PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 8, Number 38 (August 3, 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. Editorial: The Future of ARM (R. Binzel, MIT) 2. AGU Session - The Rite of Spring: The Changing Seasons on Titan 3. AGU Session U018 - Upstairs Downstairs: Consequences of Internal Evolution for the Habitability of Planetary Surfaces 4. AGU Session V007 - Accretionary and Planetary Differentiation Processes as Recorded in Early Earth and Planetary Materials 5. AGU Education and Public Outreach Session 6. Planetary Analogues Town Hall Meeting at EPSC 2014, Cascais, Portugal 7. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 8. Spitzer Space Telescope Cycle-11 Call for Proposals 9. MAVEN Postdoctoral Researcher in Mars Magnetic Fields 10. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 11. Doctoral Program Applications Invited by University of Heidelberg 12. Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter: August 2014 13. [NASA] PDS - Mars Science Laboratory Release 6 14. 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 EDITORIAL: THE FUTURE OF ARM Richard P. Binzel Professor of Planetary Science Massachusetts Institute of Technology The Asteroid Retrieval Mission (ARM) continued to raise concern last week at both the Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) and NASA Advisory Council (NAC) meetings. Several accounts are available at: http://blog.chron.com/sciguy/2014/07 /nasas-asteroid-mission-takes-a-beating/ http://www.spacenews.com/article/civil-space /41466asteroid-mission-causes-big-stir-among-small-bodies-scientists? _wcsid=EE54C92434DB03C483FC59B6FB3D476433FDA26192541BE056A2FB73DE54E484 http://www.spacepolicyonline.com/news/asteroid-expert-richard-binzel -arm-is-emperor-with-no-clothes?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed& utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Spacepolicyonline+(SpacePolicyOnline+News) For balance, the challenges and potential exploration advancements of ARM are in the SBAG presentations at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/meetings/jul2014/agenda.shtml SBAG will be issuing its draft findings soon for public comment. These findings will have particular impact on planetary exploration as House Resolution 4412 specifically calls for SBAG's assessment of ARM as it considers whether to legislate ongoing funding. Neither the cost to NASA as an agency nor the cost to planetary science has been determined. I hope every member of the community with an opinion about ARM and its potential impact on planetary exploration will exercise their right to convey it either through the SBAG process or by otherwise reaching out to a member of the SBAG Steering Committee: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/committee/ Some people may have felt discouraged from publicly voicing their opinions. Government employees, or anyone feeling constrained, should use private email accounts and phone lines. We are all entitled to express our viewpoints. 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 AGU SESSION - THE RITE OF SPRING: THE CHANGING SEASONS ON TITAN Intense scrutiny by the Cassini Saturn Orbiter, combined with extensive ground based observing campaigns, has established Titan's seasonal weather pattern over more than a third of a Saturn orbital period. Many of the changes seen in the atmosphere are associated with changes on the surface. These changes are the product of atmospheric processes such as evaporation, rainfall and/or infiltration and fluvial activity most probably in combination with dynamic processes ongoing in Titan's interior. The relative contribution of each of these processes to Titan's state at a given point in time is gradually being understood. The session will present recent spacecraft and ground-based results and test the veracity of the current models. Conveners: Robert M. Nelson, Planetary Science Institute Rosaly M. Lopes, Jet Propulsion Laboratory 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 AGU SESSION U018 - UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS: CONSEQUENCES OF INTERNAL EVOLUTION FOR THE HABITABILITY OF PLANETARY SURFACES The chemistry and physics of planetary interiors shapes and is shaped by conditions at their surfaces. The nature and extent of these interactions are not well understood. For example, in Earth history, the transition from a reduced to an oxidizing surface environment after 2.4 Ga, which paved the way for complex life, may have been modulated by changes in the redox state of mantle-derived gases. On Earth-like exoplanets, variations in planetary mass and composition affect the prospects for life, and for its detectability, in ways that have barely been considered. This session seeks to bring together geochemists, geophysicists, geobiologists, and others who are building knowledge about the complex relationships between the surface habitability and internal evolution of Earth and Earth-like worlds. Conveners: Ariel D. Anbar (ASU) Christopher Ballentine (Oxford) David Catling (U. Washington) Christy Till (ASU) Confirmed Invited Speakers: Ben Black Lindy Elkins-Tanton Kurt Konhauser Lee Kump Adrian Lenardic Charles Langmuir Diana Valencia John Wade Abstract deadline: August 6, 2014 To submit, go to: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm14/u/papers/index.cgi?sessionid=3709 [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 AGU SESSION V007 - ACCRETIONARY AND PLANETARY DIFFERENTIATION PROCESSES AS RECORDED IN EARLY EARTH AND PLANETARY MATERIALS This session (V007 ID#1785) invites contributions based on geophysical models and geochemical records in