PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 7, Number 38 (September 1, 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. Memorial for Dr. Michael J. Wargo, October 17, 11:00-12:00 2. Ames Research Center Job Announcement AR13B0014, Research Space Scientist, AST, Planetary Studies, GS-1330-12/13 3. Auroral Planetary Imaging and Spectroscopy (APIS) Service 4. The Lunar Workshops 5. Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter - September 2013 6. EPSC Workshop: Earth-Based Observations in Support of the New Horizons Pluto Encounter 7. VEXAG Meeting #11 Updates - Registration, Logistics, and Student Travel Grants 8. Postdoctoral Fellow, Geophysical Institute, University Of Alaska Fairbanks 9. NASA Infrared Telescope Facility Observing Proposals 10. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 11. JWST Townhall at the DPS 2013 Meeting: Observations in the Solar System 12. James Webb Space Telescope Postdoctoral Fellowships at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center 13. 48th ESLAB Symposium: New insights into Volcanism Across the Solar System 14. University of California, Santa Cruz Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences 15. Mars Critical Data Products Program (Round VIII) - Comet Siding Spring Modeling 16. [NASA] PDS - Mars Science Laboratory Release 3 17. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions Commercial Announcements C1. New Book on Planetary Geology 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 MEMORIAL FOR DR. MICHAEL J. WARGO, OCTOBER 17, 11:00-12:00 Mike's family has asked us to invite all friends and colleagues to a memorial for Mike on Thursday, October 17, 2013, 11:00-12:00, at the NASA Headquarters Auditorium. There will be a light lunch available immediately after when Adele and family hope to have a chance to meet and talk with Mike's friends and colleagues. There will be a formal announcement and press release later. Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions, Best Regards, Victoria P. Friedensen 202-358-1916 victoria.p.friedensen@nasa.gov 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 AMES RESEARCH CENTER JOB ANNOUNCEMENT AR13B0014, RESEARCH SPACE SCIENTIST, AST, PLANETARY STUDIES, GS-1330-12/13 https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/349635800 NASA, the world's leader in space and aeronautics is always seeking outstanding scientists, engineers, and other talented professionals to carry forward the great discovery process that its mission demands. The Exobiology Branch (Code SSX) at NASA Ames Research Center is currently seeking interested applicants for the position of Research Space Scientist. The incumbent is responsible for conducting microbiological and/or geologic research to identify biosignatures that characterize past/present life in environments related to astrobiology. He/she studies the origin, composition, structure, and evolution of the solar system, including planets and satellites; the Earth and Moon; and meteorites, asteroids, comets and dust. As a Research Space Scientist, the incumbent is responsible for conducting research involving modern field samples, ancient terrestrial rocks, meteorites, extraterrestrial materials, ices, Mars analog rocks, and returned data from spaceflight missions. He/she conducts research that emphasizes on the elucidation and characterization of modern, ancient, or extraterrestrial habitable zones and mineral biosignature. This includes the evaluation of preservation potential related to biosignatures; primary/secondary mineral phases associated with habitable zones; and the development of databases, microbial specimens, and geological collections for planetary studies and spacecraft missions. 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 AURORAL PLANETARY IMAGING AND SPECTROSCOPY (APIS) SERVICE Dear all, The APIS service (for Auroral Planetary Imaging and Spectroscopy) was officially opened at the occasion of the Magnetospheres of Outer Planets meeting, Athens, 8-12 July 2013. It is now accessible at the address: http://lesia.obspm.fr/apis/ with the support of the Virtual Observatory of Paris. It consists of a database of all HST Far-UV spectro-imaging observations of the outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus) acquired by the STIS and ACS instruments from 1997 up to now (which makes ~5000 individual images and spectra), declined under various types of high level data (e.g. cylindrical/polar projections). The data are available in different formats (jpg, pdf, fits) and can be browsed and sorted out with a dedicated search interface. Interactive tools (Aladin, Specview) also enable the user to directly work on images and spectra online. Please let us know if you have any question, comment or suggestion. On behalf of the APIS team, Laurent Lamy 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 THE LUNAR WORKSHOPS Cislunar space will be the training ground for the human