PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 9, Number 31 (August 2, 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. AGU 2015 Session 7445: Volcanism and Tectonism Across the Solar System (P038) 2. AGU 2015 Session 7539: The Science of Exploration as Enabled by the Moon, Near Earth Asteroids and the Moons of Mars (P033) 3. AGU 2015 Session 8234: Mercury After MESSENGER 4. AGU 2015 Session 8728: Vesta and Ceres as Seen by Dawn and Earth-based Instruments (P037) 5. AGU 2015 Session 9160: Using Current Chemistry and Mineralogy Data to Guide Future Discoveries from Mars 2020 (P035) 6. Planetary Science Short Course 7. Research Associate at LASP to Analyze Data from the Langmuir Probe and Waves Instrument on MAVEN 8. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 9. [NASA] PDS - Release of Rosetta Data 10. [NASA] PDS - Mars Science Laboratory Data Release 9 11. GSA 2015 Session T173: Impact Cratering on Earth and in the Solar System 12. GSA 2015 Session T176: Past and Present Biosignature Recognition on Earth and Mars 13. 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 AGU 2015 SESSION 7445: VOLCANISM AND TECTONISM ACROSS THE SOLAR SYSTEM (P038) There will be a session on planetary volcanism and tectonism at this year's AGU Fall Meeting, 14-18 December. Please consider submitting an abstract for this session. Further details are provided below. Our invited speakers are: Lauren Jozwiak (Brown University) and Robert C. Anderson (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) The submission deadline is Wednesday, August 5, 2015. https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm15/preliminaryview.cgi/Session7445 Session Description: Volcanism and tectonism are two of the most ubiquitous processes at work in the Solar System, shaping substantially the surfaces of worlds as diverse as the terrestrial planets, main-belt asteroids, and icy satellites. Through a combination of solicited and contributed presentations, this session will host observational, laboratory, theoretical, or analogue fieldwork research into any aspect of planetary volcanic and tectonic activity. We particularly welcome submissions that compare landforms and processes on multiple bodies, and how lessons from specific studies can be applied to understanding volcanism and tectonism across the Solar System. Conveners: Thomas Platz (MPS/PSI), Paul Byrne (LPI), Matteo Massironi (Univ. Padua), and Debra Buczkowski (APL) 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 AGU 2015 SESSION 7539: THE SCIENCE OF EXPLORATION AS ENABLED BY THE MOON, NEAR EARTH ASTEROIDS AND THE MOONS OF MARS (P033) Requesting abstract submissions to session P033, "The Science of Exploration as Enabled by the Moon, Near Earth Asteroids and the Moons of Mars," at AGU in San Francisco, December 14-18, 2015. Abstract submission deadline is Wednesday, August 5. A close collaboration between science, technology and exploration will enable deeper understanding of the Moon and other airless bodies as we move further out of low-Earth orbit. The Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) will focus on the scientific aspects of exploration as they pertain to the Moon, Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) and the moons of Mars. This session will feature interdisciplinary, exploration-related science centered around all airless bodies targeted as potential human destinations. Areas of study reported here will represent the broad spectrum of lunar, NEA, and Martian moon sciences encompassing investigations of the surface, interior, exosphere, and near-space environments as well as science uniquely enabled from these bodies. Abstracts from the entire community are welcomed and encouraged. Conveners: Brad Bailey, Yvonne Pendleton, Gregory Schmidt and Doris Daou. Further details at: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm15/preliminaryview.cgi/Session7539 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 AGU 2015 SESSION 8234. MERCURY AFTER MESSENGER We are pleased to announce a session on Mercury at the 2015 AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco, CA, December 14-18, 2015. NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft completed more than four years of orbital operations at Mercury in April 2015. The mission returned unprecedented measurements of Mercury's surface, interior, exosphere, and magnetosphere that collectively have revolutionized our understanding of the innermost planet. This session will highlight results from the most recent, highest-resolution observations returned by MESSENGER, as well as results from analysis of the six years of flyby and orbital data from this highly successful mission, to understand Mercury's geological evolution, the planet's geophysical and geochemical characteristics, and the