Subject: [DPS Members] DPS Mailing #08-09: 2008 DPS Election...
Issue 08-09, June 12th 2008
+-----------------------------CONTENTS--------------------------------+
1) 2008 DPS Election: Vice-Chair, Committee, and Bylaw Amendments
2) Vitae and Position Statements for the DPS Election Candidates
3) Planetary Science Subcommittee Meeting, 23-24 June, Goddard
4) Job Announcements
5) Upcoming Meetings
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1
2008 DPS ELECTION: VICE-CHAIR, COMMITTEE, AND BYLAW AMENDMENTS
Vote at http://www.aas.org/vote/
It's time to elect the new 2008 DPS officers. The slate is as follows:
Vice Chair (one to be chosen, to serve as DPS Vice-Chair in 2008-2009,
and DPS Chair in 2009-2010):
Kevin Baines, JPL
Candice Hansen, JPL
DPS Committee (two to be chosen, to serve for three years, 2008-2011):
Barbara Cohen, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Geoffrey Collins, Wheaton College
Joshua Colwell, University of Central Florida
Anne Verbiscer, Space Science Institute
Vitae and position statements for the candidates follow in item 2
below.
This year we also have to vote on two amendments to the DPS bylaws,
covering (1) the inclusion of "other planetary systems" in our
statement of purpose, and (2) a procedure for replacing the DPS
Vice-Chair.
For changes to the DPS Bylaws, approval must first come from the
DPS Committee, followed by a vote by the AAS Executive Board.
Both of these approvals have been met. However for the Bylaw
changes to take effect, they must also be approved by vote of
the DPS membership (2/3 majority of all voters).
Please cast your vote for or against the following two amendments
to the DPS Bylaws:
(1) Shall the DPS amend its Bylaws to expand its "Purpose" Statement
so as to include "other planetary systems" ?
Through this change, Article I, Section 3 "Name and Purpose"
shall be amended to read:
"The Division shall exist for the purpose of
advancing the investigation of the solar system
and other planetary systems, with special
encouragement of interdisciplinary cooperation. "
Language describing the scope of DPS Prizes will also be
amended accordingly, noting that this change in prize
descriptions does not require a membership vote.
(2) Shall the DPS amend its Bylaws to specify how the position
of Vice-Chair shall be filled in the event of a vacancy?
(The existing Bylaws give no provision as to how a vacancy
in the Vice-Chair position is to be filled.)
Through this change, Section III.4 "Vacated Offices" shall
be amended to read:
"If the office of Vice-Chair becomes vacant, a special
election shall be held, generally within eight weeks
of the vacancy. The official ballot consisting of two
candidates shall be prepared by the Nominating Subcommittee
following the established procedures for regular elections.
Normally, these two candidates should be drawn from the two
ranking members of the DPS Committee (in the third year of
their terms)."
Complete text of the proposed changes, and the full text of the
existing bylaws, may be examined at: http://dps.aas.org/bylaws/
Voting will be done via a Web form only, at http://www.aas.org/vote/
You will need your AAS membership number and password in order to
vote- there is the option to reset your password if necessary. You
can look up your membership number via
https://members.aas.org/source/security/AccountLoginAndSearch.cfm
If you still have trouble, contact the AAS office at [email protected],
202-328-2010. Contact me (John Spencer, [email protected],
303-546-9674) if you're really stuck.
2---------2---------2---------2---------2---------2---------2---------2
VITAE AND POSITION STATEMENTS FOR THE DPS ELECTION CANDIDATES
Kevin Baines (Vice-Chair): Vita
-------------------------------
Kevin H. Baines is a Principal Scientist at the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. He is the Leader of the US Venus
Express Mission Science Team, a Co-Investigator with the
Cassini-Huygens Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer, and a Team
Associate on the New Horizons mission to Pluto. He is a member of
the Steering Committee on both the Outer Planets Assessment Group
(OPAG) and the Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG). Kevin
also leads the Saturn Target Working Team on Cassini-Huygens,
coordinating the observational desires of the international
Cassini-Huygens science team for observing Saturn. Kevin was the
Local Arrangements Chair for the 1987 DPS Meeting, a member of the
DPS Scientific Program Committee in 2005, and Chair of the DPS
Scientific Program Committee in 2006.
