PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 13, Number 9 (March 3, 2018) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Mark V. Sykes Co-Editors: Elisabeth Adams, Georgiana Kramer Email: pen_editor@psi.edu Twitter: @pen2tweets o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. In Memoriam: Swedish Space Pioneer Bengt Hultqvist has Passed Away 2. Impacts and Their Role in the Evolution of Life 3. New European Astrobiology Institute to be Launched 4. Comet Interceptor Mission Proposal: Call for Support 5. 3 Postdoctoral Positions in Mars Science 6. Congressional Gold Medal Nomination for the FLATs 7. Postdoc Position in Planetary Science 8. NEOCam Community Discussion at LPSC 9. Two Senior Scientist Positions at the University of Bayreuth 10. Goldschmidt Conference Session 1a: Planetary Chemistry in the Age of Solar System Exploration 11. Postdoctoral Position in Space Physics - Work with Data from the Rosetta Ion Composition Analyzer 12. [NASA] PDS: Opportunity to Review Nuclear Spectroscopy Data Dictionary 13. EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2019 14. Ocean Worlds Four - Reopening Abstract Submission 15. [NASA] PDS: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 48 16. NASA Infrared Telescope Facility Observing Proposals 17. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 18. [NASA] Job Vacancy Announcement 19. IGS Symposium on Radioglaciology with Planetary Radar Sounding Focus Area 20. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions Commercial/Donative Announcements: C1. Exploring Planetary Climate: A History of Scientific Discovery on Earth, Mars, Venus, and Titan C2. Saturn in the 21st Century C3. Spectroscopy and Photochemistry of Planetary Atmospheres and Ionospheres: Mars, Venus, Titan, Triton, and Pluto 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: SWEDISH SPACE PIONEER BENGT HULTQVIST HAS PASSED AWAY It is with great sorrow that we report that Professor Emeritus Bengt Hultqvist, the founder of the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, has passed away at the age of 91. It is largely thanks to Bengt Hultqvist that space activities in Sweden, and in particular in Kiruna, have had such a dramatic development. During Bengt Hultqvist's 37 years as Director of the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF), space activities in Kiruna in the far north of Sweden developed from six people in 1957 to some 450 (including about 100 students) in 1994. For the full memorial, please go to: http://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/irf/pressreleases/swedish-space-pioneer -bengt-hultqvist-has-passed-away-2841350 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 IMPACTS AND THEIR ROLE IN THE EVOLUTION OF LIFE Tallberg, Siljan Crater Area, Sweden June 10-13, 2019 The following themes will be covered by the meeting: - Impacts, the Early History of the Solar System and the Formation of the Moon - Late Accretion and Delivery of Volatiles to the (Early) Earth - Identification and Exploration of Impact Features on Planets and Satellites - Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of Impactors and Impact Processes - Atmospheric Chemistry and Impacts of Micrometeorites - Ecological and Climatic Consequences of Impacts - Impacts as Threats for Humanity - Impact Craters as Habitats for Life - Impacts and Impactors in the Eyes of Humans The meeting will take place at Hotel Dalecarlia in Tallberg, a very picturesque Swedish village on the shore of the Siljan lake, which was partly created by the impact bearing the same name. During the conference we will organize an excursion in which we also visit geologically interesting sites in the area. Go to: http://www.dalecarlia.se Bursaries for students and early career scientists will be available. Deadline for abstract submission is March 31st, 2019. For further information about the event please check the conference website: http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/Impacts2019 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 NEW EUROPEAN ASTROBIOLOGY INSTITUTE TO BE LAUNCHED A consortium of representatives of European Research Organizations has taken the initiative to create a virtual institute named the "European Astrobiology Institute" (EAI). We would invite institutions to become a member entity of the Institute. For information how to do so, please check the website: http://www.europeanastrobiology.eu The EAI is planned to have several Working Groups: - Formation of Planetary Systems and Detection of Habitable Planets and Moons - Early Earth Environment and Habitability - The Pathway to Complexity: From Simple Molecules to First Life - Early Life and Life Under Extreme Conditions, and Their Signatures - Biosignatures and Methods for Detection of Life on Other Celestial Bodies - Historical, Philosophical, Societal, and Ethical Issues in Astrobiology - Policy and Funding - Training - Education - Dissemination - Outreach, Medias, and Corporate Identity - Liaison with Industry - Field Work and Field Site Management - Access to European Research Infrastructures and Analysis Facilities - Dissemination and Intellectual Output If you are interested in collaborating in any of the above-mentioned working groups please contact wgeppert@fysik.su.se. The first General Assembly of the EAI will take place in Liblice, CZ, May 28-30, 2019. For details, see the website: http://www.europeanastrobiology.eu/ga2019 Further information can be obtained on the website of the EAI: http://www.europeanastrobiology.eu 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 COMET INTERCEPTOR MISSION PROPOSAL: CALL FOR SUPPORT Comet Interceptor, a mission to a dynamically new comet or interstellar target, is proposed for the European Space Agency's F-class call. It is on a shortlist of six concepts