PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 18, Number 14 (March 31, 2024) PEN Website: https://planetarynews.org Editor: Matthew R. Perry Co-Editors: Alex Morgan, Mark V. Sykes Email: pen_editor@psi.edu Twitter: @pen2tweets o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund Spring 2024 Travel Grant 2. UTCT X-Ray Computed Tomography Short Course July 10-12, 2024 3. Two Open Positions at The Swedish Institute of Space Physics 4. Open Calls for PhD, Postdoc, Academy Scientist, and Instrument Operator Positions in Space Research 5. Postdoctoral Position in Lunar Science at Brown University 6. Guest Scientist for Research Infrastructure Development at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics 7. Annual GSA Planetary Science Division Button Contest 8. JUICE Science Webinar Series: JUICE - One Year After Launch - News and Outlook 9. Mercury 2024 Meeting 10. Planetary Data Training Workshop, 21-24 May 2024, Arizona State University 11. NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group Early Career Opportunities 12. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions 13. 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 GERALD A. SOFFEN MEMORIAL FUND SPRING 2024 TRAVEL GRANT The Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund is pleased to announce the Spring 2024 Travel Grant application opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing studies in fields of space science and engineering. The travel grants enable student recipients to attend professional conferences to present their research. Recipients may use the grant for either virtual or in-person conferences. The Soffen Fund will award up to $1000 in total, with no individual award greater than $500, to cover expenses related to presenting research at either a virtual or in-person conference. The number of awards will depend on applicants' needs. The Spring 2024 Travel Grant application deadline is April 12, 2024. Jerry Soffen, a biologist by training, led a distinguished career in NASA, including serving as the Project Scientist for Viking and as an architect for the NASA Astrobiology Institute. The Travel Grant continues Jerry's dedication to educating and involving future generations in space science and engineering pursuits. The electronic application materials and instructions are located on the Soffen Fund website: https://soffenfund.org Questions regarding the application or application process may be sent to ec@nasa-academy.org 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 UTCT X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SHORT COURSE JULY 10-12, 2024 The University of Texas X-ray CT Facility (UTCT), a NASA Planetary Science Enabling Facility, will host its annual short course on the acquisition, visualization, and analysis of X-ray CT (XCT) data July 10-12, 2024 in Austin, TX. This course presents an overview of the acquisition and interpretation of XCT data, followed by hands-on training in 3D visualization and quantitative analysis of discrete geological features (e.g., clasts, grains, pores) and fabrics. Funds are available to help cover the cost of lodging and meals and there is no charge to attend. Preference is given to applicants with a demonstrated need for immediate application of the skills learned. Participants are invited to bring their own XCT data or have samples scanned (at a discount) at UTCT prior to the course. To apply email Dr. Romy Hanna (romy@jsg.utexas.edu) by Friday, May 10, 2024 that outlines (limit ~300 words): 1. Relevant biographical information (academic affiliations and status as student, postdoc, or faculty/staff); 2. The type of sample(s) that you aim to analyze and your research objectives; 3. Whether you have sample(s) that you would like to have scanned at UTCT For more information about UTCT visit: https://www.ctlab.geo.utexas.edu 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 TWO OPEN POSITIONS AT THE SWEDISH INSTITUTE OF SPACE PHYSICS Post-Doctoral Position in Space Physics The successful candidate will be involved in national and international collaborations and will also be expected to present their results at national and international conferences and publish their results in leading journals. Expertise in solar energy deposition and photochemical modelling will be highly beneficial. For more information, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/2zxyvmzc PhD student in Space Physics The PhD project will focus on the analysis of extreme acceleration events associated with magnetic reconnection. The PhD student will work with state-of-the-art experimental data from the NASA multi-spacecraft Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) mission. For more information, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/3y3epdav 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 OPEN CALLS FOR PHD, POSTDOC, ACADEMY SCIENTIST, AND INSTRUMENT OPERATOR POSITIONS IN SPACE RESEARCH The Space Research Institute (IWF) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW), invites applications for a number of open positions in exoplanet research and space-related instrument development: - PhD positions in Interdisciplinary Space Sciences and Planetary Research: (1) machine learning supported exoplanet cloud