PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 19, Number 40 (October 5, 2025) PEN Website: https://planetarynews.org Editor: Mark V. Sykes Co-Editors: Matthew R Perry, Alex Morgan Email: pen_editor@psi.edu X: @pen2tweets Bluesky: @planetarynews.bsky.social o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Geosciences Special Issue: Worlds of the Solar System 2. Call for Session Proposals for AOGS2026 Planetary Science Section 3. Opportunity to Apply to a New IMWEG Mars Science Sub-Working Group 4. [NASA] ROSES-25 Amendment 9: F.10 PRISM Final Text and Due Dates 5. [NASA] ROSES-25 Amendment 10: Step-2 Due Date TBD for F.15 A3PSP 6. [NASA] PDS: New Look and Feel for Photojournal 7. [NASA] PDS: Aperiodic Data Releases in 2025.09 8. [NASA] PDS: Odyssey Data Release 93 9. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 10. Postdoctoral Contract Offered at IAA-CSIC 11. Student Travel Support Opportunity 12. Postdoctoral Position in Planetary Astronomy and Public Outreach at Boise State University 13. Lunar Citizen Science Project Available 14. Upcoming Schweickart Prize Student Webinars on October 15 & 16 15. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions 16. Planetary Science Journal - New Papers 17. 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 GEOSCIENCES SPECIAL ISSUE: WORLDS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM The Special Issue of Geosciences entitled "Worlds of the Solar System: Geological Evolution and Habitability of Planets and Moons" aims to bring together the latest advances on the dynamic processes that have shaped planetary bodies and their potential to support life. We welcome submissions on comparative studies of Venus, Earth, and Mars, highlighting the divergent evolutionary pathways of terrestrial planets from Venus' runaway greenhouse conditions to Earth's long-term climate stability and Mars' transition from a wetter, more habitable past to its current arid state. Beyond inner planets, this Special Issue also aims to explore the icy worlds of the outer Solar System. We welcome investigations of Europa and Enceladus focusing, among other topics, on evidence for subsurface oceans, plume activity, and geophysical mechanisms that may create niches for life beneath their ice shells, as well as studies on Titan emphasizing its unique methane-based hydrological cycle, organic-rich surface, and complex interactions between the atmosphere and surface chemistry. Other icy moons are also a topic of interest for manuscripts submitted to this Special Issue. For complete submission directions, please go to: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/geosciences/special_issues/86M95CV534 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 CALL FOR SESSION PROPOSALS FOR AGOS2026 PLANETARY SCIENCE SECTION Dear colleagues, The Planetary Science (PS) Division of the Asia-Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS) invites you to propose scientific sessions for AOGS 2026, 2-7 August 2026 in Fukuoka, Japan. Help shape the PS program by convening a session on topics such as planetary surfaces and interiors, atmospheres, small bodies, exoplanets, mission data analysis, instrumentation, and comparative planetology. Session proposals should include: - Title & short description (scope and motivation) - Conveners & co-conveners (committed to promote and run the session) - Suggested keywords / themes Read the guidelines & Submit your proposal online: https://tinyurl.com/2tfx67h6 Deadline: 11 October 2025 Let's create a vibrant planetary science program together. We look forward to your proposals! Best regards, Zhonghua Yao, President, AOGS Planetary Science Division Anezina Solomonidou, President-elect, AOGS Planetary Science Division 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 OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY TO A NEW IMWEG MARS SCIENCE SUB-WORKING GROUP The IMEWG (International Mars Exploration Working Group) is planning to stand up a sub-working group to identify international science and planetary protection goals and scope priorities in the upcoming transition period to a future robotic and crewed synergistic exploration of Mars. This group will operate through regular virtual meetings over an approximately one-year period (through September 2026), with an in-person working meeting scheduled at the midpoint (in March/April 2026). If you are interested in volunteering to be a part of this group, please prepare a motivation letter and brief CV (details below) and send by October 20, 2025 to contact@imewg.org. Motivation Letter is no more than one page and includes: - Your motivation to participate - Your added value - Recent and relevant expertise/experience - Choice of science or planetary protection team CV is no more than two pages and highlights: - Current and recent (last 5 years) positions and responsibilities (e.g., leading or contributing to relevant teams or working groups), or significant activities beyond this time frame. - Up to five most relevant publications. Gerhard Kminek, ESA Lindsay Hays, NASA [Edited for length] 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] ROSES-25 AMENDMENT 9: F.10 PRISM FINAL TEXT AND DUE DATES F.10 Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) solicits development and flight of a science-driven suite of instruments and supporting technology demonstration payloads tailored to complete scientific investigations at a lunar landing destination, that address the science goals of 1) any SMD division, 2) objectives of the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD), and 3) any technology demonstration goals of the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) that advance capabilities for science, exploration, or commercial development of the Moon. Payloads will be delivered on a Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) lander to a location the lunar surface that is identified and justified in the proposal, including the South Pole region but excluding the North Pole