PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 7, Number 59 (December 8, 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. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 2. MEPAG Community Responses Regarding R&A Reorganization 3. Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 27 4. December 2013 MEPAG Newsletter Available 5. Habitable Worlds Across Space and Time 6. [NASA] NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) Step-2 Proposal Date Changed 7. Two Faculty Positions at the Florida Institute of Technology 8. Staff Scientist Position, Carnegie Institution, Washington, DC 9. Visiting Assistant Professor Position at the University of Pittsburgh 10. Special Issue of Advances in Space Research on ISRU Field Campaigns 11. [NASA] Mars 2020 AO Amendment 3 12. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 13. Research Scientist Position – Mars Science 14. Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internships, Summer 2014 15. 6th Alfven Conference on Plasma Interaction 16. Updated Venus Town Hall Agenda, Fall AGU 17. [NASA] PDS - Mars Exploration Rovers Data Release 38 18. 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 PLANETARY GEOMORPHOLOGY IMAGE OF THE MONTH The December 'Image of the Month' is now available at the IAG's Planetary Geomorphology web page: http://wp.me/p3HIca-7F This Month's topic is on "Gullies on the Moon formed by dry-granular flows." Image and caption contributed by Dr. P. Senthil Kumar, National Geophysical Research Institute, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, Hyderabad 500007, India. Mary Bourke IAG Working Group on Planetary Geomorphology 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 MEPAG COMMUNITY RESPONSES REGARDING R&A REORGANIZATION At the November 5 telecon of the Planetary Science Subcommittee, Jonathan Rall presented plans for a large reorganization of NASA's R&A program. His presentation, included in Jim Green's presentation, starting with slide 41, is posted at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/pss/nov2013/ Additional discussion occurred at the virtual town hall on December 3. MEPAG compiled questions, comments, and concerns from the science community and sent a compilation report to the PSS and Jim Green, found at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/PSD-RandA/ The MEPAG leadership strongly recommended that the NASA Planetary Science Division seek and consider more community input, and provide the information needed to answer the many questions raised by the community. Most concerns reflected the lack of information regarding key aspects of the reorganization, such as mapping of the present research areas into the new ones, the fate of theme cross-cutting activities, budgets, and the transition plan with its possible impacts on the continuity of funding. As we learn more, we will update the MEPAG community. If you have further comments or questions on this topic or about the compilation report, please direct them to Dr. Serina Diniega, who has been asked to collect information on the behalf of MEPAG. serina.diniega@jpl.nasa.gov [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 MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA RELEASE 27 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce a new delivery of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) data for the following instruments: CRISM CTX HiRISE MARCI MCS RSS SPICE There will be no SHARAD data and no derived gravity data for this release. In general, MRO Release 27 includes data collected from February 9, 2013, through May 8, 2013. The release includes HiRISE data for August 2, 2013, to November 4, 2013. To access the above data: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20131202.html To access the latest PDS Data Releases: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-Release.html All available PDS data may be found at: http://pds.nasa.gov/tools/data-search/ For further information, see the PDS Home Page: http://pds.nasa.gov/ The PDS Team pds_operator@jpl.nasa.gov (818) 393-7165 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 DECEMBER 2013 MEPAG NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE Dear Members of the Mars Community, On behalf of Lisa Pratt (MEPAG Chair), Dave Beaty, Rich Zurek, and Amy Hale of the Mars Program Science Office, the December 2013 edition of the Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter can be found at: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov Regards, Carla de la Paz 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 HABITABLE WORLDS ACROSS SPACE AND TIME First Announcement: The 2014 STScI Spring Symposium April 28 - May 1, 2014 Abstract submission deadline: February 28, 2014 On-line registration deadline: March 28, 2014 Within a matter of years, humanity will know for the first time the frequency of terrestrial planets in orbit around other stars. This knowledge will pave the way for joining