Category: Uncategorized

Issue 17-17, April 20, 2017

 

+————————————CONTENTS—————————————-+

1. MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR: THE MARCH FOR SCIENCE SATURDAY APRIL 22, 2017
2. MESSAGE FROM THE DPS FEDERAL RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
3. COMMUNITY NOTICE: NEW PDS NODE URLS
4. ROADMAPS TO OCEAN WORLDS (ROW) TOWNHALL AT ABSCICON
5. LUNAR AND SMALL BODIES GRADUATE CONFERENCE 2017-ANNOUNCEMENT AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE JUNE 2
6. UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS

+——————————————————————————————–+

 

 

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR: THE MARCH FOR SCIENCE 

SATURDAY APRIL 22, 2017

 

I’m marching for science on Saturday April 22, 2017 in Washington, DC, to 

ensure that knowledge derived from scientific investigation is included in 

policy deliberations. I invite you to join me by meeting at AAS offices 

before the march https://aas.org/marchforscience.  Can’t make it to DC? 

Explore satellite marches across the US and world wide 

https://www.marchforscience.com/satellite-marches/

 

Consider participating in the AAS’s social media campaign by writing one 

or two sentences about why science is important to you and include a picture.

https://aas.org/content/aasmarches-social-media-campaign. 

 

Hope to see you at the march!

 

Lucy McFadden

DPS Chair

 

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2

MESSAGE FROM THE DPS FEDERAL RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

 

On 6-7 April 2017, our AAS/DPS Federal Relations Subcommittee (FRS) visited 

Capitol Hill to advocate for planetary science and to educate congressional 

representatives and staffers about our organization. The FRS conducts one or 

more such visits each year in consultation and coordination with AAS Public 

Policy and the Committee on Astronomy and Public Policy.

 

These visits are typically most effective in the spring when budget priorities

are being established between the executive and legislative branches — although 

this transition year is atypical; refer to 

https://aas.org/policy-resources/information-about-relevant-policies-115th-congress.

This year our DPS subcommittee met with 7 key offices in various states, including 

California, Maryland, Texas, Colorado, and Georgia.

 

During these visits we offered our thanks to the Congressman either directly 

or through the staff member we me with for their interest and support of space 

sciences. We expressed excitement about the President’s proposed fiscal year 

(FY) 2018 budget of $1.93 billion for NASA’s Planetary Science division, 

while also communicating concern about maintaining a balance across all 

disciplines at NASA — to be specific, across the Planetary Science, Earth 

Science, Heliophysics, and Astrophysics divisions — in order to achieve the 

goals prioritized in the Decadal Surveys.

 

Many staffers were interested to learn about the total solar eclipse on August 21. 

We pointed them to the AAS Eclipse website (https://eclipse.aas.org) and 

encouraged them to participate in local events in their home districts. 

Find more information about FRS activities at public_policy.

 

Kurt Retherford, AAS/DPS Federal Relations Subcommittee Chair

Heather Bloemhard, AAS Bahcall Fellow

 

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3

COMMUNITY NOTICE: NEW PDS NODE URLS

 

Due to evolving government cybersecurity requirements, the Internet addresses 

(URLs) of five Discipline Nodes of the Planetary Data System (PDS) have changed. 

The new URLs are:

 

Node:                                                    URL is now:

Atmospheres                                         http://pds-atmospheres.nmsu.edu

Geosciences                                          http://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu

Planetary Plasma Interactions              http://pds-ppi.igpp.ucla.edu

Ring-Moon Systems                             http://pds-rings.seti.org

Small Bodies                                        https://pds-smallbodies.astro.umd.edu

 

The URLs for the Engineering and Management Nodes, and the Navigation and 

Ancillary Information Facility have not changed.

 

The PDS apologizes for any disruptions that these changes cause.

 

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4

ROADMAPS TO OCEAN WORLDS (ROW) TOWNHALL AT ABSCICON

 

The Roadmaps to Ocean Worlds (ROW) team was chartered by OPAG to 

identify science objectives for Ocean Worlds and to design a roadmap (or 

roadmaps) to explore these worlds to address the identified science objectives. 

We will be holding a ROW townhall at AbSciCon (Monday, April 24, 12:15-1:15PM) 

to share our progress and allow for astrobiology community input. 

We hope to see you there!

Amanda Hendrix ([email protected])
Terry Hurford ([email protected])

 

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5

LUNAR AND SMALL BODIES GRADUATE CONFERENCE 2017- 

ANNOUNCEMENT AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE JUNE 2

 

Registration is now open for the 8th Annual Lunar and Small Bodies Graduate 

Conference (LunGradCon 2017) to be held on Monday, July 17, 2016 at the 

NASA Ames Research Center, preceding the NASA Exploration Science 

Forum (ESF, July 18-20). With the expanded interests of the Solar System 

Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), the scope of this year’s 

LunGradCon includes both lunar and small body science. LunGradCon 

provides an opportunity for grad students and early-career postdocs to present 

their research on lunar and small body science in a low-stress, friendly 

environment, being critiqued only by their peers. In addition to oral 

presentations, the conference presents opportunities for professional 

development and networking with fellow grad students and postdocs, 

as well as senior members of SSERVI. A limited amount of funding 

will be provided for travel and lodging costs. The deadline for registration 

and abstract submission is June 2rd 2016, 11:59 PM PDT.

 

For more details, please visit:

http://impact.colorado.edu/lungradcon/2017/

or email any questions to: [email protected]

 

6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS

 

A) 12TH LOW-COST PLANETARY MISSIONS CONFERENCE

      Pasadena, California

      15-17 August 2017

 

The focus of LCPM-12 is on small and/or low-cost planetary missions, on

the scale of the NASA Discovery/ESA Cosmic Vision Small (S) Class and

smaller, including Smallsats and CubeSats. The conference is intended

to be an opportunity for scientists, technologists, engineers and

project and agency managers to exchange ideas and information to

enhance the viability and science return of low-cost robotic missions.

 

Abstract Submission and Conference Registration is now open.  Abstracts

are due May 26th, and early registration closes June 9th.

