PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 13, Number 19 (May 5, 2019) 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. Citizen Science Partnership Offered by CosmoQuest at PSI 2. EPSC-DPS Special Session: Interstellar Probe 3. EPSC-DPS Session SB6: Imaging, Photometry, Polarimetry, and Spectroscopy of Small Bodies and Dust 4. Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Studies of Solar System Minor Planets 5. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 6. JPL Job Ad 7. Yingst to be Next MEPAC Chair1 8. 5th MEPAG Virtual Meeting 9. Second Announcement for the Europlanet Workshop: Solar System Atmospheres' Investigation and ExopLanets (S-SAIL) 10. Pluto System After New Horizons, Abstract Deadline Extended 11. Mars Science and Exploration: The 4th International Conference on Lunar and Deep Space Exploration 12. 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 CITIZEN SCIENCE PARTNERSHIP OFFERED BY COSMOQUEST AT PSI The CosmoQuest team (cosmoquest.org) is available to partner on ROSES and NSF proposals with citizen science components. Our platform was the first to achieve surface science results from the general public that are comparable to those of professionals (Robbins, et al. 2014), and today we are working with the OSIRIS-REx team to provide internal mapping solutions that will grow into public citizen science projects in later mission stages. Our software has a python backbone that allows your custom code to be integrated to create a seamless data reduction pipeline where people are part of the process. CosmoQuest works with a tight-knit community of adults who are long-term participants that you can come to know (or leave community engagement to us). In addition to our citizen science tools, we also provide our community online seminars, news shows, and other content through new media platforms like Twitch.tv, YouTube, and Discord. Your volunteers will both learn and do science! In January 2019, CosmoQuest became part of the Planetary Science Institute. Our admin team is ready to help professionally and accurately process grants. Contact project director Pamela Gay, plg@psi.edu, to learn more. 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 EPSC-DPS SPECIAL SESSION: INTERSTELLAR PROBE An Interstellar Probe mission has been discussed since 1960 and studied by multiple groups since then. A new NASA-funded trade study is under way to design a mission concept using available or near-term technology. Cross-disciplinary science targets include exploration of the Very Local Interstellar Medium and its interaction with the heliosphere, characterization of the circum-solar dust disk, exploration of previously unexplored Kuiper Belt Objects, and observation of the extragalactic background light beyond the zodiacal cloud. A vantage point far away from the Solar System, naturally enables these observations to be put in the context of other exoplanetary systems and astrospheres. At the same time, Chinese scientists are studying with their space agency CNSA a scenario in which two "Heliospheric Boundary Explorers". Not only will the synergies between these two missions be particularly valuable, but also both of them will offer unique opportunities for broad international collaborations, including European contributions. This session will welcome reports on the unique science discoveries enabled by missions to the Interstellar Medium beyond heliospheric boundaries. Abstract Deadline: May 8 https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC-DPS2019/session/34097 Convener: Michel Blanc Co-conveners: Pontus Brandt, Pascale Ehrenfreund, Kathleen Mandt, Merav Opher, Olivier Witasse [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 EPSC-DPS SESSION SB6: IMAGING, PHOTOMETRY, POLARIMETRY, AND SPECTROSCOPY OF SMALL BODIES AND DUST Please consider submitting an abstract to session SB6 of the EPSC-DPS meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on September 15-20, 2019. The session promotes studies on the general advancement and discussion of future perspectives in the utilization of observational and experimental techniques to characterize small bodies and the dust in the Solar System and beyond. The session also celebrates the 200 year anniversary of the first use of polarimetry in astronomy by F. Arago by overviewing the progress in polarimetry of the Solar-System and exosolar objects. Abstract submission deadline: May 8, 2019, 13:00 CEST Conveners: F. Schmidt, S. Erard, M. Gritsevich, O. Ivanova, L. Kolokolova, H. Kruger, A.