PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 9, Number 6 (February 8, 2015) 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. In Memoriam: B. Ray Hawke (1946-2015) 2. Postdoctoral Scientist: Planetary Climate Modeling 3. [NASA] SMD Seeking Volunteer Reviewers 4. [NASA] Physical Science Informatics Now Open 5. Post-Doctoral Researcher Position at the NHM Vienna 6. Call for Abstracts for the 11th IAA Low-Cost Planetary Missions Conference 7. Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter: February 2015 8. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 9. [NASA] Release of Final Text of the NASA Science Mission Directorate Science Education Cooperative Agreement Notice NNH15ZDA004C 10. Postdoc Opportunity at the University of Oslo 11. MEPAG Goals Document Update - Feedback Requested 12. Venus Town Hall Meeting and Early Career Scholars Mixer at LPSC 13. New Postdoctoral Research Opportunity: Lunar and Asteroid Volcanic Studies Based on Terrestrial Fieldwork, Laboratory Analysis, and Numerical Modeling 14. ABSCICON 2015: Habitable Worlds in Our Solar System 15. MESSENGER MDIS Data Users' Workshop at LPSC 16. LPSC Lodging Rates Approved by NASA 17. New Horizons Community Slides 18. Advanced Deadline for Student Travel to Comparative Tectonics and Geodynamics of Venus, Earth, and Exoplanets Conference at Caltech 19. Postdoctoral Researcher: Mineralogy and Petrology of Planetary Materials 20. 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: B. RAY HAWKE (1946-2015) From the Solar System Exploration Virtual Research Institute: It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dr. B. Ray Hawke. He died Saturday evening, January 24th, at Straub Hospital. (Excerpted from P. Spudis) "The study of telescopic spectra, involving very precise measurements of color at high resolution of very small spots on the Moon, became B. Ray's specialty. These spectra would be taken of many carefully selected geological targets, a great improvement over the previous approach of targeting mostly by geographic region. ... His spectra were collected to address many scientific problems, including basin rings, dark halo craters, lunar "red spots" (spectrally anomalous regions), impact melt deposits and the ejecta of large craters and basins. B. Ray brought to these studies his extensive background in image analysis and interpretation. He had made geological maps of portions of the Moon, which for the first time could be interpreted in terms of mineral and chemical content. These studies are critical to our understanding of the complex and protracted geological evolution of the lunar crust." For more information, see: http://sservi.nasa.gov/articles/b-ray-hawke-lunar-geologist-1946-2015/ 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 POSTDOCTORAL SCIENTIST: PLANETARY CLIMATE MODELING Columbia University: 2-year Postdoctoral Research Scientist appointment to model radiative processes and their effect on planetary climates in a general circulation model. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team from the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), GSFC, Columbia University, and other institutions. Team research addresses the habitability of past Solar System climates and exoplanet climates and informs the design of future exoplanet missions. The candidate will be expected to perform original research, present results at scientific meetings, and publish first-author peer-reviewed papers. The candidate will be resident at NASA GISS in New York City. Requirements: PhD. in atmospheric science, planetary science, astrobiology, astronomy, physics, or a similar field. Expertise in radiative transfer and willingness to become involved in radiation parameterization development are required, but the broad scope allows for many possible research directions using the model. Strong mathematics and programming skills are also required. Strong candidates will be interested in interdisciplinary questions and interacting with scientists from diverse fields. For further information visit: http://www.giss.nasa.gov/projects/astrobio/ or contact Anthony DelGenio (anthony.d.delgenio@nasa.gov). Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For application requirements and instructions visit: https://academicjobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=60391 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] SMD SEEKING VOLUNTEER REVIEWERS The Science Mission Directorate is seeking subject matter experts to serve as mail-in and/or panel meeting reviewers of research proposals in Earth and Space science. We have posted new volunteer reviewer forms for ROSES 2014 Habitable Worlds, and Astrophysics Research and Analysis calls and the Earth and Space Science graduate student fellowship programs. To volunteer just fill out the forms at: http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/volunteer-review-panels 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] PHYSICAL SCIENCE INFORMATICS NOW OPEN At NASA, we are excited to announce the roll-out of the Physical Science Informatics (PSI) data repository for physical science experiments performed on the International Space Station (ISS). The