invited to submit proposals by March 20, 2019. The mission would launch in 2028 and be 'parked' at Sun-Earth L2 for up to 2-3 years, until an opportunity for a suitable comet encounter presents itself. Appropriate targets will be comets whose trajectories suggest that they on their first visit to the inner Solar System. Once a target is found, expected within a few years based on predicted Large Synoptic Survey Telescope discovery rates, the spacecraft will depart on an intercept trajectory. Before the flyby, sub-spacecraft will be deployed, allowing separate, parallel paths through the coma. This will provide 3D observations of the nucleus, coma, and Solar wind interaction. As well as targeting a previously-unvisited, much less evolved class of active comet, the unique multipoint measurements complement previous missions' single point observations. Significant contributions from Japan and the USA are anticipated. For team contact details and to Register your support, go to: http://www.cometinterceptor.space Twitter: @cometintercept Geraint Jones (UCL-MSSL, UK) Colin Snodgrass (U. of Edinburgh, UK) 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 3 POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS IN MARS SCIENCE The Department of Planetology and Habitability at the Centro de Astrobiologia (CAB) invites applications for three postdoctoral positions to support investigations on the nature of the early Mars environments, working with Dr. Alberto Fairen in the Project "MarsFirstWater" (ERC Consolidator Grant) broadening the efforts of the Project "icyMARS" (ERC Starting Grant). Applicants should have a recent Ph.D. in the field of Planetary Science or related discipline, and a background in Mars research. Expertise in Geomorphology/Sedimentology, Geochemistry, and Microbiology, respectively for each of the positions, is required. The 3 positions, placed in Madrid, would be for two years, with possible extension to a third year contingent upon satisfactory performance. Benefits include working in a young enthusiastic team at one of the leading Planetary Sciences institutions in Europe, full social benefits according to the Spanish social care system, and a very competitive salary. Applicants should send a letter of interest, a curriculum with a list of publications, a brief (maximum two pages) statement of research interests, and a list of three references, no later than March 15, 2019, to Alberto Fairen (agfairen@cab.inta-csic.es). The starting date is negotiable, but should be no later than Sep 1, 2019. 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 CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL NOMINATION FOR THE FLATS Starting in 1960, 13 experienced female pilots underwent many of the same physical and psychological tests as the Mercury 7 astronauts and often performed better. Though they never flew in space, the First Lady Astronaut Trainees (FLATs), also known as "the Mercury 13", provided evidence that women would be able to tolerate space's extreme environments. To read more and learn about their nomination for the Congressional Gold Medal, please see: https://womeninplanetaryscience.wordpress.com/2019/02/13 /congressional-gold-medal-nomination-for-the-flats 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 POSTDOC POSITION IN PLANETARY SCIENCE The Space Research Institute (IWF) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) is offering a postdoc position in planetary science (full-time/ 40h per week) in the area of planetary science and space plasma physics focusing on the BepiColombo mission for Mercury. The Space Research Institute in Graz leads the magnetic field experiment on board MMO spacecraft as a PI institute. For further details see: https://www.oeaw.ac.at/de/die-oeaw/karriere-jobs/offene-stellen/ The application deadline is March 31, 2019. For more information, contact Dr. Yasuhito Narita (yasuhito.narita@oeaw.ac.at) or Dr. Ferdinand Plaschke (ferdinand.plaschke@oeaw.ac.at). 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 NEOCAM COMMUNITY DISCUSSION AT LPSC The NEOCam Science Team invites the planetary science community to join us for a discussion of NEOCam at the 2019 LPSC meeting. This Peripheral Meeting is open to all, and will be held Tuesday March 19th from noon to 1:15 pm in Waterway 1. We will present an overview of the mission concept, including anticipated bandpasses, survey strategy, and data products, as well as discuss some of the avenues of investigation that NEOCam would enable, and will include ample time for questions. All members of the science community, especially early career researchers and members of historically under-represented groups, are encouraged to attend to learn more about the project. Questions? Contact Joe Masiero (joseph.masiero@jpl.nasa.gov) 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 TWO SENIOR SCIENTIST POSITIONS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BAYREUTH The Bayerisches Geoinstitut at the University of Bayreuth in Germany is seeking candidates for 2 Research Associate Senior Scientist positions (1 tenure track and 1 fixed term) in Earth and planetary sciences. For further information, see the job opening descriptions posted on: http://www.bgi.uni-bayreuth.de/ 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 GOLDSCHMIDT CONFERENCE SESSION 1A: PLANETARY CHEMISTRY IN THE AGE OF SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION Call for abstracts. Meteorites and samples returned from space exploration missions have provided much of what we know about the origin of the Solar System and the timescales and processes involved during the formation of planetary bodies. For decades to come, meteorite analysis, planetary exploration, and sample return missions from bodies throughout the Solar System - comets, asteroids, the