PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 7, Number 40 (September 15, 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. [NASA] Astrobiology Strategic Plan - Important Milestone 2. [NASA] Planetary Science Subcommittee Meeting 3. [NASA] PDS - Dawn GRaND Data Release 4. [NASA] PDS - MESSENGER Data Release 10 5. [NASA] PDS - Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 6. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 7. Department of Geology at the University at Buffalo - Two Tenure-track Faculty Positions 8. DPS 2013: Student/Post-doc Reception 9. DPS 2013: Pro-Am Workshop 10. Caltech Job Announcement 11. CPS Postdoctoral Fellowships in Planetary/Exoplanet Science 12. 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] ASTROBIOLOGY STRATEGIC PLAN - IMPORTANT MILESTONE The NASA Astrobiology Strategy process has reached an important milestone. The concept documents, which were created at the face-to- face Wallops Island workshop, are now ready for public comment. The commenting process will be kicked-off with a webinar on the 19th of September at 14:00 EDT. During the event, Frank Rosenzweig, Eric Smith, and Michael New will give an overview of the work done so far, and explain the next steps. More details can be found at: http://astrobiologyfuture.org The kick-off event will be followed by a series of webinars in which the authors of each paper will discuss their key ideas and answer questions. With a few exceptions for public holidays, these webinars will happen on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 14:00 Eastern time. Details of each event will be available at the above URL and also via email reminders. Questions may be directed to Andy Burnett astrobiology@knowinnovation.com 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] PLANETARY SCIENCE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, October 1, 2013, 8:30AM-4:30PM Eastern Wednesday, October 2, 2013, 8:30AM-3:30PM Eastern NASA Headquarters, Room 9H40 Washington DC Agenda: — Planetary Science Division Update — Mars Exploration Program Update — Government Performance and Results Act Presentation and Scoring — Assessment Group Updates Webex: https://nasa.webex.com/ To participate by telecon: 800-857-7040, pass code PSS The meeting number on October 1 is 997 670 187, password PSS@Oct1; the meeting number on October 2 is 990 912 672, password PSS@Oct2. For further information, go to: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/09/12/2013-22219 /nasa-advisory-council-science-committee-planetary-science -subcommittee-meeting 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 - DAWN GRAND DATA RELEASE The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce the release of Dawn Gamma Ray and Neutron Detector (GRaND) data. This release includes Level 1a (raw) data for all Vesta phases, as well as higher- level maps for neutron absorption, fast neutron, high-energy gamma ray counts, hydrogen abundance, and iron gamma ray counts. To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://sbn.psi.edu/pds/resource/dwnvgrd.html For access to all PDS-archived Dawn data, go to: http://sbn.psi.edu/pds/archive/dawn.html 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 [NASA] PDS - MESSENGER DATA RELEASE 10 The Planetary Data System is pleased to announce Release 10 of data collected by the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) mission, including raw and calibrated products acquired through 17 March 2013. With this release, data are now available to the public for the fourth full Mercury solar day of MESSENGER orbital operations. MESSENGER's instruments are the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS); a Gamma-Ray and Neutron Spectrometer (GRNS); an X-Ray Spectrometer (XRS); a Magnetometer (MAG); a Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA); the Mercury Atmospheric and Surface Composition Spectrometer (MASCS), combining an Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrometer (UVVS) with a Visible and Infrared Spectrograph (VIRS); and an Energetic Particle and Plasma Spectrometer (EPPS). All data sets in this MESSENGER release can be accessed from: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20130906.html To access all data archived in the PDS: http://pds.nasa.gov The ACT-REACT QuickMap, with MDIS orbital data, is available through: http://messenger.jhuapl.edu http://www.nasa.gov/messenger The MDIS mosaics and MLA northern-hemisphere topographic maps can be downloaded from: http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/the_mission/mosaics.html 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] PDS - LUNAR RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA RELEASE 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, and LROC. In general, LRO Release 15 includes data collected between March 15, 2013 and June 14, 2013. To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20130913.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/ 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 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 of the research opportunities in planetary science is: https://www3.