PSI system is now accessible and open to the public. This will be a resource for researchers to data mine the PSI system and expand upon the valuable research performed on the ISS using it as a research tool to further science, while also fulfilling the President's Open Data Policy. To request access to PSI or to see progress status in a specific scientific research area, please visit: http://psi.nasa.gov Should you have issues or questions, please contact the PSI support team at msfc-dl-psi-support@mail.nasa.gov. [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 POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCHER POSITION AT THE NHM VIENNA As part of the EU programme Horizon 2020, a postdoctoral researcher position is open at the Natural History Museum Vienna (2 years full funding is granted) to create a roadmap for the implementation of a European Extra-terrestrial Sample Curation Facility. The successful candidate will work with curator Ludovic Ferriere (NHM Vienna) and several other European colleagues, with the objective to define the state of the art facilities required to receive, contain and curate extra-terrestrial samples and guarantee terrestrial planetary protection. The highly-motivated candidate should have a PhD (or be expected to graduate before assuming the position) in the fields of geological, biological or planetary sciences. Good oral and written proficiency in English is required. See here for more information: http://www.nhm-wien.ac.at/en/information/jobs Please send a CV and a short candidate statement (no more than 300 words) on what makes you the best candidate for this position. The gross salary will be of EUR 3.546 per month, plus ample funds for travel expenses. Applications should be submitted no later than on March 13, 2015 via e-mail to Ludovic Ferrière (ludovic.ferriere@nhm-wien.ac.at). Expected starting date is in June 2015. 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 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR THE 11TH IAA LOW-COST PLANETARY MISSIONS CONFERENCE LCPM-11 June 9-11, 2015 Berlin, Germany The organizers of LCPM-11 call your attention to a key date: Abstract submittal deadline is March 2, 2015. Please see the URL below for details: http://www.dlr.de/pf/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-9912/ Also, please note that NASA employees and contractors must enter their forecast into the NASA Conference Tracking System as soon as possible. 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: FEBRUARY 2015 On behalf of Lisa Pratt (MEPAG Chair), Dave Beaty, Rich Zurek, and Serina Diniega of the Mars Program Science Office, the February 2015 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, astrophysics, planetary science, astrobiology, space bioscience, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration and operations, and space technology. An example of one of the research opportunities in planetary science is: https://www3.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/18360 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 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] RELEASE OF FINAL TEXT OF THE NASA SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE SCIENCE EDUCATION COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NOTICE NNH15ZDA004C Go to: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ The goal of NASA SMD Science Education is to enable NASA scientists and engineers into the learning environment more efficiently and effectively for learners of all ages. This 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. NASA intends to select one or more focused, science discipline-based team(s). While it is envisioned that multiple agreements may be awarded, selection of a single award to support all of SMD science education requirements is not precluded. Awards are anticipated by September 30, 2015. Programmatic questions should be submitted to: Kristen Erickson CANsci-ed@hq.nasa.gov Anticipated NASA SMD Science Education CAN schedule: CAN Release Date: February 4, 2015 Preproposal Conference: February 17, 2015 (1:00 PM ET) Notice of Intent to Propose Deadline: March 4, 2015 Electronic Proposal Submittal Deadline: May 4, 2015 (11:59 PM ET) Selections Announced (target): Summer 2015 Projects Begin (target): October 1, 2015 [Edited for length] 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 POSTDOC OPPORTUNITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OSLO The position and main tasks of the successful candidate are part of the "Crater Clock: Calibration of the Cratering Chronometer for the Earliest Planetary Evolution" project funded by the Research Council of Norway and headed by Associate Professor Stephanie Werner. The project is laid out to improve and calibrate the cratering rates for the Moon and other terrestrial planetary bodies. The successful candidate shall have one or more of the following skills with no preferential order: * Morphological analysis, photo-geological mapping and evaluation of the crater record accordingly with special focus on the reflectance spectral interpretation of the Moon, small bodies and possibly Mars. * Modelling of the dynamical