PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 9, Number 19 (May 10, 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. Summer School: Formation and Evolution of Planetary Systems and Habitable Planets 2. Workshop Prior to MetSoc Meeting 3. Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) Call for Executive Committee Members 4. [NASA] ROSES-15 Amendment 13: Release of a New Program Element – Citizen Science Asteroid Data, Education, and Tools (CADET) 5. [NASA] ROSES-15 Amendment 14: New Homesteader Program 6. May 2015 MEPAG Newsletter Available 7. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 8. Postdoctoral Research in Core/Ocean Geomagnetism 9. Application Extension - Director, NASA Astrobiology Institute 10. [NASA] MUREP Aerospace Academy Pre-proposal Teleconference/WebEx 11. 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 SUMMER SCHOOL: FORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF PLANETARY SYSTEMS AND HABITABLE PLANETS We would like to invite interested researchers and students to apply for the summer school “Formation and Evolution of Planetary Systems and Habitable Planets”, which will take place in Moletai, Lithuania (close to Vilnius) from 21 to 30 August 2015. The summer school will present an overview of the pathways of formation of habitable planets both in our and extrasolar planets. It is co- organised by the Nordic Network of Astrobiology, the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership "European Astrobiology Campus" and the EU COST Action "Origins and Evolution of Life on Earth and in the Universe". Its programme includes: - Lectures by internationally leading scientists covering a broad range of astrobiology - Observations of star transits as well as other interesting astronomical objects like Churyumov-Gerasimenko comet with the 1.65-m and broad field 51-cm telescope at the Moletai Observatory - Remote observations using other telescopes in Europe - 2 Poster sessions for students and early career scientists - Participant-led discussions about forefront-topics Deadline for application is 15 June 2015. Further information about the event can be found at: http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/Moletai2015/ Please forward this announcement to all possibly interested graduate students and early career scientists. [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 WORKSHOP PRIOR TO METSOC MEETING A workshop about the first billion of years of impact records in the Solar System will be held in Berkeley on the Saturday and Sunday (July 25–26) immediately preceding the Meteoritical Society meeting (which will be held in Berkeley on July 27–31). Title: The First Billion Years of Impact Records: Evidence from Lunar Samples and Meteorites July 25-26, 2015, Saturday and Sunday Organizers: Audrey Bouvier (University of Western Ontario), William Hartmann (Planetary Science Institute), Marc Norman (Australian National University) and Vera Assis Fernandes (Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung) Abstract deadline - May 19th using USRA meeting portal: https://www.hou.usra.edu/meeting_portal/abstract_submission/ Early registration fee (using the MetSoc registration portal) - $50 until June 29th Main themes are: - Radiometric clocks: what they tell us and what they don’t - Cratering statistics: production functions and anchor-ages - Dynamical models - Impacts in the asteroid belt - Shock effects in planetary materials and constraints on P-T-t shock conditions For more information: http://metsoc2015.ssl.berkeley.edu/program/workshops/ Audrey Bouvier (audrey.bouvier@uwo.ca) 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 VENUS EXPLORATION ANALYSIS GROUP (VEXAG) CALL FOR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS VEXAG is seeking volunteers for VEXAG Executive Committee members to replace those who have successfully completed their service to the community. The new members will start this year and their term will run for two years. Also, the VEXAG Early Career Scholars Focus Group is looking for interested group members. If you are interested, send your resume and a statement of how you could contribute to VEXAG to Lori Glaze and Pat Beauchamp, VEXAG Chair and Co-Chair (lori.s.glaze@nasa.gov, Patricia.M.Beauchamp@jpl.nasa.gov) by June 30, 2015. VEXAG activities for the next two years are expected to be community building with an emphasis on: - Venus Exploration Goals, Objectives, and Strategies - Technology Development and Laboratory Measurements - International Collaboration - Early Career and Young Scholar Development - Venus International Reference Atmosphere VEXAG is a community-based forum established in July 2005 to assess scientific priorities and strategies for exploration of Venus. VEXAG is currently composed of a chair and five focus groups, where the focus groups actively solicit input from the Venus community on the topics listed above. More information may be found here: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/ 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] ROSES-15 AMENDMENT 13: RELEASE OF A NEW PROGRAM ELEMENT – CITIZEN SCIENCE ASTEROID DATA, EDUCATION, AND TOOLS (CADET) The Citizen Science Asteroid Data, Education, and Tools (CADET) is a joint solicitation of the Near Earth Objects (NEO) Program within NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and the Asteroid Grand Challenge (AGC) Program within NASA’s Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT). It seeks innovative proposals to adapt, develop, and web-enable software tools for asteroid data analysis and to make them accessible and easily usable by nonprofessionals, including amateur astronomers, students, and citizen scientists. Step-1 proposals are due by June 15, 2015, and Step-2 proposals are due by July 15 2015. Go to: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ and: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/ roses-2015 Questions concerning this program element may be directed to: Jason Kessler, Office of the Chief Technologist Jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov 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] ROSES-15 