Moon, and Mars - will provide critical insights about the origins of the Solar System, planets, and life. The results will also guide the development and direction of future sample return missions. This session seeks contributions focusing on planetary material analyses and analogues, remote observations, development of biodetection techniques, and physical constraints in order to address a broad range of questions related to cosmochemistry, planetary formation, evolution of planetary surfaces, formation of habitable worlds, and also the search for evidence of life past and present beyond Earth. For conference and abstract (August 12-23 in Barcelona, abstract deadline March 29, 23:59 CET) information, go to: https://goldschmidt.info/2019/program/programViewThemes https://goldschmidt.info/2019/abstracts Conveners: Michael Tuite (NASA JPL) Audrey Bouvier (Universitat Bayreuth) Keynote: Briony Horgan (Purdue University) 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN SPACE PHYSICS - WORK WITH DATA FROM THE ROSETTA ION COMPOSITION ANALYZER Closing date for applications is March 29, 2019. The Solar System Physics and Space Technology research programme at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics in Kiruna invites applications for a Postdoctoral position in Space Physics, related to the ESA Rosetta mission to comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Rosetta is the first mission to follow a comet for an extended time, from low activity far from the sun to high activity around perihelion. The Rosetta mission is now in an intensive data analysis phase, following the ending of the mission in September 2016. Applications are invited both for a 2-year postdoc position and for shorter periods for 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 (ICA) on board Rosetta but also using data from the other instruments that form the Rosetta Plasma Consortium (RPC). Work using numerical models of different aspects of the comet plasma environment is also part of the data analysis effort. More information: https://www2.irf.se/Topical/Vacancies/?group=P3&vacid=35&chosen=topical 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] PDS: OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW NUCLEAR SPECTROSCOPY DATA DICTIONARY The PDS Small Bodies Node has has developed a Nuclear Spectroscopy data dictionary and are making it available for community input during the period March 1-15. The initial version of the dictionary is small, supporting metadata needed for Dawn GRaND archiving, and will be expanded as needed to support future PDS archiving projects. This will be the opportunity for nuclear spectroscopy researchers to give input to the dictionary at an early stage. No prior experience with PDS standards is needed. The Nuclear Spectroscopy data dictionary and supporting materials are available at https://sbn.psi.edu/nucspecreview We estimate that several hours of effort will be sufficient to produce a meaningful review, although interested reviewers may wish to spend more time. Thank you for your contributions to this project. 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 EPSC-DPS JOINT MEETING 2019 Centre International de Conferences de Geneve (CICG) September 15-20, 2019 Geneva, Switzerland https://www.epsc-dps2019.eu Abstract deadline: May 8, 2019, 13:00 CEST. The current list of sessions is organized around the following Programme Groups: Terrestrial Planets (TP) Outer Planet Systems (OPS) Missions, Instrumentation, Techniques (MIT) Small Bodies (comets, KBOs, rings, asteroids, meteorites, dust) (SB) Exoplanets and Origins (EXO) Outreach, Diversity, Astronomy (ODA) The scientific programme and the abstract submission tool are accessible at: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC-DPS2019/sessionprogramme Please browse the list of sessions and identify the session that most closely matches your area of interest; your abstract can be submitted directly to that session. You may see all deadlines & milestones of the conference at the following website: https://www.epsc-dps2019.eu/information/deadlines_and_milestones.html Information on registration and social event, as well as a separate online request form for splinter meetings & workshops will also be available soon on the meeting web site. Maria Cristina De Sanctis, Joseph Spitale, Frank Sohl & Devon Burr Scientific Organizing Committee chairs Jean-Pierre Lebreton Executive EPSC committee chair Linda Spilker DPS chair [Edited for length] 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 OCEAN WORLDS FOUR - REOPENING ABSTRACT SUBMISSION Due to the cancellation of the Final Cassini Symposium, the Ocean Worlds Four meeting, to be held at USRA HQ on May 21st and May 22nd, has reopened abstract submissions until March 6th for those interested in attending. https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/oceanworlds2019 15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15 [NASA] PDS: MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA RELEASE 48 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 SPICE SHARAD data have been delayed, and no more derived gravity data will be added to the archive. In general, MRO Release 48 nominally includes data collected from May 9, 2018, to August 8, 2018. To access the above data, please visit the following link: https://pds.nasa.gov/datasearch/subscription-service/SS-20190301.shtml 16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16 NASA INFRARED TELESCOPE FACILITY OBSERVING PROPOSALS The due date for the 2019B semester (August 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020) is Monday, April 1, 2019. See our online submission form. Information on available facility and visitor instruments and performance can be found at: http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/instruments Observing on-site or remote observing is available with SpeX, MORIS, and iSHELL; please see the instrument pages for more information, including the exposure time calculators for SpeX and iSHELL. 