evolution of different small body populations with application for the cratering rate on terrestrial bodies (including the outer Solar System). The position, which will be associated to the Earth and Beyond team at CEED, is for a fixed period of 2.5 years, starting August 1st, 2015 (or some other date to be agreed upon). Applicants must hold a PhD in geosciences, planetary sciences, astrophysics, or physics, with relevant scientific background for the Crater Clock project, on the agreed starting date. More details: http://uio.easycruit.com/vacancy/1334103/97031?iso=no [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 MEPAG GOALS DOCUMENT UPDATE - FEEDBACK REQUESTED As you may be aware, forward planning for the Mars Exploration Program is guided in large part by the MEPAG Goals Document, a living document which prioritizes scientific investigations within major areas of scientific knowledge (Life, Climate, Geology, and Preparation for Human Exploration). The MEPAG Goals Committee has updated the Goals Document to reflect the current state of knowledge. Although there are some portions of the document that are still undergoing active revision, the committee is soliciting your feedback on the current draft (2015 Review Version): http://mepag.nasa.gov/reports.cfm?expand=science in advance of the discussion that will take place at the MEPAG face-to-face meeting in Pasadena later this month. Two files are posted - the main document (MEPAG%20Goals_Document_2015_v5.pdf) and a supplementary high-level summary (CombinedGoals_Feb4.pdf). Please send your feedback to mepagmeetingqs@jpl.nasa.gov by 20 February 2015. Vicky Hamilton Chair, MEPAG Goals Committee hamilton@boulder.swri.edu [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 VENUS TOWN HALL MEETING AND EARLY CAREER SCHOLARS MIXER AT LPSC Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) invites you to participate in a lunch-time Venus Town Hall Meeting and an evening Early Career Scholars Mixer at LPSC on Thursday, March 19, 2015. The objective of the Venus Town Hall meeting in Waterway 1-3 is to encourage a community discussion and receive feedback on the current VEXAG activities. Join the VEXAG Early Career Scholars Focus Group for an informal meet and greet at the Acqua Lounge before the Venus poster Session on Thursday night. Please check the VEXAG - Early Career Scholars Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/432478660134856/ This will be dutch treat as drinks are not included. 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 NEW POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: LUNAR AND ASTEROID VOLCANIC STUDIES BASED ON TERRESTRIAL FIELDWORK, LABORATORY ANALYSIS, AND NUMERICAL MODELING This NPP (NASA Postdoctoral Program) position provides an opportunity to work with the FINESSE (Field Investigations to Enable Solar System Science and Exploration) team based at NASA Ames Research Center as a part of NASA's SSERVI (Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute). The FINESSE team focuses on a science and exploration field-based research program aimed at generating strategic knowledge in preparation for the human and robotic exploration of the Moon, near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and Phobos & Deimos. We infuse our science program with leading edge exploration concepts since "science enables exploration and exploration enables science." This NPP position will focus on terrestrial volcanic field studies, laboratory analysis of samples, and numerical modeling as analogs for lunar and asteroid volcanic systems. The candidate will study the processes, geomorphic features and rock types related to fissure eruptions, volcanic constructs, lava tubes, flows and pyroclastic deposits. The full NPP ad can be viewed here: https://www3.orau.gov/npdoc/catalog/18895 For more information on FINESSE, please visit: http://spacescience.arc.nasa.gov/finesse/ or contact FINESSE PI Jennifer Heldmann (Jennifer.Heldmann@nasa.gov). 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 ABSCICON 2015: HABITABLE WORLDS IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM Session: The Habitability of Icy Worlds This session will be a follow-on to the workshop by the same name, held in Pasadena in February 2014. The primary objective is similar and will focus on the astrobiological potential of icy worlds in the outer solar system - including Europa, Ganymede, Enceladus, Titan, and beyond - with discussion on future research directions and spacecraft missions that can best assess that potential given the unique planetary environments of the outer solar system. Comparative planetology presentations are encouraged as well as research involving terrestrial analogs. Topics covered include (but are not necessarily limited to) water and exotic solvents, chemical energy for life, organics and their detection, ocean physics and chemistry, icy world activity and habitability over time, and continuing and future outer solar system exploration. The AbSciCon abstract deadline is March 4. Additional details and a list of other session topics, are available at the AbSciCon website: http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/abscicon2015/ Pat Beauchamp, Patricia.M.Beauchamp@jpl.nasa.gov Dave Senske, david.senske@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 MESSENGER MDIS DATA USERS' WORKSHOP AT LPSC There will be a MESSENGER MDIS Data Users' Workshop held in association with LPSC on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at 1:30 pm. The workshop will feature hands on examples of using MDIS data, and no previous experience with MDIS data is required. The overall goal of the workshop is to increase the awareness and accessibility of MDIS datasets to the scientific community, to support ongoing scientific projects, and to enable future research proposals. For more information, visit the workshop's website: http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/workshop2015/index.html Registration is free but encouraged, to help with planning and to enable sharing of workshop announcements prior to the event. 16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16 LPSC LODGING RATES APPROVED BY NASA LPSC participants staying in The Woodlands area, who are not staying at the conference hotel, are authorized to spend up to $250/night, excluding taxes, on their hotel. The federal per diem rate for this area is $132/night excluding taxes, hence the authorization requirement. Go to: http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/letters-from-sara/2015/2/2 /approval-exceed-gsa-lodging-lpsc-2015/ 17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17 NEW HORIZONS COMMUNITY SLIDES The New Horizons team has produced a set of "community" slides that anyone can download as a set and choose from to talk about various aspects of the mission this year. Go To: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/27097671/NewHorizons_final.pptx https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/27097671/NewHorizons_final.pdf 18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18 ADVANCED DEADLINE FOR STUDENT TRAVEL TO COMPARATIVE TECTONICS AND GEODYNAMICS OF VENUS, EARTH, AND EXOPLANETS CONFERENCE AT CALTECH To meet NASA/JPL requirements for forecasting Conference Travel, the applications for Undergraduate And Graduate Student Travel Awards for the Comparative Tectonics and Geodynamics of Venus, Earth, and Exoplanets Conference, May 4-6 at CalTech will be a 2-Step process: Step (1) - Provide a notice of intent no later than 5:00 Pacific on Thursday, February 12, 2015 in an email to twthompson@jpl.nasa.gov containing - Legal Full Name - Date of Birth and City/State of Birth - Preferred Email Address + Phone Numbers (Preferred + Alternate, if available) - Home Address - Emergency Contact - Name, Relationship, and Phone Number - Your Affiliation (Employer/School/Org.), with Full Address and Phone - Gender - If you are a foreign national or permanent resident alien, also provide: o Country of Citizenship o Birth Date + Birth City, State/Region and Country o Passport Number, with Expiration Date o Visa Type, with Effective and Expiration Dates o Alien Registration # (if applicable) Step (2) Verify your request for by continuing with the instructions in the 2nd announcement for Comparative Tectonics and Geodynamics of Venus, Earth, and Exoplanets Conference: http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/geodyn2015/geodyn20152nd.shtml For questions contact: Thomas W. (Tommy) Thompson 818-354-3881 twthompson@jpl.nasa.gov 19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER: MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY OF PLANETARY MATERIALS The Universities Space Research Association's Lunar and Planetary Institute, invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in the mineralogy and petrology of planetary materials. The successful candidate will work with Dr. Allan Treiman in NASA-funded efforts, emphasizing planetary crusts and magmas, and their volatile constituents and on the CheMin science team of the Mars Science Laboratory mission. The candidate will participate in analysis and interpretation of CheMin X-ray diffraction data of Mars surface materials; and may also participate in operations planning for the CheMin instrument. Applicants should have a recent Ph.D. in petrology or geochemistry; experience with planetary materials is helpful, but not required. The position would be for two years, with possible extension to a third year. The candidate must be a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident, and be able to pass a detailed government background investigation. Applicants should send a letter of interest, a curriculum vita with a list of publications, a brief (maximum three pages) statement of research interests, and a list of three references to the posting at: https://usracareers.silkroad.com/ USRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled 20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html August 24-27, 2015 The 24th Annual Meeting on Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing http://www.calcon.sdl.usu.edu Logan, UT January 27-29, 2016 14th Meeting of the NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/ Orlando, Florida [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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