFEN MEMORIAL FUND TRAVEL GRANT OPPORTUNITY The Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund is pleased to announce the final 2011 Travel Grant application opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing studies in fields of space science and engineering. The Travel Grants, in the amount of $500, enable student recipients to attend professional meetings to present their research. The Fall 2011 Travel Grant application deadline is October 15, 2011. Jerry Soffen, a biologist by training, led a distinguished career in NASA, including serving as the Project Scientist for Viking and as an architect for the NASA Astrobiology Institute. The Travel Grant continues Jerry's dedication to educating and involving future generations in space science and engineering pursuits. The electronic application materials and instructions are accessible through the Soffen Fund website: http://nasa-academy.org/soffen/travelgrant/ Questions regarding the application or application process may be sent to: travelgrant@nasa-academy.org 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 OUTER PLANETS ASSESSMENT GROUP MEETING, 19-20 OCTOBER 2011 The meeting will take place at the Westin Pasadena, and the agenda can be found at http://www.lpi.usra.edu/opag, along with information regarding hotel and other logistics at: http://icpi.nasaprs.com/opag Potential attendees are kindly asked to go to: http://icpi.nasaprs.com/opag and click on the invitation link and RSVP for attendance (this will assist our meeting planners). NASA has entered an era of strong fiscal constraints, and is struggling to maintain its commitments to missions in development and in flight. Community input will be vital in preserving robust Outer Planets Exploration. This OPAG meeting accordingly will focus on threats to the Cassini Solstice mission, implementation of the Planetary Science Decadal Survey, an update on European plans, and studies of potential missions to Europa. Bill McKinnon, OPAG Chair 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 WOMEN AND MARS CONFERENCE - VIP INVITATION TO MSL LAUNCH Register today for the Women and Mars Conference. All who register for the Women and Mars Conference by October 7, 2011 will receive a VIP invitation to the launch of Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). MSL is scheduled to launch on November 25, 2011 (with a launch window that lasts until December 18, 2011). Register today at: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1218812501 Explore Mars is presenting the Women and Mars Conference in partnership with NASA and the Space Policy Institute on November 9-10, 2011 at the Jack Morton Auditorium at George Washington University. This conference will bring together women and men from around the space community, as well as educators, industry representatives, and policy experts. There will be panels and speakers discussing STEM education, space policy, upcoming science missions, human exploration and space operations, and women in industry and commercial sector. Speakers will include: Lori Garver (NASA - invited), Rebecca Keiser (NASA), Pamela Conrad (NASA), Penelope Boston (New Mexico Tech), Mary Voytek (NASA), Simonetta Di Pippo (ESA), Tiffany Montague (Google), and many others. For more information, please visit: http://www.exploremars.org Chris Carberry Executive Director Explore Mars, Inc. carberry@exploremars.org 617-909-4425 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 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html November 9-10, 2011 Women and Mars Conference http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1218812501 Washington, DC January 7-8, 2012 EXOPAG 5 http://exep.jpl.nasa.gov/exopag/exopag5/ Austin, TX February 13-17, 2012 Science with a Wide-field Infrared Telescope in Space http://www.ipac.caltech.edu/wfir2012/ Pasadena, CA February 15-17, 2012 16th International Conference on Gravitational Microlensing http://www.ipac.caltech.edu/wfir2012/ Pasadena, CA April 16-20, 2012 AbSciCon 2012 http://abscicon2012.arc.nasa.gov/ Atlanta, GA May 6-10, 2012 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Astronomical Society Division on Dynamical Astronomy http://dda.harvard.edu/ Mount Hood, OR June 24-29, 2012 Cool Stars 17 http://www.coolstars17.net/welcome.html Barcelona, Spain [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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