PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 42 (September 30, 2012) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Susan Benecchi Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Melissa Lane Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Tenure Track Faculty Position in Theoretical Astrophysics at U. Maryland 2. Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund Travel Grants for 2012 3. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 4. Updates to the MEPAG Goals Document for Community Review 5. VEXAG Meeting #10 Hotel Accommodations - Deadline: 5 October 2012 6. [NASA] Planetary Science Subcommittee Meeting, Oct 2-3, 2012 7. 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 TENURE TRACK FACULTY POSITION IN THEORETICAL ASTROPHYSICS AT U. MARYLAND The Department of Astronomy at the University of Maryland College Park invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position. Outstanding candidates in any area of theoretical astrophysics will be considered. A PhD in physics, astronomy or a related discipline is required, and the successful candidate must have an established record of research excellence. As the duties of this position include undergraduate and graduate teaching, a potential for teaching excellence is necessary. We are searching for candidates at the Assistant Professor (tenure-track) level, but will consider applications for a more senior (tenured) rank in exceptional cases. Applications must be submitted through: http://jobs.umd.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=57797 A complete application must include a CV, a statement of research interests and plans, and a statement of teaching philosophy. In addition, the candidate must arrange for 3 letters of reference to be sent by e-mail to profsearch@astro.umd.edu. For full consideration, all application materials (including letters) must be received by 30 November 2012. Any queries concerning this position can be directed to the chair of the search committee, Prof. Derek Richardson (dcr@astro.umd.edu). 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 GERALD A. SOFFEN MEMORIAL FUND TRAVEL GRANTS FOR 2012 The Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund is pleased to announce the last 2012 Travel Grant application opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing studies in fields of space science and engineering. The Travel Grants, in the amount of $500, enable student recipients to attend professional meetings to present their research. The Fall 2012 Travel Grant application deadline is October 15, 2012. Jerry Soffen, a biologist by training, led a distinguished career in NASA, including serving as the Project Scientist for Viking and as an architect for the NASA Astrobiology Institute. The Travel Grant continues Jerry's dedication to educating and involving future generations in space science and engineering pursuits. The electronic application materials and instructions are located on the Soffen Fund website: http://SoffenFund.org Questions regarding the application or application process may be sent to: info@SoffenFund.org 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 $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 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 UPDATES TO THE MEPAG GOALS DOCUMENT FOR COMMUNITY REVIEW The two proposed revisions are: 1. A general update to the description of Goal IV, to bring it into alignment with the results of the MEPAG Precursor Science Analysis Group (P-SAG). P-SAG's analysis was structured in the form of "strategic knowledge gaps" and "gap-filling activities", along with an update to our understanding of their priority and required timing. The P-SAG analysis was completed several months ago, and it was presented by the MEPAG Chair at the Workshop on "Concepts and Approaches for Mars Exploration" at the LPI. For Reference, the P-SAG report is at: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/reports/psag.html 2. An update to Investigations IIIA-7 and IIIB-1 that relate to the martian interior. These revisions are driven by the MEPAG NET-SAG study, which was completed in March, 2010, but which never was institutionalized by incorporation into the Goals Document. Both proposed updates are available at: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/reports/goip.html We request that any comments be sent to Vicky Hamilton (hamilton@boulder.swri.edu) and Charles Budney (Charles.J.Budney@jpl.nasa.gov) by October 4th. Vicky Hamilton, Chair, MEPAG Goals Committee Darlene Lim, Goal IV Rep Steve Ruff, Goal III Rep Charles Budney and Dave Beaty, Mars Program Office 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 VEXAG MEETING #10 HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS - DEADLINE: 5 OCTOBER 2012 A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at the Residence Inn Washington, DC, 333 E St. SW Washington, District of Columbia 20024 **Please note that large city wide convention is taking please during the VEXAG Meeting. To ensure you are able to receive the government per diem rate of $183.00 please call to make your lodging arrangements as soon as possible.** Reservations can be made by calling the Hotels Reservation Line at 1 (888) 236-2427. Please reference the group name "VEXAG Workshop" when making reservations over the phone. The room block will be held until October 5, 2012. Reservation must be guaranteed with a major credit card. Individual guest room deposits will be refunded if reservations are canceled 24 hours prior to date of arrival. Thanks, Lori Glaze and Tommy Thompson 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] PLANETARY SCIENCE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING, OCT 2-3, 2012 Topics include: Planetary Science Division Update Mars Exploration Program Update Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity Update Mars Program Planning Group Update Discovery Program Update Planetary Science Division Senior Review Update Research and Analysis Update Reports from Analysis and Assessment Groups The meeting will also be available telephonically and by WebEx. Any interested person may call the USA toll free conference call number 800-619-8846, pass code PSS, to participate in this meeting by telephone. The WebEx link is: https://nasa.webex.com/ Topic: PSS October 2 2012 Date: Tuesday, October 2, 2012 Time: 8:30 am, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00) Meeting Number: 991 184 838 Meeting Password: PSS@Oct2 Topic: PSS Oct 3 2012 Date: Wednesday, October 3, 2012 Time: 8:30 am, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00) Meeting Number: 997 149 734 Meeting Password: PSS@Oct3 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 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html November 27-30, 2012 Astro-Engineering Workshop 2012 http://www.aiuc.puc.cl/taller2012/ Santiago, Chile December 3-4, 2012 Annual International Conference on Geological and Earth Sciences (GEOS 2012) http://www.geoearth.org/ Singapore May 6-7, 2013 1st Annual International Conference on Space Environment & Aviation Technology http://www.space-aviation.org Singapore [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.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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