Issue 17-27, July 9, 2017
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- MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR: DPS ELECTIONS AND 2017 AAS BY-LAWS VOTING
- AGU SESSION 23711: GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS OF SMALL SOLAR SYSTEM BODIES
- AGU SESSION 23322: DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HABITABLE EXOPLANETS: PROGRESS AND FUTURE
- AGU SESSION 24396: THE ORIGIN, EVOLUTION, AND FATE OF COMETS: NEW INFORMATION FROM ROSETTA (P044)
- SHOEMAKER IMPACT CRATERING AWARD DEADLINE
- JWST SOLAR SYSTEM OBSERVATION PLANNING WORKSHOPS
- JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR: DPS ELECTIONS AND 2017 AAS BY-LAWS VOTING
Greetings, I hope this message finds you enjoying your summer and I hope it
includes focused time for scientific exploration as well as time off with friends
and family. I write now to remind you that July is voting time for DPS members.
Please vote for DPS Vice-Chair and DPS committee members. You’ll need your
AAS membership number and password to vote.
While you are voting, it is also important to cast your vote related to
AAS 2017 Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. The AAS Governance Task
Force chaired by former AAS President, David Helfand, has worked hard in the
past year to make AAS governance more efficient, transparent and involving
Divisions and Committees more directly in the course of Society business. You
may view the new documents at https://vote.aas.org/ballot/ballot_view/38 where
you will also need your AAS membership number and password to vote.
As always, I am available to discuss issues related to the Division for Planetary Sciences.
Lucy McFadden
DPS Chair
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AGU SESSION 23711: GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS OF SMALL SOLAR SYSTEM BODIES
Abstract deadline: August 2, 2017
https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm17/preliminaryview.cgi/Session23711
We invite you to submit your abstract to our session to be held at the Fall 2017
AGU Meeting, described below:
The composition and physical properties of Small Solar System Bodies (SSSBs),
remnants of the formation of planets, are key to better understand our solar system.
Increased knowledge of their surface properties and their potential as resources are
also necessary to prepare for robotic and human exploration. Hints about the
internal structure and composition of SSSBs have been acquired recently thanks
to flyby/rendezvous data from space missions, study of complex multiple asteroid
systems, or close encounter between asteroids. This session welcomes abstracts on
the results bringing information on the geophysical processed, the internal structure
and the composition of SSSBs based on space and ground-based data, numerical
models, as well as instrument/mission concepts in the prospect of future exploration.
Franck Marchis (SETI Institute)
Amanda Hendrix (PSI)
Julie C. Castillo (JPL)
Krishan K. Khurana (UCLA)
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AGU SESSION 23322: DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HABITABLE
EXOPLANETS: PROGRESS AND FUTURE
Abstract deadline: August 2, 2017
https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm17/preliminaryview.cgi/Session23322
We invite you to submit your abstract to our session to be held at the Fall 2017
AGU Meeting, described below:
This session consists in a discussion on the potential of new and future facilities
and modeling efforts designed to detect, image and characterize habitable exoplanets,
studying their formation, evolution and also the existence of possible biospheres.
Topics to be covered in this session include signs of exoplanet habitability and
global biosignatures that can be sought with upcoming instrumentation; instrument
requirements and technologies to detect these markers; strategies for target selection
and prioritization; and impacts of planetary system properties, ground-based and
space telescope architectures, and impacts of instrument capabilities on the yield
of potentially inhabited exoplanets.
Franck Marchis (SETI Institute)
Douglas A. Caldwell (SETI Institute)
Ramses M. Ramirez (Cornell University)
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AGU SESSION 24396: THE ORIGIN, EVOLUTION AND FATE OF COMETS:
NEW INFORMATION FROM ROSETTA (P044)
Comets are among the primitive building blocks of the planets, but as they enter
into the inner Solar System, they become dynamical bodies, almost transient in
nature. Some comets have broken up completely (S/L-9 for example), while
others have given up a little of themselves. The recent and up-close study of
67/P Churyumov –Gerassimenko during its 2015 perihelion passage has revealed
in close detail the types of changes comets undergo as they are heated by the sun.