17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17 PLANETARY GEOMORPHOLOGY IMAGE OF THE MONTH The March image of the month is now available at the IAG's Planetary Geomorphology web page: http://planetarygeomorphology.wordpress.com This month's topic is "The Banded Terrain on Mars - A Viscous Cufeve". Contributed by Dr. Hannes Bernhardt, Arizona State University, School of Earth and Space Exploration. You can follow IAG Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PlanetaryGeomorphology Twitter: @PlanetGeomorpho Tjalling de Haas (Chair, IAG Planetary Geomorphology working group) 18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18 [NASA] JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) seeks a Planetary Research Space Scientist at the Early-Career level (PhD plus postdoctoral experience) to serve the Agency at the NASA Ames Research Center (NASA ARC) within the San Francisco Bay Area, Moffett Field, California. The Ames Research Center seeks to enhance its Civil Service research staff in the Planetary Systems Branch of the Space Science and Astrobiology Division, within the realms of planetary geophysical processes, planetary atmospheres and climates of Solar System/Extrasolar bodies, and, planetary systems formation and dynamics. Applicants with demonstrated professional expertise within the planetary science research areas of: planetary systems formation/evolution processes, extrasolar planetary atmospheres theory/modeling, planetary geophysical instrumentation, planetary geophysical/geomorphological studies, radiative transfer theory and methods, and/or comparative planetology, are encouraged to apply. To apply, please submit your application through the USAJOBS.gov web page, under the Vacancy Announcement #AR19D0030: https://www.usajobs.gov 19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19 IGS SYMPOSIUM ON RADIOGLACIOLOGY WITH PLANETARY RADAR SOUNDING FOCUS AREA The International Glaciological Society is hosting a Symposium on "50 Years of Radioglaciology" with one of its focuses areas on Planetary Radar Sounding at Stanford University July 8th - 12th. Studies related to existing and future planetary radar sounding instruments and investigations (e.g. MARSIS, SHARAD, RIME, REASON, RIMFAX, CONSERT, etc.) are particularly welcome. Abstract submission (deadline March 11th) and registration are available here: https://www.igsoc.org/symposia/2019/stanford 20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS May 28-30, 2019 First General Assembly of the European Astrobiology Institute http://europeanastrobiology.eu/ga2019/general.html Liblice, Czech Republic June 10-13, 2019 Impacts and Their Role in the Evolution of Life http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/Impacts2019 Tallberg, Sweden September 15-20, 2019 EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2019 https://www.epsc-dps2019.eu Geneva, Switzerland Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html [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@psi.edu.] *********************************************************************** COMMERCIAL/DONATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS *********************************************************************** C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1 EXPLORING PLANETARY CLIMATE: A HISTORY OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY ON EARTH, MARS, VENUS, AND TITAN "Exploring Planetary Climate: A History of Scientific Discovery on Earth, Mars, Venus, and Titan" by Ralph Lorenz is a new book (332 pp. 132 illus. 602 refs.) published by Cambridge University Press. It outlines how we learned to understand our own climate in the last few centuries and decades, in parallel with discovering the atmospheric conditions on other Solar System bodies and exoplanets. The book relates exploration of the ends of the Earth, from deep sea cores to mountaintops, to telescopic, theoretical, and ultimately in-situ investigation of our planetary neighbours. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1108471544 https://www.cambridge.org/9781108471541 C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2-C2 SATURN IN THE 21ST CENTURY Edited by Kevin H. Baines, F. Michael Flaser, Norbert Krupp, and Tom Stallard A detailed overview of Saturn's formation, evolution, and structure, including the latest insights from the Cassini Orbiter mission. Specialized chapters discuss the planet's seasonal variability, polar aurorae, and the Great Storm of 2010-2011. Written by eminent planetary scientists, this is an essential reference for students and researchers. More details, including sample pages, at: http://www.cambridge.org/9781107106772 C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3-C3 SPECTROSCOPY AND PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES AND IONOSPHERES: MARS, VENUS, TITAN, TRITON, AND PLUTO By Vladimir A. Krasnopolsky A comprehensive review of the fundamental principles and methods of spectroscopy and photochemical modeling for studying the chemical composition of planetary atmospheres and ionospheres. Available from April. More details, including sample pages, at: http://www.cambridge.org/9781107145269 *********************************************************************** * 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@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. All PEN * submissions will be tweeted @pen2tweets. Please submit a 260 (or * fewer) character tweet. Alternatively, the editorial staff will * create one for you. 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