research from astronomy, Earth science, and biology to understand the past, present, and future of the Earth within its larger context as one of many habitable worlds. Such work seeks to understand the formation and fate of the Earth as well as predict where and when different bodies will be suitable for life. In this four-day symposium, scientists from diverse fields will discuss the formation and long-term evolution of terrestrial bodies throughout the various phases of stellar and Galactic evolution. This symposium will include discussions about sites for Galactic habitability that have not yet been given much attention, such as around post-main sequence stars. The existence of these overlooked environments may provide motivation for novel astronomical observations with existing and next generation ground and space-based observatories. For more information on the Symposium, please check the website: http://www.stsci.edu/institute/conference/habitable-worlds 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] NASA ASTROBIOLOGY INSTITUTE (NAI) STEP-2 PROPOSAL DATE CHANGED The NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) Cycle 7 Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) provides an opportunity for the submission of team-based proposals for membership in the NAI. The goal of CAN Cycle 7 is to maintain a multidisciplinary institute by selecting focused, interdisciplinary teams that complement without replicating the strengths of the continuing teams. This Amendment to the NAI Cycle 7 CAN is posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com In order to include the new director of the NAI in the CAN Cycle 7 process and to make selection with full knowledge of FY14 budgets, the Step-2 proposal due date is changed to April 30, 2014. NASA expects that decisions for the Step 1 proposals will be made on or before Dec 18, 2013. In addition, a number of links to NAI websites have been corrected. The full text of the CAN is available electronically at the link above. Questions specifically regarding this solicitation should be directed to: Dr. Mary Voytek, Senior Scientist for Astrobiology, NASA Headquarters (202) 358-1577 mary.voytek-1@nasa.gov 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 TWO FACULTY POSITIONS AT THE FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY The Department of Physics and Space Sciences at the Florida Institute of Technology invites applications for two faculty positions. These positions may be at any rank, assistant through full professor. While outstanding applicants from all fields of research will be considered, we are interested in candidates who are committed to teaching at the undergraduate level and can develop leading research programs in space sciences. We are interested particularly in candidates working in the fields of star and/or planetary system formation, taking advantage of the exciting new vistas being opened in the radio, sub-mm and infrared, and candidates whose specialties include solar, magnetospheric, heliospheric, ionospheric physics or plasma physics. The successful candidates will have access to the Ortega telescope in Florida and the SARA facilities at Kitt Peak, Cerro Tololo and La Palma. Information about the Department and current research activity can be found at: http://cos.fit.edu/pss/ and http://astro.fit.edu Interested candidates may also contact Dr. Joseph Dwyer, PSS Department Head, at jdwyer@fit.edu. To apply, please send in a single PDF a cover letter, CV, statement of research and teaching experience and interests, and contact information for at least three references tosearchpss@fit.edu. The review of applications will begin on January 1, 2014. 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 STAFF SCIENTIST POSITION, CARNEGIE INSTITUTION, WASHINGTON, DC The Department of Terrestrial Magnetism (DTM) of the Carnegie Institution of Washington seeks applications for a staff scientist position in the broad field of geophysics, including but not limited to seismology, geodynamics, volcano geophysics, tectonophysics, and geodesy. Applicants who integrate across traditional boundaries, especially those with planetary sciences and with geo- and cosmo- chemistry, are particularly encouraged to apply. We seek candidates who pursue innovative scientific programs, who will find active collaborations with our current staff, perhaps involving development of new instrumentation, and who are interested in origin and evolution of Earth and other planets. The Carnegie Institution is a pure research organization. DTM does not have teaching duties, but we place considerable emphasis on mentoring postdoctoral scholars. Applications should be submitted through this site: https://jobs.carnegiescience.edu/jobs/staff-scientist-geophysics/ and should include a curriculum vitae, brief statement of research plans, and abstracts from the applicant’s three most important papers. Please also provide the names, email addresses, and phone