PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 38 (September 2, 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. Planetary-Related Commercial Announcements to be Allowed on a Trial Basis in PEN 2. Workshop on the Evolution and Constitution of Mercury's Interior 3. Postdoctoral Position in Exoplanet Atmospheres at the University of Arizona 4. New "Cassini Archive Page" Available to Access Cassini Data 5. Astronomer Position at Lowell Observatory 6. [NASA] PDS: Mars Exploration Rovers Data Release 33 7. Faculty Position in Planetary and Space Science 8. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 9. Workshop on "Waves and Instabilities in Geophysical and Astrophysical Flows" 10. MEPAG Meeting Scheduled for October 4, 2012 in Monrovia, CA 11. September MEPAG Newsletter Available 12. GSA Invites Applications for Two Student Awards 13. PhD Student Position in The Netherlands 14. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions Commercial Announcements C1. Uwingu C2. Cosmos in the Classroom C3. Globes of Galilean Satellites? 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 PLANETARY-RELATED COMMERCIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS TO BE ALLOWED ON A TRIAL BASIS IN PEN PEN receives requests to announce commercial products, such as books, other educational products, instruments, and even support for new businesses. We would like to try an experiment. Commercial announcements will be accepted for PEN editions through the end of this calendar year. Such announcements will be subject to the following requirements: - 50 words maximum, title+text including a URL - Be related to planetary science - Include "Commercial:" in the subject line to pen_editor@planetarynews.org, regardless of whether the source is an individual, for-profit entity, or non-profit entity - No attachments will be distributed These announcements will not be archived. There will be no charge. They will be included in a special section after regular PEN announcements (see this edition). The editors reserve the right to modify any announcement to conform to PEN style standards. We also reserve the right not to publish any announcement. After this trial period, we will survey PEN subscribers to determine whether they think commercial announcements are of value and should continue. We will also consider whether a fee for such announcements should be implemented as a means of controlling volume. The Editors 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 WORKSHOP ON THE EVOLUTION AND CONSTITUTION OF MERCURY'S INTERIOR October 30, 2012 - November 1, 2012 The workshop Evolution and Constitution of Mercury's Interior will be held on October 30 - November 1, 2012 at the Park Central Hotel in New York, NY. This international meeting will explore recent results from NASA's MESSENGER mission as well as implications for the forthcoming ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission. The workshop is organized around three thematic issues regarding Mercury's interior: Origin, structure, and bulk composition of Mercury Evolution of Mercury's crust and mantle Core evolution and magnetic field generation Registration and additional information is available at: http://bit.ly/mercuryinterior Registration deadline: September 21, 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 POSITION IN EXOPLANET ATMOSPHERES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA The Department of Planetary Sciences/Lunar and Planetary Laboratory of the University of Arizona has an opening for a Post Doctoral Research Associate in the field of exoplanet atmospheres. The successful applicant will work with the exoplanet group at LPL in the development of models for the thermal structure of exoplanet atmospheres and in the comparison of models with available observations. Applicants should have a PhD or equivalent in Planetary Science, Astrophysics, or Physics and extensive experience with numerical computation using the Fortran programming language. Applicants should also be familiar with radiative transfer calculations. The appointment is for two years, dependent upon the availability of funding. A curriculum vitae and the names of 3 references should be sent to Dr. Roger Yelle (yelle@lpl.arizona.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 NEW "CASSINI ARCHIVE PAGE" AVAILABLE TO ACCESS CASSINI DATA The Cassini mission and the Planetary Data System (PDS) are pleased to announce the availability of the "Cassini Archive Page". It has an improved interface including help pages and Users' Guide for accessing the Cassini data. To access the Cassini data, please visit: http://atmos.nmsu.edu/data_and_services/atmospheres_data/Cassini/ Cassini.html Or go to: http://atmos.nmsu.edu/ and click on Cassini Archive Page 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 ASTRONOMER POSITION AT LOWELL OBSERVATORY Lowell Observatory invites applications for tenure-track or tenured research positions in astronomy, astrophysics, or planetary science. We are open to applicants at any career level who can build on current strengths or open new