PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER
Volume 8, Number 12 (March 9, 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. Call for Special Issue in Planetary and Space Science on "Solar 
   Wind Interaction with the Terrestrial Planets"
2. [NASA] PDS - Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 28
3. [NASA] ROSES-14 Eligible TRLs Changed for PICASSO
4. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships
5. NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute's 
   Exploration Science Forum (Formerly the Lunar Science Forum): 
   Second Announcement
6. New Dates for Venus Express VIRTIS and VMC Data Workshop
7. MSL Research Assistantships at York University
8. LPSC: MESSENGER Visible and Infrared Spectrograph (VIRS) Data 
   Users' Workshop 2014
9. GSA Special Papers on Large Meteorite Impacts and Planetary 
   Evolution V
10. [NASA] ROSES-14 NOIs Not a Two-Step Process for PPR
11. MAVEN Mars Upper-Atmosphere and Solar-Wind Interactions Post-doc
12. PSS Spring Teleconference
13. [NASA] PDS - MESSENGER Data Release 11
14. Panel Discussion for Young Scientists at LPSC
15. Tenure-Track Position in Planetary Geoscience
16. 48th ESLAB Symposium: New Insights into Volcanism Across the 
    Solar System
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

CALL FOR SPECIAL ISSUE IN PLANETARY AND SPACE SCIENCE ON "SOLAR WIND 
INTERACTION WITH THE TERRESTRIAL PLANETS"

We invite you to participate in a special issue of the Planetary and 
Space Science journal, entitled "Solar Wind Interaction with the 
Terrestrial Planets". Topics will include all aspects of planetary 
plasma physics and interactions in the inner Solar System, e.g.:

(a) magnetospheres, ionospheres, auroras
(b) the solar wind interaction with planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth,
    Mars) and their moons, or with asteroids/comets
(c) plasma interactions with exospheres, dust and surfaces
(d) intercomparisons of planetary environments

Contributions are welcome that address previous, present, 
forthcoming and planned observations from space, as well as ground-
based observations, theoretical modelling or simulations. Laboratory 
studies on planetary analogues aiming to simulate the surface-plasma 
interaction will be considered as well.

The deadline for submission in the 1st of July 2014, leading to a
publication in end of 2014. Regular papers are expected, and the 
usual refereeing process will be applied for publication in PSS. 
Please inform us if a shifted deadline would be more convenient for 
you.

Please indicate your interest in contributing to the special issue, 
together with a preliminary title of the intended paper by March 17.
An approximate abstract, if available, would also be appreciated.

P. Garnier, A. Milillo, A. Radioti

[Edited for length.]


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] PDS - MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA RELEASE 28

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 28 includes data collected from May 9, 2013, 
through August 8, 2013. The release includes HiRISE data for 
November 4, 2013, to February 5, 2014.

To access the above data:

http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20140303.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


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] ROSES-14 ELIGIBLE TRLS CHANGED FOR PICASSO

The PICASSO Program supports the development of spacecraft-based 
instrument systems that show promise for use in future planetary 
missions. The goal of the program is to conduct planetary and 
astrobiology science instrument feasibility studies, concept formation, 
proof of concept instruments, and advanced component technology 
development to the point where they may be proposed in response to the 
Maturation of Instruments for Solar System Exploration (MatISSE) 
Program, C.13 of ROSES. Therefore, the proposed instrument system or 
advanced components must address specific scientific objectives of 
likely future planetary science missions.
 
The PICASSO Program is intended to enable timely and efficient 
technology infusion into the MatISSE Program and eventually into 
flight missions. As such, the entry technology readiness level (TRL) 
that PICASSO supports is 1-3. Proposals where the entry TRL is 4 or 
higher are not appropriate for the PICASSO, but should be submitted 
to C.13, the MatISSE program.
 
The due dates remain unchanged. 
Step-1 proposals due September 15, 2014.
Step-2 proposals due November 14, 2014.
 
Announcement NNH14ZDA001N is posted at:

http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ 

RSS feed at:

http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations
/roses-2014
 
Questions may be addressed to:
Janice L. Buckner
202-358-0183
janice.l.buckner@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 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.

A sample opportunity 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 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
 

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'S SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION RESEARCH VIRTUAL INSTITUTE'S 
EXPLORATION SCIENCE FORUM (FORMERLY THE LUNAR SCIENCE FORUM): SECOND 
ANNOUNCEMENT

Abstracts can now be submitted at:

http://sservi.nasa.gov/NESF2014/

The deadline for abstract submission is midnight PDT April 26, 2014. 