numbers of three professional referees, whose letters may be requested by DTM. Questions may be sent tostaffposition@dtm.ciw.edu. Review of applications will begin January 15, 2014, and will continue 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 VISITING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR POSITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH I would like to call your attention to a new position available at the University of Pittsburgh: The Department of Geology and Planetary Science at the University of Pittsburgh invites applications for a full-time visiting assistant professor position beginning in the fall of 2014. The position is outside of the tenure stream and renewable for up to two years, pending budgetary approval. The successful candidate will be expected to teach both undergraduate core curriculum courses including Petrology and Geomorphology, as well as graduate courses such as Volcanology and Planetary Geology that fall within the candidate's area of expertise. The full ad can be found at: http://www.geology.pitt.edu/about/news/Visiting_Assistant_ Professor.html Please note, this is a different position than the one advertised several weeks ago. Any questions about this ad can be directed to: Michael Ramsey (Professor & Associate Department Chair) mramsey@pitt.edu Application materials should be sent to this address: visitsrc@pitt.edu 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 SPECIAL ISSUE OF ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH ON ISRU FIELD CAMPAIGNS Papers are invited for a special topical issue of Advances in Space Research (ASR) entitled "In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Field Campaigns". This special issue is open to all researchers who may have an appropriate scientific and/or technical paper related to the main questions about the search for, characterization, and use of in situ resources in space. This topic is timely and relevant, particularly in the context of enabling future sustainable space exploration with robots and/or humans. There have been many advances in recent years in understanding the possibilities for ISRU (in situ resource utilization) and the potential for enabling more capable long-term solar system missions. Papers are encouraged related to prospecting for resources, the rationale of using ISRU, recent technology advances, instrumentation and payloads, and/or concepts of operations in the context of ISRU field campaigns. Papers must be submitted electronically to: http://ees.elsevier.com/asr Authors must select "Special Issue: ISRU Field Campaigns" when they reach the "Article Type" step in the submission process. The deadline for submissions is 31 January 2014. Contact Jennifer.Heldmann@nasa.gov for more information. 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 [NASA] MARS 2020 AO AMENDMENT 3 The Mars 2020 Investigations AO solicits flight investigations for which each Principal Investigator is responsible for a complete space flight investigation, including instrument hardware, mission operations, and data analysis. Investigations comprised of individual instruments or multiple instruments (suites) may respond to the overall Mars 2020 objectives to explore and quantitatively assess Mars as a potential habitat for life, to search for signs of past life, to collect carefully selected samples for possible future return to Earth, and to prepare for future human exploration of Mars. This amendment makes a number of changes, additions, corrections and clarifications, which are identified in the Foreword and detailed in bold in the text, to the Announcement of Opportunity. The proposal due date is unchanged; proposals are due January 15, 2014. This Amendment to the NASA Announcement of Opportunity "Mars 2020 Investigations" (NNH13ZDA018O) is posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at: http://solicitation.nasaprs.com/Mars2020 Questions concerning this amendment and the Mars 2020 AO, may be directed to: Mitchell Schulte, NASA Headquarters (202) 358-2127 mars2020-ao@lists.nasa.gov 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 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/17605 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/18GSlHK For further information and to apply, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions: nasapostdoc@orau.org 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 RESEARCH SCIENTIST POSITION – MARS SCIENCE The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a Federally-Funded Research and Development Center operated by the California Institute of Technology for NASA has an opening for a Scientist to participate in future Mars exploration missions. We are seeking to build upon JPL’s existing strengths in Mars science in the areas of astrobiology, geology, inorganic geochemistry, specifically including isotope geochemistry, and Mars atmospheric science, especially as related to interactions with geologic processes. The