areas for Lowell Observatory. The successful candidate must have an outstanding record of research accomplishment. Demonstrated ability or potential to obtain significant external funding to support research programs is also essential. A Ph.D. in astronomy, planetary science, or a related field is required. Lowell Observatory is a research institution where the staff engages full time in projects of their own design. The successful candidate will join an ongoing expansion of our scientific and engineering staff to maximize the potential of our new 4.3-meter Discovery Channel Telescope, now in the commissioning phase, in partnership with Discovery Communications, Boston University, the University of Toledo, the University of Maryland, and Goddard. Lowell also maintains 1.8-m, 1.1-m, and 0.8-m telescopes equipped with optical and IR imagers and spectrographs, and we are a partner with the US Naval Observatory and the Naval Research Laboratory in the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer. See the Job Register or the following web site for more information: http://www.lowell.edu/about_jobs.php The deadline for full consideration is December 1. 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 [NASA] PDS: MARS EXPLORATION ROVERS DATA RELEASE 33 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce Release 33 of Mars Exploration Rover data. This release includes primarily data from Sols 2791 through 2880 and includes data only from Opportunity, MER1/B. It includes data from the following instruments: APXS, HAZCAM, NAVCAM, MI, MOESSBAUER (EDRs), PANCAM, Radio Science, RAT, Rover Motion Counter and SPICE. There are no Atmospheric Opacity and Mini-TES data and no APXS or Moessbauer RDRs in this release. This release includes the first Radio Science data for Opportunity since 2004. To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20120828.html The following special services are provided for accessing MER data: MER Analyst's Notebook: http://an.rsl.wustl.edu/mer/ Planetary Image Atlas: http://pds-imaging.jpl.nasa.gov/search/mer/ 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 FACULTY POSITION IN PLANETARY AND SPACE SCIENCE The School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Georgia Tech invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in the areas of Planetary and Space Sciences. We are seeking candidates interested in a range of topics that complement our existing strengths: space physics, magnetospheric science, planetary atmospheres, interiors, and/or planetary geology and surface processes. We are particularly interested in candidates who incorporate spacecraft observations with numerical and/or laboratory studies. Applicants at the Assistant Professor level are sought, although outstanding individuals at all levels will be considered. Georgia Tech is undergoing growth in earth and planetary sciences, which includes a new Strategic University Research Partnership with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences currently has 29 faculty members and 93 graduate students. For more information about our School and academic programs, visit: http://www.eas.gatech.edu Applicants should send an application letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of research and teaching interests, and the names and contact information for at least three references. PDF applications should be emailed to facultysearch@eas.gatech.edu. Requests for information should be directed to Dr. Carol Paty (carol.paty@eas.gatech.edu) or Dr. James Wray (jwray@gatech.edu). Applications will be considered beginning November 1, 2012. 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 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 $53,500 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 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 WORKSHOP ON "WAVES AND INSTABILITIES IN GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTROPHYSICAL FLOWS" Please take note of the workshop "Waves and Instabilities in Geophysical and Astrophysical Flows" that will be held February 3-8, 2013 in Les Houches, France. The previous workshop in Porquerolles was a great success with rich interactions between presenters and the many graduate students in attendance. We hope for a similarly strong workshop at Les Houches. For further information, please check the website: http://www.irphe.fr/~meunier/Workshop2.html Thanks and best regards, Jon Aurnou 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 MEPAG MEETING SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 4, 2012 IN MONROVIA, CA The 26th meeting of the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) is scheduled for October 4, 2012, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Monrovia, CA. If you have questions, contact: Joyce Pulliam (joyce.n.pulliam@jpl.nasa.gov) 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-1 SEPTEMBER 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 September 2012 edition of the Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter can be found at: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov Regards, Joyce Pulliam 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 GSA INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR TWO STUDENT AWARDS 1. The Planetary Geology Division of the Geological Society of America invites applications for two student awards with upcoming deadlines. The 2012 Eugene M. Shoemaker Impact Cratering Award is offered to undergraduate or graduate students, of any nationality, working in any country, in the disciplines of geology, geophysics, geochemistry, astronomy, or biology. The award, which will include $2500, is to be applied for the study of impact craters, either on Earth or on the other solid bodies in the solar system. For more information and application procedures, please see the PGD website: http://www.geosociety.org/pgd/awards.html#_shoemaker The application deadline is 14 September 2012. 2. Students who are current members of PGD, and who are presenting an abstract at the GSA Annual Meeting, are eligible to apply for a $500 Student Travel Grant to help offset the cost of attending the GSA meeting. We award up to two of these grants each year on a competitive basis. For application details, please see the PGD website: http://www.geosociety.org/pgd/awards.html#_travel or contact PGD second vice-chair, Devon Burr (dburr1@utk.edu). The application deadline is 21 September 2012. 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 PHD STUDENT POSITION IN THE NETHERLANDS PhD student position: combined high-pressure experimental and numerical study of the interior evolution of the planet Mercury The Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences of VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Deep Earth and Planetary Science research cluster, with visits to the Carnegie Institution Washington. Study the large-scale differentiation processes that led to the current surface make-up of Mercury, as derived from recent MESSENGER data, using an integrated approach: (1) high-pressure experiments to constrain end member models for the structure and composition of minerals crystallizing from a global magma ocean and (2) numerical modeling of Mercury interior evolution. Results will serve as baseline for further interpretation of MESSENGER data and ESA’s upcoming BepiColombo mission. Candidates should have completed their MSc studies in Earth or Planetary Science, Chemistry or Physics. Experience with either high-pressure experimentation or numerical modeling, and a good theoretical background are advantages. The appointment will be for 1 year; after satisfactory evaluation, this can be extended to a total duration of 4 years (normal length of a PhD in the Netherlands). Details of salary, excellent fringe benefits, and of the application procedure, can be found at: http://www.vu.nl/nl/werken-bij-de-vu/vacatures/2012/1.2012.00199.asp Deadline for applications is September 10. 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html September 24-28, 2012 Second International Conference of Astrobiology (CAB2012) http://www.planetariomedellin.org/planetario /29150_ii-congreso-de-astrobiologia.html Medellin, Columbia February 3-8, 2013 Waves and Instabilities in Geophysical and Astrophysical Flows https://www.irphe.fr/~meunier/Workshop2.html Les Houches, France [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.] *********************************************************************** COMMERCIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS *********************************************************************** C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1 UWINGU Uwingu is a start up company planning to launch its first products this year; proceeds from those products will feed a grant fund for space research and education. The company, which includes prominent DPS members, is actively seeking support via a crowdsourcing campaign to fund its launch at: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/180221?c=activity&a=904032 C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2 COSMOS IN THE CLASSROOM Papers, handouts, and resources are available from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific conference on teaching introductory astronomy held in summer 2010. The 350-page proceedings on CD includes 80 contributions from more than 100 authors, edited by Andrew Fraknoi. Table of contents: http://www.astrosociety.org/cosmos/ Order at: http://astrosociety.org/astroshop/index.php?p=product&id=592&parent=1 C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3 GLOBES OF GALILEAN SATELLITES? Sky & Telescope is considering production of a set of four 9-inch (23-cm) globes of the Galilean satellites. Preliminary work is done. What is the extent of community interest? Please see image/caption at: http://twitpic.com/aqk9eo Comment there or contact Kelly Beatty (jkellybeatty@comcast.net) with your interest level. Thanks! *********************************************************************** * 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. Title plus text is limited to 200 words. 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