PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 11, Number 31 (July 23, 2017) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Mark V. Sykes Co-Editors: Karen Stockstill-Cahill, Elisabeth Adams Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. [NASA] HQ Vacancy Announcement - Planetary Protection Officer 2. 49th Meeting of the AAS Division for Planetary Sciences 3. Remember Bonus Education DPS Abstracts 4. AGU Session 22335: Polarimetry as an invaluable tool to study the Solar System and beyond (P033) 5. AGU Session 23844: Present-Day Landscape Evolution on Mars (P034) 6. AGU Session 25433: Connecting Cryospheres on Earth and Beyond - Geological & Chemical Processes on Icy Surfaces (P008) 7. AGU Session 26453: Future Lunar Exploration Enabled by Recent Mission Data and Science (P015) 8. AGU Session 26566: Probing Planetary Interiors Beyond Earth - Evolution Through Time and Space (DI014) 9. Solar System Exploration Postdoctoral Fellow at Johns Hopkins University 10. Astrobiology 2017: Deadline Extended for Applications 11. Post-Doctoral Teaching Associate in Geophysics, University of Tennessee 12. [NASA] Planetary Geophysist/Geodesist Position 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 [NASA] HQ VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT - PLANETARY PROTECTION OFFICER NASA has posted a position in the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance for Planetary Protection. It has a very short response time, with applications due by August 14, 2017. This position is now assigned to Office of Safety and Mission Assurance for Planetary Protection. Planetary protection is concerned with the avoidance of organic- constituent and biological contamination in human and robotic space exploration. NASA maintains policies for planetary protection applicable to all space flight missions that may intentionally or unintentionally carry Earth organisms and organic constituents to the planets or other solar system bodies, and any mission employing spacecraft, which are intended to return to Earth and its biosphere with samples from extraterrestrial targets of exploration. The initial appointment will be for 3 years, with the possibility of extending for an additional 2 years. This may be converted to a permanent position without further competition. NOTE: This announcement is open to U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals For additional information regarding the position, as well as qualifying and application procedures, please review the complete announcement at: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/474414000#hiring-paths Additional questions regarding this position can be directed to: Contact: Human Resources Management Division HQ-NASAHQ-Jobs@mail.nasa.gov [Edited for length] 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 49TH MEETING OF THE AAS DIVISION FOR PLANETARY SCIENCES October 15-20 2017, Provo Utah Go to: https://aas.org/meetings/dps49 Registration for the annual meeting is now open. 19 July: Student Travel Grant deadline (passed) 26 July: Abstract deadline 31 July: Final Exhibitor deadline 28 August: Public Workshop Proposal deadline Consider presenting a digital poster. For regular posters, there will be an option to have it printed in Provo and delivered to the convention center, stand-by for those details. Want to be a session chair? Sign up. Interested in volunteering? If you volunteer at least 10 hours, your registration fee is complimentary. Sign-up is first come, first served and filling out the form does not guarantee a volunteer position. All meeting attendees are guided by AAS Code of Ethics: https://aas.org/ethics Thank members of the local or scientific organizing committees, when you see them. 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 REMEMBER BONUS EDUCATION DPS ABSTRACTS Regular DPS abstracts are due on July 26, 2017. We want to remind all scientists that in addition to your regular contributed abstract, everyone can submit an additional education abstract. To celebrate the "Great American Eclipse", we are soliciting contributions that describe your special education and outreach events for the August eclipse, including large public events, special online events, and other outreach activities. Go to: https://aas.org/meetings/dps49 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 SESSION 22335: POLARIMETRY AS AN INVALUABLE TOOL TO STUDY THE SOLAR SYSTEM AND BEYOND (P033) Polarimetry is a powerful observing tool and modeling technique, providing information about astronomical objects that cannot be obtained by traditional photometric/spectroscopic observations. Applications include characterization of solar system objects (Sun, Earth, planetary atmospheres, aurorae, comets, asteroids, planetary satellites/ring systems, dust, etc.) to the detection of exoplanets and identification of biological markers in search of habitability. Innovative developments in vector radiative transfer theory, laboratory measurements, and the increasing significance of non-sphericity effects on retrieval efforts showcase the importance of polarimetric exploration of the solar system and other planetary systems. This session is open to papers about observations of solar system bodies, theoretical or experimental investigations, instrumental developments ground-based facilities or onboard future space missions. Primary Convener: Padma A Yanamandra-Fisher, Space Science Institute Conveners: Ludmilla Kolokolova, University of Maryland