PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 12 (March 18, 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. EDITORIAL: Concerns about Planetary R&A 2. NASA Headquarters Research and Analysis (R&A) Town Hall Meeting 3. NASA Budget: Discussion and Letter-writing Session at LPSC 4. Time Change - Lunar Swirls Lunchtime Meeting at LPSC 5. [NASA] OPAG Meeting 29-30 March, St. Louis 6. Third Conference on Terrestrial Mars Analogues 7. Ultraviolet Astronomy: HST and Beyond 8. New Abstract Deadline - AOGS-AGU (WPGM), Session PS20: Polarimetry of Planetary Systems 9. National Meeting on Science Education and Communication 10. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 11. Moving FORWARD in Space Workshop 12. [NASA] PDS: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 9 13. ESA's ESLAB Symposium on "Formation and Evolution of Moons" 14. Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) Newsletter Available 15. 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 EDITORIAL: CONCERNS ABOUT PLANETARY R&A Since December, Planetary Division Director James Green has been telling numerous community forums that Planetary Research and Analysis programs were going to experience increased funding in FY12 over FY11. This was reinforced by the President's FY13 budget proposal that reports an expected increase of ~10% for these programs in FY12. These programs have suffered since funds were removed in 2010, evidently to cover MSL cost overruns, and rephased to subsequent years without funds added back, resulting in lower than normal selection rates. Declarations of additional funding for 2012 are countered by unexplained delays in new awards (e.g., OSS>300 days, PGG>286 days, MFR>251 days), messages to proposers by program officers of insufficient funds for new awards, and unofficial reports from HQ of significant cuts to research program budgets. Contrary to recent explanations offered by PSD management, Congress is not holding up funding for research programs as a consequence of the rejection of an amended operating plan. At LPSC, I respectfully request Jim Green give a detailed breakdown of 2012 research program element budgets (e.g., MDAP, PGG, etc.), compare them with 2011, and clarify the situation with numbers, not promises. Mark V. Sykes 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 NASA HEADQUARTERS RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS (R&A) TOWN HALL MEETING At LPSC, Monday, March 19, 12:00 to 1:15 p.m., Montgomery Ballroom The Science Mission Directorate of NASA Headquarters will host an informal luncheon. 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 BUDGET: DISCUSSION AND LETTER-WRITING SESSION AT LPSC Many in the planetary science community and the general public have expressed concern over the proposed 21% cuts to NASA's planetary science program in the President's FY13 budget. Such changes could lead to a dramatic shift in priorities and tangible losses to our nation's unique capability to explore and study the solar system. As such, an informal group of young scientists was recently formed with the intention of discussing the proposed cuts, and taking action to protect and enrich the future of planetary science and exploration. We invite all members of the community (including foreign nationals) to a join us for an informal discussion and letter-writing session on Monday night in the "Grogan's Mill" room of the Woodlands Waterway Marriott, at 8:30 PM. Information will be available for those interested in contacting their congressional representatives and the NASA leadership. Date/time: Monday, March 19, 8:30 PM Location: Grogan's Mill room, Woodlands Waterway Marriott, TX For more information, or to submit ideas in writing, please contact Paul Hayne: phayne@caltech.edu or Britney Schmidt: britneys@ig.utexas.edu 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 TIME CHANGE - LUNAR SWIRLS LUNCHTIME MEETING AT LPSC Due to an important and conflicting lunchtime meeting on Tuesday, the Swirls Meeting has been moved to 5:00 pm. Day and location remain the same (see below). We will try to keep the meeting shorter than the allotted time so you have time to grab dinner before the poster session begins. LUNAR SWIRLS MEETING DETAILS Date: Tue 03/20/2012 Start Time: 5:00 PM End Time: 6:00 PM Room: Panther Creek For more information contact: Georgiana Kramer kramer@lpi.usra.edu 281-486-2141 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 [NASA] OPAG MEETING 29-30 MARCH 2012, ST. LOUIS The NASA Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) will meet in less than 2 weeks at the Renaissance Grand St. Louis Hotel, in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. Potential attendees, even local attendees, are asked to go to the following website, and click on the invitation link and RSVP for attendance (this assists our meeting planners). An updated agenda also can be found at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/opag Bill McKinnon, OPAG Chair 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 THIRD CONFERENCE ON TERRESTRIAL MARS ANALOGUES 25 - 27 October, 2012 Marrakech Morocco Pre- and Post-conference field trips The second circular available on the conference web site: http://www.ibnbattutacentre.org/conf/mars2012/ Organised by: European Space Agency, International Association of Sedimentologists, Italian Space Agency, Ibn Battuta Centre, IRSPS. This is the third conference on Mars analogue studies. The first two were held at Catania (Italy) in 2002 and at Trento (Italy) in 2007. Since the Trento Conference the interest in Mars analogues has increased enormously. The analysis of Mars analogue environments on Earth is of paramount importance for the interpretation of the data from past, present and future orbital and landed missions, as well as mission planning. 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 ULTRAVIOLET ASTRONOMY: HST AND BEYOND This is the second announcement for the upcoming conference: UV Astronomy: HST and Beyond to be held June 18-21 on the island of Kauai. Ultraviolet Astronomy: HST and Beyond will review the current forefront in UV astronomy, and look to the future, identifying the science cases and instrumentation needs for the next generation of instruments, small, medium and large. We have a series of invited review talks on scientific and observational topics, and invite contributions on the latest results in ultraviolet astrophysics, technological developments, and future mission concepts. The deadline for submitting contributions is March 31, 2012. If you planning on attend the meeting, I would like to encourage you to register at: http://uvastro2012.colorado.edu/ The preliminary schedule of invited talks is now available online. See you in Hawaii. Aloha James Green and the Scientific Organizing Committee 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 