PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 9, Number 27 (July 5, 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. Fall AGU Special Session: Carbon on Mars 2. Fall AGU Special Session P035: Using Current Chemistry and Mineralogy Data to Guide Future Discoveries from Mars 2020 3. NAI Director Application Deadline Extended to July 10, 2015 4. [NASA] PDS - Odyssey Data Release 52 5. [NASA] PDS - Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Data Release 1B 6. [NASA] PDS - Cassini Data Release 42 7. Planetary Geomorphology 'Image of the Month' 8. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 9. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions Commercial Announcement: C1. Summer School in Software Systems for Astronomy 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 FALL AGU SPECIAL SESSION: CARBON ON MARS We are organizing a special session on the general topic of carbon on Mars at the upcoming Fall AGU Meeting. We hope to receive contributions addressing a wide range of relevant topics, including: accretion, core formation, mantle geochemistry, formation of crust, outgassing of carbon species, climate evolution, sequestration (and recycling?) of carbon, organic chemistry on Mars, preservation of biosignatures, and future experiments addressing carbon characterization and life detection. Additional information can be found at: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm15/preliminaryview.cgi/Session7477 Deadline to submit an abstract: 5 August 2015, 11:59 P.M. EDT We are looking forward to an interesting session! Joe Michalski & Paul Niles 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 FALL AGU SPECIAL SESSION P035: USING CURRENT CHEMISTRY AND MINERALOGY DATA TO GUIDE FUTURE DISCOVERIES FROM MARS 2020 This session will focus on understanding the diversity of martian surface chemistries and mineralogies, specifically in preparation for future Mars missions. There is a wealth of evidence from a wide range of observations that suggests that the surface of Mars records a diversity of environments with complicated geologic histories. As we prepare to return to Mars in 2020, questions about how to interpret our current data sets remain. Are there any potential biosignatures that have already been observed? What additional data would we need to confirm them? Are there new types of geologic materials or terrestrial analogs that we should examine to elucidate these signatures on Mars? Of particular interest are studies synthesizing results from in situ, remote sensing, field, and/or laboratory studies that provide suggestions for future martian materials of interest. Deadline to submit an abstract: 5 August 2015, 11:59 P.M. EDT To submit abstracts to this session, visit: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm15/preliminaryview.cgi/start.html Conveners: Mikki Osterloo, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado Craig Hardgrove, Arizona State University Nina Lanza, Los Alamos National 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 NAI DIRECTOR 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 particularly interested in applicants who will find ways to infuse astrobiology into NASA flight missions. Interested individuals should 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". 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] PDS - ODYSSEY DATA RELEASE 52 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce a new delivery of Odyssey Data, Release 52, for the following instruments: GRS THEMIS Radio Science (Releases 154-156) SPICE Note that the THEMIS EDRs are ready; the RDRs will be ready later in July. The gamma sensor component of the GRS instrument suite no longer returns data. The HEND and neutron spectrometer components continue to operate. To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/tools/subscription_service/SS-20150701.shtml 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 - MARS ATMOSPHERE AND VOLATILE EVOLUTION DATA RELEASE 1B The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce the release of the following additional data from MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) release 1B: EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet Monitor) To receive email announcements of future releases of MAVEN data, please sign up on the PDS Subscription Service at: http://pds.nasa.gov/tools/subscription_service/top.cfm To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/tools/subscription_service/SS-20150702.shtml 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 [NASA] PDS - CASSINI DATA RELEASE 42 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce a new delivery of Cassini data, Release 42, July to September 2014, for instruments: INMS ISS MAG MIMI RADAR SPICE UVIS VIMS HRD data for this period was announced in release 41. RPWS data for this period was announced in release 40. There was no RSS data for this period. CDA and CIRS data will be available shortly. Please note that while the data products from this release are available online now through the links below, they may not be immediately accessible through PDS web services such as the Planetary Image Data Atlas. Large data sets may take as long as a few days beyond the formal release date to be incorporated into these services. Check each service's web site to see the status of the latest release. To access the above data, please visit: http://pds.nasa.gov/tools/subscription_service/SS-20150703.shtml 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 PLANETARY GEOMORPHOLOGY 'IMAGE OF THE MONTH' The July 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 Possible Periglacial Landscape in Utopia Planitia, Mars. Contributed by Alex Barrett, Department of Physical Sciences, Open University, UK. You can now follow IAG Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month on Twitter (@PlanetGeomorpho) or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PlanetaryGeomorphology 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/17613 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 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 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html February 28 - March 1, 2016 The 2nd Conference on Astrophysics and Space Science (APSS 2016) http://www.engii.org/ws2016/Home.aspx?id=686 Beijing, China March 21-25, 2016 47th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2016/ The Woodlands, TX April 11-15, 2016 15th Biennial ASCE International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction and Operations in Challenging Environments http://earthspaceconf.mst.edu Orlando, FL [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.] *********************************************************************** COMMERCIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS *********************************************************************** C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1 SUMMER SCHOOL IN SOFTWARE SYSTEMS FOR ASTRONOMY The University of Hawai'i at Hilo Physics and Astronomy Department offers a two week course, July 20-31. The course covers software design and implementation of telescope and instrument control systems, observation planning tools, and software for analyzing and archiving astronomical data. A full course description and instructions for enrollment are given at: http://phys.uhh.hawaii.edu/Summer2015/index.php#courseA There are 2 seats remaining. *********************************************************************** * 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. 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