Conference Details: 
July 21-23, 2014 
NASA Ames Research Center
Moffett Field, CA
No registration fees to attend

We are soliciting abstracts for the following topics relevant to human 
exploration targets of interest (Moon, near-Earth Asteroids, 
Phobos/Deimos): Dust/Regolith, Exosphere/Plasma Interactions, Geology, 
Geophysics, Human Exploration, Missions (including science enabled by 
robotic, human and commercial missions), Radiation, Robotics, Sample 
Return (including robotic-assisted through telepresence), Volatiles, 
ISRU, Astro/Heliophysics (including Space Weathering), and Public 
Outreach.

Many of the ESF topics are of relevance to the Global Exploration 
Roadmap. To further discussion with the science community, NASA will 
conduct a separate session on the Global Exploration Roadmap on 
July 24, immediately following the Exploration Science Forum. 

The next announcement (April 2014) will discuss Exploration Science 
Forum logistics (hotel accommodations, parking, and no-host meals). 
Registration for the Forum is FREE and will remain open until 
July 6th - Please register early.

International visitors MUST register by May 26th 2014 in order to 
process your NASA visitor information.

[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

NEW DATES FOR VENUS EXPRESS VIRTIS AND VMC DATA WORKSHOP

ESA is pleased to announce a Venus Express VIRTIS and VMC Data 
Workshop that will be held at ESAC (Madrid, Spain) on 12-15 May 2014.

The goal of the workshop is to introduce users to the data returned 
by the VIRTIS and VMC instruments of the Venus Express orbiter, 
available from ESA's Planetary Science Archive:

http://archives.esac.esa.int/psa

Scientific and technical lectures will be provided, as well as 
hands-on data processing exercises, with members of the VIRTIS and 
VMC instrument teams providing direct support on the best ways in 
which to calibrate and use their data for science. The detailed 
content of the course is still under development, and may be 
changed in light of the interests of the participants.

If you are interested in attending, please register at:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15J6SRjsa9j8Fvllbd2f-2q9_hhY
JwZvnX5bn3clhdKo/viewform

Limited funding is available to help cover the travel and/or 
subsistence costs of the participants attending the workshop.

Should you be interested in applying for this support, please 
provide a short justification for your request using the 
registration form. 

Registration deadline: 31 March 2014

For more details, visit: 

http://www.rssd.esa.int/index.php?project=PSA&page=vex_workshop 

E-mail: vex-workshop@sciops.esa.int

[Edited for length.]


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

MSL RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS AT YORK UNIVERSITY

1-2 MSc Research Assistantships are available at York University for 
work with the Mars Science Laboratory Mission.

Projects will be primarily focused on Atmospheric research and 
Atmosphere-Surface interactions and may involve elements of numerical 
modeling, data analysis and experimental laboratory work. The 
successful candidate(s) will also be expected to support MSL surface 
operations. While the current availability of RA-ships is limited to 
those who wish to pursue an MSc, it is likely that opportunities 
will exist for successful students to go on to complete a PhD.

Those interested should contact Dr. John E. Moores at jmoores@yorku.ca


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

LPSC: MESSENGER VISIBLE AND INFRARED SPECTROGRAPH (VIRS) DATA USERS' 
WORKSHOP 2014

12:00-1:15 p.m., Monday March 17th
Woodlands Waterway Marriott, The Woodlands, TX
Panther Creek Room

Since entering orbit in 2011, MESSENGER's Visible and Infrared 
Spectrograph (VIRS) has acquired >9 million spectra of Mercury's 
surface and created the first spectral maps of the solar system's 
innermost planet. These data are available in NASA's Planetary Data 
System (PDS). This workshop will introduce the available VIRS 
products, the calibrations applied, and tools for finding and using 
VIRS data.

This MESSENGER Visible and Infrared Spectrograph (VIRS) Data Users' 
Workshop will be held in association with the 45th Lunar and Planetary 
Science Conference on Monday, March 17, 2014, from 12:00-1:15 PM in
the Panther Creek Room at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and Hotel 
and Convention Center, The Woodlands, TX. The workshop is intended 
for anyone interested in using VIRS data.

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at: 

https://secwww.jhuapl.edu/MESSENGER_Workshop/registration.aspx


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

GSA SPECIAL PAPERS ON LARGE METEORITE IMPACTS AND PLANETARY 
EVOLUTION V

This is the final call for manuscripts for a Geological Society of 
America on "Large Meteorite Impacts and Planetary Evolution V" 
following the successful conference with the same name held in 
Sudbury in August 2013:

http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/sudbury2013/

It should be noted that submitting a manuscript is not restricted to 
those who attended this conference and we hope that you will spread 
the word to your colleagues.