 

Sessions will cover a range of topics, including agency programs and plans

for future missions, the latest science results from ongoing missions, missions

and instruments under development, and advanced concepts for the next

generation of low-cost missions.

 

For further information about registration, abstract submission and

conference logistics, visit:

 

www.lcpm12.org

 

Michael Mischna, Chair SOC, on behalf of the Science Organizing

Committee

                                                                                                                                       

B) JWST EVENTS AT THE SUMMER AAS MEETING

 

Dear Colleagues,
 

I wanted to let you know of a few events at the Summer AAS meeting in 

Austin this year including a JWST Meeting-in-a-Meeting and a proposal 

workshop.

https://jwst.stsci.edu/news-events/events/events-area/stsci-events-listing-container/american-astronomical-society-230th-meeting?mwc=4

 

Also note the JWST Proposal Planning Workshop is scheduled for Sunday, 

June 4th.  This workshop will include hands-on training with:

• JWST Astronomer’s Proposal Tool 
• JWST Exposure Time Calculator 
• JWST Target Visibility Tool 
• JWST Multi-Object Spectrograph Planning Tool

Individuals may register for the JWST Proposal Planning Workshop until May 11th.  

We look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely, 
Stefanie Milam
(on behalf of the SOC)

 

———————————+

Send submissions to: 

Anne Verbiscer, DPS Secretary ([email protected]) 

 

To unsubscribe visit http://aas.org/unsubscribe or email [email protected].

To change your address email [email protected]

 

Issue 17-16, April 11, 2017

 

+————————————CONTENTS—————————————-+

1. VOLUNTEER AS A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT
2. NASA FRONTIER DEVELOPMENT LAB (FDL) APPLICATIONS OPEN
3. ROSES-17 AMENDMENT 5: C.22 OREX-PSP FINAL TEXT
4. NASA PLANETARY SCIENCE DIVISION SEEKS REVIEWERS FOR SOLAR SYSTEM OBSERVATIONS (SSO) PROPOSALS
5. SALMON-3 MMX NGRS PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE
6. TAKE THE PLANETARY MAP SURVEY (MAPSIT)
7. VEXAG MEETING #15 NOVEMBER 14-16, 2017
8. JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES
9. UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS

+——————————————————————————————–+

 

 

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1

VOLUNTEER AS A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT

 

Join NASA’s efforts to engage the public about the August 21, 2017 total solar 

eclipse by volunteering as a Subject Matter Expert!

 

NASA welcomes scientists, engineers, science writers, amateur astronomers, 

and science educators to identify themselves as subject matter experts, or SMEs, 

available and interested in supporting programs around the nation on August 21. 

By volunteering, groups seeking an expert speaker can reach out to you to join 

their event.   

 

To be considered as a SME, you will need to have a minimum understanding of 

selected eclipse content. Before filling out the application form 

(https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/subject-matter-expert) you must download and 

review eclipse training documents. In addition, you must meet the following 

requirements:

• Be at least 21 years of age.

• Have a basic working knowledge of astronomy especially eclipses and the 

  sun-Earth-Moon system.

• Be available to support a solar eclipse event somewhere in the country as a 

  speaker/eclipse educator.

 

For more information, access to eclipse training documents, and to apply, visit:

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/subject-matter-expert

 

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2

NASA FRONTIER DEVELOPMENT LAB (FDL) APPLICATIONS OPEN

 

NASA Frontier Development Lab (FDL) has announced its 2017 challenges

and opened the application process for participants, with a deadline of

April 19, 2017. FDL is looking for 12 planetary scientists and 12

computer scientists with machine-learning emphasis. Applicants must

have a masters, doctorate or post-doc level of understanding in this

year’s problem areas (Heliophysics, Astronomy, Exogeology, Data

Science, Software Engineering or Advanced Statistics). The challenge

questions for 2017 cover planetary defense, space weather and space

resources.

 

Hosted by the SETI Institute in Mountain View, CA, FDL is an applied

research accelerator established to tackle knowledge gaps in space

science by bringing together machine learning expertise and physical

science specialists at the PhD level. Interdisciplinary teams address

tightly defined problems and the format encourages rapid iteration and

prototyping to create outputs with meaningful application. The 2017

8-week program will accept 24 participants and will run June 26 –

August 18, 2017.

 

To learn more about FDL, the 2017 challenge questions, and to apply,

please visit the FDL website at:

 

http://www.frontierdevelopmentlab.org

 

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3

ROSES-17 AMENDMENT 5: C.22 OREX-PSP FINAL TEXT

 

OSIRIS-REx launched September 8, 2016, with the primary objective of

traveling to the near-Earth (Apollo type, spectral class B) asteroid

101955 Bennu, obtaining a sample containing at least 60 g of regolith

material, and delivering this sample back to Earth. Once the spacecraft

reaches Bennu, a wide range of observations and measurements will be

made to characterize and map the asteroid, identify and characterize in

detail sites where samples might be collected, and finally to collect a

sample from the optimal site and stow it for delivery to Earth.

 

The objective of the OSIRIS-REx Participating Scientist Program

(OREx-PSP) is to enhance the scientific return during the

asteroid-operational phase of the OSIRIS-REx mission by expanding

participation in the mission through new investigations that broaden

and/or complement existing investigations.

 

Step-1 proposals are due May 4, 2017, and Step-2 proposals are due July

11, 2017. Questions and comments on this draft program element should

be directed to Jeffrey Grossman and or Christina Richey at

[email protected].

 

This Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement ROSES 2017 

will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at:

 

http://nspires.nasaprs.com/

 

and will appear on the RSS feed at:

 

https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/roses-2017/

 

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4

NASA PLANETARY SCIENCE DIVISION SEEKS REVIEWERS FOR 

SOLAR SYSTEM OBSERVATIONS (SSO) PROPOSALS

 

The planetary science division is seeking subject matter experts to serve as mail-in 

and/or panel meeting reviewers of proposals submitted to the ROSES-17 Solar System 

Observations program element. 

