PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 10, Number 40 (September 24, 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. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2. Research Position at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics 3. Assistant or Associate Professor - Experimental Space Physics at the University of Iowa 4. Assistant Professor of Astronomy, University of Maryland 5. [NASA] PDS: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 27 6. [NASA] PDS: Mars Exploration Rovers Data Release 49 7. Ices in the Solar System Workshop 8. Astrometry and Astrophysics in the Gaia Sky 9. VEXAG Meeting #14 - Call for Presentations and Registration 10. Important Updates to NSF Grant Programs 11. 2017 Exploration Postdoctoral Fellowship in Earth and Space Science 12. DPS 48/EPSC 11 Early Career Presenter's Review 13. CosmoQuest Research Grants and Surveys 14. CosmoQuest User Surveys 15. Arizona-JAXA workshop 16. 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 NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS The NASA Postdoctoral Program offers US and international scientists the opportunity to advance their research while contributing to NASA's scientific goals. The NPP supports fundamental science; explores the undiscovered; promotes intellectual growth; and encourages scientific connections. 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, planetary science, astrophysics, space bioscience, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration and space operations, and astrobiology. Current research opportunities in planetary science can be viewed at: https://npp.usra.edu/opportunities/?filter_keywords=&filter_fields=145 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. For further information and to apply, visit: https://npp.usra.edu/ Questions: npphelp@usra.edu 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 RESEARCH POSITION AT THE SWEDISH INSTITUTE OF SPACE PHYSICS The Solar System Physics and Space Technology research programme at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) invites applications for a temporary research position in Space Physics, related to the ESA Rosetta mission to comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Applications are invited both for a 2-year post-doc position and for shorter periods for senior guest scientists. The advertised position is a research position for studies of the cometary plasma environment and its interaction with the solar wind primarily using ion data from the Ion Composition Analyzer on board Rosetta but also using data from the other instruments that form the Rosetta Plasma Consortium (RPC). Previous experience of working with plasma and/or particle data from space missions is required. The position, placed in Kiruna, is funded by the Swedish Research Council. Post-doc candidates should have completed a PhD during 2013 or later. Candidates planning to obtain their PhD degree no later than January 2017 can also apply. A post-doc candidate should not currently be an active researcher at IRF. Closing date is 7 October 2016. Ref: 2.2.1-235/16 More information: http://www.irf.se/Topical/Vacancies/?group=P3&vacid=22 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 ASSISTANT OR ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR - EXPERIMENTAL SPACE PHYSICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA The Department of Physics and Astronomy (http://www.physics.uiowa.edu/) at the University of Iowa seeks a space physics experimentalist with a record of involvement in spaceflight hardware. Interested applicants should apply at: http://jobs.uiowa.edu/ and refer to requisition #69613. The Department and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are strongly committed to diversity; the strategic plans of the University and College reflect this commitment. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preference, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action 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 ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ASTRONOMY, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND The Department of Astronomy at the University of Maryland (located in College Park, MD) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position. Accomplished candidates in any area of astronomy, astrophysics, or planetary science are encouraged to apply. We are searching for candidates at the Assistant Professor (tenure-track) level, but will consider applications for tenured ranks in exceptional cases. A PhD in astronomy, physics, planetary science, or a related discipline is required, and the successful candidate must have an established record of research excellence. Candidates are expected to have a demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and mentorship at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. For more details and to apply, visit: www.astro.umd.edu/employment To receive full consideration, applications must be submitted by December 1, 2016. 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: LUNAR RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA RELEASE 27 The NASA Planetary Data System is pleased to announce a new delivery of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) data for the following instruments: * CRaTER * DLRE * LAMP * LEND * LOLA * LROC * RSS This release includes a complete revision of LEND RSCI data products. In general, LRO Release 27 includes data collected between March 15, 2016 and June 14, 2016. To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/tools/subscription_service/SS-20160915.shtml PDS offers two services for searching the LRO archives: The Planetary Image Atlas at the Imaging Node allows selection of LRO data by specific search criteria. http://pds-imaging.jpl.nasa.gov/search/ The Lunar Orbital Data Explorer at the Geosciences Node allows searching and downloading of LRO data and other lunar orbital data sets (Clementine and Lunar Prospector). http://ode.rsl.wustl.edu/moon/ 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: MARS EXPLORATION ROVERS DATA RELEASE 49 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce Release 49 of Mars Exploration