PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 14, Number 44 (October 25, 2020) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Georgiana Kramer Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Elisabeth Adams Email: pen_editor@psi.edu Twitter: @pen2tweets o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. New Discovery about the Moon Announcement 2. [NASA] Release of Final Text of E.7 Open Source Tools, Libraries, and Frameworks 3. [NASA] Habitable Worlds Change in Scope 4. [NASA] Release of Final Text and Due Dates for C.17 Planetary Major Equipment and Facilities - Stand-Alone Proposals 5. [NASA] Coming Soon: PI Launchpad 2021 6. [PSD] MRO Derived Gravity Model Data Release 7. [PSD] MRO SHARAD Delayed EDR, RDR and Missing RDR Data Release 8. Invitation to Suggest Targets for Microscopic Examination of Mars 9. Virtual School: Planets, Exoplanets and Their Systems in a Broad and Multidisciplinary Context 10. DPS Professional Climate and Culture Subcommittee (PCCS) Seeking New Members 11. Late-Breaking AGU Session on Venus 12. MS/PhD Positions for Fall 2021 13. JPL Open Position: Research Scientist, Outer Planet Magnetospheres and Moon Interactions 14. Post-Doctoral Fellow - Mars 3D Icecap Radar Imaging 15. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 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 NEW DISCOVERY ABOUT THE MOON ANNOUNCEMENT NASA will announce an exciting new discovery about the Moon from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) at a media teleconference at 12 p.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 26. This new discovery contributes to NASA's efforts to learn about the Moon in support of deep space exploration. SOFIA is a modified 747 that flies high in the atmosphere to provide its nearly 9-foot telescope a view above 99% of the atmosphere's obscuring water vapor. SOFIA observes in infrared wavelengths and can pick up phenomenon impossible to see with visible light. For the Monday briefing, go to: https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive 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] RELEASE OF FINAL TEXT OF E.7 OPEN SOURCE TOOLS, LIBRARIES, AND FRAMEWORKS SMD seeks proposals for the improvement and sustainment of high-value, open source tools, frameworks, and libraries that have made significant impacts to the SMD science community, were developed following open and collaborative practices, and are aligned with the scientific and data strategic plans. Proposals should look to improve the sustainability and utility of these packages through improvements to documentation or infrastructure, by adding extensions, and improving maintenance of the existing software. This program seeks to support projects under active development and usage. It does not support updating of legacy software that is no longer supported, which can be supported under other calls. We are not soliciting the development of new open source tools, frameworks, or libraries with this call. https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId=%7b958CF134-D655-E512-B5AD-84501D14A0C1%7d&path=&method=init Notices of Intent to propose are requested by November 19, 2020 and proposals are due January 19, 2021. http://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2020 Questions concerning this AO may be directed to Steven Crawford at steven.m.crawford@nasa.gov [Edited for length] 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 [NASA] HABITABLE WORLDS CHANGE IN SCOPE The goal of the Habitable Worlds program is to use knowledge of the history of the Earth and the life upon it as a guide for determining the processes and conditions that create and maintain habitable environments and to search for ancient and contemporary habitable environments and explore the possibility of extant life beyond the Earth. The scope of this program element has been updated to include transient environments. Please refer to the bullet list of target bodies in Section 1. The main point of contact has also changed, see below. The proposal due dates remain unchanged: Step-1 proposals are due 11/17/2020 and Step-2 proposals are due 01/15/2021. This Amendment will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at: http://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2020 and will appear on SARA's ROSES blog at: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/roses-2020/ Questions concerning Habitable Worlds may be directed to Lindsay Hays at lindsay.hays@nasa.gov 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 [NASA] RELEASE OF FINAL TEXT AND DUE DATES FOR C.17 PLANETARY MAJOR EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES: STAND-ALONE PROPOSALS The Planetary Major Equipment and Facilities (PMEF) program element allows proposals for the purchase or development of new or upgraded non-flight analytical, computational, telescopic, and other instrumentation to be used in investigations in Planetary Science Division (PSD) research programs. This Amendment pertains specifically to Stand-Alone PMEF requests, which are self-contained, full proposals submitted to enable future PSD-funded research or enhance PSD-funded research in one or more of the Target Programs. Both Investigator Instruments and Facility Instruments may be requested in Stand-Alone PMEF proposals. Amendment 62 releases final text and due dates for C.17 Planetary Major Equipment and Facilities: Stand-alone proposals. The changes are not tracked, the text is replaced in its entirety. The expected annual program budget for new awards has been increased to ~$1.5M. C.24 YORPD is not eligible for stand-alone PMEF