PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 20, Number 45 (November 1, 2026) 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. Planetary Society Webinar: What the 2026 Election Results Mean for NASA 2. [NASA] Notice of Funding Opportunity: Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Basic Research 3. Pierazzo International Student Travel Award Applications Now Open 4. Assistant Professor in Earth and Planetary Sciences in Critical Minerals and Economic Geology 5. Five-Year Research Fellow Position in Space Physics 6. Open Postdoc Role in Solar System Bodies/Planetary Defense 7. Postdoctoral Research Associate in Planetary Atmospheric Science in Tucson, AZ 8. Graduate Positions at University of Alberta in Azari Research Group 9. Mars Climate Modeling Center (MCMC) Virtual Modeling Tutorial 10. OPAG October Letter 11. ExMAG 2026 Annual Meeting 12. Planetary Research Social Media Survey 13. Planetary Research: Call for Editors And Associate Editors 14. Earth Science Women's Network Free Virtual Event: The Importance of Lifting Each Other Up 15. [EGU 2027] EGU Session on Earth and Planetary Climate 16. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions 17. Planetary Science Journal - New Papers 18. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets - New Papers 19. Planetary Research - New Papers Commercial/Fundraising Announcements: C1. Commercial: Cabeus Explorer 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 PLANETARY SOCIETY WEBINAR: WHAT THE 2026 ELECTION RESULTS MEAN FOR NASA On Wednesday, November 4, at 12:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. ET, join Jack Kiraly, Chief of Advocacy at The Planetary Society, for a webinar on how the November 3 midterm election results will affect U.S. space policy. Topics include changes to the committees that oversee and fund NASA, prospects for the NASA authorization and FY 2027 appropriations before the December 11 funding deadline, and what to expect from the 120th Congress on NASA science. Results in some electoral contests may still be pending. The webinar will include audience Q&A. Register: https://tinyurl.com/yc78r72h Background reading: https://www.planetary.org/articles/space-in-the-2026-elections The Planetary Society is a nonpartisan nonprofit and does not endorse candidates. 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] NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (EPSCOR) BASIC RESEARCH The Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Basic Research is a NASA initiative through its Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM). This solicitation seeks proposals that are expected to establish research activities that will make significant contributions to NASA's strategic research and technology development priorities and contribute to the overall research infrastructure, science and technology capabilities of higher education and economic development of the jurisdiction receiving funding: https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/NNH27ZHA001C EPSCoR establishes partnerships with government, higher education and industry entities that are designed to effect lasting improvements in a state's or region's research infrastructure, research and development (R&D) capacity and hence, its national R&D competitiveness. Twenty-eight (28) jurisdictions including: Twenty-five (25) states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam currently participate in EPSCoR. Key dates: NOFO Released: October 27, 2026 Proposals Due: February 01, 2027 (11:59pm ET) Anticipated Notification of Award: July-September 2027 [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 PIERAZZO INTERNATIONAL STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN Each year, subject to receiving qualified applications, Planetary Science Institute bestows two awards: The first award supports a U.S.-based Ph.D. student to attend a planetary science-related conference or workshop located outside the U.S. The second award facilitates a non-U.S.-based Ph.D. student to attend a planetary science-related conference within the U.S. Eligible events include planetary-focused sessions at general meetings like AGU, DPS, GSA, EGU, and IAG. The event should be open to general participation by the planetary community. Each award offers a certificate and up to $2,500 in travel support, to be presented by a PSI representative at a scientific conference or meeting. We believe these awards can foster international collaboration and broaden the horizons of aspiring planetary scientists. For more information, go to: https://www.psi.edu/pierazzo-award/ Applications are now open for meetings occurring in calendar 2027. The application window closes at 9 PM MST, November 24, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. Award winners will be announced on or before December 6. 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 ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCES IN CRITICAL MINERALS AND ECONOMIC GEOLOGY The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) at the University of Texas at San Antonio invites applications for a tenure-track position in Critical Minerals/Economic Geology at the Assistant Professor rank starting in Fall 2027. The successful candidate's research will address fundamental questions about the formation, exploration, extraction and sustainability of mineral resources, broadly defined, on Earth and/or in space. Research may be field-based, analytical, experimental, theoretical, or use geospatial technologies, and should complement one or more of the department's existing strengths in geochemistry, geoinformatics, planetary science, volcanology, and water cycle science. The successful candidate will have (1) a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Geological Sciences, or a related field, by the time of employment; (2) a record of scholarship and advancing research in the broad area of economic geology and mineralogy, or a closely related field; and (3) demonstrated excellence or strong potential to teach across curriculum at the graduate and undergraduate levels, including Mineralogy, and to effectively mentor BS, MS and PhD students in their research area. Review of applications will begin November 15, 2026 and continue until filled. Department information: https://www.utsa.edu/sciences/earth-planetary-sciences/ Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/bdfcdz95 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 FIVE-YEAR RESEARCH FELLOW POSITION IN SPACE PHYSICS The University of Warwick's Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics (CFSA) is seeking to appoint a Research Fellow for a five-year research programme focused on modelling Earth's magnetosphere and radiation belts. The successful candidate will develop and apply magnetospheric, ring current, and radiation belt simulations, investigating the dynamics and coupling of these regions during geomagnetic activity. The role offers an exciting opportunity to work at the interface of space plasma physics, computational modelling, and space-weather science, within a collaborative research environment. This is part of a five-year multi-institution STFC-funded project entitled: "why is the response of Earth's outer radiation belt to solar wind driving so hard to predict?" involving close collaboration with Northumbria University and University of Birmingham. In addition to conducting original research, there will be opportunity to contribute to the supervision of PhD students within the research group as well as research grant development and capture. Promotion to Assistant Professor is a realistic expectation within the five-year project timeframe, subject to satisfactory performance and progress. The position is expected to start in April 2027. Please submit an application by November 19, 2026, to ensure full consideration. Full details: https://tinyurl.com/mwhfpv9y [Edited for length] 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 OPEN POSTDOC ROLE IN SOLAR SYSTEM BODIES/PLANETARY DEFENSE The purpose of the position is to train a postdoctoral researcher to conceive, plan, and conduct specialized research related to small Solar System bodies and planetary defense. The incumbent conducts research aimed at improving the scientific understanding, observation, characterization, and follow-up of near-Earth objects and other small bodies relevant to planetary defense. The incumbent works with scientists at the Minor Planet Center and across the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and contributes to the development of methods and scientific resources that connect astrometric and orbital information with follow-up observations and physical characterization. For more information, please see the official job ad: https://tinyurl.com/fudvy53x 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 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE IN PLANETARY ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE IN TUCSON, AZ Vacancy terms: Full-time, 2+1 years Advert closes: 22 November 2026 Enquiries: tommik@arizona.edu https://aas.org/jobregister/ad/1a7777a5 University of Arizona position number: req27228 The Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL) at the University of Arizona invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the field of Solar System planetary science. The successful applicant will join the Planetary Atmospheres and Titan & Outer Solar System groups: https://www.lpl.arizona.edu/research They will work in collaboration with Dr. Tommi Koskinen on the analysis and interpretation of Cassini, Voyager, ground-based, and HST observations of the upper atmospheres of Saturn, Titan, and Uranus. These observations provide unprecedented constraints on composition, energy deposition, dynamics, and seasonal change. The results will also support planning for a future mission to Uranus. 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 GRADUATE POSITIONS AT UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA IN AZARI RESEARCH GROUP Graduate positions for incoming MSc and PhD students are available at the University of Alberta (UoA) for Fall 2027 entry in AI/ML for space science and exploration in the Azari Research Group (ARG). UoA ranks in the top ten for AI research globally and is co-located with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii). Amii researchers are known for their development of reinforcement learning including recent recognition of the Turing Award. The UoA also has one of the largest and oldest space physics programs in Canada with research in planetary magnetospheres, space weather, magnetohydrodynamics, and fundamental plasma physics. It is a founding member of Space Environment Canada, one of the foremost ground-based array for space physics in the world. ARG intersects these areas with an emerging group in AI for scientific insight in planetary space physics, supporting over a dozen early career individuals to form a rich ecosystem of cutting-edge research in emerging technology areas. Successful candidates will be funded through a combination of research and teaching fellowships. Applicants should plan to apply by December 1, 2026 for the widest consideration. Project descriptions and application details can be found at: https://abbyazari.github.io/join/ 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 MARS CLIMATE MODELING CENTER (MCMC) VIRTUAL MODELING TUTORIAL The Mars Climate Modeling Center at NASA Ames Research Center will host a virtual modeling