This session will cover the dynamical nature of the nucleus and coma of 67P/
as seen from Rosetta and ground-based observations. The session will also
include comparisons between the results from Rosetta and other missions on
how comets evolve through time. Broader topics such as the chemistry of
comets and what that reveals about their origin and diversity are also welcome.
Convenors: Bonnie J Buratti, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California
Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States; Mathieu Choukroun,
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, United States and Matt Taylor,
European Space Agency, Villanueva De La Can, Spain
https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm17/preliminaryview.cgi/Session24396
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SHOEMAKER IMPACT CRATERING AWARD DEADLINE
Dear Colleagues,
Applications for the GSA Planetary Geology Division’s Eugene M. Shoemaker
Impact Cratering Award are due August 25, 2017.
The Eugene M. Shoemaker Impact Cratering Award is for undergraduate or
graduate students, of any nationality, working in any country, in the disciplines
of geology, geophysics, geochemistry, astronomy, or biology. The award, which
will include $2500, is to be applied for the study of impact craters, either on Earth
or on the other solid bodies in the solar system. Areas of study may include but
shall not necessarily be limited to impact cratering processes; the bodies (asteroidal
or cometary) that make the impacts; or the geological, chemical, or biological
results of impact cratering. Details about the award as well as an application form
for interested students can be found at
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/science/kring/Awards/Shoemaker_Award/
Thank you,
David A. Kring, Ph.D.
Center for Lunar Science & Exploration: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/nlsi/
USRA – Lunar and Planetary Institute
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JWST SOLAR SYSTEM OBSERVATION PLANNING WORKSHOPS
Two 2.5 day workshops will be held this Fall for those interested in
proposing solar system observations with the James Webb Space Telescope
(JWST). The first (Nov. 13-15, 2017) will be at the Space Telescope
Science Institute (STScI), in Baltimore Maryland. The second (Dec.
13-15, 2017) will be held at the European Space Research Technology
Center (ESTEC), in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
Each workshop will include a mixture of presentations about
the promise of JWST for solar system science, specifics on observer
planning tools and observatory capabilities, and hands-on training
and Q&A with the planning tools. Observations of solar system targets
approved for guaranteed-time observers (GTOs) and through the Early
Release Science (ERS) program will be summarized. The workshop is
timed to support JWST cycle-1 open time proposals, which are expected
to be due in February, 2018.
To express interest in either or both of these workshops and receive
future emails, please send a blank email as follows.
STScI workshop:
To: [email protected]
ESTEC Workshop:
To: [email protected]
As further details become available, they can be found here:
STScI workshop:
http://tinyurl.com/JWST-SS-Workshop
ESTEC Workshop:
https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/jwst-ssws-2017
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JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES
A) SENIOR SUPPORT SCIENTIST, NASA ASTROPHYSICS DIVISION
Arctic Slope Technical Services (ASTS) is seeking a Senior (Sr.) Support
Scientist to support programs in the Astrophysics Division (APD) of NASA’s
Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters.
Roles/Responsibilities:
The full time Sr. Support Scientist will have the following major roles in the
execution of his/her duties in this position.
The Sr. Support Scientist has broad responsibility for developing and maintaining
scientific research grants programs; serving as the Headquarters science lead for
one or more missions; and overseeing NASA’s concept studies for the 2020 Decadal
Survey.
The position may involve work in multiple areas of the Astrophysics Division
activities, which include the following:
Carry out the functions of Program Scientist for an operating mission, ensuring
that Guest Observer programs are properly managed, and that data flows for the
benefit of the science community;
Carry out the functions of Program Scientist for a mission under development,
providing scientific leadership to the mission by assuring that the mission leads
to the science objectives being met and providing leadership for project science
teams and science competitions;
Carry out the functions of Discipline Scientist for a research and analysis program,
assisting in the conduct of peer reviews, recommending portfolios of proposals for
selection, and ensuring the health of an astrophysics discipline; and
Carry out the functions of Program Scientist for a mission concept study, ensuring
that compelling and executable mission concepts are prepared for the 2020 decadal
Survey;
In addition to the above tasks, the Sr. Support Scientist will be expected to be
available during business hours, be responsive to management and to proposers,
attend appropriate NASA meetings, and perform other science duties as assigned,
including travel to attend scientific and or management meetings, and bilateral
and other international meetings.