Kevin's primary research interest is in studying the structure,
dynamics, chemistry, and formation and evolution of planetary
atmospheres. In this endeavor, he has led observations from both
ground-based telescopes, such as the IRTF, and interplanetary
spacecraft, such as Galileo and Cassini-Huygens. As an
author/co-author of over 120 peer-reviewed papers, he has
researched and published articles over a diverse range of topics,
including the rings of Uranus, satellite surfaces, the formation
and evolution of Venus, and mechanisms for the extinction of
dinosaurs, as well as on the structure, dynamics, chemistry and
origins of the atmospheres of Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Titan,
Uranus, and Neptune.
Kevin received his B. A. (1976) in both Physics and Astronomy from
Amherst College, Amherst, Mass., and received both an M.A. (1978)
and Ph. D (1982) in Physics from Washington University in St Louis,
Mo. Outside of his science endeavors, Kevin has been serving as
(1) a Member of the Board of the Caltech/JPL flying club for over
25 years, most recently serving as the Flight Director, responsible
for flight safety, and (2) for the past three years, the President
of a local community association. Both of these endeavors have
reinforced his belief in the power of inclusiveness in making
organizational decisions.
Kevin Baines (Vice-Chair): Statement
------------------------------------
As the yin/yang of the notorious Chinese proverb avers, we are
living in interesting times in planetary science. On the one hand,
astounding discoveries are being made almost every week. The short
(!) list of fundamental new revelations made just in the last
three years includes the first comet samples returned to Earth, new
visions of the surfaces of Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Titan, the
geysers of Enceladus, the rings of Saturn and Uranus, the first
clear views of storm systems in the depths of Saturn, Uranus, and
Neptune, discovery of two additional satellites of Pluto, and the
first sightings of hundreds of distant worlds beyond, including
numerous Kuiper Belt Objects and exoplanets. Simply astounding.
Yet, despite this explosion of new discoveries - which together
demonstrate an amazingly effective use of tax payers' funds - and
despite the faithful attempts of many NASA planetary managers to
improve the situation, NASA's planetary budget remains
inadequate. The established budgets are just not large enough to
effectively mine the new data and discoveries being made, much less
support new Discovery, Scout, New Frontiers, and Flagship missions.
This rather dismal state of affairs not only severely curtails the
productivity of current researchers - who find themselves writing
(and reviewing) more and more proposals as they strive to survive -
but discourages talented students from entering our field to form
the next generation of planetary scientists, Yes, we certainly do
live in interesting times.
For the near term, the DPS can help this unhappy funding situation
by ensuring that sound science policy is infused into the tough
budget decisions being made today by NASA, Congress, and the
President. As one example, by working with various chief scientists
and science advisors of influential decision makers, the DPS can
make its voice heard to ensure that our community-wide priorities -
as embodied, for example in the 2003 Decadal Study, and in the
findings of various "AG" groups such as MEPAG. OPAG, VEXAG, LEPAG
and the newly-formed SBAG - are understood by key policy makers.
More importantly, the DPS can also influence future budgets, both
to establish priorities and to grow them. Earlier this decade, we
demonstrated we could indeed expand our enterprise, as a large
fraction of our membership developed the first Decadal Study for
planetary science. This document quickly became the blueprint for
planetary exploration, with its declared priorities leading
directly to the development of the New Frontiers Program, new calls
for a Flagship mission, continuing support for Discovery missions,
and the development of new R+A efforts, such as the Origins
Program. The next Decadal Study will likely start this next year,
and - given the tremendous trove of discoveries noted above and the
concomitant public support these have engendered - can lay an even
stronger foundation for further investments by Congress and the
Nation in Planetary Science.
As the new Vice-Chair of the DPS, and as Chair the following year,
I will work earnestly to foster the budgetary expansion of
Planetary Science through, for example, (1) increasing meaningful
contacts between the DPS and influential science managers and
advisors in NASA, Congress, and the Executive branch, and (2)
helping to ensure that all facets of the planetary community are
strongly represented in the development of the new Decadal
Study. In particular, I will work with the knowledge base embodied
in past DPS Chairs and committee members, the DPS community at
large, and the excellent science policy networking resources of our
parent organization, the AAS, to develop the most effective
contacts possible with today's policy makers. I will ensure that
the DPS vets both the areas of study and the membership of the new
Decadal Study, to ensure coverage across the broad spectrum of
planetary science. As well, as past DPS Chair Mark Sykes
accomplished in the earlier study by fostering the development of
community-developed white papers, I will work to ensure the
opportunity for the entire planetary science community to be
directly involved in the development of Decadal Study
recommendations.