Anny-Chantal Levasseur-Regourd, LATMOS Laboratoire Atmospheres Cross-Listed: A - Atmospheric Sciences EP - Earth and Planetary Surface Processes SH - SPA-Solar and Heliospheric Physics [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 AGU SESSION 23844: PRESENT-DAY LANDSCAPE EVOLUTION ON MARS (P034) Long-lived robotic missions have documented many active surface processes on Mars, including slope, impact, aeolian, and polar processes. These data are now producing insights into landscape evolution over longer timescales. Examples include formation of complex gullied slopes, carbon-dioxide-driven erosion of south polar terrains (including "spiders"), dune field evolution and implications for erosion of layered sediments, steep polar scarps with seasonal avalanches, and new impact events causing dust avalanches. Of special interest due to the possible role of water are recurring slope lineae (RSL), with characteristic associated morphologies such as small gullies or channels, sandy fans, and slumps. There are also better constraints on the rates of other processes, such as ice sublimation and glacial flow in the middle latitudes and tectonic activity. Rovers and landers provide important in situ measurements supporting orbital monitoring. We invite submissions documenting active surface change or assessing current landscape evolution on longer timescales. Abstract deadline: August 2, 2017 For more information see https://fallmeeting.agu.org/2017/ Conveners: Alfred McEwen, Ganna Portyankina, Colin Dundas 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 AGU SESSION 25433: CONNECTING CRYOSPHERES ON EARTH AND BEYOND - GEOLOGICAL & CHEMICAL PROCESSES ON ICY SURFACES (P008) This session will focus on the physical and chemical processes affecting icy surfaces on the Earth and on other worlds, with a particular focus on the icy satellites of the outer Solar System. What geologic processes take place on the surfaces of icy worlds such as Europa and Enceladus, and what can we learn from appropriate terrestrial analogs? What balance of external (sunlight, radiation) and internal (convection, heating) processes affect and determine the morphology and appearance of icy surfaces? This session will bring together theoretical and laboratory work with remote sensing observations of icy Solar System bodies, and field work at terrestrial analog cryosphere locations. A particular focus will be on understanding surface / subsurface material exchange, and how processes that affect the top surface layer (the "remote sensing layer") continue into the subsurface. To view more details regarding the session, and to submit an abstract, please go to: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm17/preliminaryview.cgi/Session25433 As a reminder, the abstract submission date is August 2. Conveners: Cynthia Phillips, Kevin Hand, and Thomas Painter, JPL [Edited for length] 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 AGU SESSION 26453: FUTURE LUNAR EXPLORATION ENABLED BY RECENT MISSION DATA AND SCIENCE (P015) A vast science data set has been amassed from recent orbital missions, such as LRO and GRAIL, studying the lunar surface and environment. The Moon has numerous resources readily available that can enable and sustain the exploration of deep space, specifically; volatiles near the lunar poles, minerals that may be mined, and hydrogen and oxygen that could be extracted. The challenge is to use the available scientific data to evaluate these resources for in-situ resource utilization. We can also exploit the mission data archive and new science results to locate resources, identify nearby landing sites, and plan operations, taking into account surface properties at various scales. We solicit abstracts that use data or science results from recent lunar missions to enable or plan future lunar exploration These results might develop new techniques and tools to locate resources based on multiple data sets or maximize mission science return. We encourage submission from researchers and explorers from industry, academia and government agencies that are studying future lunar mission to describe how the existing data set is being used in innovated ways for decisions, plans and optimization. https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm17/preliminaryview.cgi/Session26453 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 AGU SESSION 26566: PROBING PLANETARY INTERIORS BEYOND EARTH - EVOLUTION THORUGH TIME AND SPACE (DI014) We invite all Earth, Exoplanet and Planetary scientists to submit an abstract (deadline August 2, 2017) to our session at the AGU Fall Meeting 2017 in New Orleans. https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm17/preliminaryview.cgi/Session26566 The compositional diversity of planets in our Solar System and predicted to exist in exoplanets represents a new frontier in geologic science. The mineralogy, dynamics and structure of these bodies may be wholly different from the Earth and present exciting challenges for observers, experimentalists and modelers alike. In this session we would like to address the effects of planetary composition on planetary evolution. We welcome abstracts exploring the compositional diversity of bodies, planetary accretion, mineral phase-equilibria and physical properties, interior dynamics, and surface/mantle interactions. We welcome novel observational approaches for determining planetary interior structure and composition as well as efforts to model and/or