-Ch. Levasseur-Regourd, K. Muinonen, A. Penttilä, J. Plane, A. Poppe , V. Rozenbush 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 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP IN STUDIES OF SOLAR SYSTEM MINOR PLANETS Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship position in the study of the Solar System minor planets, funded by the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The post, available up to 31st March 2021 in the first instance with the possibility of renewal depending on performance and availability of funding, is located in the Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC) of the School of Mathematics and Physics at Queen's University Belfast. The nominal starting date is October 1, 2019 or as soon thereafter as possible. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will work with Dr. Meg Schwamb to develop and exploit next-generation tools for analysing and interpreting future observations and Solar System moving object detections from the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST). To read the full details and to apply, visit: https://jobregister.aas.org/ad/0f3262c3 Application Deadline: Monday, June 3, 2019 Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Meg Schwamb, email: mschwamb.astro@gmail.com 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 GEOMORPHOLOGY IMAGE OF THE MONTH The May image of the month is now available at the IAG's Planetary Geomorphology web page: http://planetarygeomorphology.wordpress.com This month's topic is "Degradation of Titan's impact craters". Contributed by Joshua E. Hedgepeth, Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration, University of Western Ontario, Canada. You can follow IAG Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PlanetaryGeomorphology or Twitter: @PlanetGeomorpho Tjalling de Haas (Chair, IAG Planetary Geomorphology working group) 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 JPL JOB AD The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology invites applications for a Scientist in areas relevant to understanding small bodies of the Solar System, including comets, asteroids, Kuiper Belt objects, and Centaurs. The Scientist will be responsible for maintaining a research portfolio focused on conducting cutting-edge scientific research within the small bodies field, including using ground-based observatories, space-based mission data, and/or theoretical modeling. The Scientist will develop an independently-funded research program, publish findings in the peer-reviewed literature, and collaboratively pursue new mission and/or instrument opportunities focusing on the exploration of small bodies. Complete applications will include a cover letter describing the applicant's vision for their role at JPL as a leader and contributor in the field of small body research, a curriculum vita including a bibliography of refereed and other work, a statement on research experience and research objectives, and contact information for at least three professional references. Applications received by June 15, 2019 will receive full consideration. Go to: https://jpl.jobs/jobs /2019-10610-Scientist-Small-Bodies-of-the-Solar-System-2019-10610 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 YINGST TO BE NEXT MEPAG CHAIR Dr. R. Aileen Yingst (PSI) has agreed to serve as the next MEPAG Chair. Dr. Yingst is a planetary geologist whose research focuses on the texture and morphology of rock outcrops and clasts. She was involved in the Mars Pathfinder and Mars Polar Lander missions, and served as Associate PI for the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity. She is currently the Deputy Principal Investigator for the Mars Hand Lens Imager instrument (MAHLI) and is a science team member for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) imaging science team. She is also a Co-Investigator on the SHERLOC/WATSON instrument on the Mars 2020 rover. Dr. Yingst will be formally welcomed as the new MEPAG Chair at the next MEPAG virtual meeting, taking the reins from Dr. Jeffrey R. Johnson, who stepped in as MEPAG Chair in March, 2016 (at MEPAG meeting 31) - many thanks for his 3 years of service and extensive work for this community and Committee! Dr. Johnson will remain a member of the MEPAG Executive Committee as "Past Chair." A full listing of MEPAG Committee members can be found here: https://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/about.cfm Sent on behalf of Dr. Jeffrey R. Johnson, MEPAG Chair 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 5TH MEPAG VIRTUAL MEETING The 1st Informational Circular for the 5th MEPAG Virtual Meeting (VM5) is posted at: https://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/meetings.cfm This meeting will be held Thursday, June 6th, 2019, at 11:00 am-1:00 pm EDT. Agenda items are expected to include an update from NASA HQ, a