PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 18 (April 22, 2012) 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. Short Course and Field School at the Sudbury Impact Structure 2. Last Call for Abstracts - Conference on Comparative Climatology of Terrestrial Planets 3. Postdoctoral Researcher: Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) Microprobe Analysis 4. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 5. 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 SHORT COURSE AND FIELD SCHOOL AT THE SUDBURY IMPACT STRUCTURE The Canadian Lunar Research Network, hosted at the Centre for Planetary Science an Exploration at Western University, Canada, together with the NASA Lunar Science Institute and the LPI-JSC Center for Lunar Science and Exploration, are proud to announce the "Short Course and Field School at the Sudbury Impact Structure". This is a is a week-long classroom and field training program based in Sudbury, Ontario. The goal of the program will be to introduce students to impact cratering processes and observe, in the field, the attributes of an immense basin-size impact structure. Sudbury is known for spectacular shatter cones, tremendously thick melt-bearing impact breccias (the Onaping Formation), and a differentiated impact melt sheet (the Sudbury Igneous Complex). Skills developed during the program should better prepare students for their own thesis studies in impact cratered terrains, whether they be on Earth, the Moon, Mars. Details on how to apply can be found here: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/nlsi/sudbury/ Partial funding will be available to successful U.S. applicants. 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 LAST CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - CONFERENCE ON COMPARATIVE CLIMATOLOGY OF TERRESTRIAL PLANETS Hotel Boulderado, Boulder, CO (USA) June 25-29, 2012 http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/climatology2012/ This conference brings together international specialists from a broad range of disciplines to present the latest ideas on the comparative aspects of climates on Earth, Venus, Mars, Titan and extra-solar planets. The four-day conference will be organized by sessions of oral and poster presentations that emphasize current thoughts on climate processes in Earth's atmosphere; terrestrial planet climate models; interactions between planetary interiors, surfaces and atmospheres; solar-atmosphere interactions; and exoplanet atmospheres. A key aspect of this conference is the inclusion of several open discussions throughout the meeting, led by panels of distinguished scientists in climate research. The meeting will provide a unique opportunity for scientists to advance understanding in climate research by stimulating cross-discipline collaboration. Abstract submissions are due by Tuesday, April 24, 2012. 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 RESEARCH: SECONDARY ION MASS SPECTROMETRY (SIMS) MICROPROBE ANALYSIS The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), part of the Universities Space Research Association, invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in the area of SIMS isotopic and elemental analysis of Martian meteorites. The successful candidate will work with an international team at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. Candidate should be self-motivated, and must have a Ph.D. in geochemistry, cosmochemistry, or related. Strong background in ion microprobe analysis essential. Experience in analysis/interpretation of Pb isotopes is advantageous. Experience with a Cameca 1270/80 is also advantageous. Knowledge of Martian geochemistry and petrology is beneficial, but not essential. Travel is required. Candidates should also present an independent research plan that complements the Martian meteorite study. Position is for one year, with possible extension to a second year. Applicants should send a letter of interest, a curriculum vita with list of publications, a brief statement of research interests, and three references to resume@lpi.usra.edu. Further details contact Justin Simon (justin.i.simon@nasa.gov) or John Jones (john.h.jones@nasa.gov). Information on research and facilities at the LPI can be found at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu Information on JSC facilities can be found at: http://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/ares/index.cfm 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 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 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 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html June 12-14, 2012 Concepts and Approaches for Mars Exploration http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/marsconcepts2012/ Houston, TX September 23-28, 2012 European Planetary Science Congress 2012 http://www.epsc2012.eu/ Madrid, Spain March 18-22, 2013 44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2013/ The Woodlands, TX [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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