PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 8, Number 9 (February 16, 2014) 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. USGS Astrogeology Science Center Job Opportunities 2. Saturn in the 21st Century 3. Proposal Writing Workshop at LPSC 4. [NASA] SMD Seeks Volunteer Reviewers for Graduate Student Fellowship Proposals 5. Mars Exploration Program Opportunity 1 6. Mars Exploration Program Opportunity 2 7. 2014 DDA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia 8. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 9. First ExoMars 2018 Landing Site Selection Workshop 10. Mars Critical Data Products Program (Round IX) - Initial Landing Site Characterization for the Mars 2020 Rover Mission 11. Planetary Sciences Exploration Faculty Position at the University of Central Florida 12. 4th "Paolo Farinella" Prize, 2014 13. Job Opportunity: Planetary Science Postdoctoral Researcher at Birkbeck, University of London 14. 1st Announcement, Mars 2020 1st Landing Site Workshop 15. Planetary Rings Workshop 2014 16. 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 USGS ASTROGEOLOGY SCIENCE CENTER JOB OPPORTUNITIES The U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona, has up to three full-time permanent interdisciplinary (Geologist, Geophysicist, Physical Scientist, or Space Scientist) research positions now posted online. The soft-money positions are at the GS-13 grade level (comparable to associate professors in academia). Candidates with strong research credentials in planetary science or in remote sensing and geoscience applicable to planetary studies are sought. Experience with both obtaining NASA research grants and working on planetary space missions is especially important. The application opportunity will be open from February 3, 2014 to February 21, 2014. Apply at: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/360662400 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 SATURN IN THE 21ST CENTURY August 4-8, 2014 Madison, Wisconsin In support of the new "Arizona Style" book, "Saturn in the 21st Century", this conference will be held August 4-7 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The conference covers recent results on the planet Saturn and its magnetosphere from Cassini, Hubble, and ground- based observations, as well as new theoretical/analytical treatments of more historical data. Poster talks are solicited. Abstracts due: June 1, 2014. Program, accommodations, and registration and abstract information can be found at: http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/meetings/21st_saturn/ Primary Contact: Kevin Baines, blueskies4321@yahoo.com 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 PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOP AT LPSC Curious about how to improve the quality of the proposals you send to NASA? Ever wonder what the review panel is really looking for when it reviews that proposal? The Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters is offering a Proposal Writing Workshop at LPSC that is based on the cumulative experience of current and former Discipline Scientists who have managed a variety of Research and Announcement (R&A) programs at NASA Headquarters. The specific focus of this intense, educational session is to provide a greater understanding of NASA's research programs and review process and offer constructive and practical insight into writing an effective research proposal. The event is open to all at no charge and will be held on Sunday, March 16, from 12-4 pm in Waterway 1. All interested planetary scientists, from graduate students through emeritus professors, are encouraged to attend. To register, send an e-mail with your name, affiliation, and current position to curt.niebur@nasa.gov. 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] SMD SEEKS VOLUNTEER REVIEWERS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT FELLOWSHIP PROPOSALS The Science Mission Directorate is seeking volunteer reviewers for the evaluation of graduate student fellowship proposals. A web form for volunteers can be found at: http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/volunteer-review-panels/ where volunteers can indicate their interest and areas of expertise. 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 PROGRAM OPPORTUNITY 1 The Mars Exploration Program (MEP) would like to solicit your participation on a Mars 2020 Contamination Study Panel. The panel will have approximately 5-10 members, plus involvement of program/project/discipline support personnel. It is anticipated that the panel members would have expertise and knowledge spanning astrobiology, organic chemistry/geochemistry including theory and state-of-the-art lab practices, and contamination control and measurement. The panel will meet by teleconference once or twice per week between March 1 and July 1, with two face-to-face meetings. A draft report will be due May 1, and final report July 1. If you are able and interested in supporting this effort, please, send a curriculum vitae and letter of interest to Dr. Michael Meyer via email (mars2020-contam-study@lists.nasa.gov), by February 25, 2014. Thank you for your consideration. Regards, Michael Meyer, Lead Scientist, NASA Mars Exploration Program Lisa May, Lead Program Executive, NASA Mars Exploration Program [Edited for length.] 