region. ROSES-2025 Amendment 9 releases final text and due dates for F.10 PRISM. There will be a Pre-proposal Conference on October 15, 2025, at 2 pm Eastern Time, see the PPC connect information in Section 9. Step-1 proposals are due November 5, 2025, and Step-2 proposals are due January 30, 2026. Go to: https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2025 Questions concerning F.10 PRISM may be directed to Ryan Watkins at HQ-PRISM@mail.nasa.gov. [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 [NASA] ROSES-25 AMENDMENT 10: STEP-2 DUE DATE TBD FOR F.15 A3PSP ROSES-2025 Amendment 10 has changed to "TBD" the Step-2 proposal due date for F.15 Artemis III Participating Scientist Program. The solicitation "close date" shown in NSPIRES is NOT a new proposal due date; that is merely an artefact of the NSPIRES system. When funding is reinstated, amendments will be issued setting new due dates. We anticipate that proposers to programs that were set to TBD will be given back as many business days as the government was shut down. Questions concerning A3PSP may be directed to HQ-ARTEMISGEOLOGY@mail.nasa.gov, but the civil servant points of contact for this program will not be permitted to reply until the government reopens. 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] PDS: NEW LOOK AND FEEL FOR PHOTOJOURNAL The PDS (Planetary Data System) Imaging Node is pleased to announce a new look and feel for the Photojournal. The Photojournal presents hand-curated images, animations, and videos that highlight Solar System exploration at NASA, often in conjunction with press releases. The new look and feel is part of the NASA Web Modernization effort, which is unifying web sites under a common look and feel NASA-wide. All content from the old Photojournal has been moved to the new one, and search capabilities have been significantly upgraded. Please visit the site at: https://science.nasa.gov/photojournal/ 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 [NASA] PDS: APERIODIC DATA RELEASES IN 2025.09 In September 2025, PDS ingested and made available the following data, none of which were regularly released with an ongoing mission: - 2025.09.30 New Horizons REX KEM1 Encounter Calibrated Data - 2025.09.30 New Horizons REX KEM1 Encounter Raw Data - 2025.09.30 New Horizons REX KEM1 Encounter Tracking and Navigation Files - 2025.09.26 Mineralogically Diverse and Salt-rich Regolith in Jezero Crater - 2025.09.16 Mars 2020 Mastcam-Z Photometry - 2025.09.15 Dawn Vesta Gravity Science Derived Data with new products - 2025.09.10 Redox-Driven Mineral and Organic Associations in Jezero Crater - 2025.09.08 Laser Retroreflector Array - 2025.09.05 Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter CRISM VRDR - 2025.08.19 Neutral Mass Spectrometer for Pioneer Venus Large Probe Gas Sampling To access those data: https://pds.nasa.gov/datasearch/subscription-service/SS-20250930.shtml To access all data archived in PDS: https://pds.nasa.gov 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 [NASA] PDS: ODYSSEY DATA RELEASE 93 The NASA Planetary Data System announces Release 93 of data from the Mars Odyssey Orbiter. This release contains raw, calibrated, and derived data products nominally covering the time period January 1, 2025, through March 31, 2025, for the GRS/HEND/NS suite, and December 3, 2024 through March 4, 2025, for THEMIS. Since the previous Mars Odyssey release, one raw Radio Science data volume has been released, with data covering the period May 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025. GRS/HEND/NS and Radio Science data are archived at the PDS Geosciences Node, THEMIS data at the THEMIS Data Node, and SPICE data at the PDS NAIF Node. The data may be accessed from: https://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/odyssey/. For a more dataset-oriented view, go to: https://pds.nasa.gov/datasearch/subscription-service/SS-20251001.shtml All available PDS data may be found at: https://pds.nasa.gov/datasearch/data-search/ 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/ Odyssey releases occur every three months. The next release is scheduled for January 2, 2026. For further information, see the PDS Home Page: https://pds.nasa.gov/ 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 PLANETARY GEOMORPHOLOGY IMAGE OF THE MONTH The October image of the month is now available on the IAG's Planetary Geomorphology web page: https://planetarygeomorphology.wordpress.com This month's topic is "Hourglass landforms: Evidence of source-to-sink fluvial deposition", contributed by Dr. Abdallah S. Zaki, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin. You can follow IAG Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month on BlueSky: @planetarygeomorph.bsky.social Go to: https://bsky.app/profile/planetarygeomorph.bsky.social Go to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlanetaryGeomorphology Best wishes, Lonneke Roelofs (Chair, IAG Planetary Geomorphology working group) 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 POSTDOCTORAL CONTRACT OFFERED AT IAA-CSIC The SCITECHSS group, led by Prof. Luisa Lara at the IAA-CSIC focuses on observational and theoretical studies related to Solar System being strongly involved (at Co-PI and Co-I level) in the technical development and scientific exploitation of instrumentation on-board different space missions, such as Bepi-Colombo (ESA-JAXA), JUICE (ESA), Comet Interceptor (ESA-JAXA), and EnVision (ESA). Go to: https://scitechss.iaa.es https://www.iaa.csic.es/en# We seek an outstanding candidate with experience in cometary science, preferably from the observational point of view, to take a leading role in our team in that research field. Additionally, the successful candidate is expected to collaborate with international members of the Comet Interceptor Target Identification Working Group (TIWG). The contract, by law in Spain, will be indefinite. Therefore, its duration will be determined by the performance of the researcher and by the funds in the current and future projects covering the expenses of the postdoctoral position. Interested candidates are invited to send their CV, a brief description of their research experience and scientific interested related to comets to Luisa M Lara (luisamaria.lara@csic.es). Do not hesitate to contact for any question or necessary information about the offered contract. 