PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 31 (July 22, 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. AGU Fall 2012 Special Session P03. Airless Body Petrology Through Samples and Remote Sensing: Diverse Approaches to Common Problems 2. AGU Fall 2012 Special Session P04. Atmosphere of Mars: New Findings from Modeling and Observations 3. AGU Fall 2012 Special Session P11. Laboratory Investigations Supporting Analysis of Datasets from Mars, the Moon, and Other Planetary Bodies 4. AGU Fall 2012 Special Session P21. Planetary Surfaces in Motion 5. AGU Fall 2012 Special Session P33. Using Topography to Investigate the Evolution of Solar System Bodies 6. AGU Fall 2012 Special Session P34. What Lurks in the Martian Rocks and Soil? Investigations of Sulfates, Phosphates, and Perchlorates 7. Updates for the 3rd Conference on Terrestrial Mars Analogues 8. Planetary Geophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship 9. Volcano-Lithosphere Interactions on the Terrestrial Planets Postdoctoral Fellowship: Lunar and Planetary Institute 10. Civil Service Research Scientist Position - NASA Johnson Space Center 11. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 12. Mauna Loa Hawaii Analog Site Available for Instrument Testing 13. [NASA] Note from SARA: New Volunteer Reviewer Form 14. NASA Advisory Council Science Committee Meeting 15. [NASA] AO for ESA JUICE Mission - Pre-Proposal Conference 16. 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 AGU FALL 2012 SPECIAL SESSION P03. AIRLESS BODY PETROLOGY THROUGH SAMPLES AND REMOTE SENSING: DIVERSE APPROACHES TO COMMON PROBLEMS This interdisciplinary session (San Francisco, CA, December 3-7, 2012) is sponsored by the Planetary Sciences section and co-sponsored by the Volcanology-Geochemistry-Petrology (VGP) section, and emphasizes both remote sensing and sample-based investigations of airless body petrology. Numerous recent and current missions are providing planetary scientists with remote sensing data of unprecedented quality and volume. Concurrently, improvements in laboratory instrumentation are enabling new fundamental discoveries from analysis of returned samples and meteorites. Communication between both fields is crucial for addressing broad planetary science questions and maximizing the science return of current and future planetary exploration. This session will further research in planetary petrology by encouraging such synergistic research through contributions from remote sensing and sample-based analyses. Submissions are welcomed for studies of any airless body. Please consider submitting an abstract for this session. Visit: http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2012/ for meeting information and abstract submission (submission deadline is August 8, 2012). Invited Speakers: Hap McSween, Jeff Taylor, Juliane Gross, Tim McCoy (tentative) Conveners: Peter Isaacson, Rachel Klima, Rhiannon Mayne We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco. 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 AGU FALL 2012 SPECIAL SESSION P04. ATMOSPHERE OF MARS: NEW FINDINGS FROM MODELING AND OBSERVATIONS Mars Science Laboratory's rover is currently on its way to Mars and will be landing as you prepare to submit an abstract to this session. This rover will be able to assess atmospheric meteorological and chemical conditions at its landing site. This is just one of many current and future missions that are/will be collecting various information about the atmosphere of Mars. Parallel to these missions there is an outstanding amount of research work to analyze data and provide predictions and back-up to the missions. We invite you to submit an abstract of your work to this session which is open to all research topics related to the atmosphere of Mars. The session website: http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2012/session-search/single/atmosphere-of- mars-new-findings-from-modeling-and-observations/ The meeting website: http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2012/ The abstract submission website: http://agu-fm12.abstractcentral.com/ Abstract deadline: August 8, 2012, 23:59ET/3:59+1 GMT Conveners: Youssef Moudden, University of Colorado (moudden@colorado.edu) Marie-Eve Gagne, Canadian Space Agency (marie-eve.gagne@asc-csa.gc.