PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 19, Number 36 (September 7, 2025) PEN Website: https://planetarynews.org Editor: Alex Morgan Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Matthew R Perry Email: pen_editor@psi.edu X: @pen2tweets Bluesky: @planetarynews.bsky.social o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Petition Regarding LPSC And Censorship Delivered To USRA 2. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship - Application Deadline November 1, 2025 3. PhD Position: Cloud Formation in Exoplanetary Atmospheres at YRP@Graz 4. Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowships Starting in 2026 at the Earth and Planets Laboratory 5. Postdoctoral Fellowship in Planetary Science, University of Minnesota 6. Lunar Surface Environment Science Splinter at EPSC-DPS 2025 7. International Lunar Sample Research Symposium 2025 8. Rocky Worlds 4 Conference: Abstract Submission Deadline and Registration Open 9. Open Meeting for Europa Spatial Data Infrastructure 10. 2026A NASA IRTF Call for Proposals 11. New Ocean Worlds Working Group (OWWG) Website 12. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions 13. Planetary Science Journal - New Papers 14. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets - 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 PETITION REGARDING LPSC AND CENSORSHIP DELIVERED TO USRA Last week, a letter signed by more than 100 members of the Planetary Science Community was sent to the Director of LPI and President of USRA to outline actions relating to freedom of speech and academic integrity that must be taken before they would consider attending LPSC 2026. As of this posting, they have received no response. The text of their letter is available here: https://planetarynews.org/editorials/LPSC_petition.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 NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP - APPLICATION DEADLINE NOVEMBER 1, 2025 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; explores the undiscovered; 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, planetary science, heliophysics, astrophysics, biological and physical science, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration systems, space operations, space technology, and astrobiology. Search for NPP research opportunities here: https://npp.orau.org/applicants/opportunities.html Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in hand before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. Please see current eligibility requirements: https://npp.orau.org/applicants/eligibility.html Stipends start at $70,000 per year, with supplements for higher 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 travel and professional development. Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1 For further information and to apply, visit: https://npp.orau.org/applicants/index.html Questions: npp@orau.org 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 PHD POSITION: CLOUD FORMATION IN EXOPLANETARY ATMOSPHERES AT YRP@GRAZ As part of its Young Researcher Programme YRP@Graz, the Space Research Institute (IWF) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) and the Graz University of Technology jointly invite applications for a PhD position. This project aims to understand cloud formation in exoplanets and specifically the formation of molecular cluster as pre-coursers of cloud formation in the diversity of exoplanets. The project explores advanced neural network architectures, particularly Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) and generative models, to predict thermo-chemical properties of large molecular clusters. These data will be applied to support physical data interpretation of observations with CHEOPS, JWST, and other space missions, like PLATO, in the future. The application process has two stages: Stage 1 is anonymised (submission deadline: October 10, 2025), stage 2 takes the form of an interview. We seek excellent candidates with a strong background in natural sciences. Successful candidates must hold a Master's degree in physics, astrophysics or equivalent at the latest by the starting date of the position but preferably at the time of application. The appointment can begin January 1, 2026, and will aim for 3.5 years. More details: https://tinyurl.com/mvta6wx2 We are looking forward hearing from you! 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 CARNEGIE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS STARTING IN 2026 AT THE EARTH AND PLANETS LABORATORY The Earth and Planets Laboratory (EPL), a division of the Carnegie Institution for Science, invites applications for postdoctoral fellowships at its campus in Washington, DC. Multiple independent research fellowships are available in our interdisciplinary basic research laboratory covering a wide range of fields. EPL scientists engage in observational, experimental and theoretical research in fields including astronomy, cosmochemistry, data science, experimental petrology, geobiology, geochemistry, geodynamics, geophysics, mineral physics, planetary science, physics and chemistry of materials, seismology, and volcanology. Applicants' primary field of research should overlap with one or more of these areas. Interdisciplinary research and collaboration with multiple research areas on campus is encouraged. New fellows will join a supportive community of about 25 postdoctoral scientists and 30 staff and research scientists engaged in understanding the origin and evolution of Earth and planets. More information about our research and facilities can be viewed at: https://carnegiescience.edu/epl For more about our postdoctoral fellowships and postdoctoral experience go to: https://carnegiescience.edu/about/working/postdocs/epl See complete instructions and submit your