PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 10, Number 37 (September 4, 2016) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Susan Benecchi Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Karen R. Stockstill-Cahill Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Planetary and Space Science Special Issue Reminder 2. Announcement of a Special Issue of Advances in Space Research on Small Body Science and Exploration 3. Tenure Track Assistant Professor at MIT 4. Big Data Challenges, Research, and Technologies in the Earth and Planetary Sciences 5. MAPSIT 6. ELSI 5th International Symposium & Young Researchers Day 7. 32nd MEPAG Meeting 2nd Information Circular 8. Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 38 9. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 10. IEEE Aerospace Conference Balloon Session 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 PLANETARY AND SPACE SCIENCE SPECIAL ISSUE REMINDER Dear colleagues, We remind you about the Special Issue on "Space Weather at the Terrestrial Planets" in the Planetary and Space Science journal, whose submission deadline is October 1st 2016. The covered topics will include all aspects of planetary plasma physics and interactions in the inner Solar System, e.g.: (a) magnetospheres, ionospheres, auroras (b) the solar wind interaction with planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) and their moons, or with asteroids / comets (c) plasma interactions with exospheres, dust and surfaces (d) intercomparisons of planetary environments Contributions that address previous, present, forthcoming and planned observations from space, as well as ground-based observations, theoretical modelling or simulations are welcome. Laboratory studies on planetary analogues aiming to simulate the surface-plasma interaction will be considered as well. Regular papers are expected, and the usual refereeing process will be applied for publication in PSS. To ensure that all manuscripts are correctly identified for inclusion into the special issue, it is important that authors select the name of the special issue when they upload their manuscripts: "Planetary space weather." Best regards, A. Milillo, A. Radioti, P. Garnier and N. Ganushkina 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 ANNOUNCEMENT OF A SPECIAL ISSUE OF ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH ON SMALL BODY SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION Papers are invited for a special topical issue of Advances in Space Research (ASR) entitled "Past, Present and Future of Small Body Science and Exploration" that was proposed within the 41st COSPAR 2016 Scientific Assembly. This special issue is open to all scientists that want to share their results with the scientific community about small body science connected to space exploration. The year 2016 has seen an incredible burst in the Space mission activities to minor bodies, leading to tremendous or surprising results. The present special issue welcomes contributions that have a Scientific, Technical or Instrumental focus and serves as a crossroad of recent results and future prospects of small body explorations. Papers must be submitted electronically to: http://ees.elsevier.com/asr To ensure that all manuscripts are correctly identified for inclusion into the special issue, authors must select "Special Issue: Small Body Exploration" when they reach the "Article Type" step in the submission process. The deadline for submissions is 31 January 2017. Questions can be directed to Drs. Palomba, Hestroffer or to the Co-Editor for Special Issues, Dr. Peggy Ann Shea (sssrc@msn.com). 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 TENURE TRACK ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT MIT The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology invites qualified candidates to apply for a tenure track position at the assistant professor level beginning July 2017 or thereafter. Applicants with research interests in Planetary Science are encouraged to apply. We seek an outstanding scientist with interest in and potential for innovation and leadership in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels and research. The search is in the broad area of Planetary Science encompassing our Solar System as well as exoplanets, including theory, observation, and instrumentation. However, we are especially interested in individuals whose research complements existing MIT expertise. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Planetary Science or related field by the start of employment and must demonstrate ability to excel in teaching. A complete application must include curriculum vitae, two-page description of research and teaching plans and three letters of recommendations. Applications are being accepted at Academic Jobs Online: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/7724 To receive full consideration, complete applications must be received by: December 1, 2016. Search Contact: Ms. Karen Fosher kfosher@mit.edu MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. 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 BIG DATA CHALLENGES, RESEARCH, AND TECHNOLOGIES IN THE EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCES http://geo-bigdata.github.io/ Part of IEEE International Big Data Conference 2016, Washington D.C. Monday, December 5th, 2016 Paper submissions due September 25th, 2016 A new paradigm is needed in order to increase the productivity and effectiveness of scientific data analysis for Earth and planetary science investigation. This paradigm must recognize that architectural and analytical choices are interrelated, and must be carefully coordinated in any system that aims to allow efficient, interactive scientific exploration and discovery to exploit massive data collections, from point of collection to analysis and decision support. Both observational systems and data centers will be needed as part of this new paradigm, which includes the significant increase in size and complexity of science data as well as new approaches across the entire data lifecycle from capture to management and analysis of the data. This workshop builds off of two successful previous workshops that have merged to offer a comprehensive venue for all aspects of Big Data in the Earth and Planetary Sciences. We seek computational and data science experts to present on their research and discuss Big Data roadmaps, architectures, technologies, and methodologies for future Earth and planetary science data challenges emerging from both instrumentation and data access and analytics. [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 MAPSIT MAPSIT, the Mapping and Planetary Spatial Information Team, is a new NASA Assessment Group that is seeking steering committee membership, including international. We consider all aspects of planetary data, from collection, to processing, to incorporation into regional and global products and maps, and finally to storage and accessibility. We seek to identify and prioritize community needs and to increase the utility of our international spacecraft data. We will accept nominations (including self-nominations) consisting of one paragraph about how your involvement will benefit MAPSIT, plus your CV, sent to janirad@byu.edu by 30 September 2016. The MAPSIT steering committee will decide between these nominations, considering how to retain expertise in tools and methods and to maintain balance between science, disciplines and institutions. Visit: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/mapsit/ for more information on MAPSIT. 