PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 8, Number 52 (November 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. In Memoriam - Charles A. Barth (1930-2014) 2. Call for Abstracts: "Nano-Satellites Deployed from Carrier Spacecraft - A Paradigm Shift in Planetary Sciences?" 3. NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) Program 4. CAPS Meeting Dates 2015-2020 5. Abstract Deadline Approaching: November 18 for "Workshop on Early Solar System Bombardment III" 6. Postdoctoral Fellowship in Lunar & Asteroid Exploration Science - Petrology and Geochemistry 7. Solar System Observations with the K2 Mission 8. Women Count 9. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 10. [NASA] Release of Discovery 2014 Announcement of Opportunity 11. [NASA] Release of Draft Science Education CAN 12. 12th Meeting of the NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) 13. PDS Volunteer Reviewers 14. DPS Workshop 15. 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 IN MEMORIAM - CHARLES A. BARTH (1930-2014) Charles A. Barth, Professor Emeritus at the University of Colorado, died on October 14th 2014. Charles grew up in Philadelphia where he attended Central High School. He received his B.S. in chemistry at Lehigh University. After serving in the Air Force, he earned his Ph.D. from UCLA. From 1958 to 1959 he was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Bonn, Germany, followed by six years working at the CalTech/NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. From 1965 to 1992 he was the Director of the University of Colorado's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) and until 2002 a professor in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences. He became Professor Emeritus in 2002. Between 1962 and 2002, Charles was active on numerous experiments studying the Earth and other planets, including Mariners 5, 6, 7, and 9, OGO-2, 4, 5, and 6, Atmosphere Explorer-C and D, the Solar Mesosphere Explorer, the Student Nitric Oxide Experiment, and instruments on Apollo 17, Pioneer Venus, Galileo, and Cassini. He mentored and inspired many undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and scientists, producing a lasting legacy of friends, colleagues, and outstanding scientists. He will be missed greatly. Transmitted by A. Hendrix [Excerpt from the DPS newsletter.] 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 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: "NANO-SATELLITES DEPLOYED FROM CARRIER SPACECRAFT - A PARADIGM SHIFT IN PLANETARY SCIENCES?" Session PS1.3/GI2.13 at EGU 2015 Abstracts are due 07 January 2015 Across the planetary science community, there is an increasing interest in carrying secondary spacecraft on-board larger missions to planets, moons, asteroids and comets. This tendency is significantly inspired by the relative ease and sinking price of building nano-satellites. Both space agencies and companies have been proposing design concepts for such carriers. The idea of deploying a number of small spacecraft around a celestial body provides new and unseen scientific opportunities for advanced studies. Those may for instance take advantage of operating in an interconnected cloud or constellation. Individual inexpensive nano-satellites deployed from a carrier can also take greater exploration risks than would be possible for an expensive integrated spacecraft. This session invites contributions discussing the scientific potential of hosted nano-satellites, new instruments suited to the limited volume and power on nano-satellites, mission concepts and associated challenges as well as possible solutions. Further information & abstract submission: http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2015/session/18433 European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2015 Vienna, Austria 12-17 April 2015 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 EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE FELLOWSHIP (NESSF) PROGRAM NASA announces a call for graduate fellowship proposals to the NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) program for the 2015-2016 academic year. This call for fellowship proposals solicits applications from accredited U.S. universities on behalf of individuals pursuing Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees in Earth and space sciences, or related disciplines. The purpose of NESSF is to ensure continued training of a highly qualified workforce in disciplines needed to achieve NASA's scientific goals. Awards resulting from the competitive selection will be made in the form of training grants to the respective universities. The deadline for NEW applications is February 2, 2015, and the deadline for RENEWAL applications is March 16, 2015. The NESSF call for proposals and submission instructions are located at the NESSF 15 solicitation index page at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ click on "Solicitations" then click on "Open Solicitations" then select the "NESSF 15" announcement. Also refer to "Proposal Submission Instructions" and "Frequently Asked Questions" listed under "Other Documents" on the NESSF 15 solicitation index page. For further information contact: Claire Macaulay (202) 358-0151 claire.i.macaulay@nasa.gov Dolores Holland (202) 358-0734 hq-nessf-Space@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 CAPS MEETING DATES 2015-2020 The NRC's Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science The dates of CAPS meetings for the next few years are as follows: 2015: 31 March-2 April (Washington, D.C.) 16-17 September (Irvine, California) 2016: 29-31 March (Washington, D.C.) 14-15 September (Irvine, California) 2017: 28-30 March (Washington, D.C.) 13-14 September (Irvine, California) 2018: 27-29 March (Washington, D.C.) 12-13 September (Irvine, California) 2019: 26-28 March (Washington, D.C.) 11-12 September (Irvine, California) 2020: 31 March-2 April (Washington, D.C.) 16-17 September (Irvine, California) 