PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 14, Number 50 (December 6, 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. Correction: NASA Mars Architecture Strategy Working Group Final Report 2. Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter for December 2020 3. Special issue in Frontiers: Interplanetary Medium Variability as Observed in the New Era of Spacecraft Missions 4. Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) Specialist Discussion Meeting "Comparative Equatorial Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Magnetosphere Coupling" 5. vEGU 2021 Call for Abstracts: Volcanism in Planetary Bodies 6. Life Detection Knowledge Base Workshop 7. Outer Planets Assessment Group Town Hall at AGU Fall Meeting 2020 8. OPAG Virtual Meeting 9. Job Description: Planetary Astronomer 10. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 11. Postdoctoral Associate at Lowell Observatory 12. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 13. [PDS] OSIRIS-REx Bennu Release 7 14. Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 55 15. Mars Science Laboratory Release 25 16. Aperiodic PDS Data Releases in 2020.11 17. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions 18. Planetary Science Journal - New Papers 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 CORRECTION: NASA MARS ARCHITECTURE STRATEGY WORKING GROUP FINAL REPORT The link to the final report from NASA's Mars Architecture Strategy Working Group (MASWG) from last week's PEN is broken. Here is the fixed link: https://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/reports/MASWG%20NASA%20Final%20Report%202020.pdf 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 MARS EXPLORATION SCIENCE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR DECEMBER 2020 Mars Community, On behalf of R. Aileen Yingst (MEPAG Chair), Rich Zurek, Brandi Carrier, and Dave Beaty of the Mars Program Science Office, the December 2020 edition of the Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter can be found on the web at: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov In this newsletter, we continue to update the upcoming conference schedule with postponements, cancellations, and conversions to virtual meetings. We hope everyone remains safe and healthy within these stressful, rapidly evolving, social-isolating times. Please send your Mars community announcements and calendar items for inclusion in the newsletter to Barbara at: Barbara.A.Saltzberg@jpl.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 SPECIAL ISSUE IN FRONTIERS: INTERPLANETARY MEDIUM VARIABILITY AS OBSERVED IN THE NEW ERA OF SPACECRAFT MISSIONS This Research Topic addresses the interplanetary medium variability as observed in the new era of spacecraft missions. This Research Topic aims to collect Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Perspectives, Reviews, Data Reports as well Hypothesis and Theory manuscripts on new observational findings and their theoretical counterparts coming from both single- and multi-spacecraft investigations that will help in advancing our understanding of the interplanetary medium: - Investigating scaling-law behaviors, turbulence, intermittency, large-scale/inertial/kinetic physics; - Particle acceleration, shocks, waves, and dust; - Wave-particle interactions, solar and in situ magnetic structures, propagation and acceleration of energetic particles; - Solar wind - planetary coupling dynamics, localized processes (e.g., reconnection and instabilities, planetary boundaries formation and induced phenomena), cross-scale interactions and multiscale physics. Please note the following submission deadlines: Abstract: 31 January 2021 Manuscript: 31 May 2021 More information: https://bit.ly/3qsvMat 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 ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (RAS) SPECIALIST DISCUSSION MEETING "COMPARATIVE EQUATORIAL THERMOSPHERE-IONOSPHERE-MAGNETOSPHERE COUPLING" Held remotely on Friday 12 February 2021, 10:30-15:30 GMT. Abstracts should be submitted by the end of Tuesday 12 January 2021 at: https://forms.gle/oMbd4RndF5nG8x3T8 All participants will be required to register beforehand. Meeting registration is free for RAS Fellows and 5.00 pounds for non-Fellows. Registration links will be available at: https://bit.ly/36OVnm2 The goal of this meeting is to bridge different planetary communities to understand how equatorial magnetic fields link an atmosphere with the space environment across different planetary bodies; providing us with a comparative view of how these regions interact and the dynamics that these interactions produce. Specific topics may include (but are not limited to): - Formation of the equatorial anomaly at Earth - Localised aurora and ionospheric variations at Mars - The azimuthal magnetic field anomalies measured inside Saturn's rings, and the thermospheric driver of the currents that produce them - The variation in 'ring-rain' falling from Saturn's rings into the mid-latitude ionosphere - The generation of Jupiter's Lyman-alpha bulge and its relationship with the localised magnetic anomalies in Jupiter's field [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 VEGU 2021 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: VOLCANISM IN PLANETARY BODIES Due to the pandemic, the next EGU General Assembly will be online only, and it will take place between 19-30 April 2021. Volcanism played a fundamental role on Earth influencing our atmosphere and acting as an engine for primordial life. Similar events took place on other planetary bodies. Many studies have investigated the nature of volcanism on planetary bodies demonstrating that terrestrial magmatic processes are in some ways analogous to magmatism in other planetary bodies across the Solar System. However, our knowledge about the process of volcanism on other planets is still limited. The aim of this session is to bring together planetary and terrestrial volcano scientists to bridge the gap between these two disciplines. We welcome contributions exploring new analytical