terrestrial and planetary materials that will increase our understanding of early Earth and planetary evolution. We encourage contributions on topics such as: constraints on the nature of building blocks of terrestrial planets; timing and nature of early differentiation of the silicate Earth; consequences of Moon formation and late accretion for the development of the major terrestrial and lunar reservoirs; processes and timescales for the generation and survival of mantle heterogeneities; and implications of the composition of planetary materials for models of the chemical evolution of the Earth. Co-Sponsor(s): DI - Study of the Earth's Deep Interior EGU-GMPV - European Geophysical Union-Geochemistry Mineralogy Petrology and Volcanology MR - Mineral and Rock Physics P - Planetary Sciences Invited Speakers: Jingao Liu (University of Alberta) Oliver Nebel (Australian National University) Hanika Rizo Garza (Carnegie Institution of Washington) For more information, visit: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm14/webprogrampreliminary/Session1785.html The submission deadline is August 6, 2014. Conveners: Audrey Bouvier, University of Western Ontario Mathieu Touboul, University of Maryland College Park Jeffrey D. Vervoort, Washington State University [Edited for length] 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 AGU EDUCATION AND PUBLIC OUTREACH SESSION Everyone is permitted an additional E/PO abstract that does not count against your science abstract limit. Consider submitting to the four highlighted sessions below: * Educator Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research. Presentations are welcome from educators and scientists, and those who design, facilitate, evaluate or fund such programs. * Engaging Engineers in Education and Public Outreach: Models of Success for Teaching Students. We invite scientists, engineers, and E/PO professionals to share tools, resources, and examples of successful projects that supports students' understandings aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. * Scientist Engagement in Education and Public Outreach: Sharing Effective Tools, Resources, and Stories of Success. We invite presenters to share tools, resources and stories of success that report lessons learned about sharing their work in E/PO settings. * Student Professional Communities - representatives and alumni from student groups are invited to share how their group was founded, how it is organized and funded, what activities the group does to benefit its student members, and any information on outcomes. Learn more at: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm14/webprogrampreliminary/ED.html Abstracts are due on August 6th. Contact Sanlyn Buxner (buxner@psi.edu) or Jen Grier (jgrier@psi.edu) for 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 PLANETARY ANALOGUES TOWN HALL MEETING AT EPSC 2014, CASCAIS, PORTUGAL An Analogs Town Hall is planned for Tuesday, 9 September from 9:00 to 12:30 in the Mars Room. This is intended for members of the analogs community - principal investigators, scientists, engineers, mission managers - who wish to discuss recent analog activities over the past five years on a global scale, and propose new concepts for research projects and missions in support of future Solar System exploration. This will be a forum for discussion between the participants and invited speakers regarding recent and ongoing activities conducted by the speaker's home space agency. These include but are not restricted to: space exploration analog project goals, results, and lessons learned; how analog project results are communicated; how analog missions could be expanded in future to more closely match space missions; and how all these activities could become more visible to the global space exploration community. Convenors: Dean Eppler (NASA Johnson Space Center) Stephen Hoffman (Science Applications International Corporation) Gian Gabriele Ori (International Research School of Planetary Sciences) Nicole Schmitz (German Aerospace Center Institute for Planetary Research) Marie-Claude Williamson (Geological Survey of Canada) Contact: Steve Hoffman stephen.j.hoffman@nasa.gov http://www.epsc2014.eu/analogues_town_hall_meeting.html [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 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/18395 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 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 SPITZER SPACE TELESCOPE CYCLE-11 CALL FOR PROPOSALS http://ssc.spitzer.caltech.edu/warmmission/propkit/cp/cp11.pdf Large & Exploration Science Letters of Intent Due: Thursday, 28 August 2014 Proposal Deadline: Wednesday, 29 October 2014, 4:00 PM PDT Cycle-11 programs will execute in the February 2015 - September 2016 timeframe. We expect to select 6,700 - 9,200 hours of scheduling priority 1 programs and 1,000 hours of priority 2 snapshot programs. Priority in the selection of Cycle-11 will be given to programs that highlight - Astro2010 science themes - Planetary science programs observing targets in our Solar System. - Investigations that concentrate on developing the scientific landscape that JWST will explore, or will help maximize the JWST scientific return. In this cycle proposers are especially encouraged to consider compelling planetary science campaigns (long-term/multiple observations) that focus on the changing nature of solar system objects over time. Many of these objects are possible future mission targets as outlined in the most recent planetary decadal survey. Proposers should identify how these observations contribute to the body of scientific knowledge needed to