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/17710 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/14cNpfH For further information and to apply, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions: nasapostdoc@orau.org 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 DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO - TWO TENURE-TRACK FACULTY POSITIONS Applications are invited for: Assistant or Associate Professor of Near-Surface Geophysics or Hydrogeophysics. We seek a scholar who applies geophysical techniques to solve hydrogeologic problems. Researchers interested in developing novel approaches to characterize hydrogeologic processes and/or properties and/or by combining data from multiple tools are of particular interest. Assistant Professor of Volcanology. Preference given to candidates with a background and interest in geophysical approaches to understanding and anticipating volcanic eruptions, and associated hazard assessment and mitigation strategies. Successful candidates will: 1) join the department's environmental and volcanology groups that maintain interdisciplinary collaborations, and may interact with UB's Center for Geohazards Studies; 2) develop and maintain extramurally funded research programs; 3) demonstrate commitment to teaching and will instruct undergraduate and graduate- level courses. Service to the discipline, department and/or university is expected. A Ph.D. is required at the time of appointment. Applications must be submitted through the UB Jobs website; -Near-Surface Geophysics (posting #1300569): https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=56486 -Volcanology (posting #1300570): https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=56487 Application reviews begin on Oct. 1, 2013 and continue until the position is filled. Send inquiries to geology@buffalo.edu. The University at Buffalo is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (AA/EOE). 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 DPS 2013: STUDENT/POST-DOC RECEPTION Sun. 6 Oct. 2013, 4:30-6:00pm. DPS meetings are great places for students to network among other scientists, to learn about how other scientists encounter scientific problems, and get new ideas. However, there are so many great presentations, talks, events, and information in a short time that the students rarely find time to network among other students and get advice close to their own level. This event will help students meet other students, in particular those who work on similar topics, to discuss their scientific views and general issues, and encourages the students to participate in brain storming conversations and joint projects. Since the post-docs were graduate students not so long ago, their advise and experience is valuable to graduate students, and for that reason this event will include post- docs as well. With these grounds, the goal of the student and post-doc reception is to prepare an icebreaker environment for students and post-docs to get familiar with each other on the first day of the meeting and use the rest of the meeting to enhance those connections and get involved with other activities. Contact: Al Khayat khayat@ifa.hawaii.edu 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 DPS 2013: PRO-AM WORKSHOP Thurs. Oct. 10th at 6:00pm. DPS is experimenting with a professional- amateur workshop where professionals present what opportunities are out there for collaborations with NASA missions and amateurs show samples of their observations. Examples: observing Pluto during the New Horizons flyby, observing Jupiter's clouds while Juno flies over the poles, taking images of comet ISON to find time-variability, light-curves of asteroids, follow-up on NEOs, searches for Moon impacts (perhaps related to LADEE), Mars observations during MAVEN, etc.). Participants wishing to present (5 mins, 5 slides), send title & description (<200 words) to frbagenal@gmail.com. Organizer: Fran Bagenal, University of Colorado. 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 CALTECH JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Assistant professor , tenure track, at Caltech in any area of interest to the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences. This includes all aspects of planetary science. Open until filled. Exceptionally well-qualified candidates may also be considered at the tenured professor level. For details go to: https://applications.caltech.edu/job/gps 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 CPS Postdoctoral Fellowships in Planetary/Exoplanet Science The Centre for Planetary Sciences (CPS) at the University of Toronto is a centre for the study of all planets, near and far. The CPS expects to offer several postdoctoral fellowships of up to three years. The starting date will be September 1, 2014. Salaries and funds for travel/research expenses will be competitive. A Ph.D. in any field of earth and planetary sciences or astrophysics is required. Fellows are expected to carry out original research in observational or theoretical planetary/exoplanet science under the general supervision of the permanent CPS-affiliated faculty, from several relevant departments at UofT. We only accept electronic submissions (via email at kristen.menou@utoronto.ca). Applicants will be asked to submit a curriculum vitae, statement of research interests (3 pages) and arrange for three letters of recommendation. The deadline for applications and all letters of recommendation is December 1, 2013. The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. 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 MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html September 19, 2013 NASA Astrobiology Strategic Plan Webinar http://astrobiologyfuture.org Online October 1-2, 2013 NASA Planetary Science Subcommittee https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/09/12/2013-22219 /nasa-advisory-council-science-committee-planetary-science -subcommittee-meeting Washington, DC January 19-22, 2014 Science with the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) https://indico.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de/indico/conferenceDisplay.py?confId=69 Rottach-Egern, Germany February 5-7, 2014 Workshop on the Habitability of Icy Worlds http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/icyworlds2014 Pasadena, CA March 17-20, 2014 Science with the Hubble Space Telescope IV: Looking to the Future http://www.stsci.edu/institute/conference/hst4 Rome, Italy [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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