PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 8, Number 27 (June 8, 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. July 1 Deadline for PSS "Solar Wind Interaction with the Terrestrial Planets" 2. [NASA] PDS Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 29 3. Dennis Schatz of Pacific Science Center Wins Astronomy Outreach Award 4. Uwingu Awards Graduate Student Travel Grants to Research Conferences 5. THEMIS Geodetically Controlled Mosaics Available from the USGS 6. Postdoc Position at University of Colorado LASP 7. Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter - June 2014 8. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 9. NASA Invites Universities to Submit Innovative Early-Stage Technology Proposals 10. [NASA] Planetary Science Division Seeking Volunteer Reviewers 11. New Approaches to Lunar Ice Detection and Mapping 12. 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 JULY 1 DEADLINE FOR PSS "SOLAR WIND INTERACTIONS WITH THE TERRESTRIAL PLANETS The deadline for submissions to the special issue "Solar wind Interaction with the Terrestrial Planets" in the Planetary and Space Science journal is July 1, 2014. Covered topics 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 which 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 are considered as well. Go to: http://ees.elsevier.com/pss/ Under 'Article Type' choose 'SI: Solar Wind Planet Interaction'. Please provide 3-4 names of potential reviewers when you submit your manuscript. Acceptance for publication will be December 1, 2014, with an expected publication date in early February 2015. P. Garnier, A. Milillo, A. Radioti Philippe.Garnier@irap.omp.eu [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 29 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 29 includes data collected from August 9, 2013, through November 8, 2013. The release includes HiRISE data for February 5 to May 2, 2014. To access the above data, go to: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20140602.html 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 DENNIS SCHATZ OF PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER WINS ASTRONOMY OUTREACH AWARD Dennis Schatz, Senior Advisor and former Senior Vice President of Pacific Science Center in Seattle, has won the 2014 Klumpke-Roberts Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, given for a lifetime of contributions to the public understanding of astronomy. Previous winners of this prestigious award include Carl Sagan, Isaac Asimov, Dava Sobel, and Timothy Ferris. Schatz's more than 20 books on science for children (including The Astronomy Activity Book) have been translated into 23 languages and have sold more than 2 million copies. Schatz is perhaps best known for his widely-used hands-on astronomy activities, which put students in the role of scientists -- asking questions, doing experiments, and drawing conclusions. These activities include "Reasons for the Seasons," "Pocket Sun Clock," "Modeling and Explaining Lunar Phases," "Invent an Alien," and "Recipe for your own Comet." Many of his activities have been published in two popular astronomy curriculum packages, AstroAdventures and The Universe at Your Fingertips. For more about the Klumpke-Roberts Award (including previous winners), see: http://www.astrosociety.org/about-us/klumpke-roberts-award-of-the -astronomical-society-of-the-pacific/ [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 UWINGU AWARDS GRADUATE STUDENT TRAVEL GRANTS TO RESEARCH CONFERENCES Uwingu has awarded 11 travel grants to finishing PhD students from both the United States and overseas to present their results at research conferences. Winning students were selected from a field of dozens of applications Uwingu received in late April. The travel grants announced on June 3rd support research topics ranging from Martian and lunar science, to astrobiology, to exoplanets. Congratulations to: Brandi Carrier (Tufts University) Aditya Chopra (Australian National University) Ingrid Daubar (University of Arizona) Catherine Elder (University of Arizona) Ellen Harju (UCLA) Lu Liu (University of Washington) Bo Ma (University of Florida) Johanna Teske (University if Arizona) Jessica Watkins (UCLA) Jennifer Whitten (Brown University) Mehmet Yesiltas (University of Central Florida) More at: http://www.uwingu.com/blog/ 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 THEMIS GEODETICALLY CONTROLLED MOSAICS AVAILABLE FROM THE USGS THEMIS infrared geodetically controlled mosaics, updated spacecraft pointing and orientation information (i.e., preliminary smithed SPICE kernels), and supporting documentation are available for download and public use from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Science Center. Nine daytime infrared and eight nighttime infrared mosaics are currently available, with additional mosaics being released each January and July until a global product is completed. These mosaics are tied to a known coordinate system (USGS Viking Orbiter Mars Digital Image Model 2.1), spatially adjusted to align feature boundaries, and orthoprojected at 100 m/pixel scale. This process results in sub-pixel registration between images and the daytime IR and nighttime IR mosaics to be well-registered to one another. These products enhance our knowledge (e.g., position, precision, and accuracy) of image placement and the location of small-scale surface features, and will benefit the current and future orbital acquisition of data, the planning of spacecraft and surface operations, and allows for easier and improved intercomparison of all Mars data sets. Please see the following website for product download and additional documentation: http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/maps/mars-themis-controlled-mosaics-and -preliminary-smithed-kernels Please contact Robin Fergason (rfergason@usgs.gov) with any questions. 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 POSTDOC POSITION AT UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO LASP The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder is seeking to fill immediately a postdoctoral research associate position to investigate the near-Mars space environment within the context of the Mar-solar wind interaction. The research will involve: (1) modeling of the physical processes at work in the Martian ionosphere and induced magnetosphere with an emphasis on atmospheric escape, and/or (2) analysis of the data returned from the NASA Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission. Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree in planetary and space physics or a closely related field. Previous experience with programming is desirable. Interested applicants must be dedicated, highly motivated, and have a good track record of publication. The postdoctoral position is initially for one year, and may be extended, contingent upon performance and funding availability. Applications will be considered beginning June 15, 2014 and the position will remain open until filled. For specifics about the position, contact Dr. Xiaohua Fang at xiaohua.fang@lasp.colorado.edu. Only online applications are accepted. Please visit the following website for the application and instructions: http://www.jobsatcu.com/postings/83112 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 MARS EXPLORATION SCIENCE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2014 On behalf of Lisa Pratt (MEPAG Chair), Dave Beaty, Rich Zurek, and Amy Hale of the Mars Program Science Office, June 2014 edition of the Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter can be found on the web at: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov 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 example of one of the research opportunities in planetary science is: https://www3.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/17710 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/1iUrK4I 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 NASA INVITES UNIVERSITIES TO SUBMIT INNOVATIVE EARLY-STAGE TECHNOLOGY PROPOSALS NASA is seeking proposals from universities to advance the agency's plans for exploration to deep space and Mars. The Early Stage Innovations NASA Research Announcement calls for innovative space technology proposals that could benefit the space program, other government agencies and the greater aerospace community. NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate expects to make approximately 12 awards this fall, with total award amounts of up to $500,000. Research and development efforts will take place over two to three years. Researchers will investigate transformative space technologies in areas such as advanced thermal protection materials modeling, computational materials, in situ utilization of asteroid materials, mobile robotic surface probe concepts for planetary exploration, kinetic penetrators for icy planetary moons, and advanced technology habitat system designs for continued human exploration of space. Only accredited U.S. universities may submit proposals under this solicitation. Notices of intent to submit proposals to the Early Stage Innovations Appendix of NASA's Research Announcement, Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2014 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2014), are due June 24. The deadline for submitting final proposals is July 21. To view the announcement and information for submitting proposals, visit: http://go.nasa.gov/1mRS9y8 David E. Steitz 202-358-1730 david.steitz@nasa.gov 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] PLANETARY SCIENCE DIVISION SEEKING VOLUNTEER REVIEWERS To increase the pool of un-conflicted reviewers the Planetary Science Division is seeking subject matter experts to serve as mail-in reviewers of proposals and/or in-person reviewers to engage in discussions at a face-to-face panel meeting. New researchers (including post-doctoral fellows) are welcome to apply as they provide fresh insight from people close to the most current research. Go to the link below to the volunteer review forms and indicate the fields in which you consider yourself to be a subject matter expert and click the boxes. If your skills match our needs for this review NASA will contact you to discuss scheduling. We are currently seeking reviewers for: ROSES 2014 C.13 Maturation of Instruments for Solar System Exploration ROSES 2014 E.3 The Exoplanet Research Program ROSES 2014 C.2 Emerging Worlds ROSES 2014 C.6 Solar System Observations ROSES 2014 C.3 Solar System Workings ROSES 2014 C.10 Cassini Data Analysis and Participating Scientist Program ROSES 2014 C.11 Discovery Data Analysis Go to: http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/volunteer-review-panels/ 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 NEW APPROACHES TO LUNAR ICE DETECTION AND MAPPING We are pleased to announce the release of the final report for the study, "New Approaches to Lunar Ice Detection and Mapping", from the Keck Institute for Space Studies: http://kiss.caltech.edu/study/lunar-ice/KISS_lunar_report.pdf (36 Mb PDF) This study, which began in July 2013, was motivated by recent advances in two areas: 1) remote sensing data and models provide compelling (though sometimes conflicting) evidence for the presence of concentrated volatiles on the Moon, and 2) small, low-cost spacecraft have emerged as a potentially viable means of planetary exploration and science. We therefore sought to identify key measurements for lunar ice detection and mapping that could be accomplished through innovative, low-cost mission concepts. The report summarizes the current state of knowledge about lunar volatiles, and identifies future measurement approaches that could clarify their abundance, composition, and distribution. The mission concepts presented are a small subset of those considered in the study, and are those we found most compelling and/or technically mature. More information on this study can be found here: http://kiss.caltech.edu/study/lunar-ice/index.html Best regards, Paul O. Hayne (JPL) David A. Paige (UCLA) Andrew P. Ingersoll (CalTech) on behalf of 33 co-authors from 15 separate institutions [Edited for length] 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html September 12-14, 2014 45th Annual Binghamton Geomorphology Symposium http://web.eps.utk.edu/symposium/index.php Knoxville, TN September 24 - October 2, 2014 Summer Course on Exoplanets http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/Exoplanets2014/ La Palma, Spain October 7-10, 2014 4th International Workshop on LunarCubes (LCW 4) http://lunarinitiatives.com/lunar-cubes.com/ Mountain View, CA June 15-19, 2015 Astrobiology Science Conference 2015 (AbSciCon2015) http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/abscicon2015/ Chicago, IL [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. Go to * http://planetarynews.org/submission.html for complete submission * directions. * * PEN is a service provided by the Planetary Science Institute * (http://www.psi.edu) using no NASA funds. All editorial work is * volunteer. **********************************************************************