I hope that you will support me as we strive to ensure a strong
future for Planetary Science in America.
Candice Hansen (Vice-Chair): Vita
-------------------------------
Candice Hansen is a principal research scientist at the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory. Her primary interest is the study of ices,
polar caps and tenuous atmospheres throughout the solar system.
With a B.S. in Physics from California State University, Fullerton,
she began her career working with the Voyager Imaging Science team
shortly before the Voyagers were launched. She continued through
the Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune flybys, going back to
graduate school at the University of California, Los Angeles,
between the Uranus and Neptune flybys. For her Ph.D. dissertation
she modeled seasonal nitrogen cycles on Triton and Pluto, using
Voyager data and a climate model based on the seasonal behavior of
Mars' primary volatile, CO2. In 1990 she started working with the
Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) team. As a Cassini
UVIS Co-Investigator she is particularly interested in planning and
analyzing data from Saturn's icy satellites, especially Enceladus'
water vapor plume. She is also the deputy Principal Investigator
for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter High Resolution Imaging Science
Experiment (HiRISE), and her area of emphasis is studying the
yearly sublimation of Mars' seasonal CO2 polar cap. She has
participated in and/or led proposals for instruments, Discovery,
Scout and New Frontiers missions, been involved with hardware
development for flight missions, and operation of flight
experiments. She received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in
1990 for her outstanding work and leadership on the Voyager Neptune
Encounter and again in 2005 for her leadership on Cassini in
planning the science investigations for Cassini's 44 close Titan
flybys.
Candice Hansen (Vice Chair): Statement
------------------------------------
In previous years the most serious issue facing the DPS was the
steady erosion of research and analysis funding. This year thanks
to the dedicated effort of Alan Stern and his staff, this problem
has been largely resolved. We must remain vigilant, to make sure
that hard-won progress is not eroded, but we are able now to look
forward to other looming challenges. Some of the challenges are
"good problems" to have. How do we best fold in the growing
exoplanet community? How do we most productively explore the solar
system with our foreign collaborators? What is the best way to
fund our spacecraft missions continuing to return new science data
and results well into their extended missions in the face of
considerable pressure to reduce cost?
A big concern for me is the inclusion of our newest scientists in
flight missions. The steady pace of Mars missions launching at
every opportunity for the last 12 years has given our young Ph.D.'s
a chance to join science instrument teams and participate in
science investigations. With the new outer planet flagship
followed by the Mars sample return missions considerable funding
will be invested in large missions. Opportunities for
participation on science teams will be limited after the initial
selection of instrument teams. We need to find a way to continue
to offer entry points for young scientists. I would like to see a
new model for funding of extended missions that includes
opportunities for inclusion of new co-investigators rather than
continuously decreasing funding for science teams.
The planetary community will embark on a new decadal survey soon.
The last decadal survey brought us the New Horizons mission to
Pluto and the Juno mission to Jupiter, both key to fundamental
progress in understanding solar system formation. The direction of
solar system exploration for the future will be similarly
influenced by the new decadal survey. As a member of the DPS
leadership I will be keenly interested in how the community is
involved in the process. Participation by all stakeholders will be
key to a program that leads us in a realistic direction that has
broad community consensus.
PI-led missions have brought us creative approaches and new ideas
for exploration. The cost over-runs in small and large missions
however have focused attention on this model, and potential
solutions include requirements for PI experience. I am convinced
that PI-led missions are very effective, and that the solution lies
in how the missions are vetted and selected, not necessarily in
restrictions on who can lead.
We need to continue to foster international collaboration. The
leveraging of multinational resources means that we can undertake
much more ambitious programs, and the new outer planets flagship
mission is an obvious example. Pragmatic interfaces that allow us
to operate within ITAR restrictions can be developed.
