PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 12, Number 23 (June 10, 2018) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Elisabeth Adams Co-Editors: Karen R. Stockstill-Cahill, Mark V. Sykes Email: pen_editor@psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. In Memoriam: Michael J. S. Belton (1934-2018) 2. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship Application Deadline July 1, 2018 3. Postdoctoral Position in Exoplanet Atmospheres 4. TESS Science Conference I, July 29 - August 2, 2019 5. 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 IN MEMORIAM: MICHAEL J. S. BELTON (1934-2018) Michael J.S. Belton was President of Belton Space Exploration Initiatives, LLC, and an Emeritus Astronomer at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory. He was a member of the Mariner 10 team that flew the first space probe by Mercury and Venus, he helped define what became the Voyager missions to the outer solar system, and was the Leader of the Galileo Mission Imaging Science Team. He made fundamental contributions to cometary science, focusing on understanding the mechanisms of cometary outbursts, determination of their rotational states, how cometary activity can be used to probe the nucleus, and the size-distribution of comets. Belton was a leader of the planetary science community, most notably chairing the first National Research Council Decadal Survey of Solar System Exploration. Among the young astronomers who worked with him on his many projects, Mike Belton was a mentor who unselfishly encouraged their professional growth. He was an engaging, interested and positive colleague. He was an out-of-the box thinker and visionary in the truest sense. He is deeply missed. A memorial will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, June 30, at the University of Arizona Kuiper Space Sciences Building. Go to: http://www.psi.edu/news/cover-pages/2018/michael-j-s-belton-1934-2018 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 POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE JULY 1, 2018 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 NPP research opportunities in planetary science can be viewed here: 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. UPDATED! Stipends now start at $60,000 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 $10,000 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 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 POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN EXOPLANET ATMOSPHERES Lunar and Planetary Laboratory University of Arizona Tucson, AZ The University of Arizona Department of Planetary Sciences/Lunar and Planetary Laboratory invites applications for a postdoctoral position to work with Dr. Tommi Koskinen on the escape and evolution of exoplanet atmospheres. The successful candidate will develop models of exoplanet upper atmospheres to interpret existing observations and motivate searches for new atmospheric signatures with current and future instruments. In addition to working on the interpretation of observations by the Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based high resolution data, the candidate will have the opportunity to participate in the preparation for the NASA Colorado Ultraviolet Transit Experiment (CUTE). The Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and the University of Arizona offer a world-class research program in astronomy, physics and planetary sciences, including research into atmospheres ranging from exoplanets to the planets, dwarf planets, satellites and comets in the solar system. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to interact and foster collaborations with many talented researchers working at the university. Candidates should have a PhD in planetary science, exoplanets or a related field and experience in numerical modeling. A background in modeling atmospheres and/or atmospheric escape is an advantage. Candidates should apply to Job Posting P20545 at: http://www.uacareers.com Applications should include a cover letter, CV, a brief statement of research plans and contact details for two referees. 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 TESS SCIENCE CONFERENCE I, JULY 29 - AUGUST 2, 2019 The TESS Science Conference I will be the first conference devoted to results from the NASA TESS Mission. It will focus on discoveries made with TESS data and their theoretical interpretation, and also on TESS data analysis and follow-up observations. The conference will take place on July 29 - August 2, 2019, at the Kresge Auditorium on MIT campus, Cambridge, MA, USA. The conference is timed close to the beginning of TESS 2nd year of operations, when the satellite is scheduled to transition from surveying the Southern ecliptic hemisphere to the Northern ecliptic hemisphere. It will be an auspicious time to bring together experts on all aspects of the mission to discuss the achievements made during the 1st year, as well as highlighting potential improvements and lessons learned to be implemented in the 2nd year, and possibly also during the TESS Extended Mission (yet to be funded by NASA). In the near future, more information about conference will be posted at: http://tess.mit.edu/science/tess-science-conference We will send out further announcements once we put together the schedule for registration and abstract submission. 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 MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html July 29-August 2, 2019 TESS Science Conference I http://tess.mit.edu/science/tess-science-conference Cambridge, MA [Editor Note: If there is a planetary-related meeting, conference or workshop that you think your colleagues should be aware of, please send the date, title, URL and location to pen_editor@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@psi.edu * * To unsubscribe, send an email to pen_editor@psi.edu * * Please send all replies and submissions to pen_editor@psi.edu. * Announcements and other messages should be brief with links to URLs * for extended information, including detailed descriptions for job * announcements. Title plus text is limited to 200 words. Go to * http://planetarynews.org/submission.html for complete submission * directions. * * PEN is a service provided by the Planetary Science Institute * (http://www.psi.edu) using no NASA funds. All editorial work is * volunteer. ***********************************************************************