Author Guidelines: Guidelines on formatting, figures, tables etc. 
can be found on the Books section of the GSA's website: 

http://www.geosociety.org/pubs/bookguid.htm.

Timeline: The deadline for manuscript submission HAS BEEN EXTENDED 
TO MARCH 31ST 2014.

Submission process: Please follow the guidelines as laid out by GSA 
(see above) and send a compiled pdf document to fifthlmi@gmail.com, 
ensuring that the file size is 25 MB or smaller. In your e-mail, 
please include a list of up to 3 potential reviewers.

Questions: Questions regarding any aspect of this process can be 
directed to fifthlmi@gmail.com

We look forward to receiving your manuscript.

Drs. Gordon Osinski and David Kring
Co-Convenors, Large Meteorite Impacts and Planetary Evolution V


10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10

[NASA] ROSES-14 NOIS NOT A TWO-STEP PROCESS FOR PPR

Planetary protection involves preventing biological contamination on 
both outbound and sample return missions to other planetary bodies. 
Numerous areas of research in astrobiology/exobiology are improving 
our understanding of the potential for survival of Earth microbes 
in extraterrestrial environments, relevant to preventing contamination 
of other bodies by organisms carried on spacecraft. Research is 
required to improve NASA's understanding of the potential for both 
forward and backward contamination, how to minimize it, and to set 
standards in these areas for spacecraft preparation and operating 
procedures. Improvements in technologies and methods for evaluating 
the potential for life in returned samples are also of interest. Many 
of these research areas derive directly from recent National Research 
Council (NRC) recommendations on planetary protection for solar 
system exploration missions.
 
This program will not use the two-step proposal submission process, 
but instead invites optional Notices of Intent (NOIs) by 
April 7, 2014, and proposals are due June 6, 2014.
 
Announcement: NNH14ZDA001N
Posted at:

http://nspires.nasaprs.com 

RSS feed at:

http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations
/roses-2014

[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

MAVEN MARS UPPER-ATMOSPHERE AND SOLAR-WIND INTERACTIONS POST-DOC

The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the 
University of Colorado Boulder invites applications for a Post-Doctoral 
Research Associate to work on data from the MAVEN mission. The MAVEN 
(Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) spacecraft arrives at Mars in 
September, and will study the upper atmosphere and ionosphere, 
interactions with the Sun and the solar wind, and the loss of 
atmospheric atoms and molecules to space. The person hired will spend 
approximately up to half of their time on science operations planning 
activities, and the rest of their time integrating data analysis and/or 
theoretical modeling in an area relevant to the mission or in related 
interdisciplinary areas. 

The MAVEN primary mission will last one Earth year from the start of 
science mapping in November, with an expectation that there may be an 
extended mission. The appointment will be initially for one year, with 
the possibility of renewal for subsequent years or through the end of 
the project. Applicants may be at the entry-level post-doc level or may 
be more senior.

For complete ad, and to apply, see:

http://www.jobsatcu.com/postings/79407

Questions: 
Bruce Jakosky (MAVEN PI)
bruce.jakosky@lasp.colorado.edu


12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12

PSS SPRING TELECONFERENCE

Dear Colleagues:

Just a friendly reminder that the Spring PSS telecon is this Wednesday 
March 12, 2014.

The Federal Register announcement, with webex and phone information 
can be found at:

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-02-14/pdf/2014-03288.pdf


13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13

[NASA] PDS - MESSENGER DATA RELEASE 11

The Planetary Data System is pleased to announce Release 11 of data 
collected by the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, 
and Ranging (MESSENGER) mission, including raw and calibrated products 
acquired through 17 September 2013 and advanced products acquired 
through 17 March 2013.

New products for this release include:
- Anti-coincidence shield neutron spectra and high-time-resolution 
  energetic electron data (GRS)
- Global 3-color map with various backplanes (MDIS)
- Element concentration maps (GRS, XRS)
- Neutron composition information (NS)
- Reflectance spectra and base map and exosphere model (MASCS)
- Density, temperature, pressure, and arrival direction distributions 
  for selected time periods and ion species (EPPS)

Advanced products with extended data and other improvements include:
- Summed gamma-ray spectra and background-subtracted, geolocated 
  neutron counts (GRNS)
- Time-averaged magnetic field data (MAG)
- Altimeter profiles, radiometry, and improved-resolution northern 
  hemisphere digital elevation model (MLA)
- Limb tangent height and surface reflectance spectra (MASCS)
- Pitch-angle and measured-flux distributions and energy spectra 
  (EPPS)
- Occultation data and spherical harmonic gravity and shape models 
  (RS/MLA)