NEW ABSTRACT DEADLINE - AOGS-AGU (WPGM), SESSION PS20: POLARIMETRY OF PLANETARY SYSTEMS 13-17 August 2012 AOGS-AGU(WPGM) Joint Assembly Resort Worlds Sentosa, Singapore Abstract submission now closes 21 Mar 2012: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2012 The meeting registration fee covers 2 abstracts, so attendees can submit one abstract to PS20 and a second to any of the other planetary, exoplanetary, or Earth sessions. Hope to see many of you in Singapore. Conveners: Dr. Padma Yanamandra-Fisher (Space Science Institute, United States), padmayf@gmail.com Dr. Ludmilla Kolokolova (University of Maryland, United States), ludmilla@astro.umd.edu Dr. Herve' Lamy (Belgian Institute for Space Aeronmy, Belgium), herve.lamy@aeronomie.be 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 NATIONAL MEETING ON SCIENCE EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP), in partnership with the American Geophysical Union and the National Optical Astronomy Observatories, is delighted to open the registration for its 124th Annual Meeting and a conference on "Communicating Science" to be held in Tucson, Arizona, Aug. 4 - 8, 2012. The conference web site has detailed information and is now accepting registration and abstract submissions at: http://www.astrosociety.org/2012meeting There will also be a weekend workshop on teaching hands-on astronomy (with a focus on planetary exploration and reaching under-served minorities) on Sat. and Sun., Aug. 4 & 5, for teachers in grades 3-12, and those who work with them. Abstracts are welcome for poster papers, 10-minute oral presentations, one-hour hands-on workshops, and one-hour special-interest group discussions. Full instructions are available on the conference website. The deadline for submitting an abstract is April 30. There is a substantial discount for early registration and for members of the ASP. (You can join when you register.) The hotel space is limited. We encourage participants to register early and make vacation plans around this exciting meeting in the beautiful southwest. [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 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, exploration systems, lunar science, astrobiology, or astrophysics. 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. Stipends start at $50,000 per year, with supplements for high cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Financial assistance is available for relocation and health insurance, and $8,000 per year is provided for professional travel. 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 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 MOVING FORWARD IN SPACE WORKSHOP Applications are now available for the Moving FORWARD in Space Workshop, to be held in Philadelphia on June 4-6, 2012. The primary goals of the workshop are to provide early-career female scientists with information and skills development necessary for a successful bid for a tenured professorship in the planetary sciences. Workshop activities will focus on developing mentoring and networking connections, techniques for more successful writing, acquiring grant funding, sharing of classroom ideas and materials, maintaining work- life balance, and challenges for dual career couples. More information is available on the website at: https://sites.google.com/a/temple.edu/forward-in-space/ Applications are available on the website or by e-mailing planetary@temple.edu. Applications must be received by midnight March 26, 2012. The workshop Organizing Committee will review applications and begin informing applicants on April 2. Applications for travel stipends will also be available at that time. This conference is sponsored by the National Science Foundation via the FORWARD to Professorship Program. Alexandra Davatzes, PhD, Assistant Professor Earth and Environmental Science, Temple University Philadelphia, PA 19122-6081 215-204-3907 alix@temple.edu 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 [NASA] PDS: LUNAR RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA RELEASE 9 The NASA Planetary Data System is pleased to announce a new delivery of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) data for the following instruments: CRaTER, DLRE, LAMP, LEND, LOLA, LROC, Mini-RF and RSS. In general, LRO Release 9 includes data collected between September 15 and December 14, 2011. To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20120315.html PDS offers two services for searching the LRO archives: The Planetary Image Atlas at the Imaging Node allows selection of LRO data by specific search criteria. http://pds-imaging.jpl.nasa.gov/search/lro/ The Lunar Orbital Data Explorer at the Geosciences Node allows searching and downloading of LRO data and other lunar orbital data sets (Clementine and Lunar Prospector). http://ode.rsl.wustl.edu/moon/ LRO SPICE ancillary data may be obtained here: http://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/data_archived.html 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 ESA'S ESLAB SYMPOSIUM ON "FORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF MOONS" The European Space Agency's ESLAB Symposium on "Formation and Evolution of Moons" will be held at ESTEC, The Netherlands, 25-29 June 2012. The 2nd announcement may be found at: http://tiny.cc/eslab-moons The web page has been updated with the poster, list of invited speakers, registration page and student support. Deadline for abstract: 2nd April 2012 Abstract submission may be done at: http://www.sciops.esa.int/index.php?project=CONF2011&page=index&conf= MOONS&abstract 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 VENUS EXPLORATION ANALYSIS GROUP (VEXAG) NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE The latest Venus Newsletter available on the Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) Web-Site: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/ Topics include: Discussion of the President’s Budget and decreases in Planetary Science spending Recap of the successful Workshop on Planetary Observations from Balloon Platforms (held at Glenn Research Center in late January) Survey of Venus Environmental Test Facilities Events associated with the Venus Transit Event on June 5/6, 2012 15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html March 29-29, 2012 NASA OPAG Meeting http://www.lpi.usra.edu/opag St. Louis, MO June 5-7, 2012 Mars - Connecting Planetary Scientists in Europe http://www.konkoly.hu/MPSE/ Budapest, Hungary June 18-21, 2012 Ultraviolet Astronomy: HST and Beyond http://uvastro2012.colorado.edu/ Kauai, HI October 9-12, 2012 Joint Meeting "Paneth Kolloquium" & "The First 10 Million Years of the Solar System" (DFG SPP 1385) http://www.cosmochemistry.org/ Noerdlingen, Germany [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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