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 ABSTRACT DEADLINE APPROACHING: NOVEMBER 18 FOR "WORKSHOP ON EARLY SOLAR SYSTEM BOMBARDMENT III" The goal is to investigate the range of collisional events from the late stages of terrestrial planet accretion to the end of the basin- forming epoch on the Moon. Although the Moon will be a central component of the workshop, the discussion will include observations elsewhere, such as Mercury, Mars, the asteroid belt, and outer solar system moons. Example topics relevant to bombardment include an assessment of the geologic record of impact cratering throughout the solar system, cosmochemical constraints on any early bombardment, and dynamical models that might explain the flux of debris and potential changes in the flux of debris. Example topics relevant to giant impact concepts include cosmochemical and geophysical constraints on lunar formation; giant impact simulations; the chemical, thermal, and/or dynamical evolution of the protolunar disk; and the accretion and early evolution of the Moon. Details and abstract template available at: http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/bombardment2015/ 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 POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP IN LUNAR & ASTEROID EXPLORATION SCIENCE - PETROLOGY AND GEOCHEMISTRY The Universities Space Research Association's Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in lunar and asteroid exploration science for a full-time exempt position in the Houston, Texas area. The successful candidate will join Dr. David A. Kring and over two dozen other scientists in the Center for Lunar Science and Exploration, which is one of nine national centers of excellence supported by NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute. The main goals of the Center's activities are to address NASA's highest lunar and asteroid exploration science objectives, including activities in preparation of robotic and crewed landings. Applications from those with recent Ph.D.s in the fields of petrology and geochemistry are encouraged to apply. Previous experience with lunar samples, chondritic meteorites, and/or impact lithologies will be advantageous, but is not required. Interested applicants should apply to the posting at: https://usracareers.silkroad.com/ and must submit a curriculum vita with list of publications, a two to three page statement of research interests, and a list of three references. Additional details are available at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/exploration/ USRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled 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 SOLAR SYSTEM OBSERVATIONS WITH THE K2 MISSION The K2 mission will make use of the Kepler spacecraft and its assets to expand upon Kepler's groundbreaking discoveries through new and exciting observations. K2 will use an innovative way of operating the spacecraft to observe target fields along the ecliptic for the next 2-3 years. Early science commissioning observations have shown an estimated photometric precision near 150 ppm in a single 30 minute observation, and a 6-hr photometric precision of 40 ppm (both at V = 12). The K2 mission offers long-term, simultaneous optical observations of thousands of objects at a precision far better than is achievable from ground-based telescopes. K2 will provide limited opportunities for solar system observations. Generally, slow moving sources and major planets between V=4 and 20 will be possible targets. K2 has a funded GO program accepting proposals twice a year. Workshop at the 46th Annual DPS meeting in Tucson: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 at 10:00AM-noon Arizona Ballroom 1-4 This workshop will consist of: 1) Presentations on the K2 mission as well as Solar System observations with the mission, and 2) Discussion with the broader community to identify observatory capabilities and envision future opportunities. [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 WOMEN COUNT A gender imbalance exists in science and is harmful to our community as a whole. Awareness is one of the best techniques to combat bias. Therefore, if you are not actively thinking about diversity, you can be contributing unwittingly to the problem. This article calls for making a consious effort to consider diversity when assembling personnel for non-competed positions: Women Count, appearing in Eos, by Dana Hurley (JHU/APL). http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2014EO440008/abstract ?campaign=woletoc 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 opportunity is: https://www3.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/18818 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/1tI5M9x 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 [NASA] RELEASE OF DISCOVERY 2014 ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPPORTUNITY Discovery 2014 Announcement of Opportunity (NNH14ZDA014O) Available electronically at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ A preproposal conference will be held in November 2014; see: http://discovery.larc.nasa.gov/ for details. Notices of Intent are requested by December 5, 2014, and proposals are due February 16, 2015. The Discovery Program conducts Principal Investigator (PI)-led space science investigations relevant to SMD's planetary science programs. Discovery Program investigations must address NASA's strategic objective to ascertain the content, origin, and evolution of the Solar System and the potential for life elsewhere. Participation is open to all categories of organizations or institutions, U.S. or non-U.S., including educational, industrial, and not-for-profit institutions, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and other Government agencies. NASA expects to select approximately three Discovery missions for Phase A studies and downselect to at least one to proceed into Phase B and subsequent mission phases. Comments and questions