Data sets in this release:

http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20140307.html

Data archived in the PDS:

http://pds.nasa.gov

ACT-REACT QuickMap interactive Web interface to MESSENGER data:

http://messenger.jhuapl.edu

http://www.nasa.gov/messenger

MDIS mosaics:

http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/the_mission/mosaics.html


14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14

PANEL DISCUSSION FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS AT LPSC

The loosely organized group Young Scientists for Planetary Exploration 
is hosting a two-part panel discussion and Q & A session on NASA 
funding, how to get it, and what we can all do to improve the future 
prospects of early career planetary scientists. Our panel features 
several experienced researchers and NASA administrators, including: 
Jonathan Rall (NASA Planetary R & A lead), Christina Richey (NASA 
Program Officer), David Draper (NASA Manager of Astromaterials 
Research), Curt Niebur (NASA Program and Discipline Scientist), 
Sarah Noble (NASA Program Officer), and Casey Dreier (Planetary 
Society Director of Advocacy). The event will be held on Tuesday,
March 18, at 5:00 PM in the Woodlands room of the conference hotel. 
Although this event is open to anyone interested, priority will be 
given to students and early-career researchers (of any age).

For more information, please contact Paul Hayne: 
Paul.O.Hayne@jpl.nasa.gov


15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15

TENURE-TRACK POSITION IN PLANETARY GEOSCIENCE

The Department of Earth Sciences and the Centre for Planetary Science 
and Exploration at The University of Western Ontario invite 
applications for a probationary tenure-track faculty position in the 
area of Planetary Geoscience. The appointment will be made at the 
rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. 

This position builds upon the recent appointments of an NSERC/MDA/CSA 
Industrial Research Chair in Planetary Geology, a Tier 1 Canada 
Research Chair in Planetary Science and two Research Chairs, one in 
Planetary Materials and one in Exoplanet Research. 

The applicant will have a strong record in Planetary Geoscience 
research, with preference given to applicants whose research focuses 
on comparative planetology and/or planetary surface processes. 
Research methodologies may include remote sensing and spectroscopy 
for Earth and other planetary observations, geochemistry, hydrology, 
geomicrobiology, metallogeny, and related fields. Involvement in 
current or future planned planetary exploration missions and/or 
Earth observation remote sensing is considered an asset to this 
position. 

More details on the position can be found at: 

http://www.uwo.ca/earth/news/2014/faculty_position_in_planetary
_geoscience.html


16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16

48TH ESLAB SYMPOSIUM: NEW INSIGHTS INTO VOLCANISM ACROSS THE SOLAR 
SYSTEM

The deadline for abstract submission has been extended to 14th 
March 2014. Information is available at:

http://congrexprojects.com/2014-events/48-ESLAB/

The SOC thanks the numerous researchers that have already submitted 
their abstract to the symposium.

The symposium will focus on volcanism in the Solar System. Of 
particular interest, but not limited to, will be new insights 
obtained over the last years from international space missions 
to planets, Moons and cryo-volcanism. The format will be made up 
of plenary sessions on topics related to volcanism in the Solar 
System, with contributed oral and poster presentations.

Sebastien Besse on behalf of the SOC    


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

May 12-15, 2014
Venus Express VIRTIS and VMC Data Workshop
http://www.rssd.esa.int/index.php?project=PSA&page=vex_workshop 
Madrid, Spain

May 13, 2014
M4 Venus Orbiter Workshop
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/planetary_news/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/
M4-Venus-Workshop.pdf
London, United Kingdom

June 9-12, 2014
Fifth Joint Meeting of the Space Resources Roundtable and the 
Planetary & Terrestrial Mining Sciences Symposium
http://www.isruinfo.com//docs/srr_ann/srr_xv_ptmss_first_
announcement.pdf
Golden, CO

June 24-27, 2014
6th Workshop on Hyperspectral Image and Signal Processing: Evolution 
in Remote Sensing
http://core.ieee-whispers.com/
Lausanne, Switzerland

September 8-12, 2014
Thirty Years of Beta Pic and Debris Disk Studies
http://betapic30.sciencesconf.org/
Paris, France

September 22-25, 2014
Exoplanets with JWST - MIRI
http://www.mpia-hd.mpg.de/exoplanets2014/
Heidelberg, Germany

[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.]


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