researcher will identify scientific questions and concepts to further our understanding of the origin, history, and/or habitability of Mars. It is expected that the candidate will pursue new mission and/or instrument opportunities for Martian exploration through advocacy and outreach within the scientific and stakeholder community. To view the full job description and apply to this position, please visit: http://careerlaunch.jpl.nasa.gov (Requisition #12541) JPL/Caltech is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 LLOYD V. BERKNER SPACE POLICY INTERNSHIPS, SUMMER 2014 The goal of the Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internship is to provide promising students with the opportunity to work in the area of civil space research policy in the nation's capital, under the aegis of the National Research Council's Space Science Board. The summer 2014 program is only open to undergraduates. The deadline for applications is February 7. Candidate(s) selected for will be contacted no later than March 7. Additional information about the program, including application procedure, can be found at: http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/ssb_052239 15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15 6TH ALFVEN CONFERENCE ON PLASMA INTERACTION Plasma interaction with solar system objects: Anticipating Rosetta, Maven and Mars Orbiter Mission 7-11 July 2014 University College London, UK Main topics: Comets, Mars, Venus, outer planet moons and Earth's moon - especially common processes with comets, and reviewing current knowledge prior to the arrival of the new missions. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/mssl/planetary-science/alfven-conference Meeting theme: Within our solar system, the planets, moons, comets and asteroids all have plasma interactions. The interaction depends on the nature of the object, particularly the presence of an atmosphere and a magnetic field. Even the size of the object matters through the finite gyroradius effect and the scale height of cold ions of exospheric origin. It also depends on the upstream conditions, including position within the solar wind or the presence within a planetary magnetosphere. This conference will explore our understanding of plasma interactions with comets, Mars, Venus, and inner and outer solar system moons. We will explore the processes which characterize the interactions such as ion pickup and field draping, and their effects such as plasma escape. Data from current and recent space missions, modeling and theory are all encouraged, as we explore our local part of the 'plasma universe'. 16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16 UPDATED VENUS TOWN HALL AGENDA, FALL AGU Tuesday, 10 December 2013, San Francisco 12:30 PM –1:30 PM PST, Moscone West Room 2004 (Only registered Fall AGU attendees may attend in person) 12:30 PM - Welcome & Status of VEXAG activities – Lori Glaze (VEXAG Chair) 12:40 PM - VEXAG’s Venus Exploration Targets Workshop - Buck Sharpton 12:50 PM - Venus Spectral Rocket Experiment (VeSPR) Flight Results - John Clarke 1:00 PM - Discussion of Restructuring of the Planetary Science Division R&A Program with Jim Green 1:20 PM - Wrap up – Lori Glaze (VEXAG Chair) 1:30 PM - ADJOURN For those attending via phone: JPL Meet-Me Line - 818-354-3434 / Toll-Free - 866-328-8761 / Meeting ID 0037 1:30-2:30 PM Mountain / 2:30-3:30 PM Central / 3:30-4:30 PM Eastern 17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17 [NASA] PDS - MARS EXPLORATION ROVERS DATA RELEASE 38 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce Release 38 of Mars Exploration Rover data. This release includes primarily data from Sols 3241 through 3330 and includes data only from Opportunity, MER1/B. It includes data from the following instruments: APXS Atmospheric Opacity HAZCAM NAVCAM MI PANCAM RAT Rover Motion Counter SPICE There are no Mini-TES, Moessbauer, or Radio Science data in this release. To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20131206.html The following special services are provided for accessing MER data: MER Analyst's Notebook: http://an.rsl.wustl.edu/mer Planetary Image Atlas: http://pds-imaging.jpl.nasa.gov/search/mer To access the latest PDS Data Releases, please visit: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-Release.html All available PDS data may be found at: http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/data-search/ For further information, see the PDS Home Page: http://pds.nasa.gov/ 18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS April 28 - May 1, 2014 Habitable Worlds Across Time and Space http://www.stsci.edu/institute/conference/habitable-worlds Baltimore, MD May 13-15, 2014 The Formation of the Solar System Conference https://indico.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de/theFormationOfTheSolarSystem Bonn, Germany [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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