PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 9, Number 35 (August 30, 2015) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Susan Benecchi Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Melissa Lane Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Job Openings at Space Telescope Science Institute 2. Lowell Observatory: Tenure-Track or Tenured Astronomer 3. Mars Landing Site/Exploration Zone - Abstract Deadline Extended 4. The Lunar Initiatives 5. Planetary Evolution: Phobos and Deimos Lecture Series 6. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 7. 32nd IAS Meeting of Sedimentology 8. Comparative Climates Conference to be Streamed Live 9. MAVEN Public Datasets Released 10. Two Tenure-Track Assistant Professors in Astronomy & Planetary Science 11. Request for Proposal Posted for Mars 2020 Landing Site Characterization 12. 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 JOB OPENINGS AT SPACE TELESCOPE SCIENCE INSTITUTE https://rn11.ultipro.com/SPA1004/JobBoard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID =*2357526FC6D627A1 The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) has multiple openings (ranging from entry level to highly experienced) for Analysts and Scientists in our Instruments and Operations and Engineering Divisions. Research and Instrument Analysts (RIAs) will assist Instrument Scientists in the operational and developmental support for Hubble Space Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope, and Wide-Field InfraRed Survey Telescope missions. Science Operations Analysts support science planning and scheduling operations for the Hubble Space Telescope and testing of the James Webb Space Telescope science planning and scheduling ground system. Archive Analysts are responsible for processing and archiving science and engineering data from the Hubble Space Telescope, the Kepler spacecraft and soon the James Webb Space Telescope. Archive Scientists provide scientific, technical, computational expertise and support in the areas of archive operations, data processing operations, archival research, and problem investigation and analysis. 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 LOWELL OBSERVATORY: TENURE-TRACK OR TENURED ASTRONOMER Lowell Observatory invites applications for one or more tenure-track or tenured research positions in astronomy or planetary science. We invite applicants at any career level who can build on current strengths or open new areas for Lowell. A Ph.D. in astronomy, planetary science, or a related field is required, as is an outstanding record of research and demonstrated ability or potential to obtain external research funding. Candidates are invited to describe how they would make use of our observational facilities, but we will give equal consideration to all research areas. The start date for this position is flexible but desired by Fall 2016. Additional position details can be found at: https://lowell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Tenure-track- Astronomer.pdf To apply: Send applications electronically to humanresources@lowell.edu Applications should include: (1) a cover letter and CV, (2) a research plan of 3 pages or less, and (3) names and mail/email addresses of three individuals who have agreed to serve as references. Do not ask for reference letters to be sent in advance. Applications must be received by November 1, 2015 for full consideration. Lowell Observatory is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. 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 MARS LANDING SITE/EXPLORATION ZONE - ABSTRACT DEADLINE EXTENDED Registration applications now open, deadline October 1, 2015. Due to growing interest in the First Landing Site (LS)/Exploration Zone (EZ) Workshop for Human Missions to the Surface of Mars, the organizers would like to allow those submitting Exploration Zone (EZ) and Landing Site (LS) proposals more time to prepare their abstracts in support of this unique and innovative effort. The deadline for abstracts been extended until: Thursday, September 10, 2015, 5:00 p.m. U.S. CDT If you've already submitted an abstract and would like to replace it, or correct the information submitted on the form, return to the abstract submission portion of the meeting portal and click on the "Update" link that appears next to the title of your abstract before the new deadline. Applications to attend are also now being accepted. Instructions and details can be found on the workshop website. Travel support: Limited support for travel will be made available for U.S. participants. Details will be posted on the workshop website as soon as they become available. NASA employees and contractors should note that this workshop is classified as a conference and therefore NASA Conference Tracking (NCTS) rules apply. For more information, see: http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/explorationzone2015/ [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 THE LUNAR INITIATIVES The 5th International Workshop on LunarCubes October 6-9, 2015 San Jose, CA Submit your abstract now! Deadline for abstract submission August 31, 2015 at 5 PM EST Get the best registration rates! Deadline for early bird registration August 31, 2015 at 5 PM EST Website: www.lunarcubes.com For more information send email to info@lunarcubes.com 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 PLANETARY EVOLUTION: PHOBOS AND DEIMOS LECTURE SERIES NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) announces the "Planetary Evolution: Phobos and Deimos" lecture series, organized by Dan Britt and Carle Pieters. Talks will be broadcast online every Monday at 3pm ET at: https://connect.arc.nasa.gov/marsmoons/ (The same link will be used for each seminar, active 30 mins before each talk). All talks will be archived at: http://sservi.nasa.gov/event/planetary-evolution-phobos-and-deimos/ Schedule/Topic/Speaker Sept 14: Introduction [discovery, physical properties, orbit...]; D. Britt Sept 21: The Age and Cratering History of Phobos; N. Schmedemann Sept 28: The Formation & Effects of Stickney Impact on Phobos; K. Ramsley Oct 5: The Character and Origin of Phobos' Grooves; J. Murray Oct 12: Ambiguity of Compositional Data for Phobos and Deimos; A. Rivkin/R. Klima Oct 19: Geology and Geomorphology of Phobos and Deimos; S. Basilevsky Oct 26: Origin of Phobos: Capture; J. Burns Nov 2: Origin of Phobos: Co-accretion, Big Impact; R. Canup Nov 9: Properties of Meteorite Analogues; C. Herd Nov 16: Space Weathering and Regolith, Dust; C. Pieters/M. Horanyi Nov 23: Microgravity Within Mars' Gravity Well; D. Scheeres Nov 30: Phobos-Deimos ISRU; P. Metzer/R. Mueller Dec 7: Phobos as an Exploration Destination and Base for Mars Exploration; M. Gernhardt 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 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. A sample opportunity in planetary science is: https://apps.