PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 11, Number 15 (April 9, 2017) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Karen R. Stockstill-Cahill Co-Editors: Elisabeth Adams, Mark V. Sykes Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. NASA Frontier Development Lab (FDL) Applications Open 2. Odyssey Data Release 59 3. Two Postdoctoral Positions at Northern Arizona University 4. ROSES-17 Amendment 5: C.22 OREx-PSP Final Text 5. AIDA Third International Workshop 6. Cassini Data Release 49 7. SALMON-3 MMX NGRS Pre-Proposal Conference 8. Formation of Complex Molecules in Space and on Planets, from Interstellar Clouds to Life 9. The Early History of Planetary Systems and Habitable Planets 10. Impacts and their Role in the Evolution of Life 11. Geosciences for Understanding Habitability in the Universe 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 NASA FRONTIER DEVELOPMENT LAB (FDL) APPLICATIONS OPEN NASA Frontier Development Lab (FDL) has announced its 2017 challenges and opened the application process for participants, with a deadline of April 19, 2017. FDL is looking for 12 planetary scientists and 12 computer scientists with machine-learning emphasis. Applicants must have a masters, doctorate or post-doc level of understanding in this year's problem areas (Heliophysics, Astronomy, Exogeology, Data Science, Software Engineering or Advanced Statistics). The challenge questions for 2017 cover planetary defense, space weather and space resources. Hosted by the SETI Institute in Mountain View, CA, FDL is an applied research accelerator established to tackle knowledge gaps in space science by bringing together machine learning expertise and physical science specialists at the PhD level. Interdisciplinary teams address tightly defined problems and the format encourages rapid iteration and prototyping to create outputs with meaningful application. The 2017 8-week program will accept 24 participants and will run June 26 - August 18, 2017. To learn more about FDL, the 2017 challenge questions, and to apply, please visit the FDL website at: http://www.frontierdevelopmentlab.org 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 [NASA] PDS - ODYSSEY DATA RELEASE 59 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce a new delivery of Odyssey Data, Release 59, for the following instruments: GRS THEMIS Radio Science (Releases 174-176) SPICE 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: https://pds.nasa.gov/tools/subscription_service/SS-20170403.shtml To access the latest PDS Data Releases, please visit the following link: https://pds.nasa.gov/tools/subscription_service/SS-Release.shtml All available PDS data may be found at: https://pds.nasa.gov/tools/data-search/ For further information, see the PDS Home Page: https://pds.nasa.gov/ 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 TWO POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS AT NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY The Edwards research group in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Northern Arizona University seeks two postdoctoral scholars. This group works on characterizing the surfaces of rocky planets and instrument development. The successful candidate will carry out independent research related to the job, is expected to publish scientific papers and, may submit proposals for external funding. Minimum Qualifications: A PhD in geoscience/remote sensing/planetary science or a related field Preferred Qualifications (Job 603079): * Experience with thermal infrared/visible-near infrared/visible remote sensing data of planetary surfaces, especially the Moon or Mars * Experience with planetary science software packages (e.g. ISIS, IDL, Python, etc.) * Strong background in scientific programming * Experience with GIS, thermal modeling and/or spectral modeling of planetary surfaces Preferred Qualifications (Job 603080): * Strong working knowledge of laboratory spectroscopic methods * Experience using laboratory/field instruments to address outstanding problems in geoscience/planetary science * Optical instrument development experience * Solid modeling and thermal modeling experience Applications must include a curriculum vitae, cover letter, statement of research interests and contact information for three professional references. Application deadline: April 20, 2017 11:59PM MST For questions, please contact: Christopher.Edwards@nau.edu https://hr.peoplesoft.nau.edu/psp/ph92prta/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/ HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant &SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=603079&PostingSeq=1 https://hr.peoplesoft.nau.edu/psp/ph92prta/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/ HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant &SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=603080&PostingSeq=1 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 ROSES-17 AMENDMENT 5: C.22 OREX-PSP FINAL TEXT OSIRIS-REx launched September 8, 2016, with the primary objective of traveling to the near-Earth (Apollo type, spectral class B) asteroid 101955 Bennu, obtaining a sample containing at least 60 g of regolith material, and delivering this sample back to Earth. Once the spacecraft reaches Bennu, a wide