PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 19 (April 29, 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. Exoplanets in Multi-Body Systems in the Kepler Era 2. Postdoctoral Researcher: Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) Microprobe Analysis 3. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 4. NASA Lunar Science Forum: Third Announcement 5. Third Annual LunGradCon 2012 6. 2012 Next Generation Lunar Scientists & Engineers Workshop 7. Community Input Requested on the Concepts for Planetary Science from a Balloon-Based Observatory 8. Planetary Landscapes Facebook Page 9. 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 EXOPLANETS IN MULTI-BODY SYSTEMS IN THE KEPLER ERA February 9-16, 2013 Aspen Center for Physics, Aspen, CO, USA http://www.astro.ufl.edu/~eford/meetings/aspen2013/ For centuries, theories of planet formation were guided exclusively by our solar system. However, the discovery of planets orbiting other stars (exoplanets) has demonstrated that nature often produces planetary systems quite different from our own, neither anticipated by nor well explained by the current theories of solar system formation and dynamics. In this one week program, scientists from the fields of planetary science, celestial mechanics, astronomy and astrophysics will meet to discuss new developments in the field of extrasolar multi-planet systems. Our workshop will provide an environment where these scientists can present new ideas, discuss their implications for identifying the most important problems in the field and chart the field’s future direction. The meeting will be held either February 9-15 or February 10-16, 2013. We anticipate nearly 100 participants. The Aspen Center for Physics will coordinate applications, registration and housing. We will update the meeting website with information as these details become available. See the ACP website for further information about registration, housing and day care for previous winter meetings. Young scientists, women and underrepresented minorities are all encouraged to apply. [Edited for length.] 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 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. 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 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 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 LUNAR SCIENCE FORUM: THIRD ANNOUNCEMENT The NASA Lunar Science Institute is pleased to announce the 5th annual NASA Lunar Science Forum, to be held July 17-19, 2012. This year's forum will feature sessions on in-depth scientific results from several missions: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO); Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon's Interaction with the Sun (ARTEMIS); Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE); and Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory (GRAIL). We also will have a dedicated side-conference for graduate students and young lunar professionals, NASA Night with NASA HQ leadership, as well as the annual Shoemaker Award ceremony and associated keynote lecture. As in past years, science sessions are structured to report on both recent results and future opportunities for lunar science, exploration, education and outreach. Abstracts, with a 4800 character limit, are currently being accepted through 23:59:59, May 1, 2012 PDT. http://lunarscience.nasa.gov/LSF2012/ Student travel support is available to those students who would not otherwise be able to attend the Forum. Details on the main site listed above. Thank you all! We look forward to another exciting meeting focusing on science of, on and from the Moon! 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 THIRD ANNUAL LUNGRADCON 2012 The 3rd Annual Lunar Graduate Conference (LunGradCon 2012) will be held on Saturday/Sunday, July 14-15, 2012 at the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), preceding the NASA Lunar Science Forum. LunGradCon provides an opportunity for grad students and early-career postdocs to present their research on lunar science in a low-stress, friendly environment, being critiqued only by their peers. In addition to oral presentations, the conference presents opportunities for networking with fellow grad students and postdocs, as well as senior members of the NASA Lunar Science Institute. A limited amount of funding will be provided for travel and lodging costs. For more details, please visit: http://lasp.colorado.edu/ccldas/lgc2012/ or email any questions to lungradcon@gmail.com 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 2012 NEXT GENERATION LUNAR SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS WORKSHOP The 3rd annual Next Generation Lunar Scientists & Engineers (NGLSE) Workshop will be held on Monday, July 16, 2012 at the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), preceding the NASA Lunar Science Forum. This one-day workshop for graduate students and early career professionals offers the opportunity for participants to network with other students/early career professionals, and will specifically include a media training workshop. The purpose of this group is to engage and develop the next generation of lunar scientists and engineers, and to enable their successful involvement in current planning for the exploration of the Moon. For more details, visit: http://nextgenlunar.arc.nasa.gov/ or email any questions to: Lora.V.Bleacher@nasa.gov 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 COMMUNITY INPUT REQUESTED ON THE CONCEPTS FOR PLANETARY SCIENCE FROM A BALLOON-BASED OBSERVATORY NASA's Planetary Science Division is seeking community input on the potential planetary science that could be achieved from a stratospheric balloon observatory. A workshop to discuss platform capabilities, recent balloon missions for other NASA SMD divisions, and potential planetary science applications was held at NASA GRC in late January, 2012. Efforts to date have resulted in over 40 concepts for planetary science this platform may perform. The next phase of this effort is to solicit review and comments from the broader planetary community. Your participation is crucial to ensure that the ideas put forward are the best they can be and are reflective of the needs and desires of the broad planetary community. To review the information relevant to your science interests and provide comments, suggestions, and new ideas, by COB April 30th, please go to: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/balloon_science/ Thank you in advance for you participation. 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 LANDSCAPES FACEBOOK PAGE On April 19, 2012, a new page, Planetary Landscapes, was created on Facebook. Planetary Landscapes is managed at the SETI Institute as part of the community effort to advocate for, and support Planetary Exploration. It is a public site. After only 4 days of existence, Planetary Landscapes had reached close to 23,000 individual IPs, showing the incredible demand and interest of the public. With every additional IP that we reach, every new "Like", we increase awareness about planetary sciences, knowledge, and the spirit of human exploration. Visit the site, spread the word, and help us as a community make a huge statement. Nathalie A. Cabrol, NASA Ames Research Center 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 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html June 12-13, 2012 Ices and Organics in the Inner Solar System Conference http://planets.ucla.edu/?p=3726 Los Angeles, CA July 16, 2012 2012 Next Generation Lunar Scientists & Engineers Workshop http://nextgenlunar.arc.nasa.gov/ Moffett Field, CA October 14-19, 2012 44th Annual Meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society http://www.psi.edu/dps12/ Reno, NV February 9-16, 2013 Exoplanets in Multi-body Systems in the Kepler Era http://www.astro.ufl.edu/~eford/meetings/aspen2013/ Aspen, CO [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.php, 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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