 

To volunteer please go to:

https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/volunteer-review-panels/2017-solar-system-observations

 

 

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5

SALMON-3 MMX NGRS PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

 

The Planetary Science Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate

released, on March 21, 2017, a Program Element Appendix (PEA) to the

Third Stand-Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON-3), soliciting

proposals for the development of, and science investigations using, a

Neutron and Gamma-Ray Spectrometer for the Japan Aerospace Exploration

Agency (JAXA) Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission. The Pre-Proposal

Conference for this PEA will be held, via Webex, on Monday, April 17,

2017, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT. Details on attending this conference

will be posted on the acquisition homepage for the MMX PEA:

 

http://soma.larc.nasa.gov/mmx/

 

6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6

TAKE THE PLANETARY MAP SURVEY (MAPSIT)

 

Please take a few minutes to fill out this short anonymous survey about

planetary map creation and use. This request takes <5 minutes and

covers all types of mapping efforts focused on non-terrestrial bodies. 

 

http://bit.ly/map_input

 

Poll results will help inform how planetary geoscience mapping efforts

can be improved. Results and paths forward will be posted on the MAPSIT

webpage by end of summer:

 

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/mapsit

 

Please forward the above link as needed to interested community

members. Thank you in advance for your time.

 

MAPSIT Steering Committee

 

7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7

VEXAG MEETING #15, NOVEMBER 14-16, 2017

 

Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) Meeting #15 will be held on

Tuesday-Thursday, November 14-16, 2017, at the Applied Physics

Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland.

 

Current plans are:

Tuesday, November 14, 2017 – NASA and Mission Reports

Wednesday, November 15, 2017 – Venus Science and Technology Reports

Thursday, November 16, 2017 – VEXAG Activities (adjourn at mid-day)

 

If you’ll be attending in person and haven’t done so already, please

enter your name on the Meeting Registration/Intent to Attend Form on

the VEXAG Web-Site:

 

https://www.hou.usra.edu/meeting_portal/registration/?mtg=vexag2017

 

on or before October 29. Look for a one-page abstract call in the summer.

 

8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8

JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES

 

A) TWO POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS AT NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY

 

The Edwards research group in the Department of Physics and Astronomy

at Northern Arizona University seeks two postdoctoral scholars. This

group works on characterizing the surfaces of rocky planets and

instrument development. The successful candidate will carry out

independent research related to the job, is expected to publish

scientific papers and, may submit proposals for external funding.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

A PhD in geoscience/remote sensing/planetary science or a related field

 

Preferred Qualifications (Job 603079):

* Experience with thermal infrared/visible-near infrared/visible remote

sensing data of planetary surfaces, especially the Moon or Mars

* Experience with planetary science software packages (e.g. ISIS, IDL,

Python, etc.)

* Strong background in scientific programming

* Experience with GIS, thermal modeling and/or spectral modeling of

planetary surfaces

 

Preferred Qualifications (Job 603080):

* Strong working knowledge of laboratory spectroscopic methods

* Experience using laboratory/field instruments to address outstanding

problems in geoscience/planetary science

* Optical instrument development experience

* Solid modeling and thermal modeling experience

 

Applications must include a curriculum vitae, cover letter, statement

of research interests and contact information for three professional

references.

 

Application deadline: April 20, 2017 11:59PM MST

 

For questions, please contact: [email protected]

 

https://hr.peoplesoft.nau.edu/psp/ph92prta/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=603079&PostingSeq=1

 

https://hr.peoplesoft.nau.edu/psp/ph92prta/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=603080&PostingSeq=1

 

8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS

 

A) AIDA THIRD INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP

     Johns Hopkins Applied Laboratory, Laurel, MD

     June 20-22, 2017

 

The 3rd AIDA International Workshop will be held June 20-22, 2017 at the 

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) in Laurel, Maryland. 

The AIDA project is a technology demonstration of asteroid deflection by a 

kinetic impactor. It is an international cooperation composed of two missions, 

the NASA DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test), which is the kinetic 

impactor, and the ESA AIM (Asteroid Impact Mission). The combination of 

DART and AIM is AIDA. The first AIDA international workshop took place 

in October, 2014, and the second AIDA workshop was held in June, 2016.

 

The 3rd AIDA International Workshop will discuss planetary defense and 

science topics:

 

Predictions of momentum transfer by kinetic impactor; determinations of 

momentum transfer from Earth-based remote sensing and from in situ 

observations at the target [65803] Didymos; kinetic impact simulations; 

Didymos physical properties and dynamical system, with changes induced 

by kinetic impact; impact ejecta dynamical fates and evolution; science 

proximity observations at Didymos.

 

For additional information see http://dart.jhuapl.edu/aida-workshop2017/

 

B) ENABLING EXOPLANET OBSERVATIONS WITH JWST

     STScI, Baltimore, MD

     10-12 July 2017

 

This workshop will provide a forum for the exoplanet community to learn 

about and discuss planning JWST observations to characterize transiting 

exoplanets.  Talks will inform potential users about science opportunities 

and tools for observation planning.  Data challenges will introduce the 

community to planned data products and identify key tools and resources 

for further data reduction and interpretation.  With a Cycle 1 proposal 

deadline in early 2018, this workshop will serve as an important opportunity 

for the transiting exoplanet community to begin building high-quality 

JWST observing programs.

 

Registration is now open.  The registration fee is $165.00 to attend the 

workshop.  For more information regarding this workshop, please visit

http://www.cvent.com/d/n5q7nc.

 

C) EPSC CONFERENCE

     Riga, Latvia

     17-22 September 2017

 

Dear colleagues,

 

this is a reminder for the upcoming abstract submission deadline of the next 

EPSC conference (http://www.epsc2017.eu) that will be held in Riga on 

17-22 September 2017.

 

The “Abstract submission deadline” is  May 3, 2017, 13:00 CEST.

 

We would like to invite you to submit an abstract to the Session: 

SB5 – “Ceres and Vesta – 10th anniversary of Dawn Special Session”. 

 

Session summary: September 2017 marks 10 years since the launch of 

NASA’s Dawn mission. Dawn has been the first mission to orbit two different 

targets in the main asteroid belt: the largest asteroid Vesta and the dwarf 

planet Ceres. Dawn’s overall results represent a huge leap in our understanding 

of these bodies.

