Subject: [DPS Members] DPS Mailing #10-08: 238Pu letters... Issue 10-08, June 9th 2010 +-----------------------------CONTENTS--------------------------------+ 1) Note from the chair: 238Pu 2) Special Issue of Planetary and Space Science - "Titan Through Time" 3) Herschel Space Observatory Cycle-1 Announcement of Opportunity 4) Job Announcements +---------------------------------------------------------------------+ 1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1 NOTE FROM THE CHAIR: 238PU Members of the DPS Federal Relations Subcommittee and the DPS committee carried out our annual "Hill" visits May 13 to key members of Congress. We had two messages--restart domestic production of Pu238, and our concerns about R&A carry-over language. With regards to the production of Pu238, we are not out of the woods. We still need to convince the members of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water that this is a critical need right now--that NASA is already curtailing missions to the outer solar system, and anywhere else Pu238 is required (the New Frontiers 3 AO ruled out missions which require Pu238). In particular we need constituents of the following states to write letters: Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development: Dorgan (ND) Byrd (WV) Feinstein (CA) Bennett (UT) Hutchison (TX) Murray (WA) Bond (MO) Alexander (TN) Shelby (AL) Also, Johnson (SD), Cochran (MS), Harkin (IA), Landrieu (LA), Lautenberg (NJ), McConnell (KY), Reed (RI), Tester (MT), Voinovich (OH). If these are your representatives we need you to write: House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development: Visclosky (IN) Frelinghuysen (NJ) Edwards (MD) Pastor (AZ) Davis (TN) Or you live in these districts: IN-01, TX-17, AR-01, PA-02, NY-02, OH-17, MA-01, TN-04, CO-03, NJ-11, TN-03, ID-02, MT, CA-44 and LA-05. We have a handout that you may wish to send with your letter – the link to it is: http://dps.aas.org/public_policy/docs/DPS-Hill-Pu238_2010.pdf For more background and a letter template, see http://dps.aas.org/public_policy/docs/Pu-issue-letter Thanks for your efforts! Candy Hansen 2---------2---------2---------2---------2---------2---------2---------2 SPECIAL ISSUE OF PLANETARY AND SPACE SCIENCE - "TITAN THROUGH TIME" A special issue of the journal Planetary and Space Science is currently being arranged, on the theme of "Titan Through Time: Formation, Evolution and Fate". The issue was originally conceived to capture science presented at the recent workshop held at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, April 6-8th 2010, with the same name. However, the PSS special issue is open to any authors wishing to submit an original contribution related to the topic. The theme is interpreted in a broad sense, encouraging articles on not only Titan data analysis and modeling, but also progress in key related scientific areas such as laboratory experimentation, which having an important bearing on the interpretation of Titan's history on daily, seasonal, climatic and cosmological timescales. The deadline for article titles, author lists and abstracts (to conor.a.nixon@nasa.gov) is June 30th. First submission of the complete article is expected by August 31st: late submissions will be considered for a regular issue of PSS. Articles should adhere to regular PSS formatting, and authors will be informed of detailed submission instructions in July. We look forward to reviewing a wide range of contributions, and a very successful PSS Special Issue on this exciting and topical theme. Conor Nixon & Ralph Lorenz, Guest Editors. 3---------3---------3---------3---------3---------3---------3---------3 Herschel Space Observatory Cycle-1 Announcement of Opportunity NHSC Website: http://www.herschel.caltech.edu/ NHSC Astronomer's Website: http://nhscsci.ipac.caltech.edu/ The NASA Herschel Science Center is pleased to inform you of the release of the Cycle-1 Open Time Announcement of Opportunity for the Herschel Space Observatory. For US-based proposers there is an associated Call for Proposals from NASA for Herschel Data Analysis Funding of successful observing proposals. Please go to the following and included links for important additional information: https://nhscsci.ipac.caltech.edu/sc/index.php/Proposals The deadline for Herschel Proposals to ESA is 22 July 2010, 12:00 UT The deadline for NASA Funding Proposals is 2 August 2010, 5:00pm PDT Please see also: https://nhscsci.ipac.caltech.edu/sc/index.php/Main/HomePage for other announcements and information about a number of upcoming events, including Herschel at the Miami AAS meeting plus Observation Planning and Data Processing Schools coming up soon at the NHSC. In addition, we are happy to bring to your attention that all but one of the 99 talks and over 50 posters form the Herschel First Results Symposium are available online at: http://herschel.esac.esa.int/FirstResultsSymposium.shtml 5---------5---------5---------5---------5---------5---------5---------5 JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS 1) Postdoctoral Position in Planetary Geomorphology, University of Virginia Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research associate in modeling of planetary landscapes in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia. We seek applicants with an interest in analyzing and modeling the evolution of planetary landscapes on Mars, Titan, and the icy outer planet satellites. Research topics that may be investigated include simulation modeling of fluvial landform evolution on Mars and Titan, hydrology and climatology of early Mars, and evolution of outer planet icy satellite surfaces by volatile sublimation, condensation, and mass wasting. Field studies of terrestrial analogs of planetary surfaces may also be involved. Applicants must be proficient in quantitative analysis of geomorphic processes and must have experience with simulation model programming in one or more computer languages. A PhD in geology, environmental science, engineering, physics, planetary science or a related field is required at the time of appointment. A one year appointment is available, with the possibility of extension to a second and third year. The position is immediately available and will remain open until filled. To apply, please send a CV and letter of interest, along with contact information for two references, by email to Alan Howard (ah6p@virginia.edu). Alan D. Howard, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, 434-924-0563, http://erode.evsc.virginia.edu 2) Professorial Faculty Position at the University of Maryland The Astronomy Department of the University of Maryland at College Park seeks highly qualified candidates for a tenured professorial faculty position in observational/experimental planetary science. Strong preference will be given to candidates with interest and experience in playing a leading role in spacecraft missions, although exceptional applicants with experience in related areas of planetary science will also be considered. The successful candidate will have a strong international reputation as a leader in planetary science and an established, vigorous, externally funded research program. Demonstrated leadership skills are necessary, as the successful candidate will play a senior role in a strong planetary science group. The Astronomy Department has a major focus on comet and asteroid science, hosts the NASA Planetary Data System's Small Bodies Node, has recently led the Deep Impact space mission, and is currently leading the follow-up EPOXI mission. Further information about the position and the department can be found at http://www.astro.umd.edu/employment/. Interested candidates should forward a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and publication list to: Dr. Douglas Hamilton, Chair, Astronomy Search Committee, Department of Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-2421. For best consideration applications should be received by June 30, 2010. The University of Maryland is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. +---------------------------------------------------------------------+