range of observations and measurements will be made to characterize and map the asteroid, identify and characterize in detail sites where samples might be collected, and finally to collect a sample from the optimal site and stow it for delivery to Earth. The objective of the OSIRIS-REx Participating Scientist Program (OREx-PSP) is to enhance the scientific return during the asteroid-operational phase of the OSIRIS-REx mission by expanding participation in the mission through new investigations that broaden and/or complement existing investigations. Step-1 proposals are due May 4, 2017, and Step-2 proposals are due July 11, 2017. Questions and comments on this draft program element should be directed to Jeffrey Grossman and or Christina Richey at hq-orexpsp@mail.nasa.gov. This Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement ROSES 2017 will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ and will appear on the RSS feed at: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/roses- 2017/ 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 AIDA Third International Workshop Date: June 20-22, 2017 Location: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, 11100 Johns Hopkins Rd, Laurel MD http://dart.jhuapl.edu/aida-workshop2017/ The 3rd AIDA International Workshop will be held June 20-22, 2017 at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) in Laurel, Maryland. The AIDA project is a technology demonstration of asteroid deflection by a kinetic impactor. It is an international cooperation composed of two missions, the NASA DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test), which is the kinetic impactor, and the ESA AIM (Asteroid Impact Mission). The combination of DART and AIM is AIDA. The first AIDA international workshop took place in October, 2014, and the second AIDA workshop was held in June, 2016. The 3rd AIDA International Workshop will discuss planetary defense and science topics: Predictions of momentum transfer by kinetic impactor; determinations of momentum transfer from Earth-based remote sensing and from in situ observations at the target [65803] Didymos; kinetic impact simulations; Didymos physical properties and dynamical system, with changes induced by kinetic impact; impact ejecta dynamical fates and evolution; science proximity observations at Didymos. For additional information see: http://dart.jhuapl.edu/aida-workshop2017/ 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 49 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce a new delivery of Cassini data, Release 49, April to June 2016, for instruments: CDA CIRS HRD INMS ISS MAG MIMI RADAR RSS SPICE UVIS VIMS RPWS's previous release covers this time period. 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: https://pds.nasa.gov/tools/subscription_service/SS-20170406.shtml 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: https://pds.nasa.gov/tools/data-search/ For further information, see the PDS Home Page: https://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 SALMON-3 MMX NGRS PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE The Planetary Science Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate released, on March 21, 2017, a Program Element Appendix (PEA) to the Third Stand-Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON-3), soliciting proposals for the development of, and science investigations using, a Neutron and Gamma-Ray Spectrometer for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission. The Pre-Proposal Conference for this PEA will be held, via Webex, on Monday, April 17, 2017, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT. Details on attending this conference will be posted on the acquisition homepage for the MMX PEA: http://soma.larc.nasa.gov/mmx/ 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 FORMATION OF COMPLEX MOLECULES IN SPACE AND ON PLANETS, FROM INTERSTELLAR CLOUDS TO LIFE Tartu, Estonia 17 - 22 July 2017 The summer school course aims to cover the biochemical evolution in the universe from formation of the first molecules in interstellar clouds to the assembly of the first cells on Earth. The course consists of lectures, student-led discussions and poster sessions. The following subjects are included: - Formation of the elements in space - Chemical processes in dark clouds, star-forming regions and protoplanetary disks - Atmospheric processes in rocky, gaseous planets and their satelites - Emergence of Homochirality - Formation of complx molecules in hydrothermal systems - From carbon molecules to biogenic activity - Assembly of first cells Participants will also have the possibility to display their own research results in a poster session. Furthermore, a half-day excursion to interesting sites in the area (Ice Age Museum, Lake Peipus) and a walk in Tartu are included as a social programme. The event is aimed for students an early career scientists and open to applicants from all nationalities. Detailed information about the summer school and the application procedure (deadline 31 May 2017) can be found at the website: http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/Tartu2017 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 THE EARLY HISTORY OF PLANETARY SYSTEMS AND HABITABLE PLANETS Conference for Early