Multi-spacecraft endeavors are a possible approach to this, such as
the convoy of spacecraft that have studied earth's magnetosphere.
The international participation in the DPS provides a forum for the
hallway discussions that spark the ideas for these missions.
As the vice-chair and then chair of the DPS I will use my
experience to craft enthusiastic but practical approaches to the
exciting human endeavor to explore space with all our tools -
telescopes, robotic missions, models - and most of all our
curiousity.
Barbara Cohen (Committee): Vita
-------------------------------
Education and Experience:
- Planetary Scientist, current, Marshall Space Flight Center
- Assistant Research Professor, 2003-2008, University of New Mexico
- Postdocs at University of Hawaii and University of Tennessee
- PhD Planetary Sciences, 2000, University of Arizona
- BS Geology, 1993, State University of New York at Stony Brook
Research focus: Impact cratering, igneous processes, and aqueous
alteration on solid bodies, using microbeam and radiometric
geologic techniques on returned samples and meteorites.
Professional Activities:
- Co-Chair, International Lunar Network Science Definition Team,
2008
- NRC/NASA Committee on the Scientific Context for the Exploration
of the Moon, 2006-07
- Curation and Analysis Planning Team for Extraterrestrial
Materials (CAPTEM) and CAPTEM Lunar Science Subcommittee, 2003-06
- Convened special sessions at GSA (2008), DPS (2007), and LPSC
(2001). Served on program committee for Early Solar System
Bombardment Workshop (2008), LPSC (2002-05) and Meteoritical
Society (2001)
- Panel member and reviewer for various NASA and NSF R&A programs
and professional journals
Barbara Cohen (Committee): Statement
------------------------------------
One of the most gratifying aspects of my own research is that data
gathered from tiny mineral grains constrain dynamical models that
change our view of solar system formation and evolution. To me,
this exemplifies the interdisciplinary nature of planetary science
and the great benefits of cross-pollenization to advancing our
field. When political priorities within our funding agencies shift,
our diversity helps us take advantage of new opportunities even
while we collectively advocate a balanced program. As a DPS
committee member, I pledge to help the DPS continue its role in
strategic planning for a balanced and diverse planetary science
community. Spirited DPS meetings, the flagship journal Icarus, and
a strong Federal Relations subcommittee are vital components of our
society. Going further, we could help DPS meetings attract wider
participation =96 for example, invited mini-sessions such as the
Lunar Bombardment special session at last year's meeting foster
interaction among subfields. We can help advocate program balance
by ensuring extensive DPS member feedback into the next planetary
decadal survey, and could consider report-outs from DPS members
sitting on various NRC and NAC committees to the general
membership. I am also interested in continued DPS support to and
benefit from the AAS Committee on the Status of Women. I have
gained a lot from my DPS membership since 1993, and it would be my
pleasure working these issues on behalf of the society.
Geoffrey Collins (Committee): Vita
----------------------------------
Current Position:
Associate Professor of Geology, Chair of Physics and Astronomy Dept.
Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts
Education:
Ph.D., Geological Sciences, Brown University, 2000
B.A., Geology, Carleton College, 1994
Research Focus:
Icy satellite geology: Structural geology and tectonics on
Ganymede; Geology and geophysics on Europa and Enceladus; Fluvial
erosion and sedimentation on Titan.
Publications:
8 first-author publications; 18 coauthor publications; 142
conference abstracts PI and/or Co-I in NASA OPR, CDAP, and PG&G
programs, and NSF DUE program
Service:
- Member, Jupiter System Observer SDT
- Chair, member, and external reviewer for various NASA review
panels
- Paper reviewer for Icarus, PSS, JSG, JGR, and GRL (2004 editor's
citation for excellence in refereeing, GRL)
- Dwornik student paper award judge
- Space exploration outreach to local schools, church groups,
astronomy clubs, and elderhostels
- Member of DPS, AGU, GSA, NAGT, AAAS, Sigma Xi
Geoffrey Collins (Committee): Statement
---------------------------------------
The DPS has an important role to play for the planetary science
community through its invigorating annual meeting, its advocacy on
behalf of scientists, and keeping its members in the loop on
current events that affect us as researchers. As a committee
member, I will help to make sure that the organization keeps its
current strengths in these activities.