expansion into the solar system in the 21st century. We will learn to work and live in space on and around the Moon. We will discover what new science awaits us in deep space and how to measure and explore these extreme environments by studying Lunar analogs. We will use Cislunar space as a staging ground, a resource depot and the gateway for all major deep space mission in the furture. In order to attract capital, science, technology and excitement to Cislunar space we have created The Lunar Workshops. These workshops will bring together top scientists, engineers, investors and entrepreneurs in a highly interactive, collaborative environment to discuss what's now and what's next in Lunar exploration. The Lunar Workshops: http://www.lunarworkshops.com * International Workshop on LunarCubes (LCW) - LCW 3 - November 13-15, 2013 in Mountain View, CA. * International Workshop on Lunar Superconductor Applications (LSA) - LSA 4 - April 9-11, 2014 in Cocoa Beach, FL. * International Workshop on Scientific Opportunities in Cislunar Space (SOCS) - SOCS 1 - March 16, 2014 in Houston, TX. Meeting Websites: (Note: active Monday, Sept. 2, 2013) http://www.lunarcubes.com http://www.lsaworkshops.com http://www.socsworkshops.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 MARS EXPLORATION SCIENCE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 2013 Dear Members of the Mars Community, On behalf of Lisa Pratt (MEPAG Chair), Dave Beaty, Rich Zurek, and Charles Budney of the Mars Program Science Office, the September 2013 edition of the Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter is available on the web at: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov 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 EPSC WORKSHOP: EARTH-BASED OBSERVATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE NEW HORIZONS PLUTO ENCOUNTER Earth-based observations of the Pluto system will enhance, and provide context for, the science returned by New Horizons spacecraft during its July 2015 encounter with Pluto. See: http://www.boulder.swri.edu/nh-support-obs/ for details and register your interest by sending an email to nhobs "at" swri.boulder.edu. There will be a lunchtime workshop at the London EPSC meeting to discuss the New Horizons mission's expected needs for Earth-based support, and provide an opportunity for discussion of observing plans. See: http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC2013/session/14720 The meeting will be on Tuesday September 10th from 12:45 pm to 1:45 pm in the Mercury room. Contact the convener, John Spencer (spencer "at" boulder.swri.edu) if you are interested in participating. 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 VEXAG MEETING #11 UPDATES - REGISTRATION, LOGISTICS, AND STUDENT TRAVEL GRANTS VEXAG Meeting #11 will be held in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters, Washington DC with 2 full day sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, November 19-20, 2013 and a half-day session Thursday, November 21, 2013. Tuesday, November 19th will be a full-day Venus Technology Forum. Registration and Logistics are now available via a link the VEXAG Web-Site: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/ A block of sleeping rooms is currently on hold for VEXAG Meeting participants at the Residence Inn Marriott, located at 333 E Street, SW Washington, DC 20024 until September 30, 2013 the deadline for reservations. Applications for Student Travel Grants should be submitted via a second link on the VEXAG Web-Site: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/ Deadline for submission is September 30, 2013. Selections will be announced in mid-October. Objectives for this meeting are to conduct a community review of new and updated VEXAG documents: * Venus Exploration Goals, Objectives and Investigations (update) * Venus Exploration Road-Map (new) * Technologies for Venus (new) In addition, there will be status reports on a number of ongoing Venus related activities. 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 POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW, GEOPHYSICAL INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS The Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, is seeking a geoscientist to develop expertise for stereo photogrammetry with a range of Alaska and planetary data sets. The scientist will then use some of those data sets to conduct analyses of terrestrial and planetary volcanic and impact-melt features. Position is funded for three years, and it is common for postdocs to transition to permanent faculty positions at UAF. Applicants should have a PhD in a relevant field (successful dissertation defense in Fall semester, 2013, is acceptable). Experience in fluid mechanics, photogeology, volcanology, impact cratering mechanics, stereo photogrammetry, and using SOCET SET software are desired, but not required, job skills. See the YouTube recruiting video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BYleBbjjHc Further inquiries can be directed to Robert Herrick (rherrick@gi.alaska.edu). Apply for position at: http://www.uakjobs.com, posting 0067258 Review of applications will begin September 23, 2013, and applications will be considered until the position is filled. 