PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 53 (December 9, 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. EDITORIAL: NASA Planetary Science Division Research and Analysis Programs - An Assessment 2. [PDS] Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 23 3. EGU 2013, Mars Science and Exploration Session 4. EGU 2013, Planetary Plasma Physics Session 5. EGU 2013, Digital Landscapes Session 6. Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter - December 2012 7. 14th International Conference on Electromagnetic and Light Scattering, ELS-XIV 8. Planetary Sessions, Short Course, and Field Trip in Canada, May 2013 9. [NASA] Proposal Due Date Extension for Payloads Maturing Crosscutting Technologies that Advance Multiple Future Space Missions to Flight Readiness Status 10. HST Cycle 21 Call for Proposals 11. [NASA] Amendment to Request for Information - Concepts for Applications of Large Space Optics 12. Planetary Graduate Program Clearinghouse 13. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions Commercial Announcements C1. New Book - Impact Cratering: Processes and Products 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 EDITORIAL: NASA PLANETARY SCIENCE DIVISION RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS PROGRAMS - AN ASSESSMENT Mark V. Sykes Planetary Science Institute Despite high priority in the recent Planetary Decadal Survey and prior NRC reports, NASA Planetary Science Division Research and Analysis programs continue to suffer from uncertain budgets and low selection rates, undermining US solar system exploration. I have written a report, with the above title, on the budget history and status of these programs, which has been posted at: http://planetarypolicy.org/RA_REPORT_DEC12/NASA_PSD_RA_Report.pdf with supporting documentation at: http://planetarypolicy.org/RA_REPORT_DEC12/RA_budget_history_03_13.xlsx http://planetarypolicy.org/RA_REPORT_DEC12/psd_grant_stats.xlsx Recommendations are made for the priority of funding stability and growth, the communication of annual budgets to program officers at the beginning of each fiscal year, and an ongoing assessment of activities needed to support PSD strategic goals in a process that is open and transparent. 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 [PDS] MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA RELEASE 23 The NASA Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce a new delivery of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) data for the following instruments: CRISM, CTX, HiRISE, MARCI, MCS, RSS, SHARAD and SPICE. CRISM data will be available in approximately one week. There will be no Derived Gravity data for this release. In general, MRO Release 23 includes data collected from February 9, 2012 through May 8, 2012. The release includes HiRISE data for August 1 - November 3, 2012 (orbits 28,200 - 29,399). SHARAD data is available for February 8-11, 2012 only. To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20121203.html 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 EGU 2013, MARS SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION SESSION We would like to draw your attention on the 2013 EGU session PS2.4 Mars Science and Exploration. The session will be a venue to discuss current science, future perspectives and developments in Mars Science and Exploration, in these exciting - and challenging - times. The PS2.4 session will address the latest results on the interior, surface, atmosphere and ionosphere of Mars from recent and ongoing Mars missions. When and where: 7-12 April 2012, EGU, Vienna Submission deadline: 9th January 2013 Info, links and social media: (EGU) http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2013/session/11881 (Facebook) http://www.facebook.com/EGU2013Mars (Google+) https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cfst2ll1nq1e03p9rvf991dubgg Printable flyer (you can hang it in your department) Color version http://www.faculty.jacobs-university.de/anrossi/shared/egu2013 /egu2013-A4.pdf B/W version http://www.faculty.jacobs-university.de/anrossi/shared/egu2013 /egu2013-A4-BW.pdf We look forward to receiving your contributions. Thank you. Angelo Pio Rossi, Damien Loizeau, Agustin Chicarro an.rossi@jacobs-university.de damien.loizeau@univ-lyon1.fr achicarr@rssd.esa.int 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 EGU 2013, PLANETARY PLASMA PHYSICS SESSION We invite you to submit an abstract to the following session during the next EGU in Vienna, Austria (7-12 April 2013). PS5.1: Planetary Plasma Physics, including electrodynamics of induced magnetospheres The emphasis of the session is on all aspects of planetary plasma physics and interactions in the Solar System, including: (a) magnetospheres, ionospheres, auroras (b) the solar wind interaction with planets, moons, asteroids and comets (c) plasma interactions with exospheres, dust and surfaces (e.g. at Mercury, Europa, Ganymede, our Moon, etc.) (d) intercomparisons of planetary environments Contributions are welcome which address previous (e.g. CHANDRAYAAN-1, KAGUYA), present (e.g. CASSINI, MARS EXPRESS, VENUS EXPRESS, ROSETTA, MESSENGER, CHANG'E 2), forthcoming (e.g. BEPI COLOMBO) and planned (e.g., JUICE) observations from space. Analyses of ground-based observations of neutral and ionized environments are welcome. Theoretical modelling and simulations are also strongly encouraged, both in themselves and as a basis for intercomparisons and interpretation of measurements. Laboratory studies on planetary analogues aiming to simulate the surface-plasma interaction are considered as well. The deadline for the reception of abstracts is: 9 January 2013 Conveners: P. Garnier, A. Milillo, I. Dandouras 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 EGU 2013, DIGITAL LANDSCAPES SESSION We are pleased to announce GM 2.1 the 'Digital Landscapes' session at EGU2013 (Vienna, 8-12 April 2013). Following a successful session last year, we look forward to seeing you at another dynamic and diverse session full of interesting ideas. GM 2.1 Digital Landscapes: Quantitative Interrogation and Use to Examine Geomorphic Processes This inter-disciplinary session focuses on exciting quantitative uses of digital landscapes (DEM, DTM, DSM or point-cloud) to understand how the Earth's surface is shaped. Global (e.g. ASTER) to high-resolution (e.g. laser scanning, structure-through-motion) data sets are welcomed as we believe developments will come through cross-fertilization of best practice and interesting method of analysis. Possibilities (e.g., repeat surveys, real-time observation), problems (e.g. awkward case studies), solutions and interesting geomorphic uses from archaeology to volcano formation are encouraged. A full description of the session can be found at: http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2013/session/11694 Deadline for Receipt of Abstracts: 9 January 2013 All the best John, Paola, Susan, Paolo and David (conveners) 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 MARS EXPLORATION SCIENCE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 2012 On behalf of Dave Des Marais (MEPAG Chair), Dave Beaty, Rich Zurek, and Charles Budney of the Mars Program Science Office, the December 2012 edition of the Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter can be found on the web at: http://mepag.jpl.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 14TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ELECTROMAGNETIC AND LIGHT SCATTERING, ELS-XIV Lille, France, June 17 - 21, 2013 http://www-loa.univ-lille1.fr/ELS-XIV ELS-XIV is built on the remarkable success of the previous ELS conferences that gathered scientists from different fields that involved remote sensing of dust, aerosols, and particulate media. The main objective of the conference is to bring together scientists and engineers studying various aspects of light scattering and to provide a relaxed atmosphere for in-depth discussions of theoretical advances, measurements, and applications. The specific topics that will be covered include (but are not limited to) the following: - new theoretical developments and numerical simulations of light scattering by nonspherical and morphologically complex particles and particle groups - laboratory and field experiments in light scattering by natural and artificial particles - single and multiple light scattering by cloud and aerosol particles in the terrestrial atmosphere - single and multiple scattering of light in various astrophysical objects - light scattering in densely packed particulate media - near-field and coherent effects in light scattering - applications of light scattering in remote sensing, particle detection, laboratory and field particle characterization One-page abstracts should be submitted to by 15 December 2012 to ELS2013@univ-lille1.fr (please, check the conference website for possible deadline extension). 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 SESSIONS, SHORT COURSE, AND FIELD TRIP IN CANADA, MAY 2013 Dear colleagues, On behalf of the Planetary Sciences Division of the Geological Association of Canada, it's my pleasure to announce a series of events at the next Geological Association of Canada-Mineralogical Association of Canada Annual Meeting to be held in Winnipeg May 22-24 2013: http://gacmacwinnipeg2013.ca This annual meeting with feature the widest diversity of events organized by the Planetary Sciences Division ever, with 3 special sessions, a short course, and a field trip! Details are below: Special Sessions: http://gacmacwinnipeg2013.ca/specialsessions.html SS-28 Impact Cratering: A Geological Process SS-29 Terrestrial Analogues for Comparative Planetary Geology and Astrobiology SS-30 Astromaterials: Meteorites and More Short Course: Impact Cratering: A Geological Process (May 20-21). More details to be posted in the New Year. Field Trip: Lake St. Martin Impact Structure (Gypsumville) and East German Creek Hypersaline Spring Complex. More details to be posted in the New Year. For now, please write those abstracts and submit before the January 21st deadline. And please this announcement on to your colleagues and students! All the best, Dr. Gordon "Oz" Osinski Chair, Planetary Sciences Division gosinski@uwo.ca 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 [NASA] PROPOSAL DUE DATE EXTENSION FOR PAYLOADS MATURING CROSSCUTTING TECHNOLOGIES THAT ADVANCE MULTIPLE FUTURE SPACE MISSIONS TO FLIGHT READINESS STATUS The deadline for the receipt of proposals for the current solicitation cycle, AFO #6, has changed from December 21, 2012, to January 17, 2013, 11:59 PM ET. Selections of proposals are expected to be announced by March 31, 2013. The solicitation page for this program on NSPIRES is at: https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations /summary.do?method=init&solId=%7b0A6C5D60-20F3-E7FE-D4A3-710AE8AA43B6 %7d&path=open Visit us on the web: http://flightopportunities.nasa.gov 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 HST CYCLE 21 CALL FOR PROPOSALS Proposal Deadline: March 01, 2013 NASA and The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) are pleased to announce the Cycle 21 Call for Proposals for Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Observations and funding for Archival Research and Theoretical Research programs. Participation in this program is open to