Planetary science is an exciting and rapidly evolving field, and
though there are a large number of laypeople that follow along with
our mission results, there is an even larger proportion of the
public that can easily be turned on to planetary science when they
are informed about our new discoveries and the context in which
they take place. The DPS can play a larger role in making sure
that the public is exposed to the meaningful discoveries in
planetary science, and in inspiring not only the next generation of
scientists, but also the next generation of voters and political
decision makers. As most of our work is ultimately government
funded, we are responsible to inform the public about what we've
done. We all support expanded R&A programs, but we can do more to
close the loop - to demonstrate more clearly to decision makers and
the public how much value the small research and analysis budget
adds to the much larger amount of money spent on flying missions.
Besides keeping the pressure up on NASA and other agencies to
increase resources for research and analysis and to remove
agonizing snags from the funding pipeline, we also need to be
advocates for the current (and the next) decadal survey. We need
to advocate a balanced portfolio of robotic exploration for all
parts of the solar system.
I look forward to using my energy and enthusiasm to help make the
DPS an even better organization.
Joshua Colwell (Committee): Vita
--------------------------------
Current Position:
Assistant Professor, Physics Department, University of Central
Florida, 2006-present
Past Professional Experience:
Research Scientist, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics,
University of Colorado, Boulder, 1989-2006
Fulbright Senior Research Scholar, Observatoire Midi-Pyrenees,
Toulouse France, 1995-1996
Education:
Ph.D. in Astrophysical, Planetary, and Atmospheric Sciences,
University of Colorado, 1989 B.S. in Physics, (Applied Math minor),
Stetson University, 1985
Professional Societies:
American Geophysical Union, Division for Planetary Sciences,
American Astronomical Society
Scientific Interests:
Origin and evolution of planetary rings
Dynamics of dust in the solar system
Physics of the lunar regolith
Collisional accretion and disruption in the protoplanetary disk
Thermal modeling of comet nuclei
Recent Service:
-Local Organizing Committee for 25th and 39th DPS meetings
-Scientific Program Committee for 39th DPS meeting
-Visiting Scientist for Challenger Center (later National Center
for Earth and Space Science Education) Journey Through the
Universe: weeklong visits to underserved K-12 school
districts. 2004-2006.
-Review panel member for NASA and NSF
-Manuscript reviewer for Icarus, JGR, PSS, AJ, Science, ApJ
-Astronomy talks at local K-12 schools
-Open house host for special events at CU.
Awards:
NASA Group Achievement Awards (Voyager at Neptune, Cassini)
NASA Space Act Board Award
NASA JPL Interplanetary Network Directorate Team Award
Joshua Colwell (Committee): Statement
-------------------------------------
The DPS has grown dramatically since the first meeting I attended
more than 20 years ago. With that growth we have seen our influence
at NASA increase as well. The DPS should continue targeted
campaigns in Washington to help grow a more robust Research and
Analysis portfolio at NASA and to build on recent gains at
headquarters to help improve the process of grant awarding,
disbursement, and communication with the community.
Our efforts must also be directed toward the public who are our
ultimate customer. As a community we are producing results of
historic importance, and more can be done to bring these results to
the public. Visits by nearly 1000 school children to last year's
DPS meeting are one example of how the DPS as an organization can
have a broader impact. There are many other avenues afforded by the
internet that are being successfully used by various
missions. However, the work of individuals and small research
groups on the theoretical side as well as ground-based observations
frequently does not get the exposure it deserves. The DPS could
help facilitate dissemination of results from all members of our
community to a broader public in addition to the work it is already
doing in communicating with the press at the annual meeting.
We are all committed to a variety of projects in our scientific
community, from our own research projects, to various service
activities such as reviewing papers and proposals. I therefore
think that our greatest impact can be achieved through careful
selection of the particular issues we wish to address with
policymakers and funding agencies followed by focused efforts to
get action on those issues. A recent example of one such issue
affecting us all is the extension of the maximum allowed proposal
duration for R and A grants, with a recognition that a
simultaneous effort must be made to provide on-ramps for young
researchers. The annual meeting is a unique opportunity for us to
get broad community input on the priorities of the DPS for the
following year, so getting broader participation in the business
meeting is something that we need to continue to pursue.
