PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 7, Number 54 (November 10, 2013) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Mark V. Sykes Co-Editors: Melissa Lane, Susan Benecchi Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Editorial: NASA Planetary R&A Reorganization 2. Request for Questions Regarding Planetary Science R&A Restructuring 3. 2014 Pierazzo International Student Travel Award Proposal Deadline Approaching 4. Icarus Special Issue - The Pluto System 5. Biosignatures Across Space and Time 6. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 7. Call for Letters of Application for Membership in the ExoMars 2018 Landing Site Selection Working Group 8. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Next Application Deadline Extended to Friday, November 15, 2013 9. Planetary Mission Research Scientist at NASA JSC: Applicants Must Reapply 10. FameLab: Exploring Earth and Beyond 11. Free Smartphone App for Tracking Fireballs 12. Assistant Professor Position, UA Theoretical Astrophysics Program 13. Register Today for the 2014 Humans to Mars Summit (H2M) 14. ALMA Cycle 2 Call for Proposals 15. 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 EDITORIAL - NASA PLANETARY R&A REORGANIZATION Mark V. Sykes Planetary Science Institute NASA (and the Administration) has not had a good track record of late, putting the cart way before the horse with the recent EPO reorganization debacle, Mars 2020, and the Asteroid Retrieval Mission. Sometimes plans can go awry, as with the rephasing of research awards in 2010 to free up money to cover an MSL cost overrun. Failure to cover those rephased obligations in subsequent years was the primary reason for a collapse in proposal selection rates. The planetary research and analysis programs, along with mission data analysis programs, support most of the US planetary community. Their streamlining could provide benefits. A misstep could permanently damage US solar system exploration capability. The plan laid out by Jim Green is very vague: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/pss/nov2013/Green__Rall_PSS_Nov%20_2013.pdf (beginning on slide 41). Its implementation is premature. So, it is very good that NASA is reaching out to the community for input. This should be the first step in a more extended process that will transparently and iteratively add important details and well-defined improvements to any reorganization plan. It is far more important to get it right, than to rush and cause harm. 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 REQUEST FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING PLANETARY SCIENCE R&A RESTRUCTURING At the Planetary Science Subcommittee (PSS) meeting on November 5, there was a presentation describing a plan to restructure the existing planetary science R&A programs. The slides that were presented are online: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/pss/nov2013 / The slides discussing the plan are contained in the presentation listed for Jim Green and start on slide #41. The PSS has suggested that each Assessment Group (AG) gather and compile questions, comments, and concerns that the community may have regarding the R&A restructuring plan and for each AG to send the compilation to Jim Green. All questions, big and small, general or specific, are welcomed. For CAPTEM, email Hap McSween (mcsween@utk.edu) For LEAG, email Jeff Plescia (Jeffrey.Plescia@jhuapl.edu) For MEPAG, email Serina Diniega (Serina.Diniega@jpl.nasa.gov) For OPAG, email: Candy Hansen (cjhansen@psi.edu) For SBAG, email: Nancy Chabot (Nancy.Chabot@jhuapl.edu) For VEXAG, email: Lori Glaze (Lori.S.Glaze@nasa.gov) In the compilation, the identities of those providing the comments will be removed, but the final compiled reports may be posted on AG websites. Please indicate in your reply if you do not want your comment included in a compilation (with identities removed) on the web. 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 2014 PIERAZZO INTERNATIONAL STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD PROPOSAL DEADLINE APPROACHING Deadline: November 15, 2013 Awards will be announced on or about December 15, 2013 This award is established by the Planetary Science Institute in memory of Senior Scientist Betty Pierazzo to support and encourage graduate students to build international collaborations and relationships in planetary science. Two awards will be made each year, contingent upon there being meritorious applications. One will be awarded to a graduate student working on his or her Ph.D. at an institution within the U.S. This is to support travel to a planetary science related meeting (conferences and workshops) outside of the U.S. The second award will be to a graduate student working on his or her Ph.D. at an institution outside of the U.S. This is to support travel to a planetary science related meeting within the U.S. These include general meetings that have planetary-focused sessions such as the AGU, GSA, EGU and IAG. The award will consist of a certificate and up to $2000US. Additional information and application materials are available at: http://www.psi.edu/pista 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 ICARUS SPECIAL ISSUE - THE PLUTO SYSTEM An Icarus special issue on Pluto system science will be published in 2014. The pace of discovery about the Pluto system has accelerated continually since its discovery in 1930, and we are now on the doorstep of the most dramatic advances yet, with the system's exploration by NASA's New Horizons probe in 2015. New Horizons, equipped with a powerful suite of scientific instruments, will explore Pluto and its complex system of moons and