help refine objectives for future missions and aid in the understanding of the origin or evolution of the targeted body. [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 MAVEN POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN MARS MAGNETIC FIELDS (NASA-GSFC/CRESST/University of Maryland) Applications are now being accepted for a Postdoctoral Research Associate, funded through the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) and the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology (CRESST), to work in the Planetary Magnetospheres Laboratory of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) investigating Mars magnetic fields using data from the MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) mission. Additional details are available at: http://www.astro.umd.edu/employment/ The appointment will be initially for one year, with the possibility of renewal in subsequent years. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline with experience conducting scientific research related to the MAVEN science objectives or the types of instruments included in the MAVEN science payload. Disciplined IDL and Fortran programming skills, demonstrated scientific writing ability, and experience in acquisition and analysis of data (especially magnetometer data) from space flight instruments are highly desirable. The University of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer. All applications received by September 1, 2014 will receive full consideration. 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 PLANETARY GEOMORPHOLOGY IMAGE OF THE MONTH The August 'Image of the Month' is now available at the IAG's Planetary Geomorphology web page: http://planetarygeomorphology.wordpress.com/ This Month's topic is on Experimental Delta Formation in Crater Lakes. Post by G. de Villiers, Faculty of Geoscience, Utrecht University 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 DOCTORAL PROGRAM APPLICATIONS INVITED BY UNIVERSITY OF HEIDELBERG The International Max Planck Research School for Astronomy & Cosmic Physics at the University of Heidelberg (IMPRS-HD) invites highly-qualified students aiming for a doctoral degree in astrophysics to apply by November 17, 2014 for the academic year starting September 2015. An earlier start of the research work is possible. Applicants are generally required to expect a MSc (or equivalent) in Physics or Astronomy, including an extensive MSc thesis and a very good physics background. For further information about IMPRS Heidelberg and details of the application procedure, we refer to our web-site at: http://www.mpia.de/imprs-hd/ The scientific environment in Heidelberg provides outstanding research facilities with access to ground-based and space telescopes as well as high-performance computers. The following institutions of the Max Planck Society and Heidelberg University take part in IMPRS-HD: Max Planck Institute for Astronomy Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics Astronomisches Rechen-Institut Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics Landessternwarte Koenigstuhl Heidelberg Institute of Theoretical Studies A wide range of astrophysical topics is covered in Heidelberg, among them: Planet & Star Formation Metal-Poor Stars Extrasolar Planets & Substellar Objects Astrometry Formation, Evolution & Dynamics of Galaxies Cosmology & Structure Formation [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 MARS EXPLORATION SCIENCE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: AUGUST 2014 On behalf of Lisa Pratt (MEPAG Chair), Dave Beaty, Rich Zurek, and Amy Hale of the Mars Program Science Office, the August 2014 edition of the Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter is posted at: http://mepag.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 [NASA] PDS - MARS SCIENCE LABORATORY RELEASE 6 The NASA Planetary Data System announces the sixth release of data from the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, covering data acquired from Sol 450 through Sol 583 (November 10, 2013, through March 28, 2014). This release consists of raw and derived data sets from the following instruments: APXS ChemCam CheMin DAN Hazcam MAHLI MARDI Mastcam Navcam RAD REMS SAM SPICE To access the above data for this release: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20140801.html Links to all MSL data sets may be found on the PDS Geosciences Node web site: http://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/msl/ The data may also be reached from the main PDS home page: http://pds.nasa.gov/ MSL data are archived at the PDS Atmospheres, Planetary Plasma Interactions (PPI), Geosciences, Imaging, and Navigation and Ancillary Information Facility (NAIF) Nodes. PDS offers two services for searching the MSL archives: The Planetary Image Atlas at the Imaging Node allows selection of MSL image data by specific search criteria. Go to: http://pds-imaging.jpl.nasa.gov/search The MSL Analyst's Notebook at the Geosciences Node allows searching and downloading of all MSL data in the context of mission events: http://an.rsl.wustl.edu/msl 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS September 5-9, 2014 7th GEOSCIED Conference http://geocalendar.agu.org/meeting/7th-geoscied-conference/ Hyderabad, India October 23-24, 2014 The Brown Dwarf to Exoplanet Connection Conference: Making sense of Atmospheres and Formation http://www.physics.udel.edu/gp/bdexocon/BDEXOCON.htm Newark, DE Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html [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. **********************************************************************