PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 56 (December 23, 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. [NASA] OPAG Update 2. [NASA/PDS] Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 12 3. [NASA/PDS] Grail Release 1 4. Postdoctoral Positions: Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum 5. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 6. [NASA] 2020 Mars Science Rover Science Definition Team 7. Job Announcement: Research Associate at LASP 8. Microsymposium 54, Lunar Farside and Poles: New Destinations for Exploration 9. Would you Like to See a Volcanology Session at LPSC 2013? 10. ATLAS software and postdoc positions 11. [NASA] Undergraduate Student Instrument Project 12. [NASA] LADEE Guest Investigator Program 13. 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 [NASA] OPAG UPDATE The next Outer Planets Assessment Group Meeting is just around the corner. We will meet 10-11 January, 2013, at the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center in Atlanta, adjacent to the GT campus. Logistical details and an updated agenda can be found at the OPAG website: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/opag Student travel funds are available. Please send Curt Niebur at NASA HQ a CV and a brief statement as to why you want to go (curt.niebur@nasa.gov). The meeting promises to be rich, productive, and rather important, as we chart the path forward for Outer Planet Exploration in an era of constrained budgets. Sincerely, Bill McKinnon, OPAG Chair (mckinnon@wustl.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 [NASA/PDS] LUNAR RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA RELEASE 12 The NASA Planetary Data System is pleased to announce a new delivery of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) data for the following instruments: CRaTER, DLRE, LAMP, LEND, LOLA, LROC, Mini-RF, and RSS. In general, LRO Release 12 includes data collected between June 15, 2012 and September 14, 2012. To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20121215.html PDS offers two services for searching the LRO archives: The Planetary Image Atlas at the Imaging Node allows selection of LRO data by specific search criteria. http://pds-imaging.jpl.nasa.gov/search/lro/ The Lunar Orbital Data Explorer at the Geosciences Node allows searching and downloading of LRO data and other lunar orbital data sets (Clementine and Lunar Prospector). http://ode.rsl.wustl.edu/moon/ LRO SPICE ancillary data may be obtained here: http://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/data_archived.html The PDS Team pds_operator@jpl.nasa.gov (818) 393-7165 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/PDS] GRAIL RELEASE 1 The Planetary Data System (PDS) announces the release of the following Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) data: - LGRS EDR: Raw science data originating from the Lunar Gravity Ranging System (LGRS) on each of the two spacecraft comprising the GRAIL mission. - RSS EDR: Raw radio science data and ancillary files from the GRAIL mission. - LGRS CDR: Calibrated and resampled data from the LGRS on each of the two spacecraft comprising the GRAIL mission. - NAIF SPICE: Complete set of SPICE kernels created by GRAIL Navigation and archived by NAIF. The GRAIL mission placed two spacecraft into orbit around the Moon to study its internal structure. By measuring the distance of one orbiter relative to the other, the orbital perturbations caused by the Moon could be observed. Combining this with the orbiter position as determined from Earth-based observations, the mass distribution on the Moon could be determined. Derived and ancillary data products will be released in October, 2013. To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/grail/ To access the latest PDS Data Releases, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-Release.html All available PDS data may be downloaded from: http://starbrite.jpl.nasa.gov/pds/index.jsp 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 POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM Applications are invited for two postdoctoral positions at the National Air and Space Museum's Center for Earth and Planetary Studies. Research areas for the first position include analysis of: (1) radar data for Venus and integration with geologic mapping, (2) lunar radar images for studies of impact melt and other deposits, (3) SHARAD sounding data for Mars with an emphasis on polar deposits. Skills in quantitative remote sensing analysis, planetary mapping and tectonics, GIS integration of remote sensing data, and electromagnetic modeling are potentially relevant. Research areas for the second position include: (1) landscape evolution modeling of cratered highlands on Mars, (2) estimation of the volume of material eroded, (3) analysis of stratigraphy exposed on crater floors, and (4) field study of terrestrial analogs to Martian fluvial landforms. A background in quantitative terrestrial or planetary geomorphology and experience with GIS analysis of imaging and topography are desired. Please apply by January 15, 2013 through the Smithsonian SOLAA site, SOLAA.si.edu, and select the Earth and Planetary Sciences Fellowship program under the National Air and Space Museum. 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 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 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] 2020 MARS SCIENCE ROVER SCIENCE DEFINITION TEAM The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) invites scientists, technologists, and other qualified and interested individuals at U.S. institutions and elsewhere to apply for membership on the Science Definition Team (SDT) for the 2020 Mars science rover mission (hereafter Mars-2020). Responses to this invitation should email mars2020-sdt@lists.hq.nasa.gov no later than January 10, 2013. For more information see the full text of the call: http://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2012/12/20/Call_for _2020_Mars_Science_Rover-G.doc Dr. Mitch Schulte 202-358-2127 mars2020-sdt@lists.hq.nasa.gov [Edited for Length.] 