PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 9, Number 26 (June 28, 2015) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Susan Benecchi Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Melissa Lane Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Post-doc Position on Modelling and Observations of CO2 Ice Clouds on Mars at LATMOS (France) 2. Director, NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) 3. [NASA] Notification of an Invitation to Membership on the Formulation Assessment and Support Team (FAST) for the Asteroid Redirect Mission 4. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 5. AGU Session P013 - Jove You Inside Out: Giant Planet Interiors, Atmospheres, Aurorae, and Ionospheres 6. NASA Mars Landing Site/Exploration Zone Workshop 7. G. K. Gilbert Award Session at GSA 2015 8. Small Bodies Assessment Group 13th Meeting: Remote Participation Information 9. Student Travel Grants for VEXAG Meeting #13 - Washington, DC 10. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions Commercial Announcement: C1. Summer School in Software Systems for Astronomy 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 POST-DOC POSITION ON MODELLING AND OBSERVATIONS OF CO2 ICE CLOUDS ON MARS AT LATMOS (FRANCE) We are currently accepting applications for a fixed-term post-doc position (1 year + 1 additional year based on performance + a possible extension) on studying CO2 ice clouds on Mars. More information on the project and the importance of the CO2 ice clouds for Mars' climate can be found at: http://www.latmos.ipsl.fr/index.php/fr/stages-theses/posting/77/ Post-doc%20position%20on%20modelling%20and%20observations%20of% 20CO2%20ice%20clouds%20on%20Mars%20 We welcome applications from interested scientists with a PhD in planetology, astronomy, meteorology, atmospheric sciences, or related fields. The applicants should have finished their PhD or provide evidence that they will obtain the PhD degree by the time the post-doc contract begins. Experience in atmospheric modelling, limb observation analysis, and/or radiative transfer modelling are recommended. Fluency in using unix/linux environments and Fortran programming will be appreciated. The gross salary is minimum 2500 EUR/month and depends on experience. Applications (in English or in French) consisting in a CV, a publication list, at least one recommendation letter, and a motivation letter should be sent via email to Dr. Anni Maattanen (anni.maattanen@latmos.ipsl.fr) by August 15, 2015. 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 DIRECTOR, NASA ASTROBIOLOGY INSTITUTE (NAI) Application Deadline Extended to July 10, 2015 NASA seeks a new Director for the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI). The ideal candidate will be an internationally recognized scientist with proven experience in leading or managing large interdisciplinary research programs or projects, possessed with a vision for leading the Institute into the future. Applicants for this position should have a broad scientific perspective on astrobiology, experience in conducting interdisciplinary scientific research, and demonstrated skills needed to harness the strengths of disparate research communities towards a greater goal. S/he should understand how to grow a research endeavor and respond to changing budget climates while focusing on maximizing the scientific return on NASA's investments in astrobiology. S/he should have experience in leading a diverse staff ranging from established scientists to support personnel, resource planning, and executing budgets and schedules. S/he should be comfortable with modern information technologies and distributed research teams. NASA is particularly interested in applicants who will find ways to infuse astrobiology into NASA flight missions. Apply at: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/393518700 You can also go to USAJobs at: https://www.usajobs.gov/ In the keyword search box, type vacancy number "AR15S0001". Select "Director, NASA Astrobiology Institute", then click "Apply Online". 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] NOTIFICATION OF AN INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP ON THE FORMULATION ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT TEAM (FAST) FOR THE ASTEROID REDIRECT MISSION The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) intends to release a letter of invitation for membership on the Formulation Assessment and Support Team (FAST) for the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM). ARM is part of NASA's plan to advance the new technologies and spaceflight capabilities needed for a human mission to the Martian system in the 2030s, as well as other future human and robotic missions. ARM includes the Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission (ARRM) and the Asteroid Redirect Crewed Mission (ARCM), along with leveraging the global asteroid-observation community's efforts to detect, track and characterize candidate asteroids. For additional information on how to apply for FAST membership, go to the NASA NSPIRES website at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method =init&solId={A680142F-8F79-93C8-CED4-644C30C5F31A}&path=open 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 POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) provides opportunities for scientists and engineers to conduct research largely of their own choosing, yet compatible with the research opportunities posted on the NPP Web site. 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, astrophysics, planetary science, astrobiology, space bioscience, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration and operations, and space technology. A sample opportunity is: https://www3.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/18395 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 $53,500 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 $8,000 per year is provided for professional travel. Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1. The latest NPP Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1JkwABH For further information and to apply, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions: nasapostdoc@orau.org 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 P013 - JOVE YOU INSIDE OUT: GIANT PLANET INTERIORS, ATMOSPHERES, AURORAE, AND IONOSPHERES We solicit new research findings about the magnetospheres, ionospheres, aurorae, neutral atmospheres and deep interiors of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. We especially encourage presentations about studies in anticipation of Juno's arrival at Jupiter, and the final phase of Cassini mission to Saturn, as both spacecraft will begin a critical phase of their missions in 2016; Juno will enter its orbit around Jupiter, and Cassini will go into the "Grand Finale" orbit which will take it inside the inner-most rings of Saturn. Other sources of data to be covered in our session include the continuing observation of Saturn by the Cassini spacecraft, and other recent space- and ground-based observation. We solicit results of long-term monitoring of all giant planets using ground- and space-based telescopes. We also encourage reports of recent activities at Uranus and Neptune. In addition, we solicit modeling and theoretical presentations that address these observational findings. Deadline to submit an abstract: 5 August 2015, 11:59 P.M. EDT To submit abstracts to this session, visit: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm15/preliminaryview.cgi/start.html Conveners: Kunio M Sayanagi, Hampton University Ulyana Dyudina, Caltech Scott G Edgington, JPL Padma Yanamandra-Fisher, SSI 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 NASA MARS LANDING SITE/EXPLORATION ZONE WORKSHOP The First Landing Site/Exploration Zone Workshop for Human Missions to the Surface of Mars will be held October 27 to 30, 2015, at the Lunar Planetary Institute (LPI) in Houston, TX. The purpose of this workshop is to identify and discuss candidate locations where humans could land, live and work on the martian surface. NASA hopes to engage scientists, technologists and experts in human exploration during the conference, fostering collaboration among the teams that will enable humans to explore Mars in the coming decades. Potential "Exploration Zones" will need to offer compelling science research while also providing resources that our astronauts can take advantage of during their pioneering of the Red Planet. First explorers will be limited to about 60 miles (100 km) of travel from their landing site due to life support and exploration technology requirements. For More Information: http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/first-landing -site-announcement.pdf 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 G. K. GILBERT AWARD SESSION AT GSA 2015 The G. K. Gilbert award session at this year's GSA Annual Meeting, to take place in Baltimore, MD, Nov 1-4, is on the topic of "Understanding Mars' geology, from orbiter to rover-based exploration." This year's G. K. Gilbert awardee is Dr. Matt Golombek, from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The session is focused on the expanded view of Martian surface geology afforded by mobile robotic platforms, including the Mars Pathfinder, Mars Exploration Rovers, and the Mars Science Laboratory missions. The GSA website is open until August 11 for abstract submissions, and abstracts are welcome for the G. K. Gilbert session. To submit to this session, please submit abstracts to the discipline pool and email the session co-chairs (Debra Buczkowski and Devon Burr) to let us know of your desire to present in the Gilbert session. We look forward to seeing you in Baltimore in November! Debra Buczkowski and Devon Burr 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 SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP 13TH MEETING: REMOTE PARTICIPATION INFORMATION The 13th meeting of the Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) will be held Monday, June 29 to midday July 1 in Washington, DC. Remote participation via Adobe Connect will be available from this link: https://ac.arc.nasa.gov/sbag2015 The meeting agenda and other items are available on the SBAG website: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/ We are looking forward to a productive meeting, starting on Monday! 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 STUDENT TRAVEL GRANTS FOR VEXAG MEETING #13 - WASHINGTON, DC Limited student travel support may be available for VEXAG Meeting #13, October 27-29, 2015, Washington DC. Selected students will have a 5-10 minutes to present. Step (1) - Provide a Notice of Intent by Friday, July 10, 2015 to twthompson@jpl.nasa.gov containing: - Legal Full Name - Date of Birth and City/State of Birth - Preferred Email Address + Phone Numbers - Home Address - Emergency Contact – Name, Relationship, and Phone Number - Your Affiliation with Full Address and Phone Number - Gender If you are a foreign national or permanent resident alien, also provide: - Country of Citizenship - Birth Date and Birth City, State/Region and Country - Passport Number, with Expiration Date - Visa Type, with Effective and Expiration Dates - Alien Registration # (if applicable) Step (2) - Verify your request for by submitting by Friday, September 18, 2015 to twthompson@jpl.nasa.gov: 1) A one-page description of how your participation in this meeting will benefit you professionally and contribute to NASA's explorations of Venus. 2) A short abstract for a 5-10 minute talk; 3) Your resume; 4) An endorsement from a faculty member. 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html October 27-30, 2015 NASA Mars Landing Site/Exploration Zone Workshop http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/first-landing-site-announcement.pdf Houston, TX May 29 - June 24, 2016 Water in the Solar System ad Beyond http://www.vaticanobservatory.va/content/specolavaticana/en/summer-schools--voss-/voss2016.html Castel Gandolfo, Vatican City State [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.] *********************************************************************** COMMERCIAL 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 SUMMER SCHOOL IN SOFTWARE SYSTEMS FOR ASTRONOMY The University of Hawai'i at Hilo Physics and Astronomy Department offers a two week course, July 20-31. The course covers software design and implementation of telescope and instrument control systems, observation planning tools, and software for analyzing and archiving astronomical data. A full course description and instructions for enrollment are given at: http://phys.uhh.hawaii.edu/Summer2015/index.php#courseA 10 seats remaining. *********************************************************************** * 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 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. 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. ***********************************************************************