potential rings/dust assemblages. The encounter will herald the exploration of the newly recognized planetary class called ice dwarfs, prevalent in the outer solar system. This special issue sets the stage for the encounter, with scientific papers on: + New results from observations, theoretical modeling, and laboratory studies relevant to the Pluto system + Pre-encounter predictions of Pluto system properties and processes + Investigations into the implications of Pluto system science for broader outer Solar System studies All are welcome to contribute. The submission deadline is December 20. Go to: http://ees.elsevier.com/icarus and select "Special Issue: Pluto System" under manuscript type. Special issue editors: Will Grundy, Alan Stern, Fran Bagenal, Randy Gladstone, and Bonnie Buratti. [Edited for length] 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 BIOSIGNATURES ACROSS SPACE AND TIME Bergen, Norway, 20-22 May 2014 This meeting will to bring together astronomers, geologists, biologists and other interested scientists to share interdisciplinary approaches to detect signs of life on early Earth and other celestial bodies (including exoplanets) and to elucidate the environmental limits and origins of life. Scientific sessions are planned for the following subjects: -Formation and detection of complex molecules in the interstellar medium -Organic molecules in planetary and satellite atmospheres -Remote sensing of planetary surfaces -Characterization of exoplanets and their atmospheres -Meteorite bombardment and prebiotic chemistry on the Hadean Earth -Early Earth habitable environments: Oceans, atmosphere & crustal growth -Earliest fingerprints for life on Earth -Impacts and their role in the evolution transfer and possible detection of life -Biomineralization & life in sediments -Deep sea hydrothermal vents & biomarkers from sub-seafloor life -Archea & biomarkers for life in extreme environments The meeting is co-organized by the Nordic Network of Astrobiology and the Centre of Geobiology at the University of Bergen and will take place from 20 to 22 May 2014 at the Egget Auditorium at the University of Bergen. For further information about the event, go to: http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/Biosignatures2014 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 November 'Image of the Month' is now available at the IAG's Planetary Geomorphology web page: http://wp.me/p3HIca-7O This Month's topic is on "Recent vents and channels on the Cerberus plains of Mars: Lava or water?" Image and caption contributed by Rebecca Thomas, Department of Physical Sciences, The Open University, UK. Mary Bourke IAG Working Group on Planetary Geomorphology 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 CALL FOR LETTERS OF APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE EXOMARS 2018 LANDING SITE SELECTION WORKING GROUP Dear Colleagues, The Call for Letters of Application for Membership in the ExoMars 2018 Landing Site Selection Working Group (LSSWG) was released by ESA on Nov. 1, with an application deadline of Monday, 25 November 2013 (12:00 CET). Interested parties will find the relevant documentation at: http://exploration.esa.int/mars/53129-call-for-membership-of-exomars -2018-landing-site-selection-working-group/ Announcement provided by: Dr. Jorge L. Vago ExoMars Project Scientist Directorate of Science and Robotic Exploration 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 - NEXT APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013 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/17903 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 generally accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1. The latest NPP Newsletter: http://bit.ly/18GSlHK 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 PLANETARY MISSION RESEARCH SCIENTIST AT NASA JSC: APPLICANTS MUST REAPPLY Because of the government shutdown, applicants for our Planetary Mission Research Scientist position in NASA Johnson Space Center's Astromaterials Research Office must, unfortunately, reapply to a new position number within USAJobs.gov. The previous position posting has been cancelled and a new (identical) one is now available until 12 November 2013 at the link below. APPLICANTS MUST REAPPLY REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY SUCCESSFULLY SUBMITTED PRIOR TO THE SHUTDOWN. In addition, no record of who applied was acquired while USAJobs.gov was unmonitored during the shutdown, so there is no way for the Agency to contact those applicants to inform them of this situation. Accordingly please share this notice so that we can give all applicants the opportunity to have their materials properly received. Thanks! The new position number is JS14D0002 and the position posting for application can be accessed at: http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/354580300 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 FAMELAB: EXPLORING EARTH AND BEYOND FameLab is something like American Idol for scientists. Sponsored by NASA and National Geographic, it's a fun-filled day of competition, coaching, and camaraderie that's all about science communication! Early career scientists from diverse scientific disciplines craft a 3-minute, powerpoint-free talk on their research or a related topic and deliver it in a supportive environment to judges who give only constructive feedback. No slides, no charts - just the power of words and any prop you can hold in your hands. The heart of the whole thing is a workshop conducted by communication professionals to help participants enrich their skills. See video clips of prior FameLabbers: http://famelab-eeb.arc.nasa.gov/competitions/ We've had 4 regional competitions so far in "Season 2" here in the US, and our next one is at the AGU annual meeting in San Francisco on Sunday, December 8th. Winners from the regional competitions advance to the Final at National Geographic in DC in April, 2014, and the winner there goes on to FameLab International Final in the UK in June, 2014. Even if you're not planning to attend AGU, you're welcome to participate. Register today at: http://famelab-eeb.arc.nasa.gov/competitions/2013-agu-december/ Contact: Daniella Scalice (daniella.m.scalice@nasa.gov) [Edited for length] 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 FREE SMARTPHONE APP FOR TRACKING FIREBALLS We've developed a smartphone app that allows anyone to report a fireball sighting anywhere in the world. Its designed so that we can potentially get data of sufficient quality to create a crowd source smartphone fireball network. Its free, fun to use (we hope!), and it has a very easy interface - simply point at the sky where you think the fireball started and click on your phone, and do the same for where you think it ended. You can then input a variety of other data. If we get enough observations we can determine a trajectory and send that information back to you - for instance, you might get a message that the rock that made your fireball came from the outer asteroid belt, or that it was a chunk of a comet. The app also includes images and updates from our project: http://www.fireballsinthesky.com.au It is available for both iOS and Android: https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/fireballs-in-the-sky/id709019924?mt=8 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tw.fireballs or just search for 'fireballs in the sky' on app stores. Let us know if you have any problems, or suggestions for improvements. Hope you have fun with it! 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 ASSISTANT PROFESSOR POSITION, UA THEORETICAL ASTROPHYSICS PROGRAM The University of Arizona's Theoretical Astrophysics Program invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position to begin in Fall 2014. The Theoretical Astrophysics Program is an interdisciplinary program that fosters academic and scientific links among the Departments of Astronomy, Physics and Planetary Sciences at the University, to complement with a strong theory program the world-renowned astronomical facilities in Tucson, AZ. The Program consists of five core faculty and about 25 affiliate members working in a range of topics spanning solar system astrophysics to cosmology. In addition to the typical facilities available at a research university, the UA's Research Data Center provides our faculty access to local high-end supercomputing resources including distributed, shared-memory and GPU architectures. Review of applications will begin on December 2, 2013 and will continue until the position is filled. For full position details and to apply online, please see: http://www.hr.arizona.edu and reference job #53843. The University of Arizona is an EEO/AA employer - M/W/D/V. 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 REGISTER TODAY FOR THE 2014 HUMANS TO MARS SUMMIT (H2M) Join us at the Humans to Mars Summit (H2M). Co-sponsored by Explore Mars, the George Washington University, and the Space Policy Institute at GW, H2M will be held on April 22-24, 2014 at at George Washington University in Washington, DC. H2M will be a comprehensive Mars exploration conference to address the major technical, scientific, and policy related challenges that need to be overcome to send humans to Mars by 2030. Topics will include Mars mission architecture and challenges, science goals, planetary protection, International cooperation, space and US competitiveness, ISRU, and many other topics. Some of the tentative speakers already include William Gerstenmaier, James Garvin, Doug McCuistion, Penelope Boston, Sam Scimemi, Mike Raftery, Marc Kaufman, Buzz Aldrin, Joel Levine, Rebecca Keiser, and many more. Take advantage of our special early registration today and save money before the registration fee increases after January 1, 2014: http://h2m2014.eventbrite.com/ or visit our website at: http://www.exploremars.org 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 ALMA CYCLE 2 CALL FOR PROPOSALS The ALMA Director, on behalf of the partner organizations and all the personnel in Chile, East Asia, Europe, and North America involved in bringing ALMA to Early Science readiness, is pleased to issue the Cycle 2 Call for Proposals. We invite members of the astronomy community to propose programs to be scheduled within the ALMA Early Science Cycle 2 period which will start in June 2014. This provides a new important opportunity for Early Science from this cutting edge facility. The Cycle 2 period will span 17 months and users of any professional background, nationality, or affiliation may submit proposals. It is anticipated that about 2000 hours of 12-m Array time and ACA time will be available for Cycle 2 projects and highest priority projects transferred from Cycle 1. A list of the metadata from Cycle 1 proposals designated for transfer into Cycle 2 has been posted to the ALMA Science Portal, so that Cycle 2 PIs can avoid duplicating these observations. The ALMA Cycle 2 proposal submission deadline is 15:00 UT, 5 December 2013. For details, please see the ALMA Call for Proposals: https://almascience.nrao.edu/proposing/call-for-proposals 15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html No new meetings. [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.html, 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. 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