In this session we welcome contributions that cover: 1) latest results obtained 

from the Dawn mission on both Ceres and Vesta, concerning geology,

mineralogy, surface composition and/or geophysics, 2) comparative 

analysis of Vesta and Ceres in terms of surface processes, internal structure, 

thermal evolution and origins.

The goal of this session is to highlight the major achievements of the Dawn 

mission, and to illustrate recent discoveries and ongoing work on Vesta and 

Ceres through direct analysis of Dawn data, study of analogs and/or theoretical 

models.

 

To submit you may use the following link:

https://administrator.copernicus.org/authentication.php

 

Looking forward to see you in Riga,

 

the conveners

 

Katrin Stephan

Michael Toplis

Francesca Zambon

 

D) FORMATION OF COMPLEX MOLECULES IN SPACE AND ON PLANETS, 

     FROM INTERSTELLAR CLOUDS TO LIFE

     Tartu, Estonia 

     17 – 22 July 2017

 

The summer school course aims to cover the biochemical evolution in the

universe from formation of the first molecules in interstellar clouds

to the assembly of the first cells on Earth. The course consists of

lectures, student-led discussions and  poster sessions. The  following

subjects are included:

– Formation of the elements in space

– Chemical processes in dark clouds, star-forming regions and

protoplanetary disks

– Atmospheric processes in rocky, gaseous planets and their satelites

– Emergence of Homochirality

– Formation of complx molecules in hydrothermal systems

– From carbon molecules to biogenic activity

– Assembly of first cells

 

Participants will also have the possibility to display their own

research results in a poster session. Furthermore, a half-day excursion

to interesting sites in the area (Ice Age Museum, Lake Peipus) and a

walk in Tartu are included as a social programme.

 

The event is aimed for students an early career scientists and open to

applicants from all nationalities. Detailed information about the

summer school and the application procedure (deadline 31 May 2017) can

be found at the website:

 

http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/Tartu2017

 

E) THE EARLY HISTORY OF PLANETARY SYSTEMS AND HABITABLE PLANETS

     Conference for Early Career Astrobiologists 

     Tartu, Estonia 

     8 – 10 August 2017

 

The Astrobiology early career scientists conference “The Early History

of Planetary systems and habitable planets” will be hosted in Tartu,

Estonia. The event will start on the morning of August 8th and finishes

in August 10th in the evening.

 

The main (but by no means exclusive) themes of the conference are: 

– Formation of protoplanetary disks and planetary systems

– Early History of Earth and other planets

– Impacts and their role in the evolution of planets

– Formation and evolution of planet and satellite atmospheres

– Co-evolution of Earth’s geosphere and biosphere and the evolution of

life

– Habitability and factors influencing it

– Life in extreme environments and its possible role in the evolution

of life on Earth

– Habitable extrasolar planets: detection and characterisation

– New aspects of planetary evolution

 

A large number of  bursaries is available for students and early career

scientists (up to 8 years after their Ph.D) covering meals and

accommodation during the entire meeting (evening August 7th, to morning

August 11th). Deadline for registration is 29th June 2017.

 

Information can be found at the website:

 

https://sisu.ut.ee/eac/home-0

 

F) IMPACTS AND THEIR ROLE IN THE EVOLUTION OF LIFE 

    Saaremaa, Estonia 

    25 July – 3 August 2017

 

The summer school course “Impacts and their Role in the Evolution of

Life” will take place from 25 July to 3 August 2017 at Kuressaare and

the Kaali impact crater site on the island of Saaremaa, Estonia. The

course consists of lectures, practical exercises and student-led

discussions. Participants will also have the possibility to display

their own research results in two poster sessions. The following

subjects will be covered:

– Roles of impacts in the formation of habitable planets

– Physical and chemical properties of comets and meteorites

– Detection and investigation of impact craters by geological methods

and remote sensing from space

– Ecological consequences of impacts and the role of impacts in mass

 extinctions 

– Transfer of life through meteorite impacts

– Threat of life on our planet by near-Earth asteroids and comets 

 

Practical exercises include:

– Electromagnetic mapping of impact sites

– Analysis of pollen indicators of the Kaali impact event.

– Microscopy of impactites

– Georadar profiling 

 

Bursaries covering meals and accommodation are available for a number

of students from most European Countries. Application deadline is 30

April 2017. The website:

 

http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/Impacts2017

 

G) GEOSCIENCES FOR UNDERSTANDING HABITABILITY IN THE UNIVERSE

     EGU Galileo Conference 

     Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, Furnas, Azores 

     25 – 29 September 2017

 

This conference will address some hotly debated questions in the field

including the following:

– What effects do core and mantle have on evolution and habitability of

planets?

– What is the relation between (plate) tectonics and atmospheric

evolution?

– What role does the mantle overturn play in the evolution of the

interior and atmosphere?

– What is the role of the global carbon and water cycles herein? 

– What influence do comet and asteroid impacts exert on the evolution

of the planet?

– How does life interact with the evolution of Earth’s geosphere and

atmosphere?

– How can we use our knowledge of the solar system geophysics and

habitability for exoplanets?

 

The conference will be held at the Hotel Terra Nostra Garden, Furnas,

Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal. The hotel is a newly renovated Art Deco

hotel witha large, famous botanical garden. The Joao Paulo Airport with

frequent direct flights to the European mainland is located only 45 km

from the venue. The deadline for registration and abstract submission

is 15 June 2017.

 

The website of the event is found at:

 

http://www.egu-galileo.eu/gc2-habitability/

 

———————————+

Send submissions to:

Anne Verbiscer, DPS Secretary ([email protected]) 

 

To unsubscribe visit http://aas.org/unsubscribe or email [email protected].