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 INFRARED TELESCOPE FACILITY OBSERVING PROPOSALS The due date for the 2014A semester (February 1, 2014 to July 31, 2014) is Tuesday, October 1, 2013. See our online submission form. Information on available facility and visitor instruments can be found at: http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/Facility/ Observing on-site or remote observing is available with NSFCAM and CSHELL. NSFCAM has been upgraded with a new array and controller; please see the instrument webpage for more information, including performance. Important notice: SpeX will not be available for semester 2014A. SpeX is being upgraded with new arrays and array controllers. 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 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. For sample opportunities see: https://www3.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/18713 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. Latest NPP Newsletter: http://bit.ly/14cNpfH For further information and to apply, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions: nasapostdoc@orau.org 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 JWST TOWNHALL AT THE DPS 2013 MEETING: OBSERVATIONS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM When: Thursday, October 10, 2013 12-1pm Where: Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, Plaza ABC How: Email stefanie.n.milam (at) nasa.gov to register. NOTE: Northrop Grumman will sponsor a free lunch for pre-registered attendees only. Last year we held a workshop to provide the community details about the current instrument specifications and observing modes for solar system targets, as well as the observatory constraints such as brightness limits on planets, moving targets, tracking, and others. All details can be found online at: http://www.stsci.edu/jwst/science/solar-system This Town Hall meeting will bring the community up to speed on the accomplishments and status of the recommendations provided to the JWST team last year regarding solar system observations and solicits the community for further input. We will feature a short science presentation by Andrew Rivkin (JHU/APL). 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS AT NASA'S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Project at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) invites applications through the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) to carry out postdoctoral research in astrophysics, astronomical instrumentation or planetary science. The applicant will work directly with one of the JWST Project Scientists and will be resident at GSFC. The science objectives of JWST include the initial formation of galaxies in the early Universe, galaxy evolution including active galactic nuclei (AGN), star and planetary system formation, exoplanets and Solar System objects. Research relevant to JWST's science goals could include theoretical studies or be based on observations taken with current space-based or ground- based facilities. See the AAS job register for details at: http://jobregister.aas.org/node/45506 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 48TH ESLAB SYMPOSIUM: NEW INSIGHTS INTO VOLCANISM ACROSS THE SOLAR SYSTEM We are pleased to invite you to the 48th ESLAB Symposium on "New insights into volcanism across the Solar System". The Symposium will take place from 16-20 June 2014 at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) located in Noordwijk, The Netherlands. It will focus on volcanism in the Solar System. Of particular interest, but not limited to, will be new insights obtained over the last years from international space missions to planets (e.g., MESSENGER, LRO, Selene, etc.), Moons and cryo-volcanism. The connection with Earth by will be covered by experts on terrestrial volcanism. The format will be made up of plenary sessions on topics related to volcanism in the Solar System, with contributed oral and poster presentations. Part of the Symposium may be devoted to parallel sessions on specialized topics where details can be discussed at greater length. This will depend on the response to the Call for Papers. Other information is available at: http://congrexprojects.com/2014-events/48-ESLAB/ Pre-registration is already available on this website which will ensure that you receive regular updates from the Symposium organisers. Financial support may be available for students. The LOC, 48th ESLAB 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ DEPARTMENT OF EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCES Assistant Professor in Planetary Sciences