PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 5, Number 56 (December 11, 2011) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Susan Benecchi Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Melissa Lane Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. [NASA] PDS: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 19 2. Canadian Astrobiology Training Program 3. Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter - December 2011 4. Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellowships in Exploration 5. Hubble Space Telescope Cycle 20 Call for Proposals 6. Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Geophysics, NAU 7. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 8. [NASA] Astrobiology Institute Cycle 6 CAN Amendment 9. [NASA] 1st Annual International Space Station (ISS) R&D Conference 10. The Pluto System on the Eve of Exploration by New Horizons: Perspectives and Predictions 11. 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: MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA RELEASE 19 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 19 includes data collected between February 9, 2011 and May 8, 2011. HiRISE data were collected between August 1, 2011 and October 26, 2011 (Orbits 23,500 - 24,599). To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20111201.html To access the latest PDS Data Releases, please visit: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-Release.html All available PDS data may be found at: http://pds.nasa.gov/tools/data-search/ 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 CANADIAN ASTROBIOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAM MSc, PhD, Post Doctoral Fellow positions available 2012 Astrobiology is broadly defined as the scientific study of the origin, evolution, distribution, conditions and destiny of life in the universe. The Canadian Astrobiology Training Program (CATP) is the first Canadian cross-disciplinary, multi-institutional undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral training program in Astrobiology and is a NSERC-funded Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program (CREATE) (2009-2015) located at Canadian universities (McGill, McMaster, Western Ontario, Toronto, and Winnipeg). CATP by its very nature will be accomplished through collaborative and integrative research approaches containing elements of geology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, microbiology, and robotics. CATP trainees over the next 5 years will be exposed to innovative research and training approaches, combining fieldwork at unique Canadian analogue sites, including those in the high Arctic, with laboratory work at cutting edge analytical facilities at participating university, government, and industry partners. Professional training will be enhanced by training rotations with our collaborators and our international partners. Applications will be received until January 25, 2012 for Graduate Student Fellowships (MSc and PhD) and Post Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) positions in 2012. Detailed information on the CATP, contact information and how to apply may be obtained at (http://create-astrobiology.mcgill.ca/) 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 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 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 December 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 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 GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS IN EXPLORATION Invitations are now being accepted for Undergraduate Student, Graduate Student (MSc and PhD) and Postdoctoral Fellowships in Exploration. These positions are funded through a 6-year NSERC CREATE (Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program) project entitled "Technologies and Techniques for Earth and Space Exploration", led by the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration (CPSX) at The University of Western Ontario, Canada. Collaborating institutions are the University of British Columbia, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Queen's University, University of Toronto, and York University. Positions may be tenable at any of these 6 universities. Major partners include the Canadian Space Agency, the NASA Lunar Science Institute, and several Canadian space and terrestrial exploration companies. A full description of the program and the application process can be found at: http://create.uwo.ca Applications are due by January 20, 2012 via email to cpsx@uwo.ca. We expect to award at least four Postdoctoral Fellowships and 12 Graduate Fellowships in the first year. Decisions will be announced in February 2012. 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 HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE CYCLE 20 CALL FOR PROPOSALS Release Date: December 07, 2011 Proposal Deadline: February 24, 2012 NASA and The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) are pleased to announce the Cycle 20 Call for Proposals for Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Observations and funding for Archival Research and Theoretical Research programs. Participation in this program is open to all categories of organizations, both domestic and foreign, including educational institutions, profit and nonprofit organizations, NASA Centers, and other Government agencies. This solicitation for proposals will be open through February 24, 2012, 8:00pm EST. The Astronomer's Proposal Tools (APT), which is required for Phase I Proposal Submission will be made available/released for Cycle 20 Phase I use during the 2nd week of January 2012. Results of the selection will be announced in early June 2012. All programmatic and technical information, as well as specific guidelines for proposal preparation, are available electronically from the STScI World-Wide Web site at the Announcement Web Page with URL: http://www.stsci.edu/hst/proposing/docs/cycle20announce Please take note of the What's