tutorial January 26-29, 2027. The tutorial will contain three parts. The first part will focus on teaching users how to interact with and download model output using the MCMC's Model Webserver, an online tool that interfaces with publicly available Mars GCM output on the NAS Data Portal. The second part guides users through analyzing model output with the Community Analysis Pipeline (CAP), an open-source python-based analysis toolkit accessed via the command line. The third part will delve into the FV3-based Mars GCM, explaining how to download, install, set up, and run the model for custom simulations. The tutorial will include lectures and hands-on sessions using the Science Cloud: https://smce.nasa.gov/ Access to the Science Cloud will be provided. Students, teachers, and researchers with a range of numerical modeling experiences are encouraged to participate. The number of participants we can accommodate is limited to 25, and we will be accepting registrants on a first-come-first-served basis. More information and registration are available at: https://forms.gle/g1omzM9BjscfPXRH7 Learn more about the MCMC here: https://tinyurl.com/yc2v27fb Contact us here with any questions or comments: https://forms.gle/NUuAt1avKrqG6Aiq7 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 OPAG OCTOBER LETTER At the link below, please find the OPAG October Letter from the Co-Chairs. Please note the Call for OPAG Steering Committee members. Applications are open and will be accepted through December 18. We look forward to working with you! https://planetarynews.org/opag/OPAG_Letter_to_Community_Oct2026.pdf 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 EXMAG 2026 ANNUAL MEETING This is a friendly reminder that the ExMAG 2026 Annual Meeting will take place virtually on November 3 (US time) and November 4 (Asia time). The meeting will include two sessions optimized for different time zones. The final agenda is available here: https://tinyurl.com/2jam2c6a If you plan to attend, please register here: https://tinyurl.com/ye2x4t2k Please note that meeting links will be shared only with registered participants. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting! 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 RESEARCH SOCIAL MEDIA SURVEY The Planetary Research journal (https://planetary-research.org/) would like to better understand how planetary scientists use social media to discover research, share their work, and connect with colleagues. We invite you to complete a short survey (less than 3 minutes, no login required): https://forms.solarsystem.tools/planetary-research-journal-survey Your responses will help our new, community-oriented journal better engage with and serve the planetary science community. Thank you for your participation! Best regards, The Planetary Research Media Team For questions or comments, please contact Henry Manelski (henry.manelski@uni-muenster.de) 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 RESEARCH: CALL FOR EDITORS AND ASSOCIATE EDITORS Planetary Research is a community run diamond open access journal where authors pay no fees and all articles are free to access. The journal was launched on January 1 of this year and after receiving about 70 submissions, the journal is now looking to expand its expertise base. The journal is inviting applications for new editors and associate editors in the following areas: - Geology (including mapping and surface processes) - Magnetospheres and exospheres (in particular, their interaction with planetary bodies) - Solid earth geophysics (everything, excluding mantle convection and thermal evolution) - Remote sensing (all fields that complement the current editorial board) - Missions and instrumentation (such as instrument and mission design and the relation to scientific objectives) Though we are primarily interested in selecting new editors, we will also consider applications at the level of associate editor. Prior editorial experience is desired, but not required. Interested candidates should send a letter of motivation to Mark Wieczorek (chair of the search committee, editor-in-chief@planetary-research.org). Applications received before December 15 will receive full consideration. 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 EARTH SCIENCE WOMEN'S NETWORK FREE VIRTUAL EVENT: THE IMPORTANCE OF LIFTING EACH OTHER UP Throughout our careers, it is hugely important for all in our community to look out for each other. You never know when someone is in need of a boost, whether personally or professionally. We must act as mentors, sponsors and allies toward each other and elevate each other as we climb and move between different spaces. This is even more important for those from historically marginalised identities, and for those from over-represented groups to support even more. ESWN is organising a webinar focused on these concepts, aimed at researchers and professionals from all career levels and sectors on Wednesday December 2, 2026 at 1700 UTC. Through this webinar we aim to highlight good practices in allyship, sponsorship and mentorship, drawing on insights and experiences of different individuals located internationally. We hope to educate, empower and inspire the ESWN community, as well as provide support. Register here: https://forms.gle/BZ5LiZ5DoRhQUyBz9 The webinar is designed as a panel event with multiple speakers and held virtually using Zoom. More details will be released on the ESWN website, and on our social media channels! https://eswnonline.org/ 15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15 [EGU 2027] EGU SESSION ON EARTH AND PLANETARY CLIMATE Are you exploring climate across Earth and other planets? Then our EGU session might be for you. We aim to bring together experts to discuss the fundamental physics of climate. Subtopics include radiation, dynamics, convection, atmospheric chemistry and aerosols, including observables and experiments. The session draws on the hierarchical nature of focusing on physics and we welcome submissions using analytic theory, EBMs, 1-D RCE models, idealized GCMs, cloud-resolving models, 3-D GCMs, experiments, and observations. For more information, check out our session description: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU27/session/60505 Planetary Climates: From Earth to other Planets (PS5.3) EGU abstract submission: 28 October 2026 to 12 January 2027, 13:00 CET EGU 2027 General Assembly, Vienna, Austria & Online, 4-9 April 2027 Conveners: Jakob Snoeink, Daniel Koll, Mei Ting Mak, Thaddeus D. Komacek, M. J. Way We look forward to your contributions and interesting discussions in Vienna! 