PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 6 (February 5, 2012) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Melissa Lane Co-Editors: Susan Benecchi, Mark V. Sykes Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. [NASA] Postdoctoral Fellowships 2. Planning your JWST Solar System Observations (A DPS Workshop) 3. Titan Through Time II Workshop - Abstract Deadline Extended 4. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 5. Information Available for the Second International MEPAG Meeting 6. February MEPAG Newsletter Available 7. Planetary Origins and Frontiers of Exploration 8. STScI Workshop Second Announcement 9. Call for Papers: On Comparative Climatology of Terrestrial Planets 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] 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 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 PLANNING YOUR JWST SOLAR SYSTEM OBSERVATIONS (A DPS WORKSHOP) The James Webb Space Telescope is an infrared-optimized space facility scheduled for launch in 2018. Moving target (non-sidereal) tracking is a "Level 1" requirement for JWST, and has been implemented. At the DPS meeting in Reno NV, JWST team members will host a workshop specifically tailored for solar system observers. The workshop will start with an overview of the capabilities of the observatory and its science instruments. Workshop attendees will also learn about the representative science observing cases for solar system objects developed for the JWST Science Operations "Design Reference Mission." JWST team members will be available to answer your specific questions regarding special use cases for solar system requirements, in particular observational issues and approaches. A white paper about JWST planetary observations ­to be revised after this workshop - can be downloaded at: http://tinyurl.com/JWST-Solar-System As the DPS meeting draws closer, more details about the workshop will be provided at: http://www.stsci.edu/jwst/ 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 TITAN THROUGH TIME II WORKSHOP - ABSTRACT DEADLINE EXTENDED The Second Workshop on "Titan Through Time: Formation, Evolution and Fate" will be held at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center April 3-5th, 2012. The deadline for abstracts has been extended to FEBRUARY 15th, due to Cassini meetings being held this week. The deadline for registration remains February 15th. Registration and abstract submission is through the meeting website: http://pirlwww.lpl.arizona.edu/~hurfordt/ttt/index.html The 2 1/2 day program will consist of a mixture of invited reviews on key Titan formation/evolution topics; contributed talks; and posters. The oral program is filling rapidly - if you are requesting a talk rather than poster we advise submitting your abstract as soon as possible to receive full consideration. We look forward to a very exciting and productive meeting in April on Titan's past, present and future, and welcoming you then. Conor Nixon, University of Maryland Raph Lorenz, Johs Hopkins APL Co-Chairs, Science Program 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 PLANETARY GEOMORPHOLOGY IMAGE OF THE MONTH The February 'Image of the Month' is now available at the IAG's Planetary Geomorphology web page: http://www.psi.edu/pgwg/images/Feb12Image.html This Month's topic is on "Moraines Left by Carbon Dioxide Glaciers on Mars". Images and caption contributed by Dr. Mikhail Kreslavsky (UC Santa Cruz) and Prof. James Head (Planetary Geosciences Group, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA). 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 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 INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL MEPAG MEETING The second information circular, including discussion topics and the agenda, for the second international MEPAG meeting (February 27-28, 2012) has been made available and is posted on the MEPAG web site at: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/ Please note that the deadline for the room block at the hotel is Monday, February 6, 2012. 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 FEBRUARY MEPAG NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE 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, the February 2012 edition of the Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter can be found on the web at: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov Regards, Joyce Pulliam P.S. Please note the announcements for the upcoming MEPAG meeting and the Future Landing Site Workshop that are being held in February in the Washington, DC, area. [Edited for content.] 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 PLANETARY ORIGINS AND FRONTIERS OF EXPLORATION May 27 - June 3, 2012 The Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel The theme was chosen to bring together experts in aspects of planetary formation, solar system evolution, and interpretation of exoplanetary discoveries. We plan to organize keynote talks around five topics: Solar system formation Gas giants formation and interiors Moons and icy objects as keystones Exoplanets Extreme environments The format is inspired by Gordon Research Conferences, with full-length talks followed by substantial time for discussion in the mornings, and shorter presentations in the afternoon. Please consider contributing a presentation on topics relatable to planetary origins, not necessarily from the list of five above. Some funding is available to support local accommodation, food, and travel expenditures in Israel, the level will depend upon the total number of participants. Student participants may be considered for additional support. We welcome broad attendance; please feel free to circulate this invitation to interested colleagues, and forgive us if you receive multiple copies of this invitation. If you plan to attend, please complete the registration form using the following link. If you wish to present a talk or a poster, please also include a short abstract. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/conferences/frontiers/ Oded Aharonson (WIS, Israel), Julie Castillo-Rogez (JPL/Caltech, USA), and Tilman Spohn (DLR, Germany) 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 STSCI WORKSHOP SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT The Faint Early Sun: Problem, Paradox, or Distraction? A workshop to be held at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore MD, April 9-10, 2012. Meeting web site: http://www.stsci.edu/institute/conference/faint-sun SCHEDULE Registration and abstract deadline: March 15, 2012. Registration fee: $100 until March 15, $150 after. PROGRAM The program of invited speakers is shown at the above web site. Contributed talks and posters are welcome and encouraged. Please contact D. Soderblom at drs@stsci.edu to request to present a contributed talk. For the Scientific Organizing Committee, David Soderblom and Jim Kasting, co-chairs [Edited for length.] 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 CALL FOR PAPERS: ON COMPARATIVE CLIMATOLOGY OF TERRESTRIAL PLANETS The conference will be held June 25-28, 2012, at the Hotel Boulderado, Boulder Colorado. Abstract deadline is April 12, 2012. The goal of this conference is to look at climate in the broadest sense possible - by comparing the processes at work on the four terrestrial bodies, Earth, Venus, Mars, and Titan, and on terrestrial planets around other stars. These processes include the interactions of shortwave and thermal radiation with the atmosphere, condensation and vaporization of volatiles, atmospheric dynamics and chemistry, and the role of the surface, interior, sun and other external factors in the long-term evolution of climate. Conference talks will compare the scientific questions, methods, numerical models, and spacecraft remote sensing experiments for Earth, and the other planets, with the goal of identifying objectives for future research and missions. Please visit: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/climatology2012/ for more information and to submit an your Indication of Interest form by February 27, 2012. The meeting is sponsored by all four divisions of NASA/SMD and convened by VEXAG, MEPAG and OPAG. Other sponsors include IUGG/IAMAS and SwRI, LASP and the Planetary Society and meeting support is provided by LPI/USRA. 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 May 20 - 25, 2012 Japan Geoscience Union Meeting (JpGU) 2012 http://www.jpgu.org/meeting_e Chiba City, Japan [Editor Note: If there is a planetary-related meeting, conference or workshop of which you think 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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