formation modelling, and also as part of YRP@Graz (2) solar eruptions and their global magnetic environment (University of Graz), and (3) magnetic helicity in solar eruptions and related interplanetary disturbances (University of Graz) The application process has two stages and aims to decrease selection biases. Deadline: 30 April 2024 - Postdoc Position in Cloud Droplets and Redox Pairs in the Venusian Atmosphere. Deadline: 15 April 2024 - Postdoc Positions in Exoplanet Atmosphere: (1) cloud modelling and (2) links to observations. Deadline: 15 May 2024 - Academy Scientist in Satellite Laser Ranging & Space Safety. Deadline: 30 April 2024 - Instrument Operator for the ASPOC instrument onboard NASA MMS (part-time). Deadline: 31 March 2024 Information about the positions can be found here: https://www.oeaw.ac.at/en/iwf/institute/working-with-us 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 POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN LUNAR SCIENCE AT BROWN UNIVERSITY LunaSCOPE, a NASA SSERVI lunar science research team hosted at Brown University, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Applicant research should complement and enhance one or more of LunaSCOPE's research themes: (1) magma oceans, (2) magnetism, (3) volcanism and tectonism, (4) volatiles, and (5) regolith and impacts. Interested individuals should have a Ph.D. in planetary science, geophysics, physics/astronomy, statistics, mathematics, or a related field. LunaSCOPE is interested in diversifying planetary science, and encourages candidates from groups historically underrepresented in higher education to apply. Applicants can upload a CV and research statement via our online form found at: https://lunascope.org/jobs Research statements can take the form of a full proposal for novel research related to LunaSCOPE themes, or a statement of how a candidate's research interests and accomplishments could further the research programs of one or more LunaSCOPE investigators. For more information, please visit: https://sites.brown.edu/lunascope/team/ Applications will be initially reviewed on May 15, 2024. Any questions can be directed to Kevin Stacey (kevin_stacey@brown.edu). More info at: https://LunaSCOPE.org and: https://sservi.nasa.gov/ 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 GUEST SCIENTIST FOR RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AT THE SWEDISH INSTITUTE OF SPACE PHYSICS The Swedish Institute of Space Physics is seeking a guest scientist to help us build advanced image analysis software for studies of northern lights and other phenomena in the polar atmosphere. You will be part of a team that is improving the institute's research infrastructure - a toolbox for data analysis and various information services for researchers, authorities and the general public. For more information: https://www.irf.se/vacancies 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 ANNUAL GSA PLANETARY SCIENCE DIVISION BUTTON CONTEST Rules: (1) Design must be completed within a 6 cm diameter circle. (2) Letters "PGD" and year "2024" must be included as a central feature in the artwork. (3) Group submissions are acceptable. (4) Any media/software can be used as long is the scanned image sent to the PGD is clear. All submissions must be sent as a PDF and JPEG (min 600 dpi) to mdeahn@purdue.edu (Margaret Deahn) by May 31, 2024. Submission must include brief biographical information about the artist and a brief (500-character limit) description of the artwork. All PGD members may vote from the semi-finalists' buttons (as determined by PGD officers) starting June 7, 2024. Winner will be announced August 1, 2024. The winning artist will need to provide appropriate images for button and t-shirt printing after the design is announced on August 1. 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 JUICE SCIENCE WEBINAR SERIES: JUICE - ONE YEAR AFTER LAUNCH - NEWS AND OUTLOOK Please join us at 2 PM London time (UTC+1) on April 12, 2024 for the JUICE Science Webinar Series 1, "JUICE - One Year After Launch: News and Outlook" presented by JUICE Project Scientist Olivier Witasse and JUICE Operational Scientist Claire Vallet from ESA. This series is organised in collaboration with the Europlanet Society. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/3v3kwd47 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 MERCURY 2024 MEETING The Mercury 2024 meeting will be held 4-7 June, 2024, in Kyoto, Japan. The meeting venue is ~20 min from Kyoto Station, so the LOC recommends staying around Kyoto Station. Recommended hotels are shown on the website. Registration will be available at the start of April, as will abstract submission. Abstracts will be short, at roughly 250 words and will be due near the end of April. The website for the Mercury 2024 meeting is available here: https://tinyurl.com/3ry9f8u8 This is the third meeting in the Mercury series, which began in 2018: https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/mercury2018/ and continued in 2022: https://mercury2020.ias.u-psud.fr/main_1st.php As with the previous two meetings in this series, Mercury 2024 will cover all scientific aspects of planet Mercury, including the current state of knowledge, BepiColombo activities, and the prospects for future endeavors. The meeting will welcome and encourage participation by the wide-ranging and diverse international Mercury science community. The timing of the Mercury 2024 meeting is chosen to be between JpGU and the BepiColombo SWT to enable participation in multiple meetings during the one trip if desired. We hope we can see many of you in Japan! 