To change your address email [email protected]

 

 

Issue 17-15, March 25, 2017

 

+————————————CONTENTS—————————————-+

1. IN MEMORIAM: MICHEL COMBES (1939-2017)
2. HST OBSERVATIONS TO DETECT PLUMES/OUTGASSING FROM EUROPA
3. 2017 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY’S DIVISION OF DYNAMICAL ASTRONOMY
4. SSERVI AWARD NOMINATIONS DUE 31 MARCH
5. NOAO 2017B OBSERVING PROPOSALS DUE 31 MARCH 2017
6. ALMA CYCLE 5 CALL FOR PROPOSALS AND PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOPS
7. STUDENT OPPORTUNITY: SUDBURY FIELD CAMP
8. UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS

+——————————————————————————————–+

 

 

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1

IN MEMORIAM: MICHEL COMBES (1939-2017)

 

A Tribute to Michel Combes

   

Michel Combes passed away on March 9, following a week of hospitalization. 

As a former Director of the Paris Observatory DESPA Laboratory (which later 

became LESIA) and a former President of Paris Observatory, Michel has played 

a major role in the life of the laboratory, the Observatory, and, beyond, in the 

development of planetology and of astronomical instrumentation in France and 

internationally.

 

As a former student of the Institut d’Optique in Paris, Michel entered the Observatory 

in the early 1960s. In 1969, Michel was a major actor in the establishment of a 

planetology group at the Observatory, first hosted within the Department of Solar 

Physics and later within the Space Research Department (DESPA).

 

Mainly interested in optics, Michel was convinced that new projects in astronomy 

require instrumental innovation.  In 1973, he led a campaign in South Africa to 

observe the occultation of the star Beta Scorpio by Jupiter. This successful 

experiment made possible the retrieval of the thermal structure in the stratosphere 

of Jupiter. In parallel, Michel worked on the development of a Fourier Transform 

spectrometer operating in the thermal infrared, devoted to the spectral analysis of 

Jupiter. This instrument was flown on the Kuiper Airborne Observatory in 1973, 

and has been mounted several times on large ground-based telescopes.

 

In the 1980s, with Tobias Owen in the US and Vassili Moroz in Moscow, and in 

partnership with other laboratories, Michel developed the concept of a new

instrument for analyzing the near-infrared emission of comets. This successful 

experiment, launched on the Soviet probes Vega 1 and Vega 2, has led to the first 

measurement of the temperature of a cometary nucleus, and the detection of

several parent molecules outgassed from the nucleus.

 

In the mid-1980s, Michel became the Director of DESPA, and drove the 

laboratory toward participation in the ISOCAM camera of the Infrared Space 

Observatory (ISO) of ESA. In parallel, the planetology group got involved in 

space projects of planetary infrared sounding. This was the beginning of a series 

of infrared imaging spectrometers, conceived and developed at DESPA in 

partnership with Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale in Orsay and several international 

laboratories. The first ones were devoted to the exploration of Mars, with 

ISM/PHOBOS and OMEGA/Mars-96 in partnership with Russia. These instruments 

inspired the imaging spectrometers of Cassini/Huygens, Rosetta and Venus Express.  

 

In 1991, Michel became the President of Paris Observatory. This duty allowed 

him to express all his human and international relationship qualities, based on 

his excellent knowledge of men and institutions.  As a President, Michel initiated 

a re-organization of the scientific departments of the Observatory.  This was the 

first step of a global restructuration of the scientific departments, which was 

completed later in the early 2000. In the meantime, Michel continued to follow 

the development of infrared space projects at DESPA, in particular in the domain 

of stellar photometry and planetology. After the failure of the Mars-96 spacecraft 

just after launch, both experiments were rebuilt and used in other contexts, the 

French CoRoT mission and, under IAS’ PIship, the OMEGA instrument aboard 

Mars Express. Later, in collaboration with other international partners, the 

VIRTIS-H instrument was flown on two other European missions, Rosetta and 

Venus Express. He was also strongly involved in the NASA-ESA Cassini/Huygens 

mission through participation as co-investigator in DISR/Huygens and team 

member on VIMS/Cassini until recently.

 

In 1999, after two mandates, Michel came back to DESPA, which later transformed 

into LESIA, and became involved in teaching activities regarding optics, and in the 

development of instrumental concepts. He also became more and more involved in 

outreach activities within the Service of Communication of the Observatory, as well 

as within the team working on History of Sciences.

 

Thanks to his strong personality, his acute sense of politics, his engagement toward 

society, his sense of organization and dialog, Michel Combes has played a major 

role in the field of planetology but also at the level of the Observatory and beyond. 

Michel was a leader with a strong sense of responsibility, respectful of his 

international collaborators. He had a very strong capability for bringing teams 

together – scientists, engineers, technicians, administrative employees – and to make 

them work together towards a common objective. He will be deeply missed by his 

friends and colleagues. 

 

Therese Encrenaz and Pierre Drossart

 

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2

HST OBSERVATIONS TO DETECT PLUMES/OUTGASSING FROM EUROPA

 

The STScI Director has commissioned a committee to provide advice on 

optimizing future strategies for using Hubble to investigate potential outgassing 

from Europa. The committee is currently developing recommendations that will 

include suggestions for pilot observations in the near future. The full report will 

not be available until after the Cycle 25 proposal deadline (April 7, 2017). 

Consequently, interested parties should not submit proposals at this time unless 

the observations must be executed before October 27 2017. Time will be set aside 

for observations at later dates, and proposals related to the Europan plumes will 

be solicited as part of the first Cycle 25 Call for Mid-Cycle proposals, deadline 

September 30 2017.   

 

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3

2017 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY’S

DIVISION OF DYNAMICAL ASTRONOMY
 

The AAS Division of Dynamical Astronomy is pleased to announce that its annual

meeting will take place at Queen Mary University of London on June 11-15, 2017.

 

The annual AAS-DDA meeting brings together researchers in astronomy,

astrophysics, planetary science, and astrodynamics for discussions and talks on

all aspects of dynamics in the space sciences.  The DDA meeting features invited

talks on a range of topics, contributed talks (with no parallel sessions), and posters

that can be displayed throughout the entire conference. 

 

The 2017 meeting also features three special sessions:  

   * Impact of Gaia Astrometry on Dynamical Astronomy

      (Chair:  Norbert Zacharias, US Naval Observatory)  

* Post-Main Sequence Planetary System Science

      (Chair: Dimitri Veras, University of Warwick)  

* Cassini Ring-Grazing Orbits and Grand Finale (Chair: Matthew Tiscareno SETI) 

 

In addition, Prof. Rosemary F. G. Wyse will be honoured with the AAS-DDA

Brouwer Award. The 2017 DDA meeting is being co-sponsored by the Royal

Astronomical Society. 

