Subject: [DPS Members] DPS Mailing #10-03: DPS 2010, Prize reminder, Decadal... Issue 10-03, February 26th 2010 +-----------------------------CONTENTS--------------------------------+ 1) DPS Meeting 2010: Website now available 2) DPS Prize Nomination Reminder 3) Decadal Survey Update 4) 2010B NASA Keck Call For Proposals 5) Job Announcements 6) Upcoming Meetings +---------------------------------------------------------------------+ 1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1 DPS MEETING 2010: WEBSITE NOW AVAILABLE The 2010 DPS meeting will be held in Pasadena, California, from October 4-8 2010. The web site is now up and running: see http://dps.aas.org/meetings/2010/index.shtml The website will be continually updated between now and the meeting. 2---------2---------2---------2---------2---------2---------2---------2 DPS PRIZE NOMINATION REMINDER A reminder that nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 DPS Prizes. See http://dps.aas.org/prizes/ for details of the prizes, and nomination procedures. The deadline for nominations is April 16th 2010. 3---------3---------3---------3---------3---------3---------3---------3 DECADAL SURVEY UPDATE This is an abstract of Steve Squyres' latest message to the community regarding the planetary decadal survey, dated January 28th 2010. The full text of this newsletter is at: http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/CurrentProjects/ssb_052412#letters Dear Colleague: This is the fifth newsletter to the community regarding SolarSystem2012, the planetary science decadal survey. The key points in this newsletter are these: 1. Assessment by the panels of the key science goals for the coming decade is nearing completion. 2. The Steering Group has identified and focused on several important crosscutting issues, including launch vehicle costs, availability of plutonium-238, and mission-related technology development. 3. Our studies of candidate missions are proceeding well. Several recent changes to the list of studies have been made. 4. Decadal survey sessions are planned for the upcoming LPSC and AbSciCon meetings. As always, more details, including archived webcasts of meetings, agendas for past and future meetings, and materials presented to the Steering Group and panels, are available at the SolarSystem2012 website: http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/CurrentProjects/ssb_052412 Best wishes, Steve Squyres SolarSystem2012 Chair 4---------4---------4---------4---------4---------4---------4---------4 2010B NASA KECK CALL FOR PROPOSALS NASA is soliciting proposals to use the Keck Telescopes for the 2010B observing semester (August 2010 - January 2011). NASA intends the use of the Keck telescopes to be highly strategic in support of on-going missions and/or high priority, long term science goals. Thus NASA Headquarters has opened up the NASA Keck call to a wide range of disciplines including exoplanets and solar system topics, galactic and extragalactic topics as well as cosmology and high energy astrophysics. In addition, an identified Key Science project for 2010B is in support of the CoRoT mission. The 2010B call includes proposals for CoRoT Key Science as well as proposals in the following discipline areas: (1) investigations in support of EXOPLANET EXPLORATION science goals and missions; (2) investigations of our own SOLAR SYSTEM; (3) investigations in support of COSMIC ORIGINS science goals and missions; (4) investigations in support of PHYSICS OF THE COSMOS science goals and missions; and (5) direct MISSION SUPPORT. The proposal process is being handled by the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI) at Caltech and all proposals are due on 11 March 2010 at 4 pm PST. Please see the website http://nexsci.caltech.edu/missions/KeckSolicitation/index.shtml for further information. Questions not answered on these pages can be directed to KeckCFP@ipac.caltech.edu . 5---------5---------5---------5---------5---------5---------5---------5 JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS 1) Tenure-Track Research Position - Lowell Observatory http://www.lowell.edu/employment/ Lowell Observatory invites applications for one or more tenure-track research positions in astronomy, astrophysics, or planetary science. Over the next several years, Lowell expects to expand its scientific and engineering staff to maximize the scientific potential of the 4.2-meter Discovery Channel Telescope. We seek individuals with demonstrated records of research accomplishment and clear evidence or potential for obtaining independent grant support. A Ph.D. in astronomy, planetary science, or a closely related field is required. All areas of astronomical and planetary research will be considered. Individuals with background and interest in instrument development are encouraged to apply. Applications from candidates at all career levels will be considered. See the Lowell web site at http://www.lowell.edu for more information about the DCT and Lowell facilities and information on how to apply. Application deadline is 15 March 2010. 2) Commissioning Scientist Discovery Channel Telescope - Lowell Observatory http://www.lowell.edu/employment/ Lowell Observatory invites applications for a Commissioning Scientist for the 4.2-meter Discovery Channel Telescope. Candidates should be an active research astronomer with a PhD and a proven track record of obtaining external funding, and with broad experience in the operation of large telescopes and astronomical instrumentation. Working with Lowell engineering and instrument staff, the Commissioning Scientist will oversee the DCT commissioning process from first light to full science operations, including setting priorities for integration and commissioning of telescope pointing, open- and closed-loop performance of the active optics system, telescope subsystems, and first light instrumentation. See http://www.lowell.edu for more information about the position and how to apply. Application deadline is 31 March 2010. 3) JAXA International Top Young Fellowship in FY2010 The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) offers scientists and engineers in aerospace an opportunity to conduct research into the scientific and technical aspects of space. Examples of possible research topics include: * Structure and origin of the universe * Formation of the earth and solar system * Utilization of the space environment for microgravity experiments * Engineering and technology development for the exploitation of space See http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/researchers/young-fellowship/ Application deadline is April 20th 2010. 4) Postdoctoral Research Associate, Yale University - The QUEST search for Planets and Transients See http://hepwww.physics.yale.edu/quest/sedna/job/ Application deadline is April 1st 2010. 6---------6---------6---------6---------6---------6---------6---------6 UPCOMING MEETINGS 1) Meteoroids 2010, Breckenridge, Colorado, May 24-28 2010 http://www.cora.nwra.com/Meteoroids2010/ 2) Io workshop, Provo, Utah, May 25-26, 2010 http://pirlwww.lpl.arizona.edu/~jani/ioworkshop2010/ 3) 2010 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Workshop, Caltech, Pasadena, July 26-30, 2010 http://nexsci.caltech.edu/workshop/2010/ The 2010 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Workshop: "Stars as Homes for Habitable Planetary Systems", will take place on the Caltech campus July 26 - 30. With results from missions such as CoRoT and Kepler, we are learning more about planetary host stars. This timely workshop will consist of a series of tutorial and scientific lectures covering theory and observations of stars and their potentially habitable planetary systems. More information, including a draft agenda and instructions on applying for financial assistance to attend the workshop (applications due March 5), can be found on the workshop website. For questions, email: sagan_workshop@ipac.caltech.edu +---------------------------------------------------------------------+