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 JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: RESEARCH ASSOCIATE AT LASP The space physics and planetary groups at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado (CU) are involved in several current and near-term space flight missions. There is funding to support up to three research positions at levels I (post-doc), II, and III in support of current missions such as THEMIS, RBSP, and JUNO, as well as the near-term MAVEN and MMS missions. The focus of the positions is on data analysis from the missions listed above. Theoretical and numerical modeling studies are also welcome as long as the proposed work promises to use supporting data from one or more of these missions. The candidate will be working closely together with Dr. Andersson, Prof. Bagenal, Prof. Ergun and Dr. Eriksson. Each position will initially be a one year contract with possible extension. We will accept applications until May 1, 2013. Please submit your resume/vitae, list of three references, proof of highest degree earned, and a cover letter describing your proposed work plan in support of one or more of the listed missions at: https://www.jobsatcu.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=71623 Contacts: Stefan Eriksson (eriksson@lasp.colorado.edu) Molly Hand (molly.hand@lasp.colorado.edu) [Edited for length.] 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 MICROSYMPOSIUM 54, LUNAR FARSIDE AND POLES: NEW DESTINATIONS FOR EXPLORATION March 16-17th, 2013 (just prior to LPSC 44) Woodlands Waterway Marriot Woodlands, Texas The Moon provides a fundamental frame of reference for understanding the formation, early history, and evolution of terrestrial planetary bodies. An international Renaissance in lunar exploration is is changing our perception of the nature of the Moon, its origin, and its evolution. Missions have provided new global coverage, with particular insights for the Lunar Farside and Poles. What is this Renaissance teaching us about traditional lunar compositional, interior, and historical paradigms? What ideas has it challenged? How do these evolving concepts lead us to new questions and a new strategy for future exploration of the Moon? Microsymposium 54 will present a summary of new discoveries, and ponder their implications for the next generation of significant scientific problems and future goals and destinations for robotic and human lunar exploration. For more information, visit Microsymposium 54 and the online registration form. Co-conveners: Carle Pieters, Maria Zuber, James Head, Igor Mitrofanov, Alexander Basilevsky, Amy Barr, Ben Weiss, and Harald Hiesinger Co-Sponsored by Brown University, the Vernadsky Institute, and the Brown-MIT NASA Lunar Science Institute. 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 WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE A VOLCANOLOGY SESSION AT LPSC 2013? We were denied a special session, but are hoping for an informal session focused on planetary volcanology at the next LPSC. Towards that end, we encourage the submission of abstracts focusing on planetary volcanology, especially the topics of lava emplacement and resultant geomorphology. Please help us achieve critical mass so that this topic will warrant an informal oral/poster session. Thank you, Serina Diniega & Suzanne Smrekar (JPL) 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 ATLAS SOFTWARE AND POSTDOC POSITIONS Dear Friends, The Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS - http://fallingstar.com/) is expecting funding to begin on 2013 Jan 1 and is seeking people for the following positions: Senior Software Engineer (closes Jan 31) http://tinyurl.com/RCUH-ATLAS-SrSoftwareEngineer Software Engineer (closes Mar 31) http://tinyurl.com/RCUH-ATLAS-SoftwareEngineer Postdoc (closes Mar 31) http://tinyurl.com/RCUH-ATLAS-PostDoc Please forward this information to anybody you know who might be interested in applying for these positions. Thanks! Robert 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] UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT INSTRUMENT PROJECT NSPIRES Release Date: December 21, 2012 Question and Answer Telecon: January 17, 2013 Proposals Due: April 5, 2013, 5 pm EDT SMD is releasing this Undergraduate Student Instrument Project Educational Flight Opportunity to solicit U.S. university proposals to develop an Earth or space science payload that will fly on a NASA suborbital vehicle, such as a sounding rocket, balloon, aircraft, or commercial suborbital reusable launch vehicle. The maximum funding per project is $50K. The cost of payload integration with the suborbital vehicle and the launch/flight is provided by NASA at no cost to the university team. The selected projects must be launched or flight-ready within 13-16 months from the project initiation date. SMD expects to select approximately 15-20 projects, subject to available funding. This solicitation is available at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ then "Solicitations" to "Open Solicitations" to "NNH13ZDA004N" For further information and inquiries contact: David Pierce at david.l.pierce@nasa.gov or (202) 358-3808. [Edited for length.] 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 [NASA] LADEE GUEST INVESTIGATOR PROGRAM This solicitation is for investigations in the LADEE Guest Investigator Program (GIP). The goals of the program are to: a) enhance the scientific return from the LADEE mission by broadening participation in the mission and b) augment the existing LADEE science team to include new members conducting investigations that broaden and/or complement the funded Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Investigator (Co-I)-led investigations, thus maximizing the contribution of LADEE to the future exploration and scientific understanding of the Moon. Because the intention is to enhance and broaden the scientific return, investigations submitted by LADEE PIs and Co-Is will not be considered. NOIs due: February 22, 2013 Proposals due: March 29, 2013 For more details see: http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/ roses-2012/2012/12/21/amendment-31-new-opportunity-roses-12-appendix- c27-ladee-guest-investigator-program/ Point of Contact: Sarah Noble Sarah.K.Noble@nasa.gov (202) 358-5862 Proposer Information Package Questions, contact: Richard Elphic, LADEE Project Scientist Richard.C.Elphic@nasa.gov (650) 604-4164 [Edited for length.] 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 January 10-11, 2013 [NASA] Outer Planets Assessment Group Meeting http://www.lpi.usra.edu/opag Atlanta, GA March 16-17, 2013 Microsymposium 54, Lunar Farside and Poles: New Destinations for Exploration http://lunarscience.nasa.gov/articles/microsymposium-54-lunar-farside -and-poles-new-destinations-for-exploration/ The Woodlands, TX March 17-21, 2014 Search for Life Beyond the Solar System http://www.paignion.info/Tucson2014_placeholder_1.html Tucson, AZ [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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