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 DATA TRAINING WORKSHOP, 21-24 MAY 2024, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY This in-person only workshop is designed to provide an introduction into using planetary spatial data in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, with a focus on studies of terrestrial planet and icy satellite surface research. The workshop will include a combination of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises with the software. Computer workstations will be provided by ASU, or you may bring your own laptop. Topics will included: JMARS (Day 1), ArcGIS Pro (Day 2), ISIS3 for image processing (Day 3 morning), Planetary Data Management and an introduction to NASA's Planetary Data System (Day 3 afternoon), and Structure-from-Motion as an introduction to stereo photogrammetry and digital elevation model production (Day 4, demos only). The instructors of each of these activities are experts in their respective fields, some of which were staff of the former NASA Regional Planetary Information Facilities (RPIFs) and have years of experience in the use of digital planetary data for research. Two $2000 travel grants are offered to promote attendance from groups that are underrepresented in planetary science and STEM. Travel Grant applications due April 17, 2024. Registration: https://forms.gle/1tCUxnpLrnwqsb1N6 PDTW Travel Grant Application: https://forms.gle/KBMayJZamackon7d7 [Edited for length] 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 NASA SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP EARLY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES The upcoming NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) Meeting #31 will be held July 11-12, 2024 virtually. There will be multiple opportunities at this meeting specifically for the early career small body community to participate, including invited early career speakers and lightning talks. Applications for invited talks and lightning talks are due via email by COB (5 pm Eastern Time) April 19, 2024. Applications will be evaluated based on relevance to the purposes of SBAG, how the applicant plans to contribute to the meeting, and the extent to which the opportunity will advance the applicant's career. Interested early-career researchers should submit a cover letter and a two-page Curriculum Vitae (CV) to SBAG Early Career Secretary Darryl Seligman (dzs9@cornell.edu) and the SBAG Chair Lori Feaga (lfeaga@umd.edu). Please refer to the meeting webpage here for further details regarding the application requirements: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/meetings/ 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 Note: Most face-to-face meetings going forward will have online components. Check their websites for details. Posted at https://planetarynews.org/meetings.html May 21-24, 2024 Planetary Data Training Workshop https://forms.gle/1tCUxnpLrnwqsb1N6 Tempe, AZ June 4-7, 2024 Mercury 2024 Meeting https://tinyurl.com/3ry9f8u8 Kyoto, Japan July 10-12, 2024 UTCT X-Ray Computed Tomography Short Course https://www.ctlab.geo.utexas.edu Austin, TX July 11-12, 2024 NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) Meeting https://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/meetings/sbagjuly2024/ Online [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.] 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL - NEW PAPERS Direct Links to Open Access Papers Editor, Faith Vilas https://psj.aas.org Lunar Boulder Fields as Indicators of Recent Tectonic Activity Cole Nypaver et al. 2024 PSJ 5:77 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ad28b6 Postperihelion Cometary Activity on the Outer Main-belt Asteroid 2005 XR132 Yu-Chi Cheng et al. 2024 PSJ 5:78 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ad226b Lessons Learned from NASA's DART Impact about Disrupting Rubble-pile Asteroids S. D. Raducan et al. 2024 PSJ 5:79 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ad29f6 The Distribution of Highly Red-sloped Asteroids in the Middle and Outer Main Belt Oriel A. Humes et al. 2024 PSJ 5:80 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ad2e99 Encounter Circumstances of Asteroid 99942 Apophis with the Catalog of Known Asteroids Paul Wiegert and Benjamin Hyatt 2024 PSJ 5:81 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ad2de2 How Long-lived Grains Dominate the Shape of the Zodiacal Cloud Petr Pokorny et al. 2024 PSJ 5:82 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ad2de8 *********************************************************************** * The Planetary Exploration Newsletter is issued approximately weekly. * Current and back issues are available at https://planetarynews.org * * To subscribe, go to https://planetarynews.org and click on Subscribe. * * An unsubscribe option is available at the end of every PEN email. 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