proposals. Step-1 proposals are due by December 4, 2020. Step-2 proposals are due February 5, 2021. http://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2020 Questions concerning this AO may be directed to Jeffrey Grossman at HQ-PME@mail.nasa.gov. [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 [NASA] COMING SOON: PI LAUNCHPAD 2021 NASA's Science Mission Directorate, in partnership with the Heising-Simons Foundation, will host a virtual workshop planned for early Summer 2021 to explore the fundamentals of how to turn a science question into a mission concept. The workshop is targeted towards researchers who have previously submitted proposals to any organization and are thinking about developing their first flight mission proposal within the next few years. Participants will go step-by-step through the process to develop a science case, define requirements, build a team, and gain support. There is no cost to attend the workshop. A call will be posted on NSPIRES in early 2021 with an opportunity to apply to Launchpad 2021. https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/pi-launchpad The format of the application will consist of no more than 5 questions, focused on: - What science question would you like to develop into a mission concept? - Views on Leadership. - Role of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in teams. - Group and power dynamics in teams. - Management for effective teams. If you have questions, please contact Prof. Erika Hamden (hamden@arizona.edu) [Edited for length] 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 [PSD] MRO DERIVED GRAVITY MODEL DATA RELEASE A new derived gravity model has been released. JGMRO_120F_SHA.TAB contains coefficients and related data for the JPL Mars gravity field MRO120F, a 120th degree and order spherical harmonic model. It is the sixth archived JPL gravity field that includes Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) tracking data. Data are available here: http://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/mro/gravity.htm For overall information regarding PDS: https://pds.nasa.gov/ Mail to: pds_operator@jpl.nasa.gov Phone: (818) 393-7165 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 [PSD] MRO SHARAD DELAYED EDR, RDR AND MISSING RDR DATA RELEASE Delayed MRO SHARAD raw and derived data from the ASI (Italian Space Agency) SHARAD Ground Operations Center have been released covering the period November 10, 2019, through February 8, 2020. This time period covers the recent MRO release 54. Missing MRO SHARAD derived data from the ASI SHARAD Ground Operations Center have also been released covering the period June 3 through August 3, 2012. This time period corresponds to previous MRO release 24. Data are available here: http://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/mro/sharad.htm For overall information regarding PDS: https://pds.nasa.gov/ Mail to: pds_operator@jpl.nasa.gov Phone: (818) 393-7165 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 INVITATION TO SUGGEST TARGETS FOR MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF MARS The USGS Astrogeology Science Center is funded to construct new Digital Elevation Models from Microscopic Imager data collected by the MER rovers Spirit and Opportunity. We are soliciting requests from the general science community for new MI DEMs that were not processed during the MER mission. Please send your highest priority candidates, specifying target names and the sol number(s) on which the MI stereo images were acquired, along with a brief justification for each request to pgeissler@usgs.gov or kherkenhoff@usgs.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 VIRTUAL SCHOOL: PLANETS, EXOPLANETS AND THEIR SYSTEMS IN A BROAD AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY CONTEXT The Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia-CSIC, in the frame of its Severo Ochoa programme of excellence, will host a virtual advanced school about "Planets, Exoplanets and Their Systems in a Broad and Multidisciplinary Context" from the 18th to the 29th of January 2021. The pre-registration of interested participants is open from Oct. 20 to Dec. 18, 2020. Announcement and booklet of the school are available at: http://so.iaa.csic.es/reports/training After Dec. 18, 2020, every pre-registered participant will receive instructions for how to log into the Aula Virtual of the CSIC to take the lessons: https://www.aulavirtual.csic.es/course/index.php?categoryid=8 Participants will have opportunities to interact with the lecturers for posing their questions. The schedule for Q&A live session will be distributed in the first week of Jan. 2021. Please, feel free to forward this announcement to universities, research institutions, scientific societies, etc. 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 DPS PROFESSIONAL CLIMATE AND CULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE (PCCS) SEEKING NEW MEMBERS Are you interested in making the planetary science community more diverse and inclusive? If so, please contact dpspccs@gmail.com by Oct. 30 to volunteer to be part of the DPS Professional Culture and Climate subcommittee (PCCS). A list of our charge, duties, and expectations can be found at: https://dps.aas.org/leadership/climate You also can speak with any current PCCS members (listed at above site) and, in particular, you are welcome to contact Co-Chair Serina Diniega (serina.diniega@jpl.nasa.gov). At the DPS meeting, PCCS efforts will be described a bit at the DPS Members meeting (Oct 28, 1-2pm EDT) and with the PCCS Plenary speaker (Oct 30, 12:45-1:40pm EDT). To express interest in becoming a PCCS member, please send an email to dpspccs@gmail.com by the end of the DPS meeting (Oct 30), including: (1) why you are interested, (2) a brief description of any EDIA work you've already done, and (3) a brief statement on what you might hope to accomplish with the PCCS. Comments about past or potential future work by PCCS are also welcomed, as always. 