application online at: https://apply.interfolio.com/172660 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 FELLOWSHIP IN PLANETARY SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA The 51 Pegasi b Postdoctoral Fellowship is accepting applications through October 3, 2025. The University of Minnesota is listed as one of the host institutions and we welcome potential early-career applicants seeking to establish independence in the field of planetary and/or exoplanetary science. The 51 Pegasi b Fellowship is supported by the Heising-Simons Foundation. The fellowship provides successful applicants with up to $450,000 of support for independent research over three years (with the option of a fourth assuming satisfactory progress). Applicants may come from international academic institutions and U.S. citizenship is not required. At the University of Minnesota, fellows have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty members working in theory and observation of Solar System and exoplanets science. These include Chick Woodward (exoplanet telescope observations), Ali Sulaiman (giant planet spacecraft observations), Bob Lysak (theory of giant planet magnetospheres), Marc Hirschman (planetary interiors), and Lars Hansen (planetary rheology). Guidelines and eligibility requirements can be found a: https://heisingsimons.app.box.com/s/y8jg5tbsbd13902ou3rn9tey8rjzan20 If you have questions about the fellowship at the University of Minnesota, please contact Claudia Scarlata (mscarlat@umn.edu). 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 LUNAR SURFACE ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE SPLINTER AT EPSC-DPS 2025 Dear Lunar Space Environment(s) Enthusiasts, ESA and the community will have an opportunity to shape the future direction of the lunar surface environment science and measurements during the EPSC-DPS 2025 assembly in Helsinki. Join us for an open lunchtime discussion on Thursday, where we'll explore the scientific scope, objectives and deployment of AstroLEAP, a package dedicated to the Lunar Surface Environment characterization. https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC-DPS2025/session/55373 SM16 Lunar Surface Environment Analysis Package Exploration Science Splinter Thursday, 11 September, 12:45-13:45 (EEST) Room: Ganymede (room 4) Convener: Fabrice Cipriani, Yoshifumi Futaana, Francesca McDonald ESA is currently carrying a phase A/B1 study for a Lunar Environment Analysis Package to be deployed robotically at the lunar surface. This splinter aims at: (1) Informing the community on the timeline and discuss broadly the scientific scope of such a package; (2) Discuss potential objectives and measurements targets considering natural and anthropogenically driven environmental signatures; (3) Collect community questions, ideas and feedbacks 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 INTERNATIONAL LUNAR SAMPLE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM 2025 November 21-24, 2025 After decades of lunar exploration since the Apollo era, lunar samples have become the largest treasure returned by human beings, as they have unlimited potentials to understand the Earth-Moon system. To share the recent findings of Chang'e-5, 6, Apollo, Luna samples, lunar meteorites, and other lunar sample related studies, to prepare for future lunar sample return analyses such as those returned by China's and USA's human lunar missions, and to foster international cooperation in lunar sample studies of China and their international partners, the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of Hong Kong jointly propose this International Lunar Sample Research Symposium on November 21-24, 2025. The meeting aims to present the most intriguing findings from all kinds of lunar sample studies, including but not limited to: 1) Lunar Sample Return Missions, 2) Origin of the Moon, 3) Lunar Differentiation, 4) Lunar Magmatism, 5) Lunar Magnetism, 6) Lunar Impact Processes and Chronology, 7) Lunar Meteorites, 8) Lunar Space Weathering, 9) Lunar Volatiles, 10) Lunar Resources, 11) Lunar Analogues, 12) New Techniques. Check it out at: https://www.ilsrs.org/ 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 ROCKY WORLDS 4 CONFERENCE: ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND REGISTRATION OPEN We would like to announce the start of the registration and remind about the upcoming abstract submission deadline for the Rocky Worlds 4 conference in Groningen in January 2026. Abstract submission & participation support request deadline: 14 September 2025 Early-bird registration deadline: 14 November 2025 Conference dates: 19-23 January 2025 Applying the detailed empirical understanding gleaned from the terrestrial planets of our own Solar System is crucial in our interpretation of exoplanetary systems. With the ongoing and upcoming surveys to search for small planets around nearby stars, we can anticipate huge growth in the number and information on detected rocky exoplanets in the coming decades. As the characterisation of these new planetary systems proceeds it will in turn improve understanding of our own Solar System, and in particular of how potentially habitable Earth-like planets form, evolve, and are distributed throughout the galaxy. The Rocky Worlds Meeting Series brings together planetary scientists, astronomers, and earth scientists to foster discussion and build the collaborations that will pave the way for the next frontiers of rocky exoplanet discovery and characterisation. Further information at: https://groningen2026.rockyworlds.org [Edited for length] 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 OPEN MEETING FOR EUROPA SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) is the set of standards, formats, policies, data (e.g., images) and people (e.g., users, producers) that enables the efficient use of spatial datasets. A community-based Europa SDI was initiated by the USGS to make recommendations that improve the interoperability of existing datasets, and the rapid integration of data returned by future missions: https://planetary-sdi.astrogeology.usgs.gov/ To broaden participation, we are now holding a series of biannual community meetings to discuss the ESDI. Topics can include new spatial data products, challenges to using existing products, appropriate datums and other standards and formats, improving adherence to FAIR data principles, and potential new collaborations. The first meeting will occur on Monday October 27, from 9 - 11am PDT. We encourage those who use or produce spatial data for Europa to attend. Agenda items will include an introduction to the SDI concept, an overview of the current ESDI effort, an update on current work in the community, and known data issues. Join at the link below. https://tinyurl.com/3555pyyb Meeting ID: 270 652 001 137 6 Passcode: hj3Xk2pR Direct questions or comments to: mbland@usgs.gov, cynthia.b.phillips@jpl.nasa.gov, schenk@lpi.usra.edu, and rbeyer@seti.org [Edited for length] 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 2026A NASA IRTF CALL FOR PROPOSALS NASA Infrared Telescope Facility Observing Proposals. The due date for the 2026A semester (February 1, 2026 to July 31, 2026) is Wednesday, October 1, 2025. See our online submission form: https://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/observing/applicationForms.php Information on available facility and visitor instruments and performance can be found at: https://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/instruments Observing on-site or remote observing is available with SpeX, MORIS, iSHELL, MIRSI/MOC, and `Opihi; please see the instrument pages for more information, including the exposure time calculators for SpeX and iSHELL. The full text of this proposal announcement is available here: https://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/observing/callforproposals/index.php 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 New Ocean Worlds Working Group (OWWG) Website The OWWG has a new home with links to previous presentations and other documents: https://workforce.psi.edu/owwg/ We also have a new mailing list hosted by PSI. You can subscribe by sending a message to owwg+subscribe@psi.edu. Thank you to PSI for hosting our new webpage and mailing list! After a long hiatus, we look forward to interacting with all of you again this fall and winter. 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: Many face-to-face meetings going forward will have online components. Check their websites for details. Posted at https://planetarynews.org/meetings.html November 21-24, 2025 International Lunar Sample Research Symposium 2025 https://www.ilsrs.org/ Hong Kong, China 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 Evolution of Mercury's Volatile-bearing Crust within Raditladi Basin Deborah L. Domingue et al. 2025 PSJ 6:207 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/adf19b Regionalized Formation and Recycling of New Venusian Crust at Chasmata Nicholas J. Montiel et al. 2025 PSJ 6:208 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/adef37 Holistic Mapping of the Present-day Martian Seasonal CO2 Frost. I. Frost Detection within Global Visible, Thermal, and Spectral Data Sets Serina Diniega et al. 2025 PSJ 6:209 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/adef07 Parameter Space Exploration of Low-to-moderate-temperature Hydrothermal Systems on Ocean Worlds Using a Monte Carlo Framework Ryunosuke Akiba and Andrew T. Fisher 2025 PSJ 6:210 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/adf558 The Surfaces of Small to Midsize Plutinos: Evidence of an Association between Inclination and Surface Type Cameron Collyer et al. 2025 PSJ 6:211 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/adef36 Impacts of Atmospheric Carbon Species and Stellar Type on Climates of Terrestrial Planets Jared Landry et al. 2025 PSJ 6:212 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/adf7a1 Prospects of a New L5 Trojan Flyby Target for the Lucy Mission Luis E. Salazar Manzano et al. 2025 PSJ 6:213 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/adf5c2 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH: PLANETS - NEW PAPERS Direct Links to Open Access (OA) Papers Editors-in-Chief, Amanda Hendrix & Debra Buczkowski https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/21699100 A Comprehensive Framework for Assessing Terrestrial Analogue Field Sites for Ocean Worlds Jennifer C. Stern et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JE008803 The Effect of Near-Surface Winds on Surface Temperature and Dust Transport on Venus Maxence Lefevre, Sebastien Lebonnois, Aymeric Spiga, Francois Forget https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009133 JunoCam Observations of Io M. A. Ravine et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JE008924 Testing the Fidelity of Paleopole Determinations From Multidirectionally Magnetized Lunar Crustal Anomaly Source Bodies T. Chaffee, S. M. Tikoo, R. E. Maxwell, I. Garrick-Bethell https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JE008805 Magnetic Mineralogy in Lunar Mare Basalts and Implications for Paleointensity Retrieval Ji-In Jung et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009030 *********************************************************************** * 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. Or * 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. * * PEN is a service provided by the Planetary Science Institute * (https://www.psi.edu) using no NASA funds. 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