PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 9, Number 13 (March 29, 2015) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Melissa Lane Co-Editors: Susan Benecchi, Mark V. Sykes Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. [NASA] New EONS Program Element: MUREP MEI 2. [NASA] Pre-proposal Teleconference: STEM ASTAR Fellowships 3. [NASA] Reopening the Hayabusa2 Participating Scientist Call 4. [NASA] Various Updates to the Text of PDART Program 5. [NASA] PDS - Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 21 6. Planetary Scientist Position - NASA Johnson Space Center 7. New Refereed Journal of Astronomy and Earth Sciences Education Invites Manuscripts 8. Pluto Naming Opportunity 9. New Astronomy Lecture Videos 10. EPSC Call for Abstracts 11. 49th ESLAB Symposium: Exploring the Universe with JWST 12. Fact Sheet - Connecting Physics Students to Career Opportunities 13. Job Opening - Director, Cernan Earth and Space Center 14. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 15. Reminder: VEXAG Meeting #12 16. Director, NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) 17. DPS has Partnered with MentorNet 18. Graduate Student Opportunity: Hampton University 19. 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 [NASA] NEW EONS PROGRAM ELEMENT: MUREP MEI NASA Education Opportunities in NASA STEM (EONS)-14 Amendment 15: The NASA Office of Education Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) solicits proposals from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to plan, coordinate, and evaluate MUREP Educator Institutes (MEIs) that will bring pre-service and alternative route Science, Technical, Education, and Mathematics (STEM) educators from MSIs across the country to NASA centers annually for a one week professional development session. MSIs that plan to submit a proposal may partner with other institutions. Notices of Intent (NOIs) are requested by April 24, 2015, and proposals are due by June 30, 2015. Questions concerning NASA MUREP Educator Institutes (MEI), may be directed to Mr. Chris Copelan, NASA Stennis Space Center at NASAMEI@nasaprs.com. [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] PRE-PROPOSAL TELECONFERENCE: STEM ASTAR FELLOWSHIPS NASA will conduct a Pre-proposal Adobe Connect/Teleconference to discuss NASA Education Opportunities in NASA STEM (EONS) Advanced Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Training and Research (ASTAR) Fellowship. The call will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 4:00 PM ET. The purpose of these sessions is to provide prospective proposers an in-depth overview of the ASTAR opportunity and proposal requirements. Please visit the ASTA​R Fellowships in NSPIRES for details regarding this opportunity. ­­­ To join the ASTAR pre-proposal teleconference, follow the instructions for both the Adobe Connect and conference number. If you have any accommodation needs, please contact, in advance, NASA.fellowships@nasaprs.com. First, connect to Adobe Connect (for slide presentation): 1. Go to https://ac.arc.nasa.gov/nifs/ 2. If requested, enter your name and enter the room. Please check the technology Adobe Connect Technical Specs before the teleconference at: https://helpx.adobe.com/adobe-connect/tech-specs.html After the presentation, prospective students may ask questions by typing them in to the chat room about the opportunity. Second, connect to teleconference (for audio): Call-in number: Toll free number 888-957-9823 or toll number 1-312-470-0200 Participant passcode: 3835998 [Edited for length.] 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] REOPENING THE HAYABUSA2 PARTICIPATING SCIENTIST CALL In response to requests from the community for more time, Amendment 7 reopens the response structure for this program element and sets the new due date for Step-1 proposals to Wednesday April 1, 2015. The due date for Step-2 proposals remains unchanged, they are still due by May 15, 2015. Questions concerning this program element may be directed to: Tony Carro at anthony.carro-1@nasa.gov [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 [NASA] VARIOUS UPDATES TO THE TEXT OF PDART PROGRAM The Planetary Data Archiving, Restoration, and Tools (PDART) program solicits proposals to generate higher-order data products, archive and restore data sets or products, create or consolidate reference databases, generate new reference information, digitize data, and develop or validate software tools. Throughout this program element, the text has been modified to strengthen the requirements on proposers to make data products available. The due dates remain unchanged. Step-1 proposals are due May 15, 2015, and Step-2 proposals are due by July 17, 2015. Questions concerning this program element may be directed to: Sarah Noble at sarah.noble-1@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 [NASA] PDS - LUNAR RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA RELEASE 21 The NASA Planetary Data System is pleased to announce a new delivery of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) data for the following instruments: CRaTER, DLRE, LAMP, LEND, LOLA, and LROC. In general, LRO Release 21 includes data collected between September 15, 2014 and December 14, 2014. To access the above data, visit: http://pds.nasa.gov/tools/subscription_service/SS-20150313.shtml