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 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 3, 2026 EXMAG 2026 Annual Meeting https://tinyurl.com/ye2x4t2k Online January 25-29, 2027 The Roadmap to Planets: Physical Processes Across Evolutionary Stages in Star and Planet Formation https://sites.google.com/view/theroadmaptoplanets/home-page Ringberg Castle, Germany June 7-11, 2027 The 24th International Planetary Probe Workshop and Short Course (IPPW 2027) https://ippw2027.org Glasgow, United Kingdom July 26-30, 2027 TESS Science Conference IV (TSC4) https://tsc.mit.edu/2027/ Cambridge, MA August 2-13, 2027 JWST Summer School II: Exoplanet Transits, Eclipses, and Phase Curves with JWST https://tinyurl.com/3tajnuez Baltimore, MD 17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17 PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL - NEW PAPERS Direct Links to Open Access Papers Editor, Brian Jackson https://psj.aas.org Coupled Evolution of Earth's H2-rich Proto-atmosphere and Oxidized Magma Ocean: Efficient H2 Production through Dissolved H2 Transport and Atmospheric Buffering of the Magma Ocean Redox State Tatsuya Yoshida et al. 2026 PSJ 7:242 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/aeb09d Temporal Variability of Titan's Middle-atmospheric Zonal Winds from Southern Fall to Late Winter (2016-2023) Martin A. Cordiner et al. 2026 PSJ 7:243 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/aeb004 Energetic Neutral Atoms and Ion Precipitation onto the Upper Atmosphere of Venus Lorenzo Obersnel et al. 2026 PSJ 7:244 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/aeada1 Inclination of Miranda as a Constraint on the Tidal Dissipation of Uranus Maryame El Moutamid and Matija Cuk 2026 PSJ 7:245 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/aeac4d Lunar Geochemistry from X-Ray Line Flux Ratios Using CLASS on Chandrayaan-2 R. Kumar et al. 2026 PSJ 7:246 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/aeb09a New Insights into Venus's Volatile Cycles Revealed by the Formation of Magnesite and Fluoro-Micas Sara Taeko Port et al. 2026 PSJ 7:247 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/aea909 Longitudinal Distribution of Io's Dayside Atmospheric Density Rohini S. Giles et al. 2026 PSJ 7:248 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/aeb269 Lunar Dielectric Analyzer (LDA) for the Artemis First Landing Mission: Instrument Design and Operational Concept for In Situ Permittivity Measurements Makito Kobayashi et al. 2026 PSJ 7:249 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/aeaff9 18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18 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 Laboratory Experiments Identify Meteoritic Organic Precursors for Chlorinated Compounds Detected by the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) Instrument at Gale Crater A. Mojarro et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2026JE009985 Characterization of the Small-Scale UV Contrasts at Low Latitudes of Venus as Seen by the UVI Camera Onboard Akatsuki Hyeonju Kang, Yeon Joo Lee, Atsushi Yamazaki https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009476 Variability of Bright Deposits in North Polar Residual Ice Cap Craters on Mars G. K. Shore et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2026JE009888 19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19 PLANETARY RESEARCH - NEW PAPERS Direct Links to Diamond Open Access Papers Editor-in-Chief, Mark A. Wieczorek https://planetary-research.org Super-resolution maps of icy moons: Application to the Cassini-VIMS observations of Enceladus with updated navigation and photometric correction C. Ntinos et al. https://doi.org/10.53480/arz2-gn59 C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1 COMMERCIAL: CABEUS EXPLORER The Moon is an emerging market. And Cabeus Explorer is its front page. Cabeus Explorer powered by Potomac Database Systems is the publication for the people building, financing and securing a permanent American presence beyond Earth. Cabeus Explorer covers the companies, technologies and decisions shaping the next industrial frontier. A permanent presence on the Moon requires power, communications, transportation and customers. We examine who is building that infrastructure, who is buying it and what must happen before a technical capability becomes a viable market. Subscribe for free at: https://cabeusexplorer.substack.com/ Questions? kevin@cabeusexplorer.com *********************************************************************** * 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. Go to https://planetarynews.org/submission.html for * complete submission directions. * * PEN is a service provided by the Planetary Science Institute * (https://www.psi.edu) using no NASA funds. All editorial work is * volunteer. ***********************************************************************