Rover data. This release includes data primarily from Sols 4231 through 4320, rover Opportunity (MER1/B), instruments: * APXS * Atmospheric Opacity * HAZCAM * NAVCAM * MI * PANCAM * RAT * Rover Motion Counter * SPICE This delivery includes APXS Oxide Abundance data for Opportunity sols 1 through 4000, updating the previous delivery from 2012. There is no Radio Science data in this release,and no more Mini-TES or Moessbauer data is expected. To access the above data, please visit: https://pds.nasa.gov/tools/subscription_service/SS-20160919.shtml The following special services are provided for accessing MER data: MER Analyst's Notebook: http://an.rsl.wustl.edu/mer Planetary Image Atlas: http://pds-imaging.jpl.nasa.gov/search/mer-opportunity To access the latest PDS Data Releases, please visit: https://pds.nasa.gov/tools/subscription_service/SS-Release.shtml All available PDS data may be found at: http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/data-search/ For further information, see the PDS Home Page: http://pds.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 ICES IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM WORKSHOP 23-27 January 2017 at the European Space Astronomy Center (ESA/ESAC), near Madrid, Spain. Even if you have done a pre-registration to this workshop, you need officially register at: http://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/ices-in-the-solar-system/home The topics will include: * Experimental research and associated modeling (preparation of ice analogs and experimental weathering in the lab, analysis and modeling techniques to infer optical, thermal, mechanical, electrical, thermodynamical, structural and compositional properties. * Mission data revealing ices and their properties, composition, geological context and history in the Outer Solar System (Rings, icy moons, KBOs and Kuiper Belt), Asteroid Belt, Mars (polar caps, ground ice) or well within the snow line (Mercury, Moon). * The astrobiological potential of ices and their role and transport during the Solar System evolution- including the connection to the interstellar medium, proto-solar nebulae, icy giants and planetesimals formation. Abstract submission deadline: November 15th Session program available: November 29th Note that there may be the possibility to include your contribution into a special workshop publication issue. Sponsorship for students, in the form of lump sum payment, will be available, upon review of the submitted abstract by the Science Organizing Committee. See details at: http://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/ices-in-the-solar-system/ students_support [Edited for length.] 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 ASTROMETRY AND ASTROPHYSICS IN THE GAIA SKY IAU Symposium 330 24-28 April 2017 Nice, France http://iaus330.sciencesconf.org/ The first release of the Gaia data has been made publicly available on September 14, 2016. Besides a catalogue of 1.1 billion source positions and broad-band G-magnitudes, this DR1 also includes the positions, G-magnitudes, parallaxes, proper motions for 2 million stars in common between the Tycho-2 Catalogue and Gaia (TGAS). Light curves for 3194 Cepheids and RR Lyrae are also part of the release as well as a special astrometric solution for 2152 ICRF quasars. The goal of this IAU symposium is to ensure the world-wide sharing of the Gaia mission results that will cover the following topics: astrometry and reference frames, Milky Way galaxy and stellar physics and the Solar system bodies. The next close deadlines are: November 1st: IAU grant application December 4: Abstract submission Registration to the symposium is open. Space is limited. More details are available at the conference website: http://iaus330.sciencesconf.org/ Alejandra Recio-Blanco, Anthony Brown and Timo Prusti (for the SOC) Patrick de Laverny (for the LOC) Contact: iaus330@oca.eu [Edited for length.] 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 VEXAG MEETING #14 - Call FOR PRESENTATIONS AND REGISTRATION Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) Meeting #14 will be held on Tuesday-Thursday, November 29 - December 1, 2016 at NASA Headquarters, James E. Webb Memorial Auditorium, 300 E Street SW, Washington, DC. Current plans are: November 29, 2016 (Tuesday) - NASA and Mission reports Poster/Social Event (PM) November 30, 2016 (Wednesday) - Venus Science and Technology reports December 1, 2016 (Thursday) - VEXAG activities (adjourn at mid-day) Presentations on all aspects of Venus science and technology are solicited. Presentations on upcoming Venus mission opportunities and high-temperature operations are of particular interest. Please email your title, a short summary, preference for oral or poster presentation to Bob Grimm grimm@boulder.swri.edu, and Tommy Thompson, twthompson@jpl.nasa.gov, by October 28th. Posting of the full program is anticipated in early November. If you'll be attending in person and haven't done so already, please enter your name on the Meeting Registration/Intent to Attend Form on the VEXAG Web-Site: https://www.hou.usra.edu/meeting_portal/registration/index.cfm ?mtg=vexag2016 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 IMPORTANT UPDATES TO NSF GRANT PROGRAMS James S. Ulvestad, Division Director, NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences NSF's Division of Astronomical Sciences (AST) provides the following information regarding current funding opportunities. AST is beginning a pilot 'no-deadline' program for proposals in solar and planetary astronomy. Proposals that address topics related to planetary systems - including exoplanets, our own solar system, and solar physics - should be submitted in response to the new Solar and Planetary Research Grants (SPG) solicitation NSF 16-602. These proposals may be submitted at any time. Previously, these proposals were submitted to the Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Grants (AAG) program (new solicitation NSF 16-574). Although SPG proposals may be submitted any time throughout the year, proposals submitted to SPG after 15 November 2016, but judged to be more appropriate for the AAG program, may be returned without review. If you are unsure whether your proposed research fits into SPG, please contact one of the program officers listed in the SPG solicitation. For all programs, prospective proposers should pay close attention to the changes this year in the Grant Proposal Guide, NSF 16-1, which describes all requirements except for those superseded specifically in an individual solicitation. 