PDS offers the following two services for searching the LRO archives: 1. The Planetary Image Atlas at the Imaging Node allows selection of LRO data by specific search criteria: http://pds-imaging.jpl.nasa.gov/search/ 2. The Lunar Orbital Data Explorer at the Geosciences Node allows searching and downloading of LRO data and other lunar orbital data sets (Clementine and Lunar Prospector): http://ode.rsl.wustl.edu/moon/ 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 SCIENTIST POSITION - NASA JOHNSON SPACE CENTER The Astromaterials Research Office, NASA Johnson Space Center, solicits applications for a Planetary Scientist civil service position. The selectee will establish a research program in the study of the origin and evolution of our solar system’s rocky planetary bodies. This emphasis includes, but is not limited to, studies of astromaterials and materials from sample-return missions, and studies using remote- sensing and mission data in subfields including, but not limited to: geochronology, high-resolution analytical studies, mineralogy, isotope and elemental geochemistry and mass spectrometry, experimental and laboratory studies, analysis and interpretation of mission data. The selectee is expected to attract research funding through peer- reviewed proposals to NASA programs and/or involvement in NASA missions. Candidates must use: http://USAJobs.gov position JS15D0019, to submit applications between 30 March and 20 April 2015; US citizenship is required. The position is at the GS-13 level at a negotiable starting date. A further announcement will advise of application dates and deadlines and provide the formal job posting data. Interested parties may direct inquiries to Dr. David Draper, Manager, Astromaterials Research Office, david.draper@nasa.gov. A how-to guide for preparing responsive applications using USAJobs.gov, prepared by JSC Human Resources, will be provided upon request. 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 NEW REFEREED JOURNAL OF ASTRONOMY AND EARTH SCIENCES EDUCATION INVITES MANUSCRIPTS The editor and editorial board are pleased to announce the publication of a new on-line journal for research papers on space science and earth science education. Entitled The Journal of Astronomy and Earth Sciences Education (JAESE), the new peer-reviewed publication is open- access, meaning it is free to all readers. The first issue is already complete; see: http://www.jaese.org and papers are now being accepted for the second issue. The journal fills a void created when the American Astronomical Society stopped publishing its on-line journal, Astronomy Education Review, in 2013. While the publication fees should not be a barrier for most authors, some people may have very limited budgets. For 2015, a fund has been established by donations to the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the Wyoming Excellence in Higher Education Endowment, and the CAPER Center for Astronomy & Physics Education Research to subsidize publication costs for authors with demonstrated need. Details about how to apply are available from the Editor. Detailed author guidelines are available at the journal website. Questions may be directed to the editor, Dr. Tim Slater (University of Wyoming) at: JAESE@uwyo.edu [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 PLUTO NAMING OPPORTUNITY On July 14, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft will fly past Pluto, and we will map that distant world and its moons for the first time. Working with the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the New Horizons team plans to assign names to the features on the maps of Pluto and its large moon Charon, once we have seen them in sharp detail this summer. At the “Our Pluto” website you can suggest your ideas for names and vote for your favorites. The team will use your best ideas in their proposal to the IAU. This is an opportunity for the students, teachers and the public to vote on names for the features on Pluto and Charon. The public input will be provided to the IAU, which ultimately determines the official scientific names for astronomical objects. Press Release: http://www.seti.org/seti-institute/press-release/public-asked-help- name-features-pluto Our Pluto website: http://www.ourpluto.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 NEW ASTRONOMY LECTURE VIDEOS There are new, videotaped, popular astronomy lectures available at the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures YouTube Site at: http://www.youtube.com/svastronomylectures The site recently passed half a million views for its varied roster of talks by noted astronomers, explaining the latest developments. New talks include a preview of the New Horizons mission to Pluto by team member Dr. Mark Showalter (who also discusses his discovery of two new moons of Pluto) and a discussion of the Planck Mission results (examining the afterglow of the Big Bang). Coming soon, a talk by former NASA Astronaut Ed Lu about the proposed Sentinel mission to help defend us against dangerous asteroids. 