interaction of the planet's exosphere and magnetosphere with the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field. We also welcome contributed papers on complementary ground-based observations, laboratory measurements, theoretical developments relevant to planetary processes at Mercury, and future mission opportunities. Please consider submitting an abstract for this session. For more information,visit: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm15/preliminaryview.cgi/Session8234 The submission deadline is this Wednesday, August 5, 2015. Conveners: Paul Byrne (Lunar and Planetary Institute) Larry Nittler (Carnegie Institution of Washington) Sean Solomon (Columbia University) 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 AGU 2015 SESSION 8728: VESTA AND CERES AS SEEN BY DAWN AND EARTH-BASED INSTRUMENTS (P037) There will be a session on the largest two planetary bodies within the main asteroid belt at this year’s AGU Fall Meeting, 14-18 December 2015. Though the session is focused on Ceres and Vesta, presentations on recent advances in small body research are welcome. Our invited speakers are: Carol A. Raymond (JPL) Andrew S. Rivkin (APL) Francesca Zambon (INAF) Lucille Le Corre (PSI/MPS) Please consider submitting an abstract for this session. Further details are provided below. Abstract submission deadline is 5 August 2015. https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm15/preliminaryview.cgi/Session8728 Session Description: Ceres and Vesta are the largest bodies in the main asteroid belt. Unlocking their geological histories will advance our understanding of how proto-planets form and evolve. This session is focused on Dawn mission data and its three onboard instruments: two framing cameras (FC), the visible and IR spectrometer (VIR), and the gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer (GRaND). First results from Ceres observations constitute the highlights of this session supplemented by thorough investigations on Vesta geology. Complementary Earth-based (ground and orbital) observations along with laboratory, numerical, and theoretical applications and analyses are particular welcome. Conveners: Thomas Platz (MPS/PSI), Andreas Nathues (MPS), Eleonora Ammannito (UCLA), Vishnu Reddy (PSI) 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 AGU 2015 SESSION 9160: USING CURRENT CHEMISTRY AND MINERALOGY DATA TO GUIDE FUTURE DISCOVERIES FROM MARS 2020 (P035) 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 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 SCIENCE SHORT COURSE September 8-14, 2015 The Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration (http://cpsx.uwo.ca) and the NSERC CREATE program "Technologies and Techniques for Earth and Space Exploration" (http://create.uwo.ca) are pleased to announce the 6th annual Planetary Science Short Course, which will run September 8th to 14th. Topics to be covered include origin of the solar system and planet formation; planetary interiors; planetary surfaces; astromaterials, planetary atmospheres; astrobiology, and exoplanets. Details on the course can be found here: http://cpsx.uwo.ca/study/study-1/graduate-courses/2015-ps-short-course This course will run at the University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada and is suitable for senior undergraduate and graduate students students. Questions? Please contact cpsx@uwo.ca. 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 RESEARCH ASSOCIATE AT LASP TO ANALYZE DATA FROM THE LANGMUIR PROBE AND WAVES INSTRUMENT ON MAVEN The Space Physics and Planetary group at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), University of Colorado is involved in several space flight missions. We have a level 1 (post- doc) position available, analyzing data from the MAVEN mission. The focus of the level 1 position is on Mars ionosphere analysis using data from the Langmuir Probe and Waves (LPW) instrument with support of data from all other instruments on the MAVEN spacecraft. Candidates with planetary ionosphere data analysis experience are encouraged to apply. We will also consider candidates with instrument hardware experience. Examples of the primary work tasks include: instrument operation, data production, and software development. The successful candidate will be working closely with Dr. Andersson and Prof. Ergun. The position will initially be a one year contract with a possible extension. Salary will be commensurate with hiring level, experience and qualifications. Evaluations will begin immediately and we will continue to accept applications but no longer than September 1st 2015. Questions can be sent to laila.andersson@lasp.colorado.edu. Please submit your application electronically to: https://www.jobsatcu.com/hr/postings/101636/preview 