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 MARS EXPLORATION PROGRAM OPPORTUNITY 2 Announcing a pre-LPSC planning meeting: Planning for Potential Mars Returned Sample Science: Considerations Related to Sample Quality Sunday March 16, 2014, 8:30 am - 4 pm Who should attend: Scientists with experience in any aspect of Mars-relevant sample studies Desired outcome: Descriptions of the factors related to minimum acceptable quality for the samples that would potentially be the basis of Mars returned sample science, and formulations of potential baseline and threshold sample quality requirements for each factor. Why: The science community needs to describe the desired and minimum acceptable state of the samples that would be needed to achieve the scientific objectives of MSR. This is a key input into: a) requirements formulation for the M-2020 rover, and b) forward planning for the other potential flight and ground elements that would be associated with MSR. Where: The Woodlands Conference Center, Panther Creek Room Space is limited. Please RSVP to Carla De La Paz at paz@jpl.nasa.gov. Sponsored by NASA Mars Exploration Program 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 2014 DDA ANNUAL MEETING IN PHILADELPHIA The American Astronomical Society's Division on Dynamical Astronomy (DDA) is pleased to announce that its annual meeting will take place at the College of Physicians in Philadelphia, PA, from April 28th to May 1st 2014. Registration and abstract submission are now open, and can be accessed through the meeting website: http://dda.aas.org/meetings/2014/ The deadline for early online registration and abstract submission is March 21st. We would also like to encourage graduate students working in all branches of dynamical astronomy to apply for the Ray Duncombe Prize, which includes free registration and $600 in travel funds. The deadline for Duncombe Prize applications is February 28th. For more details, see: http://dda.aas.org/students/letters/ddastip14.html 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 sample research opportunity is: https://www3.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/17614 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/1fuCwZG 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 FIRST EXOMARS 2018 LANDING SITE SELECTION WORKSHOP The first open ExoMars 2018 Landing Site Selection Workshop (LSS WS#1) will be held at ESA's European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC), close to Madrid, on 26-28 March 2014. For registration and accommodation information, go to: http://www.sciops.esa.int/index.php?project=CONF2014&page=EXOMARS-LSS Details will be added regularly, so please visit the meeting web pages for updates. Please book your own rooms, before 28 February 2014. The meeting will use the entire three days. After 28 February we cannot guarantee hotel availability. Each day buses will take participants from the hotel to ESAC and back. Landing site proposals are due on 28 February 2014. Depending on how many proposals we receive, we will adapt the agenda for the meeting. The current agenda can be found at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/planetary_news/2014/02/12/first-exomars- 2018-landing-site-selection-workshop-important-hotel-logistics- information/ Jorge Vago Daniel Rodionov [Edited for length] 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 MARS CRITICAL DATA PRODUCTS PROGRAM (ROUND IX) - INITIAL LANDING SITE CHARACTERIZATION FOR THE MARS 2020 ROVER MISSION The Mars Exploration Program has issued, in January 2014, a Request for Proposal (RFP) for round IX of the Mars Critical Data Products program. This RFP provides support for initial landing site surface, atmosphere, and gravity characterization for the Mars 2020 rover mission. The intent is to convert mission data and numerical simulations into products focused on specific landing site targets (to be provided by the program) that will be useful for reducing the risk to the Mars 2020 rover mission. Proposals are due on Wednesday, March 5, 2014. Details of the RFPs are posted at: https://acquisition.jpl.nasa.gov/rfp/WH-2691-120313/default.htm or https://acquisition.jpl.nasa.gov/bizops/ 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 PLANETARY SCIENCES EXPLORATION FACULTY POSITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA Position Number 38177 The Department of Physics (physics.cos.ucf.edu) at the University of Central Florida invites applications for up to 2 tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level or higher beginning in August 2014. As part of the recently awarded Center for Lunar and Asteroid Surface Science (CLASS) initiative with the NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) we seek candidates with experience in exploration-related planetary science including, but not limited to, regolith processes, microgravity dynamics, impact physics, primitive asteroid mineralogy, and in-situ resource utilization. Applicants must have a Ph.D. at the time of appointment in Planetary Sciences, Physics, or a closely related discipline, and a substantial record of independent, interdisciplinary research. The successful applicant is expected to establish a vigorous, externally funded research program and have a strong commitment to excellence in graduate and undergraduate education. Interested individuals must complete an on-line application by going to: http://www.jobswithucf.com:80/postings/37471 The online application should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, summary of research and teaching portfolio, and a list of three references with contact information. Screening of applications will begin February 17, 2014 and will continue until the position is filled. 