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 AGU FALL 2012 SESSION: P011. LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS SUPPORTING ANALYSIS OF DATASETS FROM MARS, THE MOON, AND OTHER PLANETARY BODIES Planetary missions over the past decade have gathered a wealth of data, including spectral (e.g. TES, OMEGA, CRISM, M3), thermophysical (e.g. Diviner, THEMIS), and geochemical/mineralogical (e.g. GRS, APXS, MB, CheMin, ChemCam, SAM). Rigorous laboratory investigations are required for instrument calibration and refinement of data interpretation. This session will focus on measurements/experiments that relate to interpretation of remote sensing or in situ data from planetary bodies. Studies that utilize multiple methods/datasets, analog materials, and advance quantitative compositional analyses of orbital data or the interpretation of MSL/MER instrument data are especially encouraged. This session is co-sponsored by MSA. Abstract deadline: August 8th http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2012/session-search/single/laboratory- investigations-supporting-analysis-of-datasets-from-mars-the-moon-and- other-planetary-bodies-cosponsored-by-msa/ Conveners: Christopher S. Edwards (Arizona State University/California Institute of Technology) Bethany L. Ehlmann (California Institute of Technology/Jet Propulsion Laboratory) Timothy D. Glotch (Stony Brook University) 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 AGU FALL 2012 SPECIAL SESSION P021: PLANETARY SURFACES IN MOTION With the advent of high spatial resolution and increasing temporal baselines, spacecraft observations have documented surface changes on planetary bodies at decadal, annual, and shorter timescales. These data provide fundamental insight into active surface changes, which vary in type, mode, and magnitude across the Solar System, and provide motivation for model, terrestrial analog, and laboratory studies that seek to better understand underlying physical mechanisms and relevant environment conditions. This session seeks abstracts focused on observations and modeling of surface processes, including fluvial, volcanic, mass wasting, aeolian and other agents that cause changes that can be monitored by spacecraft. Laboratory and field analog studies are also welcome. http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2012/session-search/single/planetary- surfaces-in-motion/ For abstract submission policies see: http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2012/scientific-program/abstract- submission-policies/ Abstract deadline: August 8, 2012, 23:59ET/3:59+1 GMT Conveners: Serina Diniega (Jet Propulsion Laboratory; serina.diniega@jpl.nasa.gov; feel free to contact me with any questions) Zibi Turtle (Johns Hopkins University) Sue Smrekar (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) Alfred McEwen (University of Arizona) 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 AGU FALL 2012 SPECIAL SESSION P33. USING TOPOGRAPHY TO INVESTIGATE THE EVOLUTION OF SOLAR SYSTEM BODIES Spacecraft data have enabled the surface topography of many solar system bodies to be determined. These data provide insight into near- surface processes and properties that exist over the visible history of a body, on global and local scales. We invite abstracts on any topic in which topography plays a role. These may describe theoretical investigations, laboratory studies or data analysis of anybody in the solar system and can include (but are not limited to): topographic measurements that are indicative of the types of surface terrain or environments present; processes that create or erase/erode surface topography at any scale; and subsurface processes that are expressed by surface topography. http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2012/session-search/single/using-topography- to-investigate-the-evolution-of-solar-system-bodies/ For abstract submission policies see: http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2012/scientific-program/abstract-submission- policies/ Abstract deadline: August 8, 2012, 23:59ET/3:59+1 GMT Conveners: Ross Beyer (NASA Ames Research Center) Wes Patterson (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory) Louise Prockter (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory) 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 AGU FALL 2012 SESSION: P34. WHAT LURKS IN THE MARTIAN ROCKS AND SOIL? INVESTIGATIONS OF SULFATES, PHOSPHATES, AND PERCHLORATES Sulfates, phosphates, and perchlorates have been found on Mars from orbit and/or from surface missions. Identification of these minerals (suites) can enable constraints on the Martian geochemical environments. This session will generate a discussion regarding the conditions for the formation of these minerals on Mars, and methods for identifying their geological environments and related fluid chemistry. Abstracts describing discoveries of sulfates, phosphates, or perchlorates from surface missions and orbital spacecraft data, and those covering laboratory analyses and thermodynamic modeling relating to the hydration state of these minerals and their stability on Mars are welcome. Abstract deadline: August 8, 2012, 23:59ET/3:59+1 GMT For abstract submission policies see: http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2012/scientific-program/abstract-submission- policies/ Invited speakers include: Richard Quinn Mariam Sowe Penny King Conveners: Melissa Lane (Planetary Science Institute) Janice Bishop (SETI Institute/NASA Ames Research Center) Darby Dyar (Mount Holyoke College) ***SPECIAL NOTE: Papers from this session (and other future relevant submissions) will be considered for publication as a Special Section on Martian soils in the journal, American Mineralogist. 