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 2017 EXPLORATION POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP IN EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE The School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) at Arizona State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will serve as an Exploration Fellow. The mission of the postdoctoral Fellowship is to foster SESE's interdisciplinary research program by attracting and supporting outstanding early-career scientists and engineers to pursue independent research in collaboration with SESE faculty. Research areas within SESE encompass astrobiology, astrophysics, cosmology, Earth and planetary science, instrumentation and systems engineering, and science education. Anticipated start date for the position is July 2017. The expected duration of the Fellowship is three years. Desired Qualifications: (1) research proposal that demonstrates relevance, interdisciplinary merit, and/or potential impact of the proposed research activities to the overarching "big picture" research questions in the field and to the mission of SESE, (2) a record of prior achievement and experience demonstrating the potential to accomplish proposed research objectives, and (3) evidence of strong verbal and written communication skills. Application materials/questions should be submitted by email to exppd@asu.edu, addressed to the Exploration Fellowship Committee. More information about the Exploration Fellowship can be found at: http://sese.asu.edu/exploration-fellowship Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. [Edited for length.] 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 DPS 48/EPSC 11 EARLY CAREER PRESENTER'S REVIEW Are you an early career scientist preparing to present your research at the DPS 48/EPSC 11 meeting? Are you nervous? Are you looking for advice? Join others like you to receive feedback from seasoned presenters! Participants in the Early Career Presenters Review have the opportunity to present their DPS 48/EPSC 11 oral or poster presentation and receive feedback before presenting during the regular meeting. In addition to presenting their research, participants have the opportunity to network with their peers and future colleagues. The review will be held Sunday, October 16 from 1-5pm in Conference Building C107. Register at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/dps2016_early_career. The deadline to register is 5:00pm Central Time, October 12, 2016. Registration is limited to 20 presenters. Scientists wishing to participate by providing feedback to the early career presenters should contact Andy Shaner at shaner@lpi.usra.edu. 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 COSMOQUEST RESEARCH GRANTS AND SURVEYS CosmoQuest Cycle 1 Call for Proposals The CosmoQuest (CQ) Virtual Research Facility announces the release of its first request for proposals (RFP) from scientists to conduct research using the Facility's innovative Citizen Science Builder software. The RFP supports science from all four areas of NASA SMD (Science Mission Directorate) research. Recipients will be awarded up to $55K a year for two years to team with CosmoQuest staff to create a custom citizen science portal, and all related materials, for their research project. CosmoQuest anticipates making up to three awards this cycle, with an emphasis on a heliophysics project to highlight the upcoming solar eclipse. Recipients will work with the CQ science team to analyze and disseminate their results, and they will work with CQ educators and outreach programs to broaden the impact of their research study. Solicitation: http://bit.ly/CQcycle1-rfp Application: http://bit.ly/CQcycle1-app Due Date: 11:59pm EDT, November 4, 2016 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 COSMOQUEST USER SURVEYS The CosmoQuest Virtual Research Facility is expanding and improving. As part of these efforts, CosmoQuest will be offering training and a variety of opportunities for scientists to get involved. A survey has been posted to collect information from scientists about their needs. Details can be found at: http://cosmoquest.org/x/blog/2016/08/help-us-improve-cosmoquest/ Please help CosmoQuest improve its programming and services related to scientists by taking the survey. 15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15 ARIZONA-JAXA WORKSHOP The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL) of the University of Arizona will hold a workshop dedicated to planetary science enabled by missions launched by the Epsilon launcher of JAXA on November 15 and 16, 2016, at LPL in Tucson, Arizona. Given the nature of the workshop described below, participation will be limited to the first 50 registrants. ISAS has defined three mission classes by which space science will be pursued systematically. (A) ISAS strategic L-class missions to be launched by the H-IIA/III launcher (such as the Martian Moons eXplorer (MMX), the mission under consideration to return samples from Phobos); (B) ISAS competitive M-class missions to be launched by the Epsilon launcher (the topic of this workshop); and (C) Participation in large-class missions to be led by foreign agencies. To register, or to see more details of the workshop plans and objectives, please see the workshop website at: jaxaworkshop2016.lpl.arizona.edu [Edited for length.] 16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html November 10-11, 2016 Future Large Optical-Infrared Facilities in China http://kiaa.pku.edu.cn/astroforum16/ Beijing, China April 24-28, 2017 Astrometry and Astrophysics in the Gaia Sky http://iaus330.sciencesconf.org/ Nice, France May 22-26, 2017 Japan Geosciece Union Meeting http://www.jpgu.org/meeting_e2016/greeting.html Chiba, Japan [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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