 

Abstract Deadline April 10, 2017

 

For additional information see the meeting website 

https://dda.aas.org/meetings/2017

 

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4

SSERVI AWARD NOMINATIONS

NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) is 

soliciting nominations for the following SSERVI Awards: Shoemaker Award 

(lifetime career achievement award in lunar and planetary sciences), the 

Wargo Award (scientist or engineer who has focused on integrating science 

and exploration throughout their career) and the Niebur Award (early career 

award for significant contributions to exploration science). Nominees from 

previous years will automatically be carried forward to the upcoming year. 

Further descriptions of each award and the nomination form may be found at:

http://lunarscience.arc.nasa.gov/awards/

Thank you in advance for your nominations and recognition of those who have 

contributed so substantially to our field! We do accept nominations year-round, 

but to be considered for the 2017 awards, please provide your nominations by 

March 31, 2017. 

 

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5

NOAO 2017B OBSERVING PROPOSALS DUE 31 MARCH 2017

 

Proposal forms and information for observing time requests for the 2017B

semester (August 2017 – January 2018) are available on the  NOAO web page:
http://ast.noao.edu/observing/proposal-info 

 

Time requests for 2017B may be made for Gemini North and South, Cerro

Tololo Inter-American Observatory (including SOAR and SMARTS), and

Kitt Peak National Observatory (including WIYN).  This semester will see

the commencement of public access to the Large Binocular  Telescope (LBT)

and a significant increase in the public time  available with the CHARA

interferometer.  Public access also continues for the Subaru and AAT telescopes

through time-exchange agreements.  

 

The Call for Proposals is available in HTML at

http://ast.noao.edu/observing/call-for-proposals-2017b 

and as a self-contained, downloadable PDF document at

http://ast.noao.edu/sites/default/files/cfp2017b.pdf  

 

Observing proposals for all facilities available through NOAO in 2017B are

due by Friday evening, 31 March 2017, 11:59pm MDT.

 

6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6

ALMA CYCLE 5 CALL FOR PROPOSALS AND PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOPS

 

The ALMA Director, on behalf of the Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) and the 

partner organizations in East Asia, Europe, and North America, is pleased to 

announce the ALMA Cycle 5 Call for Proposals (CfP) for scientific observations 

to be scheduled from October 2017 to September 2018. It is anticipated that 4000 

hours of the 12-m Array time and 3000 hours of the Atacama Compact Array 

(ACA) time, also known as the Morita Array, will be available for successful 

proposals from Principal Investigators (PIs) in Cycle 5.

  

The Cycle 5 proposal submission deadline is

15:00 UT on Thursday, 20 April 2017

https://almascience.nrao.edu/proposing/call-for-proposals

 

To prepare the North American community to fully participate in the ALMA 

Call for Proposals, the North American ALMA Science Center (NAASC) is 

organizing community outreach events in the months leading up to the Cycle 5 

proposal deadline.

 

For more information go to https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/alma/community1

 

7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7

STUDENT OPPORTUNITY: SUDBURY FIELD CAMP

 

2017 Fall Session
September 23, 2017 – September 30, 2017

The Short Course and Field School at the Sudbury Impact Structure is a week 

long classroom and field training program based in Sudbury, Ontario. The goal 

of the program will be to introduce students to impact cratering processes and 

observe, in the field, the attributes of an immense basin-size impact structure. 

Sudbury is known for spectacular shatter cones, tremendously thick melt-bearing 

impact breccias (the Onaping Fm.), and a differentiated impact melt sheet (the 

Sudbury Igneous Complex). Skills developed during the program should better 

prepare students for their own thesis studies in impact cratered terrains, whether 

they be on Earth, the Moon, Mars, or some other solar system planetary surface. 

 

This field camp is being organized under the auspices of the 

NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute, which is designed, 

in part, to train a new generation of explorers for the Moon and beyond. The 

activity is being led by an SSERVI international partner, the

Canadian Lunar Research Network and coordinated 

with the LPI-JSC Center for Lunar Science and Exploration.

 

Students are responsible for transportation to Sudbury, ON. They will also be 

responsible for lodging and other costs while in Sudbury. Course organizers will 

reserve lodging space, local transportation, and other logistical details. Class size 

is limited, so this will be a competitive process. Applicants who are accepted for 

the program will be asked to formally register and pay those fees in advance of 

the course. Students should plan to arrive on Saturday, September 23, 2017 and 

depart on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Additional logistical details will be 

provided to the selected participants.

 

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/exploration/sudbury/

 

8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS

 

A) JWST PROPOSAL PLANNING WORKSHOP

     May 15-18, 2017

     Baltimore, Maryland

 

In support of the first JWST call for proposals, Space Telescope Science 

Institute (STScI) is pleased to announce a workshop to educate the general 

astronomical community about the JWST Proposal Planning process. This 

workshop will take place at STScI in Baltimore, MD on May 15-18, 2017. 

The main goal of this workshop is to provide hands-on teaching for the JWST 

Exposure Time Calculator (ETC), the JWST Target Visibility Tools, and the 

JWST Astronomer’s Proposal Tool (APT).

Registration to the workshop is now open.

 

The Exposure Time Calculator (ETC) calculates the detailed performance of 

the observatory by modeling astronomical scenes consisting of single or multiple 

point and extended sources. It offers full support for all of the JWST observing 

modes. There are two Target Visibility Tools to help you assess target visibilities

before you enter information in APT: the General Target Visibility Tool (GTVT) 

predicts visibility windows and position angles for all instruments, and the 

Coronagraphic Visibility Tool (CVT) provides target visibility information for the 

NIRCam and MIRI coronagraphic modes. The Astronomer’s Proposal Tool (APT)

is used to write, validate and submit proposals.