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 EPSC CALL FOR ABSTRACTS Dear Colleagues, The abstract submission for the European Planetary Science Congress, organized 27 September – 02 October 2015 in Nantes, France, is open, and the deadline for abstracts is 29 April 2015. We invite you to submit abstracts to our (co-organized) session GP2/TP11/EX7 "Aerosols and clouds in planetary atmospheres" organized this year for the first time! http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC2015/session/19663 Atmospheric aerosols and cloud particles are found in every atmosphere of the solar system, as well as, in exoplanets. Depending on their size, shape, chemical composition, latent heat, and distribution, their effect on the radiation budget varies drastically and is difficult to predict. When organic, aerosols also carry a strong prebiotic interest reinforced by the presence of heavy atoms such as nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. The aim of the session is to gather presentations on these complex objects for both terrestrial and giant planet atmospheres, including the special case of Titan’s hazy atmosphere. All research aspects from their production and evolution processes, their observation/detection, to their fate and atmospheric impact are welcomed, including laboratory investigations and modeling. Spread the word, and see you in Nantes! With best regards, The conveners Nathalie Carrasco, Panayotis Lavvas, Anni Määttänen 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 49TH ESLAB SYMPOSIUM: EXPLORING THE UNIVERSE WITH JWST Dear Colleague, We are pleased to announce the 49th ESLAB Symposium: Exploring the Universe with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), taking place from October 12-16, 2015 at ESA-ESTEC, The Netherlands. The ESLAB Symposium will be an international conference dedicated to the presentation and discussion of future scientific research that will be enabled by the James Webb Space Telescope. The conference will cover a broad range of scientific topics that will be organized in the following categories: - The end of the “dark ages”: first light and reionisation - The assembly of galaxies - The formation and evolution of stars and planets - Planetary systems and the origins of life (exoplanets) - Our Solar system Registration & Abstract Submission are available at: http://congrexprojects.com/15a02 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 FACT SHEET - CONNECTING PHYSICS STUDENTS TO CAREER OPPORTUNITIES The AIP’s Statistical Research Center has posted a new report: http://www.aip.org/statistics/reports/fact-sheet-connecting-physics- students-career-opportunities This report is a guide created by the Career Pathways Project (CPP) and is designed to enhance the work being done by career services professionals with physics undergraduates and physics faculty members. This document provides tips on resume writing, identifies some of the skills developed during the typical undergraduate physics experience, lists common job titles held by recent physics bachelor’s degree recipients, and offers suggestions for effective career advising of physics undergraduates. The CPP was a collaboration of the Education Division and the Statistical Research Center, both of the American Institute of Physics. The Career Pathways Project was supported by the National Science Foundation. 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 JOB OPENING - DIRECTOR, CERNAN EARTH AND SPACE CENTER River Grove, IL (Chicago) Triton College, a comprehensive two year institution located in a near western suburb of Chicago, is seeking a Director, Cernan Earth and Space Center. The Director supervises all aspects of the Cernan Earth and Space Center, including the production of sky theater programs, the preparation of budgets, supervision of full and part time staff, and the planning and implementation of long term projects to promote maximum utilization of the Space Center by Triton College, nearby schools and the general public. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree or equivalent. Possible major areas of study may be astronomy, science communications, museum/theater management, business management or similar field. Background in astronomy is essential. Minimum five years experience in a public oriented planetarium or multi media theater, in progressively responsible position, including at least one year in a supervisory capacity. Background knowledge in astronomy and space science is essential; knowledge of personnel issues necessary to manage professional staff members; demonstrated knowledge and competence in multi media production and mass communication. For more information about the Cernan Earth and Space Center, visit: http://www.triton.edu/cernan/ To apply, visit: http://www.triton.edu/hr Triton College is an EO/AA institution. 