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 LATE-BREAKING AGU SESSION ON VENUS Session title: "Phosphine in the Venusian Atmosphere: Observations and Implications" The recent observations suggesting the possible presence of phosphine on Venus, previously considered as a potential biosignature for exoplanetary atmospheres, presents a challenge for existing models of atmospheric chemistry and possibly supports the case for an aerial ecosystem in an otherwise hyperacidic, oxidizing atmosphere. In this session, we invite presentations regarding current and past observations and interpretations of phosphine in the Venusian atmosphere; surface-atmosphere interactions and chemistry relevant to the phosphine cycle; design considerations for upcoming spacecraft and instruments; and other work inspired by these recent events. Abstract submission deadline: November 11, 2020 (11:59 ET) https://www.agu.org/Fall-Meeting/Pages/Present/Sessions#5 - Alexander Thelen, David Grinspoon, Sanjay Limaye, Colin Wilson, Arielle Moullet and Sushil Atreya 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 MS/PHD POSITIONS FOR FALL 2021 I am community sourcing a list of people who are actively in search of MS/PhD students in planetary science for Fall 2021. If you are such a person, please fill out the following google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerZCWHS7_u_K4F6gH8LZKBiyrgJjCl87TA2jowyXXkWZ_o3A/viewform?usp=send_form Prospective graduate students, please find the resulting list at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12yRS2c9-eW4DGLcb3cPgZU759gll_QZjnDk-ptlh3k4/htmlview Questions: Please email Sarah Horst (Sarah.horst@jhu.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 JPL OPEN POSITION: RESEARCH SCIENTIST, OUTER PLANET MAGNETOSPHERES AND MOON INTERACTIONS Job Title: Research Scientist II, Planetary and Exoplanetary Atmospheres Location: Pasadena, CA The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, invites applications for a staff Scientist position in observational studies of the atmospheres of the Gas and Ice Giant planets from ground-based and airborne facilities. It is expected that the successful candidate will develop an independently funded research program and will pursue new lines of research focusing on the dynamics and chemistry of the giant planets of the Solar System. The position requires a Ph.D. in planetary science, planetary physics, astronomy, or related scientific discipline, along with demonstrated experience in conducting observations with large ground-based or airborne telescopes, with a successful track record and strong interest in applying those efforts to problems related to planetary science. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated professional reputation as a productive researcher with a track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals. For a full description and to apply please visit: http://jpl.jobs/jobs/2020-12485-Research-Scientist-II-Planetary-and-Exoplanetary-Atmospheres Applications received by November 23, 2020, will receive full consideration. 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW - MARS 3D ICECAP RADAR IMAGING The Colorado School of Mines Department of Geophysics invites applications for a postdoctoral position in 3D radar imaging of the Mars ice caps. Responsibilities consist of developing custom radar processing and imaging software, and the processing of large 3D data volumes obtained from Mars orbiters equipped with radar systems (SHARAD and MARSIS). We seek an outstanding individual holding a Ph.D. in geophysics, (electrical) engineering, or a related discipline with demonstrated - experience with orbital radar instrumentation and data processing; - experience with large scale numerical modeling, imaging, and inversion; - excellent programming skills in C++ and Python, or equivalent languages; - experience with high-performance distributed computing. The successful candidate will receive a one-year full-time position, with the possibility for a second year. Our goal is to fill the position by January 2021. Application reviews begin November 15, 2020. Applications must include: - a cover letter outlining suitability and motivation; - a curriculum vitae; - copies of university certificates; - a list of 3 potential referees. Applications must be submitted through the Mines portal: https://jobs.mines.edu/cw/en-us/job/494592/postdoctoral-fellow-geophysics-mars-3d-icecap-radar-imaging Send any questions to Dr. Paul Sava (psava@mines.edu). 15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html February 22-26, 2021 Habitable Worlds https://aas.org/meetings/aastcs8/habitable Virtual September 13-24, 2021 Spatially Resolved Spectroscopy with Extremely Large Telescopes https://elt2020.web.ox.ac.uk/ Oxford, UK March 21-27, 2022 Protostars and Planets VII http://ppvii.org/ Kyoto, Japan [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.] 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 SCIENCE JOURNAL - NEW PAPERS Editor, Faith Vilas http://psj.aas.org No new PSJ articles. *********************************************************************** * 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. 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