AMENDMENT 14: NEW HOMESTEADER PROGRAM The Homesteader Program supports the advanced development of technology, including instruments, relevant to mission concepts for the next two New Frontiers Announcements of Opportunity (AO). The goal of the program is to mature proposed technologies and reduce their technical risk such that the accompanying mission concepts are better prepared for the next two New Frontiers AOs. Note that the Homesteader Program itself does not solicit investigations or hardware for a flight opportunity. This Homesteader opportunity is open to any technology utilized as part of at least one of the seven mission concepts included in the Decadal Survey list recommended for the New Frontiers program. It is a priority for NASA to invest in technology developments that mitigate the risks of mission concept proposals proposed in response to New Frontiers AOs. Mandatory Step-1 proposals are due by June 5, 2015, and full Step-2 proposals are due by July 20, 2015. Go to: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ and: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/ roses-2015 Questions concerning this program element may be directed to: Curt S. Niebur curt.niebur@nasa.gov 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 MAY 2015 MEPAG NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE Dear Members of the Mars Community, On behalf of Lisa Pratt (MEPAG Chair), Dave Beaty, Rich Zurek, and Serina Diniega of the Mars Program Science Office, the May 2015 edition of the Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter can be found at: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov Please send your Mars community announcements and calendar items for inclusion in the newsletter to Meredith at: Meredith.A.Cosby@jpl.nasa.gov. 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, 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/1JkwABH 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 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH IN CORE/OCEAN GEOMAGNETISM NASA-GSFC/CRESST/University of Maryland Applications are now being accepted for a Postdoctoral Associate, funded through the University of Maryland College Park and the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology (CRESST), to work in the Planetary Geodynamics Laboratory of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in the area of core/ocean geomagnetism. Additional details are available at: http: //www.astro.umd.edu/employment/index.html#Geomag Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree (or expect to have the degree by the start of the appointment) in a related field of physics, geophysics, dynamical oceanography/meteorology, and/or applied mathematics. Applicants are expected to have strong quantitative analysis and modeling skills – in addition to knowledge of geomagnetic fields, satellite or ground observatory data, geomagnetic field models, and core dynamics. Familiarity with UNIX OS, FORTRAN, and parallel computing is a strong plus. The University of Maryland is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. All applications received by May 22, 2015 will receive full consideration. 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 APPLICATION EXTENSION - DIRECTOR, NASA ASTROBIOLOGY INSTITUTE Application deadline extended to July 10, 2015. 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. S/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. S/he should have experience in leading a diverse staff ranging from established scientists to support personnel, resource planning, and executing budgets and schedules. S/he should be comfortable with modern information technologies and distributed research teams. NASA is interested in applicants who will find ways to infuse astrobiology into NASA flight missions. Apply at: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/393518700 You can also go to USAJobs at: https://www.usajobs.gov/ In the keyword search box, type vacancy number “AR15S0001”. Select “Director, NASA Astrobiology Institute”, then click “Apply Online”. 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] MUREP AEROSPACE ACADEMY PRE-PROPOSAL TELECONFERENCE/WEBEX Monday, May 11, 2015 4:00 pm EDT The only way to be notified of any changes regarding this session is via the MAA page in NSPIRES. You are strongly encouraged to check the webpage before connecting. A pre-proposal teleconference will be held to discuss NASA Education Opportunities in NASA STEM (EONS) 2014 Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Aerospace Academy (MAA). The teleconference will provide an in-depth overview of the MAA opportunity and proposal requirements. Please visit the MAA page in NSPIRES for information regarding this NASA opportunity. After the presentations, there will be a brief Q&A session. If you have a question pertaining to your specific organization or institution, it should be submitted in writing to NASAMAA@nasaprs.com. This will give NASA the time to respond, in detail, to your individual needs. WebEx will be used for the slide presentation only. For audio and to participate in the Q&A session, you must use the telecon number. Connect to WebEx (for slide presentation) at: https://nasa.webex.com/nasa/j.php?MTID= m1ea056794820a9aed3707ad4785216b4 Meeting Number: 990 266 356 Meeting Password: MAA*2015 Connect to Teleconference (for audio) at: Call-in number: 866-844-9416 Participant passcode: 7622325 Any questions regarding this session should be sent to: NASAMAA@nasaprs.com. [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 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS July 25-26, 2015 The First Billion Years of Impact Records: Evidence from Lunar Samples and Meteorites http://metsoc2015.ssl.berkeley.edu/program/workshops/ Berkeley, CA November 16-20, 2015 International Young Astronomers School on Large Ground-based 21st Century Radio Instruments : ALMA/NOEMA - SKA/LOFAR/NenuFAR (2015) http://ecole-doctorale.obspm.fr/-International-Young-Astronomers- School- Paris, France [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. 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