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/18818 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 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 32ND IAS MEETING OF SEDIMENTOLOGY May 23-25 2016 Marrakech, Morocco Call for Special Sessions and Short Courses The International Association of Sedimentology and the Ibn Battuta Centre (Marrakech), in collaboration with the Universite Cadi Ayyad, Faculte de Sciences Semlalia (Marrakech), the Universite Mohammed Premier, Faculte Pluridisciplinaire (Nador, Morocco) and the International Research School of Planetary Sciences - Universita d'Annunzio (Pescara, Italy) cordially invite you to Marrakech, Morocco, for the 32nd IAS Meeting of Sedimentology. The programme will include Special Sessions and Short Courses. Subjects on planetary subjects are welcome and a Call is available in the webpage: https://www.sedimentologists.org/ims2016 Further information: Gian Gabriele Ori, email: ggori (at) irsps.unich.it 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 COMPARATIVE CLIMATES CONFERENCE TO BE STREAMED LIVE We are happy to announce livestream capabilities for the upcoming "Comparative Climates of Terrestrial Planets II: Understanding How Climate Systems Work" conference (CCTP2). The meeting will be streamed live via Adobe Connect, at: https://ac.arc.nasa.gov/cctp2/ from September 8-11. The program for the meeting - with times listed in PDT - is available at: http://sservi3.arc.nasa.gov/downloads/cctp2_program.pdf The first CCTP meeting, held in 2012, fostered a series of interdisciplinary conversations on a wide range of planetary climates. We are planning for a similar range of conversations at the CCTP2 meeting, including the effects of the Sun and other stars on the climates of Earth and other planets in and beyond the Solar System. We encourage you to listen to the conversations we foster at CCTP-2, and to extend them via the Adobe Connect chat room. This meeting is supported by NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD). For more information and future updates on the meeting, please go to the CCTP 2 website: http://sservi.nasa.gov/cctp2 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 MAVEN PUBLIC DATASETS RELEASED The MAVEN Science Data Center is pleased to announce the availability of the following MAVEN datasets: IUVS, NGIMS, EUV, STATIC, SWIA, SWEA, MAG, in situ Key Parameters, and ancillary data. The data presently available were collected between the start of MAVEN's science operations on November 15, 2014, and May 15, 2015. The SDC also contains interactive browse plots, a form for searching and downloading data, a list of mission events, and an IDL toolkit for retrieving and visualizing data. To access the SDC, please visit: https://lasp.colorado.edu/maven/sdc/public/ 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 TWO TENURE-TRACK ASSISTANT PROFESSORS IN ASTRONOMY & PLANETARY SCIENCE The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Northern Arizona University (www.physics.nau.edu) is seeking excellent candidates for two tenure-track positions in astronomy and/or planetary science at the Assistant Professor level beginning in August, 2016. The minimum qualification is an earned doctorate in astronomy, planetary science, or a related field. Preferred qualifications include demonstrated interest or ability to develop a research program that involves undergraduates and graduate students; a demonstrated record of publications and/or extramural funding in astronomy and/or planetary science; evidence of high quality teaching and commitment to student success; expertise in exoplanets, astro-informatics, astro-chemistry, astronomical instrumentation, and/or observational astronomy specializing in Solar System objects, exoplanets, or related topics; and the ability to work with students, colleagues, and community members from diverse cultures. The search will remain open until the position is filled or closed; however, the screening committee will begin reviewing applications on October 12, 2015. Please see: www.nau.edu/hr for full position announcement [position number 602152]. NAU is an AA/EO/MWDV Employer. 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL POSTED FOR MARS 2020 LANDING SITE CHARACTERIZATION The Mars Exploration Program has issued, in August 2015, a Request for Proposal for round X of the Mars Critical Data Products program http://mepag.nasa.gov/cdp.cfm This RFP provides support for landing site surface and atmosphere characterization for the Mars 2020 rover mission. The intent is to convert mission data and numerical simulations into products focused on specific landing site targets (to be provided by the program) that will be useful for reducing the risk to the Mars 2020 rover mission. Details of this RFP are posted at: https://acquisition.jpl.nasa.gov/rfp/NT-2692-081715/default.htm or https://acquisition.jpl.nasa.gov/bizops/ Requested data products are for: (1) Radar Reflectivity, (2) Surface Thermophysical Properties, (3) Surface Pressure Predictions, and (4) Dust Events during Mars 2020 Entry Descent and Landing (EDL). Proposals are due Wednesday, October 14, 2015, 3:00 PM (Pacific). 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html December 15-16, 2015 International Symposium on Moon 2020-2030: A New Era of Coordinated Human and Robotic Exploration http://spaceflight.esa.int/humanrobotics/ Noordwijk, The Netherlands December 28, 2015-January 8, 2016 Exoplanet School in Jerusalem http://www.as.huji.ac.il/content/exoplanets Jerusalem, Israel May 23-26, 2016 32nd IAS Meeting of Sedimentology https://www.sedimentologists.org/ims2016 Marrakech, Morocco [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.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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