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/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/1UA7aHs 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] PDS - RELEASE OF ROSETTA DATA Small Bodies Node of the NASA Planetary Data System is pleased to announce that the following datasets have been released: Rosetta-Orbiter NAVCAM 67P Prelanding MTP003 Raw Data Rosetta-Orbiter NAVCAM 67P Prelanding MTP004 Raw Data Rosetta-Orbiter NAVCAM 67P Prelanding MTP005 Raw Data Rosetta-Orbiter NAVCAM 67P Prelanding MTP006 Raw Data Rosetta-Orbiter NAVCAM 67P Prelanding MTP007 Raw Data Rosetta-Orbiter NAVCAM 67P Prelanding MTP008 Raw Data Rosetta-Orbiter NAVCAM 67P Prelanding MTP009 Raw Data Rosetta-Orbiter NAVCAM 67P Escort 1 MTP010 Raw Data Rosetta-Orbiter NAVCAM 67P Escort 1 MTP011 Raw Data The datasets are ESA PSA certified. To see and download the data as well as mission and instrument information, go to: http://pdssbn.astro.umd.edu/ The data can be also accessed through ESA PSA website at: http://www.sciops.esa.int/index.php?project=PSA&page=rosetta 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] PDS - MARS SCIENCE LABORATORY DATA RELEASE 9 The NASA Planetary Data System announces the ninth release of data from the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, covering data acquired from Sol 805 through Sol 938 (November 10, 2014 through March 28, 2015). This release consists of raw and derived data sets from the following instruments: APXS ChemCam CheMin DAN Hazcam MAHLI MARDI Mastcam Navcam RAD REMS SAM SPICE New dataset MSL-M-ROVER-6-RDR-PLACES-V1.0 provides rover positions and orientations. To access the above data for this release: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20150731.shtml Links to all MSL data sets may be found on the PDS Geosciences Node web site: http://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/msl/ The data may also be reached from the main PDS home page: http://pds.nasa.gov/ MSL data are archived at the PDS Atmospheres, Planetary Plasma Interactions (PPI), Geosciences, Imaging, and Navigation and Ancillary Information Facility (NAIF) Nodes. PDS offers two services for searching the MSL archives: The Planetary Image Atlas at the Imaging Node allows selection of MSL image data by specific search criteria: http://pds-imaging.jpl.nasa.gov/search The MSL Analyst's Notebook at the Geosciences Node allows searching and downloading of all MSL data in the context of mission events. See: http://an.rsl.wustl.edu/msl The PDS Team pds_operator@jpl.nasa.gov 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 GSA 2015 SESSION T173: IMPACT CRATERING ON EARTH AND IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM Data from terrestrial fieldwork, advances in modeling and experimentation, and spacecraft data have provided significant new insight into the characteristics of the impact cratering processes. This session will provide an opportunity to share information and insight. The Gold lecture of this year's Penrose Medalist, Jim Head (Brown University) will be featured in this session. Please join us. See: https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2015AM/top/papers/index.cgi?sessionid=37990 and http://community.geosociety.org/gsa2015/home Abstract deadline: August 12, 2015 Session chairs: Christian Koeberl and Jeffrey Plescia 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 GSA 2015 SESSION T176: PAST AND PRESENT BIOSIGNATURE RECOGNITION ON EARTH AND MARS Research into biosignature recognition is rapidly evolving, particularly as our understanding of life’s ability to thrive and survive in extreme environments expands. Despite these advances, unambiguous biosignatures are difficult to diagnose. Biosignatures (in the rock record) are preserved fingerprints of life interacting with fluid and rock, particularly where microbes enhance mineral precipitation during deposition and/or early diagenesis. However, establishing biogenicity of putative biosignatures and preservation of any type of microbial fossil or chemical or textural biosignature depends on the degree of alteration during diagenesis and factors such as exposure to diagenetic fluids. In order to effectively determine the best practices for the interpretation of biosignatures of present and/or past life on Earth or other planets, there exists a crucial need for a forum for discussion of: - What constitutes a modern biosignature - How biosignatures are formed - How biosignatures are preserved and/or altered throughout geologic time This session will address these issues and facilitate further advances in the search for life on exoplanets. We look forward to seeing you at GSA in Baltimore Charity M. Phillips Lander Sally Potter-McIntyre 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS No new meetings. 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