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 STUDENT TRAVEL SUPPORT OPPORTUNITY The Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund is pleased to announce the Fall 2025 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 Fall 2025 Travel Grant application deadline is October 17, 2025. 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 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN PLANETARY ASTRONOMY AND PUBLIC OUTREACH AT BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY https://aas.org/jobregister/ad/f84b84dd The Department of Physics at Boise State University invites applicants for a postdoc in Brian Jackson's group. Expertise in exoplanet transit photometry or martian atmospheric science desired. The postdoc will also participate in outreach efforts and student advising. Intended start date is fall 2025 but can be negotiated. Compensation includes about $55k in salary plus benefits, as well as conference travel, publication charges, and moving expenses. The appointment is for one year with a likely renewal for a second year subject to performance and funding availability. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in physics, astronomy, planetary science, or a related field at appointment. Boise State University is located in downtown Boise, which is rapidly growing and frequently ranked among the best cities in which to live and work in the US. Please submit a CV, a 3-page research statement, 1-page outreach statement, & contact information for professional references to: https://tinyurl.com/njc6332t Application review expected to begin first week of Nov with offer by end of Nov. Direct questions to Prof. Brian Jackson - bjackson@boisestate.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 LUNAR CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT AVAILABLE Citizen Scientists can now contribute to mapping areas of the Moon dominated by impact melt deposits in our NASA-funded project. There is no cost to participate. See the press release at: https://tinyurl.com/3aj25up6 Click on "Lunar Melt" at: https://mappers.psi.edu/ I will hold a half-hour informational session on this next Thursday, October 9 at 1 pm ET/noon CT/11 am MT/10 am PT. This is especially appropriate for space enthusiasts, teachers, and some undergraduates. Please forward liberally. Join Zoom Meeting: https://tinyurl.com/y8b4aw8p Meeting ID: 881 6673 0894 Passcode: 002931 Question? Email Kirby Runyon at krunyon@psi.edu 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 UPCOMING SCHWEICKART PRIZE STUDENT WEBINARS ON OCTOBER 15 & 16 Are you a graduate student or recent postgraduate fellow interested in building bold ideas related to Planetary Defense? The Schweickart Prize invites you to submit an innovative proposal for tackling challenges like asteroid detection, impact mitigation, space law, or public education. The winner will receive a $10,000 USD cash award, a museum-quality prize, public recognition through a press campaign, and mentorship from the Prize Selection Committee, including Apollo 9 Astronaut Rusty Schweickart. To help applicants prepare, two information webinars with Q&A will be held on October 15th and 16th at 9am PDT / 12pm EDT / 6pm CEST. Participants will have the opportunity to hear insights from the Schweickart Prize Committee as well as advice from the 2025 Schweickart Prize Winner. RSVP here to receive more details: https://bit.ly/4mymwht Learn more about the prize at: https://schweickartprize.org Sign up for prize updates at: https://bit.ly/3PKJvqJ 15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15 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 February 24-26, 2026 Unveiling ALMA Band 2 Workshop https://arc.ira.inaf.it/events/b2-workshop-2026/ Bologna, Italy 16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16 PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL - NEW PAPERS Direct Links to Open Access Papers Editor, Faith Vilas https://psj.aas.org Prediction of Sulfate Hazes in the Lower Venus Atmosphere Peter Woitke et al. 2025 PSJ 6:225 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae00bf Thermocompositional Layers and Jupiter's Gravity, Magnetic Field, and Supersolar Heavy Elements Moritz Heimpel 2025 PSJ 6:226 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/adfbf7 Enceladus's Tidal Heating: A Simple Approach Yoram Lithwick 2025 PSJ 6:227 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/adf729 Extreme Forward Scattering Observed in Disk-averaged Near-infrared Phase Curves of Titan Chase Cooper et al. 2025 PSJ 6:228 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae071f 17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17 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 Using Venus, Earth, and Mars to Understand Exoplanet Volatile and Climate Evolution Bruce M. Jakosky & Paul K. Byrne https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JE008882 Electrical Resistivity of Liquid Fe-16S-2Si up to 13 GPa With Implications for the Adiabatic Heat Flux Through the Core of Exoplanet TRAPPIST-1h E. M. Lenhart, W. Yong, R. A. Secco https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009203 Mineralogically Diverse and Salt-Rich Regolith in Jezero Crater Characterized Using X-Ray Spectroscopy Andrew O. Shumway et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JE008912 Ancient Mars Climate With a Polar Ocean and Ice Sheet Dynamics Frederic Schmidt et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE008970 *********************************************************************** * 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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