PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 7, Number 25 (June 2, 2013) 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. International Meteor Conference 2012 August 22-25, Poznań, Poland 2. Postdoctoral Researcher in Planetary Mapping and Impact Studies: Lunar and Planetary Institute 3. Postdoc Available for Researching Pluto's Extended Atmosphere 4. Analog Sites for Mars Missions II: Past, Present and Future Missions to Mars 5. Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) Meeting in July 6. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 7. GSA 2013 Outer Solar System Satellites Companion Sessions 8. One-year Physics Instructor Position, Northern Arizona University 9. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 10. House Science Committee Hearing on STEM Education: The Administration's Proposed Reorganization 11. 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 INTERNATIONAL METEOR CONFERENCE 2012 AUGUST 22-25, POZNAŃ, POLAND The 2013 International Meteor Conference will be held in Poznań, the capital of western Poland. The conference will be organized by the Polish Comets and Meteors Workshop (CMW/PKiM). This IMC will be closely connected with Meteoroids 2013 Conference to be held a few days later in the same city. Such location of the IMC will help both amateurs and professionals to meet and exchange their scientific results. During the weekend the IMC participants will visit the Morasko Reservoir - a group of the large meteorite impact craters located north of Poznań and the meteorites exhibition with largest, 262-kg piece of Morasko meteorite, found in 2012. Further information may be found at: http://www.imo.net/imc2013/ Registration: http://www.imo.net/imc2013/register 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 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN PLANETARY MAPPING AND IMPACT STUDIES: LUNAR AND PLANETARY INSTITUTE Universities Space Research Association (USRA) invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in planetary science in Houston, Texas. The candidate will work with Dr. Paul Schenk, investigating the impact crater shapes and distributions on icy satellites, including Enceladus, using the entire Cassini image library, and supplementary stereo and shape-from-shading techniques (although experience in these tools is not required). The candidate will also be expected to develop their own research projects using this data. Candidate must have a recent Ph.D. in geology or geophysics and have a strong background in remote sensing/image processing of spacecraft data, and preferably experience in geophysical or mapping investigations. The position is generally for two years, with a possible extension to three years. Apply to the posting at: https://usracareers.silkroad.com/ Include a letter of interest, a curriculum vita with a list of publications, a brief statement of research interests, and a list of three references. Review of candidates begins August 1, 2013, with a hiring decision, as soon as possible thereafter. Information on current research and facilities at the LPI is found on our website (www.lpi.usra.edu). The Universities Space Research Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 POSTDOC AVAILABLE FOR RESEARCHING PLUTO'S EXTENDED ATMOSPHERE The University of Texas Center for Aeromechanics Research has a postdoctoral research position available to develop a three dimensional DSMC simulation of Pluto's extended atmosphere in anticipation of the New Horizons arrival. A researcher in the field of planetary atmospheres with a background in programming and outer solar system physics is desired. Knowledge of the direct simulation Monte Carlo method or related stochastic modeling would be very helpful. Candidates should have a PhD in a relevant discipline and a strong interest in upper atmospheric physics. Position is available immediately. Initial appointment is for one year but is renewable for an additional year. To apply, please contact Prof. David Goldstein at david(at)ices.utexas.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 ANALOG SITES FOR MARS MISSIONS II: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE MISSIONS TO MARS We would like to invite the planetary community to participate in a two-part discussion of terrestrial analog sites for future Mars research. In Part 1, we are currently conducting an online discussion forum: http://planetsonearth.com/forums/general-discussion to (i) discuss outstanding Mars science questions that might be answered through previous, ongoing, or future missions, including the 2020 rover mission, (ii) tackle how these questions could be addressed with analog research on Earth, (iii) summarize the topics discussed and identify science objectives to be addressed through abstracts for the following analog research workshop. We have discussion leaders, including Lisa Pratt, Kris Zacny and Steve Squyres, who will be available for an hour or two to answer questions and participate in the discussion regarding specific topics on certain days. It is also possible to post your comments and questions anytime as long as the forum is open. The workshop, Part 2, will continue the discussion with in-person presentations and breakout sessions. The workshop will be held on August 5th-7th at the Carnegie Institution of Washington in Washington, DC. For more information visit: http://planetsonearth.com 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 OUTER PLANETS ASSESSMENT GROUP (OPAG) MEETING IN JULY The next OPAG meeting will be held in the Washington DC area July 15 - 16. Monday, July 15, will be a full-day meeting, focused primarily on where things stand currently with respect to outer planet missions, R&A, and technology development. The budget will be a major topic. Tuesday, July 16, will be a half-day meeting to discuss how OPAG can be best prepared (organizationally, documents, workshops, etc.) to advocate for outer planet science. Tuesday afternoon will be free, allowing attendees to take advantage of the opportunity to schedule visits with their congressional representatives if they so choose. 