may be addressed to: Dr. Michael H. New michael.h.new@nasa.gov (subject line to read "Discovery 2014 AO") 202-358-1766 Responses to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) will be posted to: http://discovery.larc.nasa.gov/ anonymity of persons and institutions who submit questions will be preserved. [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 [NASA] RELEASE OF DRAFT SCIENCE EDUCATION CAN NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is releasing for community comment a draft Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) for team-based proposals for SMD science education. The draft text is downloadable from: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ Select "Solicitations", choose "Open" and searching for NASA Science Education or NNH15ZDA002J. Comments on this draft text are due to the point of contact below no later than 30 days after release of the draft text. It is anticipated that the final CAN will be issued no earlier than December 2014. The goal of the NASA SMD Science Education CAN is to meet the following NASA SMD Science Education Objectives: Enabling STEM education, improving U.S. science literacy; advancing National education goals; and leveraging science education through partnerships. Awards are anticipated by September 30, 2015. All comments and questions should be directed only to CANsci-ed@hq.nasa.gov by the due date above [include "Science Education CAN" (without quotes) in the subject line.] Anticipated SMD Science Education CAN schedule: Final CAN Release Date (target)........ NET December 2014 Notice of Intent to Propose Deadline... 30 days after final CAN release Proposal Deadline...................... 90 days after final CAN release Selections Announced (target).......... Summer 2015 Projects Begin (target)................ October 1, 2015 [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 12TH MEETING OF THE NASA SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP (SBAG) The 12th SBAG meeting will be held January 6-7, 2015, in Phoenix, AZ, and the website for this meeting is now available: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/ The SBAG website includes information about the meeting hotel, a link for online registration, and a draft agenda for the two day meeting. We are also pleased to be able to offer limited travel support for a few early career scientists to participate in the SBAG 12 meeting. Interested graduate students, postdocs, and other early career scientists (within 3 years of PhD/MS/BS) should email a one page letter and a CV to SBAG chair Nancy Chabot (nancy.chabot@jhuapl.edu) by November 11, 2014. The SBAG 12 dates and location were selected in coordination with the Conference on Spacecraft Reconnaissance of Asteroid and Comet Interiors, AstroRecon, which will be held January 8-10, 2015, in Tempe, AZ: http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/astrorecon2015/ 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 PDS VOLUNTEER REVIEWERS The Planetary Science Division is seeking volunteer reviewers to serve on the science panel to assess instrument proposals submitted in response to the Europa Instrument Investigation AO released in July 2015. As you are all aware, the NASA review and selection process can't function without experienced members of the community who step forward and offer their services to evaluate the proposals that are under consideration. While reviewers for a potential flight opportunity such as this are typically responsible for evaluating fewer proposals than in a standard R&A review, the proposals themselves are longer and more complex, and the workload per proposal is consequently greater than in an R&A review. Therefore, compensation for service on the Europa instrument science panel will be greater than for a standard R&A review panel. These instruments will provide the mission data you will be analyzing for the remainder of your career, and this is your opportunity to contribute to making sure that the best data is collected by the best instruments. Please don't hesitate to step forward and help secure the best mission possible for NASA and the science community. Please contact Dr. Curt Niebur (curt.niebur@nasa.gov), the Europa Program Scientist at NASA HQ, if you are interested in serving. 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 DPS WORKSHOP The Planetary Data System (PDS), NASA Tournament (NTL), and Appirio Top Coder (TC) invite you to come to the DPS workshop "Solar System Challenges: Citizen Science" is scheduled on Sunday November 9, 2014 from 2-4:30 at the Marriott Star Pass hotel, Arizona Ballroom #8 Presentations will cover the Challenge process, opportunities to participate, and its application To provide data access and educational opportunities, especially for Citizen Science. There will be a panel discussion of representative from PDS, NTL, LMMP, and TC of current projects as well as future ideas. Please see the education poster (212.18): "PDS and NASA Tournament Laboratory Project to Engage Citizen Scientists and to Provide Access to Cassini Data" 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 MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html February 10-12, 2015 WISE at 5: Legacy and Prospects http://wise5.ipac.caltech.edu Pasadena, CA April 7-8, 2015 Workshop on Venus Science Priorities for Laboratory Measurements and Instrument Definition http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/venustech2015/ Hampton, VA May 4-6, 2015 Comparative Tectonics and Geodynamics of Venus, Earth, and Rocky Exoplanets http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/geodyn2015/ Pasadena, CA May 25-29, 2015 1st Advanced School on Exoplanetary Science http://www.iiassvietri.it/ases2015.html Salerno, Italy October 12-16, 2015 66th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2015) http://iac2015.org/ Jerusalem, Israel [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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