techniques, revisiting existing extraterrestrial and terrestrial processes or proposing new ones. Contributions dealing with geochemistry, mineral physics, volcano-petrology, physical volcanology, volcano-tectonism and combining terrestrial and planetary sciences are especially encouraged. Session info: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU21/session/39469 Abstract submission info: https://egu21.eu/abstracts_and_programme/how_to_submit_an_abstract.html The deadline for abstract submission is on 13 January 2021 at 13:00 (CET). [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 LIFE DETECTION KNOWLEDGE BASE WORKSHOP The Center for Life Detection (CLD) invites you to take part in an upcoming workshop to develop a new tool for the life detection community. The Life Detection Knowledge Base (KB) is intended as an online repository for current knowledge about biosignatures. Goals of this virtual workshop include: - Introduce the research community to the KB platform - Teach participants how to work with and enter information into the KB - Establish working groups for the on-going development of the KB An anticipated outcome of the workshop is that the development of content for entry into the KB will support the preparation of biosignature-specific manuscripts for publication. The workshop will commence with a plenary session in which the organizing basis of the KB will be introduced. Subsequently, working groups will be organized to populate the KB with content. The plenary will take place on 19 January 2021 from 10:00-12:00 PST (18:00-20:00 UTC), with working groups commencing the week of 25 January. A recording of the plenary will be available for those who would like to participate but cannot attend on 19 January. To register for the meeting please visit: https://www.nfold.org/ldf-kbworkshop 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 OUTER PLANETS ASSESSMENT GROUP TOWN HALL AT AGU FALL MEETING 2020 Session Number: TH066 Date and Time: Thursday, 10 December 2020: 10:30-11:30 PST The purpose of the Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) Town Hall is to update the community on OPAG activities and get community input for upcoming activities. Please note, you must be registered for AGU in order to attend the Town Hall meeting. 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 OPAG VIRTUAL MEETING The next Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) meeting will be a virtual meeting to be held from February 9-11, 2021. The meeting agenda and details about how to register and attend this meeting will be posted at a later date. The focus of this meeting will be on aspects of the Decadal Survey that are relevant to OPAG. Status reports will be requested from the Decadal Survey co-chairs and panel chairs. 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 JOB DESCRIPTION: PLANETARY ASTRONOMER The SETI Institute is seeking a Planetary Astronomer to support the work of the Ring-Moon Systems Node (RMS) of NASA's Planetary Data System (PDS). We seek a curious and creative individual who is eager to work with data from diverse instruments and missions. The curation of planetary data requires someone who is able to understand the data's scientific importance, assess the data's validity, converse knowledgeably with fellow scientists, and confirm that documentation and descriptive metadata are sufficient for the needs of current and future scientists. The astronomer will collaborate closely with the Node Manager, Dr Matt Tiscareno, on all aspects of RMS Node planning and task management. They will understudy with longtime RMS Deputy Manager, Dr Mitch Gordon, and prepare to carry on his work as he approaches retirement. This is a full-time position with full benefits. However, the astronomer will be encouraged to seek additional research funding on any topic of their choosing including, but not limited to, topics related to the Node's extensive data holdings. The position offers substantial growth potential for applicants who are able to demonstrate mastery of the key requirements. For details: https://seti.org/jobs/planetary-astronomer 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS 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, 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 at: 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. Stipends 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 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 ASSOCIATE AT LOWELL OBSERVATORY Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona is currently seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Associate in Near-Earth Objects Studies. A complete job description and instructions on how to apply can be found on our employment page: https://lowell.edu/about/employment/ Inquiries may be sent to Catie Blazek at humanresources@lowell.edu 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 GEOMORPHOLOGY IMAGE OF THE MONTH The December image of the month is now available at the IAG's Planetary Geomorphology web page: http://planetarygeomorphology.wordpress.com This month's topic is "Volatile-rich impact ejecta on Mercury", contributed by Dr Jack Wright (The Open University, UK). You can follow IAG Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month on Twitter: @PlanetGeomorpho or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PlanetaryGeomorphology Best wishes, Frances Butcher (Chair, IAG Planetary Geomorphology working group) 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 [PDS] OSIRIS-REX BENNU RELEASE 7 This release of OSIRIS-REx data includes the following data, through May 17, 2020: - OCAMS raw and calibrated - TAGCAMS raw - OTES raw and calibrated - OVIRS raw and calibrated data - Raw Radio Science - Mission information bundle updated with an activities summary for the Sample Collection phase and an update to the mission dictionary OLA raw and calibrated data for this time range is coming soon. These data are now available at: https://pds.nasa.gov/datasearch/subscription-service/SS-20201202.shtml or more directly