Career Astrobiologists Tartu, Estonia 8 - 10 August 2017 The Astrobiology early career scientists conference "The Early History of Planetary systems and habitable planets" will be hosted in Tartu, Estonia. The event will start on the morning of August 8th and finishes in August 10th in the evening. The main (but by no means exclusive) themes of the conference are: - Formation of protoplanetary disks and planetary systems - Early History of Earth and other planets - Impacts and their role in the evolution of planets - Formation and evolution of planet and satellite atmospheres - Co-evolution of Earth's geosphere and biosphere and the evolution of life - Habitability and factors influencing it - Life in extreme environments and its possible role in the evolution of life on Earth - Habitable extrasolar planets: detection and characterisation - New aspects of planetary evolution A large number of bursaries is available for students and early career scientists (up to 8 years after their Ph.D) covering meals and accommodation during the entire meeting (evening August 7th, to morning August 11th). Deadline for registration is 29th June 2017. Information can be found at the website: https://sisu.ut.ee/eac/home-0 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 IMPACTS AND THEIR ROLE IN THE EVOLUTION OF LIFE Saaremaa, Estonia 25 July - 3 August 2017 The summer school course "Impacts and their Role in the Evolution of Life" will take place from 25 July to 3 August 2017 at Kuressaare and the Kaali impact crater site on the island of Saaremaa, Estonia. The course consists of lectures, practical exercises and student-led discussions. Participants will also have the possibility to display their own research results in two poster sessions. The following subjects will be covered: - Roles of impacts in the formation of habitable planets - Physical and chemical properties of comets and meteorites - Detection and investigation of impact craters by geological methods and remote sensing from space - Ecological consequences of impacts and the role of impacts in mass extinctions - Transfer of life through meteorite impacts - Threat of life on our planet by near-Earth asteroids and comets Practical exercises include: - Electromagnetic mapping of impact sites - Analysis of pollen indicators of the Kaali impact event. - Microscopy of impactites - Georadar profiling Bursaries covering meals and accommodation are available for a number of students from most European Countries. Application deadline is 30 April 2014. The website: http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/Impacts2017 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 GEOSCIENCES FOR UNDERSTANDING HABITABILITY IN THE UNIVERSE EGU Galileo Conference Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, Furnas, Azores 25 - 29 September 2017 This conference will address some hotly debated questions in the field including the following: - What effects do core and mantle have on evolution and habitability of planets? - What is the relation between (plate) tectonics and atmospheric evolution? - What role does the mantle overturn play in the evolution of the interior and atmosphere? - What is the role of the global carbon and water cycles herein? - What influence do comet and asteroid impacts exert on the evolution of the planet? - How does life interact with the evolution of Earth's geosphere and atmosphere? - How can we use our knowledge of the solar system geophysics and habitability for exoplanets? The conference will be held at the Hotel Terra Nostra Garden, Furnas, Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal. The hotel is a newly renovated Art Deco hotel witha large, famous botanical garden. The Joao Paulo Airport with frequent direct flights to the European mainland is located only 45 km from the venue. The deadline for registration and abstract submission is 15 June 2017. The website of the event is found at: http://www.egu-galileo.eu/gc2-habitability/ 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 June 20-22, 2017 AIDA Third International Workshop http://dart.jhuapl.edu/aida-workshop2017/ Laurel, MD July 17-22, 2017 Formation of Complex Molecules in Space and on Planets - From Interstellar Clouds to Life http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/Tartu2017 Tartu, Estonia July 25-August 3, 2017 Impacts and their Role in the Evolution of Life http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/Impacts2017 Saaremaa, Estonia August 8-10, 2017 The Early History of Planetary Systems and Habitable Planets https://sisu.ut.ee/eac/home-0 Tartu, Estonia August 9-11, 2017 8th Planetary Crater Consortium Meeting http://www.planetarycraterconsortium.nau.edu/PCCMeeting.htm Flagstaff, AZ September 25-29, 2-17 Geosciences for Understanding Habitability in the Universe http://www.egu-galileo.eu/gc2-habitability/ Furnas, Azores November 6-11, 2017 9th International Conference on Geomorphology http://www.icg2017.com New Dehli, India February 6-9, 2018 Magnetic Fields or Turbulence: Which is the critical factor for the formation of stars and planetary disks? http://events.asiaa.sinica.edu.tw/workshop/20180206/index.php Hsinchu, Taiwan [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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