 

The JWST Guaranteed Time Observers (GTOs) will submit Cycle 1 observing 

descriptions on April 1, 2017. We plan to illustrate the proposal planning process 

and the tools mentioned above using a subset of the NIRCam, NIRSpec, NIRISS, 

MIRI and Telescope Scientist GTO programs. During the workshop, GTOs will 

describe the science and technical motivation for half a dozen programs. STScI 

staff will step participants through ETC calculations and Target Visibility and 

APT planning for each program. The science programs to be discussed illustrate 

planning for (1) Multi Object Spectroscopy of bright and faint sources, (2) NIRCam 

and MIRI Coordinated Parallel Imaging, (3) NIRISS Wide Field Slitless Spectroscopy, 

(4) NIRSpec and MIRI Integral Field Spectroscopy of compact, extended sources, 

and (5) NIRcam and MIRI Coronagraphy of bright targets. In addition, STScI staff 

will be available to provide help with ERS and GO cycle 1 proposal planning 

during unstructured open periods.

 

More information on JWST capabilities and observing opportunities can be 

found in the user documentation (JDox) pages. 

 

For questions regarding the workshop you can contact us at: 

[email protected]

 

B) ASTROBIOLOGY 2017

     Coyhaique, Chile

     Nov. 26-Dec 1, 2017

 

We announce that registration is open for Astrobiology 2017.  This
conference will take place in beautiful Chilean Patagonia at Coyhaique
(November 26th-December 1st, 2017).

  http://www.astrobiology2017.org

The astrobiology community in the IAU has the tradition to hold a series
of scientific meetings every three years.  For a truly multidisciplinary
discussion, we welcome researchers at the frontier of science from the
fields of astronomy, planetary and space science, chemistry, biology,
geology, philosophy, sociology and ethical issues, among others.

KEY DATES

* Early Registration deadline: May 19th
* Oral contribution submission deadline: July 28th
* Regular registration deadline: Oct 13th
* Poster contribution deadline: Oct 13th
* Late registration deadline: Nov 17th
* Conference starts: Nov 26th

CONFERENCE TOPICS

* Star and planet formation
* Extrasolar planets / Habitable zones and habitable planets
* Planets in the solar system / Comets and meteorites
* Prebiotic molecules in the ISM and protoplanetary disks
* Early Earth environments and the emergence of life
* Life in extreme conditions and early life
* Search for life in the Universe
* Societal and ethical issues linked to astrobiology
* Education in Astrobiology

INVITED SPEAKERS

Over 20 superb invited speakers have already confirmed.  The updated
list can be found at:  http://astrobiology2017.org/speakers/

TRAINING SCHOOL

We are also preparing a two day training school with lectures on
basics of Astrobiology open to all participants.  This school will
precede the conference and take place on Santiago during Friday 24th and
Saturday 25th. There is no extra cost for participants of the conference
but space is limited.  Interested participants of the TS should reserve
a seat during registration.

STUDENT SUPPORT

We expect to be able to provide a reduced number of travel funds for
students. Instructions to apply for it will be provided on the webpage
during coming March.

With best regards,
Patricio Rojo (LOC’s chair)

 

———————————+

Send submissions to:

Anne Verbiscer, DPS Secretary ([email protected]) 

 

To unsubscribe visit http://aas.org/unsubscribe or email [email protected].

To change your address email [email protected]

Issue 17-14, March 17, 2017

 

+————————————CONTENTS—————————————-+

1. MESSAGE FROM THE FRS CHAIR: REVISED AND CORRECTED ACTION ALERT

+——————————————————————————————–+

 

 

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1

MESSAGE FROM THE FRS CHAIR: REVISED AND CORRECTED ACTION ALERT

Please see this updated Action Alert and text for your letters to Congress (also posted at public-policy/action-alerts). The FRS Chair apologizes for using an older version of the text while reacting to the news of the day.

Action alert!

This week we are asking each AAS/DPS member to write letters and make phone calls to your representatives in order to advocate for planetary science.

Why now?

•    The President’s fully detailed Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2018 is planned for release in mid-May, and initial guidelines indicate that dramatic cuts in discretionary, non-defense areas such as science are in store across the government.

•    The President’s just released “skinny budget” for FY18 generously increases Planetary Science to $1.9B, while NASA’s top line would be cut by 0.8%.  NASA fares better in this budget than almost every other agency not related to national security and veterans.  A top line number for the Science Mission Directorate is not given, and neither are totals for the Astrophysics and Heliophysics divisions, but a cut for Earth Science is specified. The National Science Foundation (NSF) is not shown as separate a line item, but it is potentially facing a 10% cut if one assumes an across-the-board cut for all the agencies in the budget line into which NSF has been aggregated.

•    The House and Senate still haven’t passed a full year FY17 science appropriations bill and we want them to know where we stand on targets for FY18. The current continuing resolution funds the government through April 28.  

•    With numerous other policy issues dominating the political landscape, we are trying to remain above the noise and leverage the attention of Congressional staff who favor planetary science funding. Recall that the President proposes, but Congress disposes.

•    Science advocacy is broadly important for us to all engage in, now more than ever, and responding to this action alert provides a focused, proven-effective means to have your concerns heard by decision makers.

 

Why should you participate?

•    Constituents matter to Members of Congress! Letters and especially calls from constituents force staffers to sit up and take notice of an issue. If a number of letters and calls come in at once from constituents, it has an even greater impact.

•    Even if your elected official is not on one of the following committees: https://science.house.gov/subcommittees/subcommittee-space-115th-congress, http://appropriations.house.gov/about/members/commercejusticescience.htm, https://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/scienceandspace, they still vote on bills and have influence with their colleagues. Often it is the congressional Member without a NASA center or other large vested interest in their district who needs the most education and convincing on space-related topics.

•    We have had success in garnering Congressional support for planetary science, and we need to maintain and build on that momentum.

It is important to get as many people to contact as many Members of Congress as possible, so please participate! We encourage you to use social media to promote this call to action to help amplify the message and encourage others to act (use Twitter hashtag #FundPlanetary).  Here’s what we’re asking you to do this week:

Letters

•    The letter template below provides a clear, disciplined message that is consistent with the messages DPS has been pushing in our overall advocacy campaign.