from: https://sbn.psi.edu/pds/resource/orex/ https://sbn.psi.edu/pds/resource/orex/ocams.html https://sbn.psi.edu/pds/resource/orex/tagcams.html https://sbn.psi.edu/pds/resource/orex/ovirs.html https://sbn.psi.edu/pds/resource/orex/otes.html https://sbn.psi.edu/pds/resource/orex/rs.html https://sbn.psi.edu/pds/resource/orex/orexmission.html To access all data archived in PDS: https://pds.nasa.gov The PDS Team Mail to: pds_operator@jpl.nasa.gov Phone: (818) 393-7165 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA RELEASE 55 The NASA Planetary Data System announces Release 55 of data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). This release contains raw, calibrated, and derived data products nominally covering the time period February 9, 2020, through May 8, 2020. This is the final delivery of Radio Science EDRs. The data are archived at various PDS nodes: - CRISM, SHARAD, and Radio Science data at the Geosciences Node - HiRISE, CTX, and MARCI data at the Cartography and Imaging Sciences Node - MCS data at the Atmospheres Node - SPICE data at the NAIF Node The data may be accessed at https://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/mro/ MRO data releases occur every three months. The next release is scheduled for March 1, 2021. For a view centered on this release https://pds.nasa.gov/datasearch/subscription-service/SS-20201201.shtml To access the latest PDS Data Releases, please visit the following link: https://pds.nasa.gov/datasearch/subscription-service/SS-Release.shtml All available PDS data may be found at: https://pds.nasa.gov/datasearch/data-search/ For further information, see the PDS Home Page: https://pds.nasa.gov/ The PDS Team Mail to: pds_operator@jpl.nasa.gov Phone: (818) 393-7165 15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15 MARS SCIENCE LABORATORY RELEASE 25 The NASA Planetary Data System announces Release 25 of data from the Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) mission. This release contains raw and calibrated data products covering the time period from March 25 through July 30, 2020 (sols 2714-2837). The data are archived at various PDS nodes. - APXS (Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer) at the Geosciences Node - ChemCam at the Geosciences Node - CheMin at the Geosciences Node - DAN at the Geosciences Node - Engineering Cameras at the Cartography and Imaging Sciences Node - MAHLI (Mars Hand Lens Imager) at the Cartography and Imaging Sciences Node - MARDI (Mars Descent Imager) at the Cartography and Imaging Sciences Node - Mastcam at the Cartography and Imaging Sciences Node - PLACES Database at the Cartography and Imaging Sciences Node - RAD (Radiation Assessment Detector) at the PPI Node - REMS (Rover Environmental Monitoring Station) at the Atmospheres Node - SAM (Sample Analysis at Mars) at the Geosciences Node - SPICE at the NAIF Node Data may be accessed from: https://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/msl/ For a dataset-oriented perspective: https://pds.nasa.gov/datasearch/subscription-service/SS-20201204.shtml The next MSL release is scheduled for March 16, 2021. The PDS Team Mail to: pds_operator@jpl.nasa.gov Phone: (818) 393-7165 16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16 APERIODIC PDS DATA RELEASES IN 2020.11 In November 2020, PDS ingested and made available the following data, none of which were regularly released with an ongoing mission: - 2020.11.02 Mars Express: MEX EXT2 SPICAM MARS CLEANED IR RDR - 2020.11.05 Mars Express: MEX EXT3 SPICAM MARS CLEANED IR RDR - 2020.11.16 Mars Express: MEX EXT4 SPICAM MARS CLEANED IR RDR - 2020.11.16 Mars Express: MEX EXT5 SPICAM MARS CLEANED IR RDR - 2020.11.23 Mars Express: MARS MRS 1/2/3 EXTENDED MISSION 5 3801 to 3817 - 2020.11.30 Mars Express: MARS MRS 1/2/3 EXTENDED MISSION 5 3818 to 3824 To access those data: https://pds.nasa.gov/datasearch/subscription-service/SS-20201130.shtml To access all data archived in PDS: https://pds.nasa.gov The PDS Team Mail to: pds_operator@jpl.nasa.gov Phone: (818) 393-7165 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 MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html February 8–10, 2021 PERC International Symposium on Dust & Parent Bodies 2021 (IDP2021) http://www.perc.it-chiba.ac.jp/meetings/IDP2021/Welcome.html Online July 4-9, 2022 Cool Stars 21 https://coolstars21.github.io/splinters.html Toulouse, France [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.] 18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18 PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL - NEW PAPERS Editor, Faith Vilas http://psj.aas.org The Family of (6) Hebe Sherry K. Fieber-Beyer and Michael J. Gaffey 2020 PSJ 1:68 http://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/abc17a On the Long-term Weathering of Airless Body Surfaces by the Heavy Minor Ions of the Solar Wind: Inputs from Ion Observations and SRIM Simulations Quentin Nenon and Andrew R. Poppe 2020 PSJ 1:69 http://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/abbe0c Michael F. A'Hearn Tony L. Farnham et al. 2020 PSJ 1:70 http://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/abb475 What Does It Mean to be a "Depleted" Comet? High Spectral Resolution Observations of the Prototypical Depleted Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner from the McDonald Observatory Anita L. Cochran et al. 2020 PSJ 1:71 http://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/abb471 Comet 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak, 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova, and 46P/Wirtanen: Water Production Activity over 21 yr with SOHO/SWAN M. R. Combi et al. 2020 PSJ 1:72 http://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/abb026 *********************************************************************** * 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. All PEN * submissions will be tweeted @pen2tweets. Please submit a 234 (or * fewer) character tweet. Alternatively, the editorial staff will * create one for you. 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