PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 7, Number 32 (July 21, 2013) 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. ESA Space Image of the Week: Flying Over Valles Marineris, Mars, Based on Mars Express HRSC images 2. Announcement of Yosemite Chapman Conference on Magnetosphere- Ionosphere Coupling in the Solar System 3. DPS Dependent Care Grants 4. GSA Session on Impact Craters 5. AGU Session P031 - Titan's Enigmatic Atmosphere and Ionosphere 6. AGU Session P033 - Tracking Down Life: Star Biosignatures, Biomarker Systems or the Ensemble Cast? 7. Other Astrobiology-Related Sessions at the 2013 AGU Fall Meeting 8. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 9. Postdoctoral Researcher in Planetary Mapping and Impact Studies: Lunar and Planetary Institute 10. William K. Hartmann Receives 2013 Shoemaker Distinguished Lunar Scientist Award 11. Hayabusa 2013: Symposium of Solar System Materials 12. Guide to Resources for Teaching about Exoplanets 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 ESA SPACE IMAGE OF THE WEEK: FLYING OVER VALLES MARINERIS, MARS, BASED ON MARS EXPRESS HRSC IMAGES http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ Fly_through_a_canyon_on_Mars 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 ANNOUNCEMENT OF YOSEMITE CHAPMAN CONFERENCE ON MAGNETOSPHERE-IONOSPHERE COUPLING IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM February 9-14, 2014 Over the half century of exploration of the Earth's space environment, it has become evident that the interaction between the ionosphere and the magnetosphere plays a dominant role in the evolution and dynamics of magnetospheric plasmas and fields. It is now being found that this same interaction is of importance at other planets and moons throughout the solar system. This AGU Chapman conference will examine the details of the coupling processes using results from both measurements and modeling. The main goal of this cross-discipline conference is to enhance the understanding of magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling processes by researchers in both the heliophysics and planetary science communities. The meeting is expected to have 75-85 attendees and will consist of invited and contributed papers as well as a poster session. Student attendance is encouraged. The Co-Conveners are Bob Schunk, Andy Nagy, Rick Chappell, Peter Banks, Jim Burch and Dan Baker. For further information about the conference go to the AGU Chapman Conference website: http://chapman.agu.org/magnetosphere/ For specific questions contact: Rick Chappell, rick.chappell@vanderbilt.edu or Andy Nagy at anagy@umich.edu [Edited for length.] 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 DPS DEPENDENT CARE GRANTS The AAS DPS Professional Development Subcommittee is pleased to open this year's application cycle for the DPS Dependent Care Grant program. Up to $250 per applicant is available for DPS members to subsidize child, elder, or disabled dependent care during the DPS conference week (6-11 October 2013). Funds may be used either at the DPS meeting location or at home. Preference will be given to those presenting and those with the greatest financial need. To apply, please fill out the online form by Sept. 2, 2013 at: http://aas.org/dps-45th-meeting/45th-dps-meeting-dependent-care This program is sponsored by the new AAS DPS Susan Niebur Professional Development Fund. We thank Curt Niebur, the DPS Committee, DPS Professional Development Subcommittee, and AAS for their work in making this possible. For more information on Susan, the fund, and how to donate, see: http://dps.aas.org/development/susan-niebur-professional- development-fund 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 GSA SESSION ON IMPACT CRATERS We wanted to draw your attention to a session on impact cratering to be held at the Geological >Society of America Meeting in Denver October 27-30. All aspects of cratering are welcome! Session T5. Impact Cratering in the Solar System: Fire to Ice-Vacuum to Atmospheres This session focuses on the nature of impacts, with terrestrial craters providing ground-truth for the interpretation of planetary craters. Contributions regarding morphology, shock processes, materials, modeling, impactor evolution, and airburst phenomena are solicited. Comparisons of cratering among planets are encouraged. General session info: http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2013/sessions/topical.asp Submit an abstract to session T5: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2013AM/top/papers/index.cgi?sessionid=33231 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 AGU SESSION P031 - TITAN'S ENIGMATIC ATMOSPHERE AND IONOSPHERE We are inviting you to submit an abstract to the above fall AGU session. We are convening this session to share relevant science results that have implications for Titan's stratosphere, thermosphere, ionosphere, and exosphere. We welcome submissions related to Cassini results, theoretical research, and laboratory studies. We look forward to hearing and sharing all of this wonderful Titan science. Below is the full abstract. The processes that control Titan's atmosphere and ionosphere remain in many ways enigmatic even after nine years of observations and study from the Cassini mission and the Huygens probe. The instruments onboard Cassini-Huygens have studied in-situ and remotely many aspects of Titan's atmosphere and coupled ionosphere. In the stratosphere, thermosphere, ionosphere, and exosphere studies of atmospheric composition and structure have recently produced substantial breakthroughs in our understanding of this complex system. In this session, we focus on recent and ongoing studies of Titan's atmosphere and ionosphere. Papers focusing on atmospheric observations, modeling, and laboratory studies are welcomed. Conveners: Joseph Westlake, joseph.westlake@jhuapl.edu (JHU APL) Nathalie Carrasco, nathalie.carrasco@latmos.ipsl.fr (LATMOS) 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 AGU SESSION P033 - TRACKING DOWN LIFE: STAR BIOSIGNATURES, BIOMARKER SYSTEMS OR THE ENSEMBLE CAST? Abstracts due August 6th Please consider submitting an abstract to the "P033 Tracking Down Life: Star Biosignatures, Biomarker Systems or the Ensemble Cast?" session at the AGU 2013 Fall Meeting, San Francisco, 9-12 December. The session is a really comprehensive one about biosignatures and we have managed to persuade a stellar slate of Invited Abstracts from (in alphabetical order) Dave DesMarais, Danny Glavin, Chris McKay and Everett Shock who variously will give papers on biosignature-related topics (in alphabetical