The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for a position in planetary sciences, at the Assistant Professor (tenure-track) level. Applicants' research should focus primarily on processes and bodies in this solar system (other than Earth). We have a preference for candidates concentrating on research areas that include, but are not restricted to: planetary atmospheres; planetary surface processes; cosmochemistry; impact processes; and orbital dynamics. We also welcome qualified applicants whose technical expertise will build upon or complement our existing strength in areas such as planetary interiors and fluid dynamics. Apply at https://recruit.ucsc.edu/apply/JPF00057 Refer to Position #JPF00057-14 in all correspondence. CLOSING DATE: October 21, 2013. UCSC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, committed to excellence through diversity. 15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15 MARS CRITICAL DATA PRODUCTS PROGRAM (ROUND VIII) - COMET SIDING SPRING MODELING The Mars Exploration Program has issued, in August 2013, a Request for Proposal for round VIII of the Mars Critical Data Products program. This RFP provides support of the modeling the dust and particle environment of Comet 2013 A1 (Siding Spring) during its encounter with Mars in October 2014. The intent is to provide data products useful for risk assessment and mitigation strategy development for the Mars orbiter missions, due to possible impacts from dust and ion tail particles as this comet encounters Mars. Proposals are due on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. Details of the RFPs are posted at: https://acquisition.jpl.nasa.gov/RFP/MJ-2692-072413/default.htm or https://acquisition.jpl.nasa.gov/bizops/ 16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16 [NASA] PDS - MARS SCIENCE LABORATORY RELEASE 3 The NASA Planetary Data System announces the third release of data from the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, covering data acquired from Sols 180 through 269 (February 6 to May 9, 2013). This release consists of raw and derived data sets from instruments: APXS ChemCam CheMin DAN Hazcam MAHLI MARDI Mastcam Navcam RAD REMS SPICE SAM To access the above data for this release: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20130830.html Links to all MSL data sets may be found on the PDS Geosciences Node website: http://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/msl/ The data may also be reached from the main PDS home page: http://pds.nasa.gov/ MSL data are archived at the PDS Atmospheres, Planetary Plasma Interactions (PPI), Geosciences, Imaging, and Navigation and Ancillary Information Facility (NAIF) Nodes. PDS offers two services for searching the MSL archives: - The Planetary Image Atlas at the Imaging Node allows selection of MSL image data by specific search criteria. http://pds-imaging.jpl.nasa.gov/search - The MSL Analyst's Notebook at the Geosciences Node allows searching and downloading of all MSL data in the context of mission events. http://an.rsl.wustl.edu/msl 17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html November 13-15, 2013 International Workshop on LunarCubes (LCW) - LCW 3 http://www.lunar-cubes.com/ Mountain View, 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.] *********************************************************************** 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 ON PLANETARY GEOLOGY Now available from Dunedin Academic Press, "Planetary Geology: An Introduction (Second Edition)" [ISBN 9781780460154 - $49.50] is written by Claudio Vita-Finzi and Dominic Fortes. Recent planetary missions by NASA, the European Space Agency, and other national agencies have reaffirmed that the geological processes which are familiar from our studies of the Earth operate on many solid planets and satellites. Common threads link the internal structure, thermal evolution, and surface character of both rocky and icy worlds. Volcanoes, impact craters, ice caps, dunes, rift valleys, rivers, and oceans are features of extra-terrestrial worlds as diverse as Mercury and Titan. "Planetary Geology" provides students and armchair enthusiasts with comprehensive coverage of the solar system viewed through the eyes of Earth scientists. This comprehensively updated second edition presents fresh evidence that planetary geology now embraces conventional geology and vice versa. Great for classes, the book contains numerous color illustrations. Place orders with Dunedin's North America distributor, International Specialized Book Services (ISBS) - phone 1-800-944-6190. ISBS website is: http://www.isbs.com/partnumber.asp?cid=27406&pnid=413275 David Craft 503-287-3093 www.isbs.com *********************************************************************** * 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. 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) using no NASA funds. 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