PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 8, Number 10 (February 23, 2014) 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. 6th Alfven Conference: Plasma Interaction with Solar System Objects 2. Icarus Special Issue: 2013 Saturn Auroral Campaign 3. Postdoctoral Research Assistant 4. Tenured/Tenure-Track Professor 5. Visiting Faculty Position 6. [NASA] Release of ROSES 2014 Call for Proposals from NASA's Science Mission Directorate 7. [NASA] Final Text for Solar System Workings AO 8. [NASA] Planned Schedule for Discovery Draft AO 9. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 10. Venus Town-Hall Meeting and Early Career Scholars Mixer at LPSC 11. Reminder and Student Travel Support for Venus Exploration Targets Workshop 12. First Landing Site Workshop for the 2020 Mars Rover Mission 13. Clay Minerals Society Meeting Special Session: Martian Clays 14. Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference 15. Mars Critical Data Products Program (Round IX) 16. The 2014 Humans to Mars Summit (H2M) is Only Two Months Away 17. 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 6TH ALFEN CONFERENCE: PLASMA INTERACTIONS WITH SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS Anticipating Rosetta, Maven and Mars orbiter missions. Second announcement and call for notification of interest. Conference dates: 7-11 July 2014 Location: University College London (UCL), 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. More information: http://bit.ly/alfven-2014 If you plan to attend this meeting, please fill out the notification of interest form by 26 February if possible: http://bit.ly/alfven-interest Confirmed invited speakers so far include: Rickard Lundin, Christian Mazelle, Matt Taylor, David Andrews, Esa Kallio, Oleg Vaisberg, Xianzhe Jia, Jim Slavin, Yoshifumi Saito, Geraint Jones, Stas Barabash, Olivier Witasse, Wing Ip, Martin Rubin, Chris Paranicas and Tom Cravens. Regards, Andrew Coates (convener) and Anne Wellbrock (LOC co-chair), on behalf of the LOC and SOC 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 ICARUS SPECIAL ISSUE: 2013 SATURN AURORAL CAMPAIGN In April and May 2013 the Cassini spacecraft, the Hubble Space Telescope, and a number of ground-based telescopes undertook an unprecedented observing campaign to study the aurora of Saturn, forming the most comprehensive set of remote and in-situ observations of this spectacular interaction between the planet's atmosphere, magnetosphere, and solar wind. Auroral emissions were recorded in the ultraviolet, visible, infrared, and radio, and a host of in-situ Cassini instruments measured the magnetic field and plasma environment inside the magnetosphere of Saturn, enabling unique synergistic studies of every region of the magnetosphere and planetary atmosphere that form part of this process. We'd like to publish the results of this campaign in a special issue of Icarus. Topics of interest include: + Characterizing the mechanisms that drive auroral processes at Saturn. + Comparing simultaneous auroral emission from the northern and southern polar regions. + Comparisons between ultraviolet, visible, and infrared auroral emissions, enabling direct comparisons between ionospheric and magnetospheric emissions. + Monitoring long term trends in auroral intensity in both hemispheres to isolate seasonal and intrinsic (magnetic field) dependences. For more information, please contact the editorial office at Icarus@astro.cornell.edu Paper submission Deadline: 14 March 2014 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 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT University of Oxford - Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics, Department of Physics Grade 7: 29,837 - 36,661 BP/year Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant within the sub-department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics (AOPP), Department of Physics. The successful applicant will work in the Planetary Experiments Group on infrared spectroscopy to support the remote sensing of the Moon and asteroids. The post is available initially for a fixed-term of 2 years. This project will develop new numerical radiative transfer codes to aid in the analysis of near-infrared and or thermal infrared remote sensing data of planetary surfaces of airless bodies such as the Moon or asteroids. The new results will be applied to remote sensing data from the Moon and also be used in preparation for future missions to small bodies such as asteroids. The successful applicant will also have the opportunity to develop a programme of laboratory measurements to support the numerical modelling work using the spectroscopy facilities in the Planetary Experiments Group. The post-holder will have the opportunity to teach. Please direct informal enquiries about this post to Dr. Neil Bowles (n.bowles1@physics.ox.ac.uk). Deadline: Noon, 17 March 2014 For further information: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AID881/postdoctoral-research-assistant/ [Edited for length] 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 TENURED/TENURE-TRACK PROFESSOR Geologic Processes in Early Planetary History Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University The Department of Geological Sciences (http://www.geo.brown.edu/), Brown University, invites applications for a Tenured/Tenure-Track Professor faculty position in Geologic Processes in Early Planetary History. Recent and ongoing missions to the Moon, Mars, Mercury, outer planet satellites and asteroids have produced unprecedented high spatial and spectral resolution data on the nature of ancient planetary crusts and the geological, geodynamic, accretion, differentiation, chemical, biological and atmospheric processes that modify them. These are providing new avenues for research on early planetary history. Candidates with interests in these broad areas are encouraged to apply. Candidates should complement our current planetary science strengths in crustal evolution, volcanism, impact cratering, and remote sensing and departmental focus areas of Earth system history, tectonophysics, and Earth materials and processes. This will be an open rank search (Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor) and will be available as soon as July 1, 2014 but will remain open until filled. Review and evaluation of applications will begin on March 15, 2014. Applicants should forward a letter of interest, current CV, statements of research and teaching interests, and the names of three references to: http://www.interfolio.com/apply/24379 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 VISITING FACULTY POSITION Mount Holyoke College invites applications for a one-year, full- or half-time visiting faculty position beginning September 2014 in Astronomy. Duration of appointment may be extended. Teaching responsibilities will include up to five courses in some combination of introductory astronomy, planetary science, and an additional upper-level course in a topic to be determined. Along with nearby Amherst, Hampshire, and Smith Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, MHC is an active member of the Five College Astronomy Department. The successful candidate must be dedicated to undergraduate education and enjoy working with students. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in astronomy, planetary science, physics, or a closely-related field. Please apply on-line at: https://jobsearch.mtholyoke.edu To be assured of full consideration, include a letter of interest, and three letters of recommendation. Electronic prompts to referees will be generated automatically once the completed application has been submitted. [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 [NASA] RELEASE OF ROSES 2014 CALL FOR PROPOSALS FROM NASA'S SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE Dear Colleagues, This is the letter from SARA, a short update for NASA scientists. Our omnibus solicitation "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences" (ROSES) for 2014 was released Tuesday, February 18, 2014. As always, we are calling for proposals on a wide range of basic and applied supporting research and technology in space and Earth sciences, including, but not limited to: theory, modeling, and analysis of SMD science data; aircraft, scientific balloon, sounding rocket, International Space Station, CubeSat and suborbital reusable launch vehicle investigations. You can download PDF versions of ROSES and find links to tables of due dates and the new version of the guidebook for proposers by going to: http://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2014 Table 2 of individual programs in order of due date can be found at: http://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2014table2 Table 3 of individual programs organized by subject area can be found at: http://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2014table3 To track all updates, amendments and corrections to ROSES and subscribe to the RSS feed at: http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations /roses-2014/ The names, email addresses and phone numbers of the program officers can be found at: http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/program-officers-list/ There are some significant changes from last year: 1. The Planetary Science Division research program, has been restructured and all calls except the Early Career Fellowship program will use the 2-Step proposal submission process. 2. The Cross Division Program known as "Origins of Solar Systems," has been changed to the Exoplanet Research Program. For more changes, features of interest and more details about the above please see: http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/faqs/ Max Bernstein SARA@nasa.gov [Edited, with length exception] 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 [NASA] FINAL TEXT FOR SOLAR SYSTEM WORKINGS AO The Solar System Workings (SSW) program element supports research into atmospheric, climatological, dynamical, geologic, geophysical, and geochemical processes occurring on planetary bodies, satellites, and other minor bodies (including rings) in the Solar System. This call seeks to address the physical and chemical processes that affect the surfaces, interiors, atmospheres, exospheres, and magnetospheres of planetary bodies. A wide range of investigations will be covered, including theoretical studies, analytical and numerical modeling, sample-based studies of extraterrestrial materials, field work, laboratory studies, and data synthesis relevant to the physical and chemical processes affecting planetary systems. This amendment presents the final text for SSW, which replaces the prior text in its entirety. Proposals to this program will be taken by a two-step process, in which the Notice of Intent is replaced by a required Step-1 proposal submitted by an organization Authorized Organizational Representative. Only proposers who submit a Step-1 proposal are eligible to submit a Step-2 (full) proposal. See Section 3 for details. Step-1 proposals are due May 23, 2014, and Step-2 proposals are due July 25, 2014. Go to: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ Questions concerning SSW may be addressed to: Mary Voytek 202-358-1577 mvoytek@hq.nasa.gov [Edited for length] 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] PLANNED SCHEDULE FOR DISCOVERY DRAFT AO It is anticipated that approximately two to three Discovery investigations will be selected for nine-month, $3M (RY) Phase A concept studies through this AO. At the conclusion of these concept studies, it is planned that one Discovery investigation will be selected to continue into Phase B and subsequent mission phases. The use of radioisotope power systems (RPSs) may not be proposed, however the use of radioactive sources for science instruments and the use of radioisotope heater units may be included. Launch Vehicle costs and procurement will be the responsibility of NASA. Investigations are capped at a Phase A-D cost of $450M (FY15), excluding standard launch services. The time frame (target) for the solicitation is intended to be: Draft AO Release: May 2014 Final AO Release: September 2014 Preproposal conference: ~3 weeks after final AO release Proposals due: 90 days after AO release Selection for competitive Phase A studies: May 2015 Concept study