all categories of organizations, both domestic and foreign, including educational institutions, profit and nonprofit organizations, NASA Centers, and other Government agencies. This solicitation for proposals will be open through March 01, 2013, 8:00pm EST. The Astronomer's Proposal Tools (APT), which is required for Phase I Proposal Submission will be made available/released for Cycle 21 Phase I use during the 2nd week of January 2013. Results of the selection will be announced by the end of May 2013. All programmatic and technical information, as well as specific guidelines for proposal preparation, are available electronically from the STScI Announcement Web Page: http://www.stsci.edu/hst/proposing/docs/cycle21announce Please take note of the What's New for Cycle 21 section on the announcement page. Questions can be addressed to the STScI Help Desk (help@stsci.edu; 410-338-1082). 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] AMENDMENT TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - CONCEPTS FOR APPLICATIONS OF LARGE SPACE OPTICS Potential responders to the original RFI, posted November 27, 2012, should take note of the following revisions and clarifications: (1) The scope of admissible astrophysics objectives is expanded such that only objectives of the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) stipulated in the 2010 National Research Council (NRC) decadal survey are excluded. (2) All abstract submissions must be in English. NASA has posted Agency goals, guidance and technical information about the space optics systems at the SALSO website: http://science.nasa.gov/salso/ Complete information on submission of concepts and other details regarding SALSO activities are also posted at this site. Respondents and other interested persons should check the site often for pertinent information and updates. Point of Contact W. George Fletcher SALSO Project Manager 256-544-5151 george.fletcher@nasa.gov FAX: 256-544-5422 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 PLANETARY GRADUATE PROGRAM CLEARINGHOUSE Do you advise undergraduates on where to apply to grad school? Do you have trouble remembering all the programs and keeping up to date? Do you want to get the word out on your own graduate program? The DPS Education & Public Outreach Subcommittee has assembled a listing of 68 institutions offering graduate degrees with a focus on planetary science: http://dps.aas.org/education/graduate-schools So, please send this link to students you mentor and mailing lists of majors. We especially want the webpage to be up-to-date and accurate, so please also send it to your own graduate admissions liaisons for updates and corrections. Application deadlines are imminent, so please help get the word out! Dave Klassen, Brian Jackson & Nick Schneider Education & Public Outreach, Division for Planetary Sciences, American Astronomical Society dpsed@aas.edu 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html March 25-27, 2013 Herschel Calibration Workshop: Only the Best Data Products for the Legacy Archive http://herschel.esac.esa.int/CalibrationWorkshop5.shtml Madrid, Spain April 22-27, 2013 20th Young Scientists' Conference on Astronomy and Space Physics http://ysc.kiev.ua/ Kyiv, Ukraine June 6-9, 2013 1st International Workshop on Education in Astrobiology http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/IWEA/ Hoor, Sweden June 17-21, 2013 14th International Conference on Electromagnetic and Light Scattering, ELS-XIV http://www-loa.univ-lille1.fr/ELS-XIV Lille, France September 9-12, 2013 LSST @ Europe: The Path to Science http://www.lsstcorp.org/meetings/lsst-europe-2013/ Cambridge, UK September 9-12, 2013 The 11th Hellenic Astronomical Conference http://www.helas.gr/conf/2013/index.php Athens, Greece October 14-16, 2013 Annual Meeting of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/leag2013/ Laurel, MD [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.] *********************************************************************** 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 NEW BOOK - IMPACT CRATERING: PROCESSES AND PRODUCTS It is my pleasure to announce the publication of a new book entitled "Impact Cratering: Processes and Products", published by Wiley-Blackwell: http://ca.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle /productCd-140519829X,descCd-tableOfContents.html This book contains a dedication to Betty Pierazzo, my co-editor, who sadly passed away before this project was completed. This book comprises 20 peer-reviewed chapters covering broad aspects of the impact cratering process. It introduces readers to the threat and nature of impactors, the impact cratering process, the products, and the effects - both destructive and beneficial. A series of chapters on the various techniques used to study impact craters provide a foundation for anyone studying impacts. In addition to the book - available in both print and ebook form - all figures from the book are available as powerpoint files from a companion website, hopefully providing a valuable teaching resource: http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs /Books?action=index&bcsId=7675&itemId=140519829X Best Regards, Dr. Gordon "Oz" Osinski University of Western Ontario, Canada gosinski@uwo.ca *********************************************************************** * 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. Title plus text is limited to 200 words. Go to * http://planetarynews.org/submission.html for complete submission * directions. * * PEN is a service provided by the Planetary Science Institute * (http://www.psi.edu). **********************************************************************