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 4TH "PAOLO FARINELLA" PRIZE, 2014 To honor the memory and the outstanding figure of Paolo Farinella (1953-2000), a prize has been established in recognition of significant contributions given in the fields of interest of Paolo, which span from planetary sciences to space geodesy, fundamental physics, science popularization, security in space, weapons control and disarmament. The prize has been proposed during the "International Workshop on Paolo Farinella the Scientist and the Man", held in Pisa in 2010, and is supported by the University of Pisa and by IAPS-INAF (Rome). The fourth Prize is devoted to planetary sciences and specifically to studies on the "non gravitational forces in the Solar System," both in their application to small natural Solar System bodies and to artificial objects, which were among the major research interests in Paolo's career. The award ceremony will be hosted by the European Planetary Science Congress (EPSC) meeting in Cascais, Portugal (7th to 12th of September 2014). Candidates should have international and interdisciplinary collaborations and should be not older than 47 years at the date of April 30, 2014. Nominations must be sent by email not later than April 30, 2014, at the following addresses: a.rossi@ifac.cnr.it, giovanni@iaps.inaf.it [Edited for length.] 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 JOB OPPORTUNITY: PLANETARY SCIENCE POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER AT BIRKBECK, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON Applications are invited for a postdoctoral researcher to characterize potential landing sites for the ESA ExoMars rover. The project will be based in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Birkbeck, University of London, funded by a grant from the UK Space Agency. The research will involve the use of remote sensing data to conduct detailed geological analyses of potential landing sites on Mars. Of particular importance is the development of testable hypotheses to aid potential future geological exploration of the landing site. The successful candidate will be part of the Institute of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UCL/Birkbeck, and located in the UCL/NASA Regional Planetary Image Facility. Salary: Grade 7, 31,644 pounds per annum, plus the London Allowance of 3,006 pounds per annum. This post is full-time and fixed term for up to 30 months. The closing date for completed applications is 31 March 2014. Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Peter Grindrod, email: p.grindrod@ucl.ac.uk or telephone 020 7679 7986. Full details can be found at: http://jobs.bbk.ac.uk/fe/tpl_birkbeckcollege01.asp?s=4A515F4E5A565B 1A&jobid=52581%2c7268544034&key=76760341&c=467265234034&pagestamp =sehpbxibiinlnydizq 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 1ST ANNOUNCEMENT, MARS 2020 1ST LANDING SITE WORKSHOP Date and location: week of May 12-16, 2014, Washington D.C. (exact dates and location TBD) More details available at: marsnext.jpl.nasa.gov/announcements/index.cfm The purpose of the first Mars 2020 Landing Site Workshop will be to begin to identify and evaluate potential landing sites best suited to achieving science objectives of the 2020 Rover Mission within the constraints imposed by engineering requirements, planetary protection requirements, and the necessity of ensuring a safe landing, as well to provide input to NASA and the 2020 Project on the relative importance of including any enhanced EDL capabilities on the mission. All members of the scientific community are encouraged to participate in this important activity. Persons wishing to make a presentation at the workshop are urged to carefully review the detailed workshop announcement, as well as the 2020 mission science objectives and engineering constraints at: http://marsnext.jpl.nasa.gov/ and http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mars2020/ and should submit the proposed title for their talk that includes the candidate site and a list of authors by April 1st, 2014 to both Matt Golombek (mgolombek@jpl.nasa.gov) and John Grant (grantj@si.edu) [Edited for length.] 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 RINGS WORKSHOP 2014 The Cassini Rings Working Group will hold a several day Planetary Rings Workshop in the summer of 2014. The workshop will be open to all interested parties, and any observational or theoretical research on the properties, dynamics, origin, or evolution of any planetary ring system is appropriate. A combination of oral and poster talks will be offered. Ample time will be allowed for discussion. Previous workshops were held in Ithaca (2011), Paris (2008) and Whitefish, MT (2006). Meeting date and venue will be decided soon, based on preferences received before the end of February by people who indicate a strong likelihood of attending. Europe (Noordwijk or Paris), June 28-30 or July 1-3 (weekend or early week following Cassini PSG at ESTEC) Boulder, CO area (including perhaps Estes Park); week of July 14, or of Aug 11 Please respond to: Jeff Cuzzi (Jeffrey.Cuzzi@NASA.gov) 16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html March 16, 2014 SHARAD/MARSIS Data Users' Workshop http://www.ig.utexas.edu/sharad_marsis/ The Woodlands, TX March 26-28, 2014 First ExoMars 2018 Landing Site Selection Workshop http://www.sciops.esa.int/index.php?project=CONF2014&page=EXOMARS-LSS Madrid, Spain April 28 - May 1, 2014 The 45th Annual Meeting of the American Astronomical Society's Division on Dynamical Astronomy (DDA 2014) http://dda.aas.org/meetings/2014/index.html Philadelphia, PA May 12-16, 2014 First Mars 2020 Landing Site Workshop http://marsnext.jpl.nasa.gov/announcements/index.cfm Washington, DC July 4-11, 2014 6th International Summer School on Radar/SAR Systems http://www.radarsummerschool.fraunhofer.de Bonn, Germany August 4-8, 2014 Saturn in the 21st Century http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/meetings/21st_saturn/ Madison, WI October 13-16, 2014 The 14th European Astrobiology Conference (EANA 2014) http://www.astrobiology.ac.uk/eana2014/ Edinburgh, Scotland November 29 - December 4, 2015 Extreme Solar Systems III http://ciera.northwestern.edu/Hawaii2015.php Waikoloa Beach, HI [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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