final report from the Ice and Climate Evolution Science Analysis Group (ICE-SAG), information about the upcoming Ninth International Conference on Mars and subsequent MEPAG Meeting 37 (July 22-25 and July 26, respectively), and reports about other Mars-relevant meetings. Additionally, we will formally welcome in the incoming MEPAG Chair, Dr. R. Aileen Yingst (PSI). The current agenda and WebEx connectivity information are included in the 1st Informational Circular. Updates to the agenda and presentations will be posted to the MEPAG meeting website above. All members of the Mars science community including our international colleagues are welcomed to attend. Sent on behalf of Dr. Jeffrey R. Johnson, MEPAG Chair 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 SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE EUROPLANET WORKSHOP: SOLAR SYSTEM ATMOSPHERES' INVESTIGATION AND EXOPLANETS (S-SAIL) June 27-28, 2019 Lisbon, Portugal The main goal of this 2-days workshop is to gather researchers, post-docs and students from all Europe, working on Planetary Science studies to discuss about several topics related with Planetary Atmospheres (including exoplanets), and promote collaborations on the basis of a interdisciplinary approach. - Atmosphere characterization I: chemical composition (Solar System planets) - Clouds and Dynamics - Atmospheric Waves - Atmosphere Modeling - Atmosphere characterization II: exoplanets - Current and Future mission Financial support deadline: 29 April 2019 (extended to 10 May 2019) Abstract submission (one page included figures): 15 May 2019 Registration and payment deadline (regular ): 27 May 2019 Registration and payment deadline (late registration): 7 June 2019 Science Organizing Commitee: Pedro Machado (co-chair) Gabriella Gilli (co-chair) Thomas Widemann (co-chair) Santiago Perez-Hoyos (co-chair) Jorge Martins Arianna Piccialli More info on the workshop webpage: http://www.iastro.pt/research/conferences/s-sail/ Organizing commitee email: S-SAIL@oal.ul.pt Organizers: Europlanet 2020 RI NA1 - Innovation through Science Networking Instituto de Astrofisica e Ciencias do Espaco (IA), Portugal Sciencias.ID, Faculdade de Ciencias da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal Fundacao para a Ciencias e Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 PLUTO SYSTEM AFTER NEW HORIZONS, ABSTRACT DEADLINE EXTENDED The abstract submission deadline for the "Pluto System After New Horizons" conference has been extended to 5 pm CDT on May 8. The link for abstract submission is here: https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/plutosystem2019/abstracts/ Please also note that the early registration deadline is June 14. Alan Stern (SOC Chair) Hal Weaver (LOC Chair) 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 MARS SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION: THE 4TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LUNAR AND DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION July 22-24, 2019 Zhuhai, China Abstract deadline: June 7, 2019 http://ldse2019.csp.escience.cn/ The International Conference on Lunar and Deep Space Exploration (LDSE) is a bi-annual event jointly organized by China National Space Administration (CNSA) and Chinese Academy of Sciences. With the rapid development of lunar and deep space exploration in China in the recent decades, this conference is becoming a major forum in China to discuss ideas and scientific results in planetary exploration. The topics cover all areas in planetary research and road maps, with the focus on exploration missions and related data analysis, ground observations, laboratory experiments, and theoretical work. The Mars Science and Exploration Sessions include the following themes: - Geology and Geophysics - Atmospheres - Martian Meteorites - Mars Analog Studies - Mars Exploration: Past, Present and Future Updates on the status of China's Mars Global Remote Sensing Orbiter, Lander and Rover to be launched in 2020, together carrying 12 scientific instruments, will be presented. Convenor: Prof. Long Xiao Your suggestions are welcomed! Long 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 MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS 5th MEPAG Virtual Meeting June 6, 2019 https://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/meetings.cfm Online January 14-16, 2020 Atmospheric Remote-Sensing Exoplanet Large-Survey Open Meeting https://arielmission.space Noordwijk, The Netherlands 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.] *********************************************************************** * 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. 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