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 UPDATES FOR THE 3RD CONFERENCE ON TERRESTRIAL MARS ANALOGUES 1. The deadline of the abstract submission has been postponed up to September 5th. We received some complaints because the deadline was in the middle of the European holiday season. 2. The pre-conference field trip has been re-scheduled due to the discontinuation by Royal Air Maroc of the Saturday flight to El Aaiun. The field trip starts on Saturday, October 20th, and the participants are expected to fly on Friday the 19th. The field trip now last 5 days. 3. The NASA Astrobiological Institute is providing travel grants to early career scientists. Info can be obtained on the conference web page: http://www.ibnbattutacentre.org/conf/mars2012 Gian Gabriele Ori Int'l Research School of Planetary Sciences 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 GEOPHYSICS POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP The Universities Space Research Association's Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), in Houston Texas, invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in planetary geophysics. The successful candidate will work with Dr. Walter Kiefer on a NASA-funded project studying the nature of mantle convection on Mars and its effects on the thermal evolution and volcanic history of the planet. The candidate will also have the opportunity to conduct research in planetary geophysics of his or her own choosing. The position requires a Ph.D. in Planetary Science or Geophysics with experience in computer programming and numerical modeling methods, particularly finite elements. Experience with parallel computing in a Linux environment will be an asset. The position will be offered for an initial period of two years with a possible extension to a maximum of three years. Applicants should send a letter of interest, a curriculum vita listing relevant publications, a brief (maximum three pages) statement of research interests, and a list of three references to resume@lpi.usra.edu. Further information about LPI can be found at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu USRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 VOLCANO-LITHOSPHERE INTERACTIONS ON THE TERRESTRIAL PLANETS POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP: LUNAR AND PLANETARY INSTITUTE The Universities Space Research Association - Houston invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in geophysical studies of the growth/evolution of large volcanic edifices and provinces on the terrestrial planets. The candidate will work with Dr. Patrick McGovern exploring mechanical interactions between intrusive and extrusive volcanic edifice growth, lithospheric flexural response, and magma ascent, using numerical modeling techniques, including Finite Element (FEM) and Distinct Element (DEM) Methods. Research will also entail analysis of imagery, topography, gravity, and spectral datasets for large planetary volcanoes in order to constrain the modeling efforts. Potential bodies of interest include Venus, Io, the Moon, Earth, and Mars. Requirements are a recent Ph.D. in geophysics or geology. Experience quantitative modeling of geophysical, geological, or magmatic processes with advanced codes as COMSOL Multiphysics (FEM) and PFC (DEM). Programming languages, MATLAB or FORTRAN 95 desirable. The position is two years with a possible extension to three years. Send letter of interest, curriculum vita with a list of relevant publications, brief statement of research interests, and three references to resume@lpi.usra.edu. Further information may be found at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu The Universities Space Research Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 CIVIL SERVICE RESEARCH SCIENTIST POSITION - NASA JOHNSON SPACE CENTER The Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Directorate, NASA Johnson Space Center, anticipates a civil service research scientist position in the Astromaterials Research Office in organic geochemistry of astromaterials. Advanced knowledge of organic geochemistry, US citizenship, and a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, geology, geochemistry, planetary sciences, or a related field are required. The position will be filled at the GS-13 level. The selectee will establish a strong, NASA R&A-funded research program that complements existing ARES strengths (studies of primitive materials, meteorites, comets, asteroids; Mars