order) Instruments, Outer planets, Planetary analogs and Terrestrial planets. Star quality biosignatures are unambiguous: preserved biomolecules, not possibly formed abiotically, but are hard to preserve. Mineral biosignatures (MBs), fossil inorganic metabolites, are robust but can be formed inorganically. But new analysis techniques can tackle preservation and origins. Systematic searches for signs of life should include all options. MBs may have biochemicals in them & so act as beacons or pathfinders to fossil ecosystems. We seek abstracts on planetary analogs; ancient Earth; organic gaseous and mineral biosigs; biomarker systems - including non-Earth-centric; instruments; quantifying biosig distribution & chance of preservation; etc. We want a spectrum - stars, supporting actors or the ensemble. Max Coleman Clark Johnson Mark Sephton Contact any or all of us if you have any questions. [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 OTHER ASTROBIOLOGY-RELATED SESSIONS AT THE 2013 AGU FALL MEETING * P022: Rapid Environmental Change and the Fate of Planetary Habitability Cynthia Phillips, Franck Marchis, and Nathalie Cabrol https://fallmeeting.agu.org/2013/scientific-program/session-search/ sessions/p022-rapid-environmental-change-and-the-fate-of-planetary -habitability/ * P005: Destination: Europa Britney Schmidt, Alyssa Rhoden, Cynthia Phillips, Paul Hayne https://fallmeeting.agu.org/2013/scientific-program/session-search/ sessions/p005-destination-europa/ * B073: Windows into the Deep Subsurface Biosphere: Coupled Geochemical and Biological Investigations of Terrestrial Hot Spring Ecosystems Eric Boyd, Everett Shock https://fallmeeting.agu.org/2013/scientific-program/session-search/ sessions/b073-windows-into-to-the-deep-subsurface-biosphere-coupled -geochemical-and-biological-investigations-of-terrestrial-hot -spring-ecosystems-2/ * P008: Enceladus: Little Moon, Big Possibilities Chris McKay, Carolyn Porco https://fallmeeting.agu.org/2013/scientific-program/session-search/ sessions/p008-enceladus-little-moon-big-possibilities/ 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) provides opportunities for scientists and engineers to conduct research largely of their own choosing, yet compatible with the research opportunities posted on the NPP Web site. 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. An example of one research opportunity in planetary science is: https://www3.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/17565 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. The latest NPP Newsletter: http://bit.ly/162yBSO For further information and to apply, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions: 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 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. 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 WILLIAM K. HARTMANN RECEIVES 2013 SHOEMAKER DISTINGUISHED LUNAR SCIENTIST AWARD William K. Hartmann, Senior Scientist and co-founder of the Planetary Science Institute, was presented with the annual Shoemaker Distinguished Lunar Scientist Award at the 2013 virtual Lunar Science Forum, held July 16-18, 2013 from NASA Ames Research Center. The Shoemaker Medal is a career award given to scientists who have significantly contributed to the field of lunar science. Dr. Hartmann is an internationally known scientist, painter, and writer, and winner of the first Carl Sagan Medal from the American Astronomical Society. A former graduate student of Gerard Kuiper, he holds a Ph.D. in Astronomy and M.S. in Geology, and a B.S. in Physics. Bill discovered multi-ring impact basins with concentric and radial structure on the Moon, including Orientale basin on the east limb of the Moon. In 1965 he used crater counts on the Moon and Earth to successfully predict the age of lunar lava plains at 3.6 x 10^9 years; the date was confirmed five years later with Apollo samples from the Moon. He was also lead author of the most widely accepted theory of the origin of the moon, by impact of giant planetesimal at the end of the planet-forming era. For more information visit: sservi.nasa.gov/shoemaker 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 HAYABUSA 2013: SYMPOSIUM OF SOLAR SYSTEM MATERIALS Dear Colleagues, Date: 16-18 Oct., 2013 Place: Sagamihara Campus of JAXA, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, JAPAN Point of Contact: hayabusa-symp2013@planeta.sci.isas.jaxa.jp Since the return of samples from Itokawa by Hayabusa in 2010, the initial analyses followed by studies selected in the 1st International AO have been performed. Now is the right time to review these results as a whole. Furthermore, multiple asteroid sample return missions are in progress, and the analysis of returned samples has become one of the key components of planetary science. Now is the right time to set a perspective on the driving force that returned samples will give to the future of solar system science. It is in this spirit that the workshop "Hayabusa 2013: Symposium of Solar System Materials" is designed. We especially welcome presentations on the following topics: - Hayabusa sample analysis results - Solar system science via sample return missions - New techniques in solar system sample analysis - New ideas on the origin and evolution of the solar system There will be no registration fee for this workshop. Please visit http://hayabusaao.isas.jaxa.jp/symposium/index.html for more details. Online abstract submission is already available at the web-site. 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 GUIDE TO RESOURCES FOR TEACHING ABOUT EXOPLANETS A new annotated guide to written, web, and audio-visual resources for teaching about planets orbiting other stars is now available for high-school and college instructors, their students, informal educators, and astronomy enthusiasts. Materials in the guide to this rapidly-changing branch of astronomy include video and audio files of lectures and interviews with leading scientists in the field, phone and tablet apps, a citizen-science web site, popular-level books and articles, and much more. Published by the NASA Astrophysics Education and Outreach Forum and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the guide can be found as a PDF file at: http://www.astrosociety.org/education/astronomy-resource-guides/ the-search-for-planets-around-other-stars/ 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 20-24, 2014 18th International Conference on Microlensing http://lcogt.net/microlensing18 Santa Barbara, CA [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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