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 PLANETARY GEOMORPHOLOGY IMAGE OF THE MONTH The June 'Image of the Month' is now available at the IAG's Planetary Geomorphology web page. This Month’s topic is on "Cryo-volcanic Mount Doom on Titan." Go to: http://www.psi.edu/pgwg/images/Jun13Image.html Image and caption contributed by Rosaly Lopes, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, California, USA and Randy Kirk, US Geological Survey, Astrogeology Science Centre, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA. Past images and captions are available at: http://www.psi.edu/pgwg/images/index.html 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 GSA 2013 OUTER SOLAR SYSTEM SATELLITES COMPANION SESSIONS We call to your attention two companion planetary science sessions at the annual Geological Society of America meeting held Oct 27-30 in Denver, CO focusing on studies related to the outer solar system satellites. T9: "Outer Satellite Exploration: The Next 50 Years". This session will discuss current paradigms and unanswered fundamental questions about outer planet satellites that will be important considerations in future outer solar system exploration, and mission and instrument concepts that address them. T12: "Voyager to New Horizons: Exploring Surface and Interior Processes of Icy Worlds". This session will highlight surface and tectonic processes, interiors, and the thermal evolution of icy satellites, KBOs, and planetary analogs. We encourage experimental and theoretical modeling studies, as well as observational approaches to address current scientific objectives. Additional information about the GSA meeting can be found at: http://community.geosociety.org/2013AnnualMeeting/Home/ To submit an abstract to either session please visit (Submission Deadline August 6th, 11:59pm PST): https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2013AM/cfp.epl Questions about session T9 should be directed to David Williams (David.Williams@asu.edu), and for session T12 should be directed to Emily Martin (mart5652@vandals.uidaho.edu). 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 ONE-YEAR PHYSICS INSTRUCTOR POSITION, NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY The Department of Physics & Astronomy at Northern Arizona University invites applications for a non-tenure track, one-year Physics Instructor position for the 2013-2014 academic year. Applicant must be able to begin work, with all degrees completed, on 19 August 2013. The position may be renewable for a second year contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of funding. The minimum requirements for this position are: a Master’s degree in physics or a closely related field. The preferred qualifications are: a strong academic record and the ability to teach a wide variety of lower-division courses; experience teaching physics courses at the college level; evidence of high quality teaching and commitment to student success; strong communication skills; the experience and/or commitment necessary to work with a diverse population. For full position announcement, please see: http://hr.nau.edu/node/2796&job_req=600330 NAU is an AA/EEO/MWDV 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 NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) provides opportunities to scientists and engineers to conduct research largely of their own choosing, yet compatible with the research opportunities posted on the NPP Web site. An example of one of the research opportunities in planetary science is: https://www3.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/18212 Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year Fellowship appointments that advance NASA’s missions in earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics, space bioscience, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration and space operations, and astrobiology. 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 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 HOUSE SCIENCE COMMITTEE HEARING ON STEM EDUCATION: THE ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED REORGANIZATION June 4, 2013 2:00 PM Eastern 2318 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Witnesses include Mr. Leland D. Melvin, Associate Administrator for Education, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). A link to the hearing, which will be Webcast live is at: http://science.house.gov/legislation/schedule 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html July 15-16, 2013 NASA Outer Planets Assessment Group Meeting (OPAG) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/opag/ Washington, DC August 5-7, 2013 Analog Sites for Mars Missions II: Past, Present and Future Missions to Mars http://planetsonearth.com Washington, DC August 22-25, 2013 International Meteor Conference http://www.imo.net/imc2013/ Poznan, Poland October 16-18, 2013 Hayabusa 2013: Symposium of Solar System Materials http://hayabusaao.isas.jaxa.jp/symposium/ Sagamihara, Japan [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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