It is expected that the position will be located at NASA HQ.
Summary of Requirements:
- Demonstrated experience in the science operations of NASA Astrophysics missions.
- A Ph.D. or equivalent Advanced Degree in Astrophysics, together with at least 10 years of relevant scientific research work experience.
- Disciplinary expertise in one or more areas of the astrophysics program (e.g., theory, data analysis, technology and instrument development, mission formulation and development).
- Experience in the development of international space science partnerships is preferred
- Strong written and interpersonal communication skills.
- The candidate must be able to pass a basic background screening for admission into a Federal facility.
The selected Sr. Support Scientist will be required to sign a non-disclosure
agreement (NDA) and strictly adhere to a conflict of interest avoidance and
mitigation plan. It is expected that the Sr. Support Scientist will not participate
in the development of or be a member on proposal teams. The Sr. Support Scientist
must openly disclose and identify any and all matters that give rise to a potential
conflict of interest. This includes the appearance of bias created by involvement
of a spouse or family member in any part of the proposal process. The candidate
must identify any recent employment and science collaborations that present a
potential conflict of interest and/or may create an appearance of bias towards
certain proposers.
If interested in applying, go to:
http://www.asrcfederal.com/careers/jobs, type in 17001368 in the Job Number field
and click the “Search for Jobs” button. At this site, you can read the position
description as well as apply on-line.
B) POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE IN NEAR EARTH OBJECTS
AT LAS CUMBRES OBSERVATORY
Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) and University of California, Santa Barbara
(UCSB) seek a postdoctoral scientist to work on the follow up of Near Earth
Objects (NEOs) and the creation of a citizen science program. The ideal candidate
should have demonstrated expertise in observations of Solar System objects and
experience with software development, although candidates from other astrophysical
fields with a software background are also encouraged.
This position is funded by a grant from NASA to:
1) develop and exploit the LCO global network of robotic telescopes for NEO follow-up;
2) lead photometric and spectroscopic characterization of NEOs; and
3) assist in the creation of a web-based citizen science environment for Solar System
investigations by the general public.
LCO currently operates ten 1 meter and two 2 meter robotic telescopes, which
will be used in this program. The 2 meter Faulkes Telescopes in Haleakala, Hawaii,
and Siding Spring, Australia feature both imagers and robotic FLOYDS low-resolution
spectrographs. The 1 meter telescopes have imagers and are located at McDonald
Observatory in Texas, CTIO in Chile, Siding Spring in Australia, and SAAO in
South Africa.
Applicants should submit a CV, cover letter, and research statement, and should
arrange to have three letters of reference sent to [email protected]. Applications
complete by August 4, 2017 will receive full consideration and the preferred start
date is October 1, 2017. A Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or a related discipline is
required. The term of this position is 1 year, with a possibility of extension pending
a successful funding outcome.
Applications should be sent to Sarah Rettinger ([email protected]); inquiries can
be sent to Dr. Tim Lister ([email protected])
C) PROGRAM COORDINATOR EDUCATION AND PUBLIC OUTREACH
New Mexico State University is seeking a program coordinator to manage the
education and public outreach program at the Sunspot Astronomy Visitor’s Center.
Duties include: Oversees operations of public access to exhibits and daily tours
around Sunspot Observatories. Initiates and provides local tours, plans and
operates star parties: Coordinates visits from local schools and interested groups;
Ensures visitor center facility is staffed during operational periods for visitors
and tours as needed; Develops a business plan to ensure visitor center solvency;
Manages gift shop including stock ordering, pricing and design and/or selection
of gift shop merchandise; Manages exhibits including coordination of repairs
and updates as needed; Responsible for fiscal management of Visitor’s Center;
and may require grant writing and cooperative agreements with other local tourist
attractions and of state and federal agencies. Manage staff as required.
A bachelor’s degree and/or a strong background in and knowledge of astronomy
is preferred.
Job Closing Date: 08/31/2017
Targeted Start Date: 10/01/2017
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Send submissions to:
Anne Verbiscer, DPS Secretary ([email protected])
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