•    Do customize your communications! In particular, stories about your own scientific work, the interactions with your students, and public outreach are compelling to Congressional offices. Keep it short and concise.  Tailor one or more paragraphs in the template.

•    You will likely need to submit your letter through a form on your Members of Congress’s websites. And most members of Congress communicate through social media, so use those channels as well!

 

Phone calls

•    After you have sent the emails, call each of the Congressional offices. Be polite and nice! The people who answer the phones work hard and tend to suffer a lot of abuse from angry constituents; when you’re nice, you get more carefully listened to. You can ask to speak to the staffer who handles science and space issues; in most cases, they will connect you and you can speak directly to that staffer or leave a voicemail.

•                      Hello, my name is ________, and I am a constituent from _________. I am also a planetary scientist working at _______________. I’m calling to ask Representative/Senator _____________ to support planetary science and solar system exploration programs. Congress has consistently supported planetary science in recent years, and I hope the field can rely on its continued support. I have sent a more detailed letter to your boss using your website; I hope your office has time read it. Thank you very much.

•    Once you realize how painless this ~5 min process was, plan to call back and firm up your connection the following week.  Or better yet, call weekly for each of the next 5 weeks to elaborate more on each of your favorite 5 topics listed in the letter. 

 

How do you know who to write to and call?

•    To find out who your Members of Congress are and get their phone numbers and websites, the AAS website has helpful search tool.

•                      http://aas.org/resources/contacting-congress

An important final note: Be certain you understand your employer’s rules about such action. Federal employees, for example, must not conduct such activities using federal resources, i.e. you must participate using your personal time/email/phone number/electronic devices. No matter where you work, your Constitutional rights to petition your government are always valid; you can always participate in advocacy like this, but you may need to be careful about doing it on your own time and resources.

Thank you – we’re looking forward to a strong response to this call to action!

 

Dear [Representative/Senator] [Last name],

I am a constituent from [town where you live] and a planetary scientist working at [your institution]. I write to you to ask for your support in maintaining a healthy program of U.S. solar system exploration as you and your colleagues look ahead to the Fiscal Year 2018 budget. I am asking that you support an FY18 budget level of $1.9B for NASA’s Planetary Science Division – the same as the President has just requested – in order to accomplish the goals set out in the National Research Council’s 2013 Vision and Voyages Decadal Survey. I am also requesting a commensurate increase for the entire NASA Science Mission Directorate so that the increase for planetary science does not come at the expense of the important goals set out by the decadal surveys for the astrophysics, heliophysics, and earth science divisions. I am also concerned about potential cuts to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the President’s budget since the recent “skinny budget” lumped NSF into an “other agency” line with a 10% cut. NSF supports critical research grants in the planetary sciences so I request that Congress appropriate at least $8B for NSF in Fiscal Year 2018. You may have seen some of the milestones and scientific advances that have been made by this highly successful government office in this area in recent months: [Choose which highlights you want to use, remove the others, and/or add your own]

•    NASA’s Juno mission recently started its primary science mission in orbit about the planet Jupiter. Over the next couple of years, Juno is poised to shed light on the origin of the planets in our Solar System.

•    All of New Horizons’ Pluto observations have now been downlinked to Earth, and new discoveries continue to flow while it travels on to Kuiper Belt target (486958) 2014 MU69.

•    Observations from NSF’s Very Large Array have provided an unprecedented look at a previously unexplored region of Jupiter’s atmosphere and revealed new information about Jupiter’s atmospheric dynamics.

•    The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft successfully launched from Cape Canaveral last September to begin its journey to a nearby asteroid. There it will collect a sample of this cosmic building block and return it for study here on the Earth.

•    NSF’s Large Synoptic Survey Telescope will survey the entire visible sky every few nights, which could catalog millions of asteroids and thousands of near-Earth objects. 

•    NASA’s Cassini spacecraft convincingly determined that Enceladus, an icy moon of Saturn, contains a global ocean of liquid water beneath its surface. Like Europa, this may be an ideal place to search for life.

•    NASA’s Kepler and Spitzer missions have detected and characterized nearly 5,000 exoplanets, including seven Earth-sized worlds in the TRAPPIST-1 system. These detections have revolutionized our understanding of planetary formation and the prevalence of habitable worlds.

•    The Dawn mission has been orbiting and studying the dwarf planet Ceres, where it revealed vast deposits of carbonate salts, the solid residue from evaporation of salt-saturated water, indicative of recent geologic activity.

•    When the James Webb Space Telescope is launched in 2018, planetary scientists will have a new, powerful tool for observing solar system targets.

•    Recent orbital observations at Mars have revealed a possible source of liquid water near the Curiosity rover. NASA is now investigating the feasibility of using Curiosity to study flowing water on Mars for the first time.

Events like these reaffirm America’s pioneering role in planetary science and exploration. Furthermore, they capture the imagination of the public and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technologists. Vital partnerships between NASA and private industry ensure that we make full use of the latest technological innovations and advance scientific discoveries.

[Discussion of your scientific work, work with students, impact in your district/state]

We strive to maintain America’s leadership role in planetary science and exploration and NASA’s and NSF’s ability to support a vibrant science community. In general, Congress has consistently supported planetary science, and I want to thank you and your colleagues for that support. I hope you will continue that support by enacting a Fiscal Year 2018 budget in regular order for the NASA Planetary Science Division at a level of $1.9B – the same as the President has just requested. This level of support will help ensure that we can meet the goals laid out in the National Research Council’s Decadal Survey report for Planetary Science. This includes the report’s recommendation that the Planetary Science Division maintain a balanced program of large, medium, and small missions across the solar system, research and analysis, and technology development. A commensurate increase to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate budget for Fiscal year 2018 will further strengthen a well-balanced program across the disciplines. And at least $8B for the National Science Foundation will help ensure our nation’s scientific leadership while supporting critical planetary science research grants and facilities.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

[Town, State]

END OF LETTER TEMPLATE ************************************

———————————+

Send submissions to:

Anne Verbiscer, DPS Secretary ([email protected]) 

 

To unsubscribe visit http://aas.org/unsubscribe or email [email protected].

To change your address email [email protected]