exploration and science research; experimental studies; astrobiology). ARES is well-equipped with state of the art laboratories (see http://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/ares/ index_krlab.cfm). Participation in NASA-sponsored space science missions is strongly encouraged. Finally, the selectee will support ARES Curation for issues relating to organic geochemistry, such as organic contamination control, planetary protection, and procedures for curation of organic-bearing astromaterials, on an as-needed basis up to approximately one-fifth time. The official announcement, with full details, will appear about 1 September 2012. All applications must be made through USAJobs.gov. Starting date is subject to negotiation. Please address inquiries to: Dr. David Draper, Manager, Astromaterials Research Office david.draper@nasa.gov 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 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 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 MAUNA LOA HAWAII ANALOG SITE AVAILABLE FOR INSTRUMENT TESTING MMAMA Proposers: HI-SEAS (Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation, hi-seas.org) is a planetary surface exploration analog site at ~8500 feet on the Mauna Loa side of the saddle area on the Big Island of Hawaii, at a cinder/splatter cone next to a'a and pahoehoe flows, and with several lava tubes nearby. HI-SEAS is funded for its first season of operation by a grant from the NASA Human Research Program. This first mission will involve crew members living in the habitat for 120 days under Mars-exploration conditions. If your instrument would benefit from testing in such a scenario, please contact us ( binsted@hawaii.edu ) to discuss. 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 [NASA] NOTE FROM SARA: NEW VOLUNTEER REVIEWER FORM A new addition to the SARA web page is our new volunteer reviewer web form: we are currently seeking reviewers for Laboratory Analysis of Returned Samples, Exobiology, and Moon and Mars Analog Missions Activities. You can find this form at: http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/volunteer-review-panels/ 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 NASA ADVISORY COUNCIL SCIENCE COMMITTEE MEETING The agenda for the meeting includes the following topics: * Science Mission Directorate Overview and Program Status * Subcommittee Reports * Joint Session with the NAC's Human Exploration and Operations * Committee on the Mars Program Planning Group and Joint Robotics Precursor Activities The meeting will be held at NASA GSFC. Details for attendance are at: http://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2012/07/13 /SC_Published_FR_July_2012-15548.pdf Any interested person may call the USA toll free conference call number 800-369-1786, pass code Science Committee, to participate in this meeting by telephone. The WebEx link is: https://nasa.webex.com/ the meeting number on July 23 is 990 388 822, and the password is SC@July23; the meeting number on July 24 is 992 625 699, and the password is SC@July24. 15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15 [NASA] NASA AO FOR ESA JUICE MISSION - PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE The Pre-Proposal conference for the NASA AO for the ESA JUICE mission has been scheduled for Monday, July 30. Information is available at: http://soma.larc.nasa.gov/juice/ This is a virtual meeting and travel to attend in person is not necessary. Dr. Curt Niebur curt.niebur@nasa.gov 202-358-0390 16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html July 23-24, 2012 NASA Advisory Council Science Committee Meeting http://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2012/07/13 /SC_Published_FR_July_2012-15548.pdf Greenbelt, MD July 25-27, 2012 NASA Advisory Council Meeting http://www.nasa.gov/pdf /669015main_NASA%20Advisory%20Council%20FRN%20July%202012-15644.pdf Greenbelt, MD July 30, 2012 JUICE Pre-Proposal Conference http://soma.larc.nasa.gov/juice/prepropconf.html Online April 3-6, 2013 From Stars to Life - Connecting our Understanding of Star Formation, Planet Formation, Astrochemistry and Astrobiology http://conference.astro.ufl.edu/STARSTOLIFE/ Gainesville, FL May 15-17, 2013 Ice and Planet Formation http://www.astro.lu.se/~anders/IPF2013/ Lund, Sweden May 28-31, 2013 High Resolution Optical Spectroscopy http://www.aip.de/en/calendar/scientific-events/thinkshop-10 Potsdam, Germany CORRECTION: July 9-11, 2013 9th Meeting of the NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/meetings/ Pasadena, CA October 15-18, 2013 The (F)IR Universe Three Years Later - The Contributions by Herschel http://herschel.esac.esa.int/The_FIR_Universe.shtml Noordwijk, The Netherlands [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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