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 ELSI 5TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM & YOUNG RESEARCHERS DAY The Earth-Life Science Institute will be holding its 5th International Symposium on the 11-13 Jan 2017, on the broad topic of the emergence of the biosphere. We welcome interested scientists to join this discussion. The emergence of biosphere on Earth, and possibly elsewhere in the universe, remains one of the great unsolved scientific questions. Research into the origin and subsequent evolution of life takes place across an array of scientific disciplines, including but not limited to planetary sciences, astronomy, theoretical physics, chemistry and biology. The goal of the Symposium is to provide a forum for diverse perspectives and unify the fragmentary knowledge stemming from a single discipline. Accordingly, the program features talks and discussions aimed at understanding the nature of life, constraints of habitability, early Earth environments, systems chemistry, structure and attributes of early life. On 10 Jan 2017, will be the Young Researcher Day (YRD), a workshop for early career investigators to present and discuss their work, and for which we offer a number of full or partial travel grants. Information for Young Researcher Day: elsi5sympo.com/young-researcher-event/ (registration deadline: Sept. 30, 2016) 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 MEPAG MEETING 2ND INFORMATION CIRCULAR Members of the Mars community, I cordially invite you to participate in the 32nd meeting of the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG), scheduled as a virtual meeting on October 6th, 2016, 8:30am-12:30pm PDT. Adobe Connect information and current draft agenda are posted at: http://mepag.nasa.gov/meeting/2016-10/meeting32_2nd%20Information% 20Circular_v3.pdf Key discussion topics will include: * Reports from the Mars Exploration Program on budget, current missions, and studies for future Mars missions; * Updates on Human Exploration and Operations (HEO) activities; * Report on the planetary science community-wide survey of Participating Scientist programs; * New membership within the MEPAG Goals and Executive Committee; * Report from the recent conference on "Biosignature Preservation and Detection in Mars Analog Environments"; * Upcoming MEPAG activities, including the next face-to-face MEPAG meeting (No. 33) in early 2017. The meeting is open to all members of the Mars science community including our international colleagues. I look forward to your participation. Sincerely, Dr. Jeffrey R. Johnson MEPAG Chair 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 MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA RELEASE 38 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce a new delivery of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) data for the following instruments: - CRISM - CTX - HiRISE - MARCI - MCS - RSS - SHARAD* - SPICE *SHARAD data in this release includes only derived data. In general, MRO Release 38 includes data collected from November 9, 2015, through February 8, 2016, though in this release, HiRISE data covers January 25, 2016, to May 4, 2016, and CRISM data covers February 9, 2016, to May 8, 2016. To access the above data: https://pds.nasa.gov/tools/subscription_service/SS-20160901.shtml To access the latest PDS Data Releases: https://pds.nasa.gov/tools/subscription_service/SS-Release.shtml All available PDS data may be found at: http://pds.nasa.gov/tools/data-search/ For further information, see the PDS Home Page: http://pds.nasa.gov/ The PDS Team pds_operator@jpl.nasa.gov (818) 393-7165 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 GEOMORPHOLOGY IMAGE OF THE MONTH The September 'Image of the Month' is now available at the IAG's Planetary Geomorphology web page: http://planetarygeomorphology.wordpress.com/ This month's topic is "Water, water, everywhere...?". Post contributed by Dr. Susan J. Conway, CNRS LPG Nantes, France. You can follow IAG Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PlanetaryGeomorphology or Twitter @PlanetGeomorpho Susan Conway (Chair, IAG Planetary Geomorphology working group) 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 IEEE AEROSPACE CONFERENCE BALLOON SESSION NSRC Community, We want to call attention to this meeting and special session that may be of interest to members of the NSRC community. Conference information and abstract submission at: www.aeroconf.org. Disregard the July 1 date in the Call for Papers, the conference organizers have told us that abstracts are still being accepted. IEEE Aerospace Conference Big Sky, Montana March 4-11, 2017 Session 8.14 - New Technologies and Instruments for Scientific Balloon Missions. Scientific balloons are capable of testing new technologies and performing groundbreaking science for low cost. Topics include mission concepts (astrophysical, planetary, and terrestrial), instrument, sensor and infrastructure technologies (e.g., gondola mechanical structures, pointing/aspect systems, payload networking, data streaming techniques, power management schemes, and ground station operation enhancements and architectures) and cross-over technologies relevant for future orbital and deep space payloads. Also of interest are specific electronic developments related to long duration and ultra-long duration balloon flights, as well as related technologies applicable to balloon systems, testing, and performance. 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 Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html January 31-February 3, 2017 Ushering in the New Age of Microlensing from Space http://nexsci.caltech.edu/conferences/2017/microlensing/ Pasadena, CA April 24-27, 2017 Astrobiology Science Conference 2017 (AbSciCon 2017) http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/abscicon2017/ Mesa, AZ May 9-11, 2017 Chondrules as Astrophysical Objects http://chondrules.phas.ubc.ca Vancouver, Canada July 16-21, 2017 The XVIIIth International Conference on the Origin of Life http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/issol2017/ San Diego, CA August 7-13, 2017 The Third Workshop on Extremely Precise Radial Velocities (EPRV III) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/planetary_news/2016/08/10/the-third-workshop -on-extremely-precise-radial-velocities-eprv-iii/ University Park, PA September 5-7, 2017 Exoplanetary Systems in the PLATO Era http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/physics/research/astro/research/ plato_mission_conference2017/ Coventry, United Kingdom [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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