reports due: April 2016 Down-selection: October 2016 Launch readiness date: NLT December 31, 2021 Further information will be posted on the Discovery Program Acquisition Page at: http://discovery.larc.nasa.gov/ Questions may be addressed to Dr. Michael New Discovery Program Lead Scientist 202-358-1766 michael.h.new@nasa.gov [Edited for length] 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 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/17717 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 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 VENUS TOWN-HALL MEETING AND EARLY CAREER SCHOLARS MIXER AT LPSC You are invited to participate in a lunchtime Venus Town-Hall Meeting during the LPSC on Thursday, March 20, 2014, in the Indian Springs Room, hosted by the Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG). The objective of this Town Hall meeting is to encourage a community discussion and receive feedback on the nearly complete updates to the Goals, Objectives, and Investigations for Venus Exploration, Roadmap for Venus Exploration and Venus Technology Plan documents. Current updates and a request for community comments are on the VEXAG web site: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/ For those unable to attend in person, the call-in number for an audio hook-up is Toll-Free - 866-328-8761 / 818-354-3434 / Meeting ID 0293 Join the VEXAG Early Career Scholars Focus Group for an informal meet and greet at the Acqua Lounge after the Venus oral Session on Monday afternoon. Please check the VEXAG - Early Career Scholars Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/432478660134856/ 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 REMINDER AND STUDENT TRAVEL SUPPORT FOR VENUS EXPLORATION TARGETS WORKSHOP May 19-21, 2014 Lunar and Planetary Institute Houston, Texas Abstracts due 4 March 2014. For information, go to: http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/venus2014/ Travel support for travel of up to four (4) students from any city in the U.S. to the workshop. Expenses for airfare, accommodation, meals, and airport transfers will be covered. Graduate students and qualified undergraduate seniors are eligible. Students requesting travel support will need to supply: - One page CV, - One page description on how your participation in the Workshop on Venus Exploration Targets will benefit them, - A letter of evaluation from a faculty advisor, and - A copy of their abstract http://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/student_travel/VET/ 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 FIRST LANDING SITE WORKSHOP FOR THE 2020 MARS ROVER MISSION For information and registration, go to: http://marsnext.jpl.nasa.gov 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 CLAY MINERALS SOCIETY MEETING SPECIAL SESSION: MARTIAN CLAYS May 17-21 Conveners: Bethany Ehlmann (Caltech & JPL), Doug Ming (JSC) Between Opportunity, Curiosity, meteorites, and continuing orbital data, it's been an exciting year for clay minerals on Mars. This year's convening of the Clay Mineral Society on the Texas A&M campus thus includes a special session for unraveling what it all means: "Clay Mineralogy & Geochemistry on Mars". Martian clay mineral abstracts are due by February 28th. For more information, go to: https://cms2014.tamu.edu/sessions.html#Mars 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 INTERPLANETARY SMALL SATELLITE CONFERENCE Call for abstracts Caltech will host the Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference on April 28-29, 2014, Pasadena, CA The 2014 Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference is designed for small spacecraft experts from industry, government, and academia. Small satellites are typically defined as less than 500 kg, however we strongly encourage papers that focus on satellites on the scale of less than 50 kg. The conference promotes interdisciplinary understanding of exploration by small spacecraft and interplanetary systems, including novel science and technology, and their applications to educational, government, and commercial endeavors. The attendees will include members from the science and engineering communities interested in space exploration missions and technologies. The goal is for attendees to share their knowledge and experience, as well as identify challenges for interplanetary small satellite systems. There will be plenty of opportunities to network and develop lasting relationships, benefiting participants, their organizations, and the science and engineering communities at large. Conference details and abstract submission instructions can be found here: http://www.intersmallsatconference.org/ Sincerely, Alessandra Babuscia on behalf of the organizing committee 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 IX) Initial Landing Site Characterization for the Mars 2020 Rover Mission The Mars Exploration Program has issued, in January 2014, a Request for Proposal 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/ 16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16 THE 2014 HUMANS TO MARS SUMMIT (H2M) IS ONLY TWO MONTHS AWAY 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, Mars and STEM education, Affording Mars, space and US competitiveness, ISRU, and many other topics. Some of the speakers include Charles Bolden, William Gerstenmaier, Ellen Stofan, James Garvin, Michael Meyer, Doug McCuistion, Penelope Boston, Marc Kaufman, Buzz Aldrin, Joel Levine, Miles O'Brien, Rebecca Keiser, Victoria Friedensen, and many more. Register today at: http://h2m2014.exploremars.org Note: Students receive free admission on the first day if H2M. 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 April 28-29, 2014 Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference http://www.intersmallsatconference.org/ Pasadena, CA May 14-16, 2014 First Landing Site Workshop for the 2020 Mars Rover Mission http://marsnext.jpl.nasa.gov Washington, DC May 17-21, 2014 51st Annual Meeting of the Clay Minerals Society https://cms2014.tamu.edu/ College Station, TX [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. 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