experimentally explore the consequences of potential variability of planetary interiors. Conveners: Cayman T Unterborn, Arizona State University Mark P Panning, NASA JPL Alyssa Rhoden, Arizona State University Julie Menard, Washington State University 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 SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW AT JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (http://eps.jhu.edu) at Johns Hopkins University working with the new SSERVI team Project ESPRESSO (https://www.espresso.institute). The Postdoctoral Fellow will be working under the supervision of Prof. Sarah Horst (http://www.sarahhorst.com) but will be expected to participate as a full member of the Project ESPRESSO Team, which will include collaborations with Prof. Kevin Lewis in EPS and ESPRESSO Team Members at other institutions. The Postdoctoral Fellow's primary responsibilities will include laboratory measurements of optical constants and a candidate with experience in these types of measurements and data analysis is preferred. Secondary responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Fellow will include participation in fieldwork and data analysis of geological materials using LIBS and Raman spectroscopy under the supervision of Prof. Kevin Lewis. Applicant must have a Ph.D. in a related field. Applicants should submit their CV (including publications), a 1-2 page statement of research interests, and contact information including email addresses for 3 references. Please contact Prof. Horst with any questions about the position (sarah.horst@jhu.edu). The deadline for applications is August 15, 2017. More information including application submission found here: https://apply.interfolio.com/43201 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 ASTROBIOLOGY 2017: DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR APPLICATIONS From November 26th to December 1st, more than 300 experts in Astrobiology will gather in Chile to present and discuss their research. There are a number of grants available for graduate students and early career scientists. The deadline to apply has been extended until July 21. For more information: http://astrobiology2017.org/student-grants/ 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 POST-DOCTORAL TEACHING ASSOCIATE IN GEOPHYSICS, UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (http://web.eps.utk.edu) at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville invites applications for a Post-doctoral Teaching Associate position in Geophysics starting as early as August 1, 2017. The position is a 9-month appointment and includes benefits. Successful candidates will be expected to teach physical geology at the 100-level and specialized geophysical courses at the upper division undergraduate or graduate level. Candidates will also be encouraged to participate in departmental research projects and/or work on their own research. UT-Knoxville is the state's flagship research institution, located in East Tennessee close to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences comprises an energetic group of tenure-track and research faculty, post-doctoral researchers, and ~150 graduate and undergraduate students. Applicants should e-mail resume, description of teaching and research interests, and contact information for 3 references in PDF format to: Melody Branch Business Manager Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN 37996 865-974-5498 mbranch@utk.edu Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 [NASA] PLANETARY GEOPHYSIST/GEODESIST POSITION Applications are invited for a position at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in the Planetary Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry Laboratory. We are especially interested in someone with demonstrated capability in using radio signals for precision orbit determination and planetary gravity field determination, specifically with expertise in measurement modeling and the development of innovative inversion techniques. Candidates must have experience in spacecraft instrument modeling, data reduction, and analysis. Demonstrated expertise in applying these to develop value-added products (e.g., crustal thickness, crustal density, internal structure, and localized gravity representations) is required. Previous experience on recent lunar and/or planetary mission science teams (e.g., GRAIL, MESSENGER, MRO) and experience with analysis of recent planetary spacecraft mission data for gravitational field determination are required. The incumbent is expected to participate in the development of new flight mission concepts and mission proposals that improve knowledge of planetary topography and gravity fields. To view the full vacancy announcement, which contains further information, including how to apply, go to: http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/473260000 For information about the research program, please contact: Lori Glaze Chief, Planetary Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Lab 301-614-6466 Lori.S.Glaze@nasa.gov U.S. citizenship required. NASA, GSFC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html March 9, 2018 Merging Giant-Star Asteroseismology with the Fate of Extrasolar Planetary Systems https://sites.google.com/view/ras-evolsystems/home London, 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.html, 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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