New for Cycle 20 section on the announcement page. Questions can be addressed to the STScI Help Desk: help@stsci.edu 410-338-1082 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 TENURE-TRACK ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN GEOPHYSICS, NAU The School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability at Northern Arizona University invites applications for a tenure-track appointment as an Assistant Professor in Geophysics for August 2012. The successful candidate will teach senior and graduate courses in Geophysics and other classes as needed, conduct a successful sponsored research program in Geophysics, and support the Earth and Planetary Systems emphasis area of the new Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability PhD program. Minimum qualification is an earned PhD in Geophysics; OR, an earned PhD in related area with dissertation-related research in geophysics, conferred by start date. For more information on the position and how to apply please see: http://hr.nau.edu/node/2796&job_req=558958. 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 FELLOWSHIPS The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers scientists and engineers unique opportunities to conduct research at NASA Centers. Each NPP fellowship opportunity is designed to advance NASA research in a specific project related to space science, earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, lunar science, or 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, Lawful Permanent Residents, and foreign nationals 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. Stipends 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 three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1. For further information and to apply, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions 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 [NASA] ASTROBIOLOGY INSTITUTE CYCLE 6 CAN AMENDMENT NNH12ZDA002C Release Date: October 11, 2011 Proposals Due: February 15, 2012 With this amendment, the proposal due date for NASA Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) NNH11ZDA012O, "NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) - Cycle 6," has been delayed to February 15, 2012. Due to the large number of time consuming activities between November and the end of January encountered by the Planetary Science and Astrobiology community, the proposal due date for the NAI Cycle 6 CAN has been changed to February 15, 2012. Details are posted at the NASA research opportunity homepage: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then "NNH12ZDA002C"). Additional information on the NASA Astrobiology Institute may be obtained from: Dr. Carl Pilcher Director NASA Astrobiology Institute, 650-604-0022 can6@nasa.gov Additional information on this Notice and the overall NASA Astrobiology Program may be obtained from: Dr. Mary Voytek Senior Scientist for Astrobiology 202-358-1577 mary.voytek-1@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 [NASA] 1ST ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS) R&D CONFERENCE June 26-28, 2012 Denver Marriott City Center Abstract deadline: January 15, 2012 Program outline: http://www.astronautical.org/node/96 This conference will focus on ISS research and development-research results and future opportunities in physical sciences, life sciences, Earth and space sciences, and spacecraft technology development. Plenary sessions will highlight major results and pathways to future opportunities. Organizations managing and funding research on ISS, including NASA programs and the ISS National Laboratory will provide overviews of upcoming opportunities. Parallel technical sessions will provide tracks for scientists to be updated on significant accomplishments to date within their disciplines. The meeting also includes a workshop designed to help new users take this information and develop their own ideas for experiments using this unique laboratory. A call for papers is posted at: http://www.astronautical.org/node/96 Manuscripts are solicited on topics related to science and technology activities (past, present, planned and proposed) on the ISS, including but not limited to Biology and Biotechnology, Earth and Space Science, Human Research, Physical Sciences, Education Activities, and Technology and Exploration. Details and registration information will be posted on the web site. [Edited for length.] 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 THE PLUTO SYSTEM ON THE EVE OF EXPLORATION BY NEW HORIZONS: PERSPECTIVES AND PREDICTIONS 24-26 July 2013 Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Columbia, Md NASA's New Horizons mission is now over 22 AU from the Sun en route to a reconnaissance flyby of the Pluto system at 32 AU in July, 2015. In advance of that historic flyby, the New Horizons mission is sponsoring a scientific meeting to review knowledge of the Pluto System, to inform the planetary science community about the flyby and collaboration/DAP funding opportunities, to discuss and begin to prepare groundbased and spacebased observing proposals, and to provide a venue for scientific predictions. To learn more about and register your interest on the meeting mailing list go to: http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/conference/ 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 February 13-17, 2012 Astrophysics from the Radio to the Submillimetre - Planck and Other experiments in Temperature and Polarization http://www.iasfbo.inaf.it/events/planck-2012/ Bologna, Italy June 4-8, 2012 Multiwavelength Surveys: A Vintage Decade http://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/conferences/2012/SCCSV/index.html Hunter Valley, Australia July 24-26, 2013 The Pluto System on the Eve of Exploration by New Horizons: Perspectives and Predictions http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/conference/ Columbia, MD [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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