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 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/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/1Kjlmyr For further information and to apply, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions: nasapostdoc@orau.org 15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15 REMINDER: VEXAG MEETING #12 Thursday, April 9, 2015, Hampton, VA VEXAG meeting #12 will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at the National Institute of Aerospace, just outside NASA’s Langley Research Center. This follows the 2-day Venus Science Priorities for Laboratory Measurements and Instrument Definition Workshop also held at the National Institute of Aerospace. A preliminary agenda is available at VEXAG Web-Site: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/ Key items for this meeting will be progress reports on NASA Headquarters and VEXAG activities as well as reports on Venus Express, Ataksuki, and other opportunities for international collaboration. Posters on technologies for Venus missions are invited. If you’ll be attending in person and haven’t done so already, please enter your name on the Meeting Registration /Intent to Attend Form on the VEXAG Web-Site: https://www.hou.usra.edu/meeting_portal/registration/ index.cfm?mtg=vexag2015 Audio conferencing: U.S. Toll-Free 1-844-467-4685; U.S. Local/Toll 1-720-259-7012 Pass Code 5813913422 / Conference ID 2771783 WebEx: To join the meeting (Now from mobile devices!) 1. Go to: https://nasa.webex.com/nasa/j.php?MTID= me2b9f49a75405f998a56bdb87d2f06f1 2. If requested, enter your name and email address. 3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: C@T123456! 4. Click "Join". 16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16 DIRECTOR, NASA ASTROBIOLOGY INSTITUTE (NAI) NASA seeks a new Director for the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI). The ideal candidate will be an internationally recognized scientist with proven experience in leading or managing large interdisciplinary research programs or projects, possessed with a vision for leading the Institute into the future. Applicants for this position should have a broad scientific perspective on astrobiology, experience in conducting interdisciplinary scientific research, and demonstrated skills needed to harness the strengths of disparate research communities towards a greater goal. She/he should understand how to grow a research endeavor and respond to changing budget climates while focusing on maximizing the scientific return on NASA’s investments in astrobiology. He/she should have experience in leading a diverse staff ranging from established scientists to support personnel, resource planning, and executing budgets and schedules. He/she should be comfortable with modern information technologies and distributed research teams. NASA is particularly interested in applicants who will find ways to infuse astrobiology into NASA flight missions. Interested individuals should apply directly to USAJobs at: http://www.usajobs.gov by May 1, 2015. In the keyword search box, type vacancy number “AR15S0001”. Select “Director, NASA Astrobiology Institute”, then click “Apply Online”. 17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17 DPS HAS PARTNERED WITH MENTORNET Members of the planetary science community are invited to participate in the acclaimed e-mentoring program MentorNet. Both mentors and mentees (protégés) can take advantage of this program, which provides a detailed matching algorithm, and guides for getting the most out of a mentoring relationship. This is an opportunity to participate in professional development activities with other DPS members throughout the year. The program is very flexible, mentors and protégés always have options when being paired, and they mutually decide on the frequency of communication during the recommended four month mentoring cycle (with the option to renew or select a new mentor/mentee at the end of the cycle). We are seeking both mentors and protégés to sign up in spring 2015. At this point in time we particularly need mentors! Anyone can be a mentor or a protégé at any stage of their career. To create a profile and select “Division of Planetary Sciences” as your affiliation (even if you are not an official member), visit: http://MentorNet.net The required online training takes ~30 minutes, but can be done in sections. This assures that mentors and protégés start off with similar expectations about the mentoring relationship. Contact Kelsi Singer (ksinger@boulder.swri.edu) or Karly Pitman (pitman@spacescience.org) with questions or for more info.​ 18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18 GRADUATE STUDENT OPPORTUNITY: HAMPTON UNIVERSITY Hampton University Dept. of Atmospheric and Planetary Science and NASA Exoplanet Systems Science (NExSS) seek energetic explorers looking to conduct cutting-edge research into the past, present and future of planetary atmospheres while pursuing advanced degrees (MS and PhD) in Planetary Science. Successful applicants (rolling deadline until June 1 for Fall 2015 enrollment) will join the Living, Breathing Planet team that includes four university partners, NASA, and the National Institute of Aerospace. Our goal is to understand how planets interact with the space environment and parent stars to develop or lose habitable atmospheres over time. As part of NExSS, we are one of sixteen teams building the future of exoplanet studies, and you can be a part of that future. More information and application instructions at: http://sol.hamptonu.edu/?project=the-living-breathing-planet Any interested student should contact the following faculty members: Bill Moore Kunio Sayanagi Nicholas Gray Heavens 19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS No new additions. [Editor Note: If there is a planetary-related meeting, conference or workshop of which you think 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. Title plus text is limited to 200 words. 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