I look forward to the opportunity to work on the DPS committee to
help strengthen our community and strengthen our voice in
Washington as well as across the country.
Anne Verbiscer (Committee): Vita
--------------------------------
EDUCATION:
-Ph.D. Planetary Sciences, Cornell University, 1991
-B.S. Physics, Rhodes College, 1986
EXPERIENCE:
-Research Associate and Mission Planner, Cassini Imaging Central
Laboratory for Operations, Space Science Institute, 2007-present
-Research Scientist, University of Virginia, 2001-present
(currently on leave)
-Visiting Assistant Professor, Mount Holyoke College, 1997-1998
-Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts,
1996-1999
-Consultant, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1992-1995
-Research Associate, Cornell University, 1992-1995
CURRENT/RECENT ACTIVITIES:
-Cassini Science Planning, Satellite Orbiter Science Team
-Cassini ISS team associate
-PI on HST and Spitzer programs
-PI on NASA Planetary Astronomy (PAST), Cassini Data Analysis
(CDAP) programs
-Co-I on NASA Planetary Geology and Geophysics (PG&G) program
-Coordinated worldwide campaign to observe the 2005 Opposition of
Saturn's satellites using 15 telescopes at 10 observatories in the
U.S. and Europe and HST.
SERVICE:
-Member, NASA Planetary Systems Science Management Operations
Working Group (PSS-MOWG), 2005-present
-Participant, Congressional Visits Day, 2007, 2008
-Member, 2008 DPS Meeting Local Organizing Committee
-Member, DPS Education Subcommittee 2007-present
-Member, 1997 DPS Meeting Program Committee
-NASA Planetary Astronomy Review Panel 1994-1996, 2005
-NSF Planetary Astronomy Review Panel 2005
-Space Telescope Science Institute TAC (Solar System) 2004
-Numerous outreach activities with the Science Museum of Virginia
(produced planetarium show), Girl Scouts, local Astronomy Clubs,
Cassini Scientist for a Day
SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS:
-Photometric properties of planetary surfaces: icy satellites,
transneptunian objects, asteroids; Enceladus' plumes; planetary
rings. Near-infrared spectroscopy of outer Solar System bodies
Anne Verbiscer (Committee): Statement
-------------------------------------
Since attending my first DPS meeting in 1986, the DPS has been my
professional home and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve
the planetary community as a DPS Committee member.
Membership in the DPS is the primary means by which most of us are
connected to the international community of planetary scientists.
The annual meeting provides the ideal opportunity to interact
personally with colleagues, present our latest research results,
and learn about discoveries made by other fellow solar system
explorers. I have worked on the Program Committee of the 1997 DPS
meeting and am currently working with the Local Organizing
Committee for the 2008 DPS meeting. As a DPS Committee member, I
will use this experience to promote the success of future annual
meetings.
In many ways, the success of the DPS meetings depends directly on
healthy Research and Analysis (R&A) programs at both NASA and the
NSF. Over the past year, we have seen many positive changes in R&A
at NASA, particularly those effected through the establishment of
the Senior Advisor for Research and Analysis (SARA). NASA has
demonstrated that the agency is not only willing to listen to the
concerns of our community regarding R&A but is responsive to those
concerns. However, many challenges and uncertainties lie ahead in
this presidential election year. NASA's FY09 budget includes an
ambitious suite of future missions for which the available funds
appear to be only barely adequate, and, if cost overruns are
allowed to eat into these marginal budgets, painful sacrifices may
become necessary and may include reductions in R&A. Maintaining
balance between and within the four Science Mission Directorate
divisions may prove to be impossible without increased funding. I
am heartened to see that the NASA Authorization Act of 2008,
recently unanimously passed by the House Committee on Science and
Technology's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, requests $1.9
billion over the agency's FY09 request (including $148.8 million
more for planetary science), restoring the effective cuts in
previous year's budgets which have not kept pace with inflation
since the last Authorization Act in 2005.
As a participant in the Science Engineering Technology
Congressional Visits Day (CVD) for the past two years, I have
joined the AAS delegation asking members of Congress to increase
funding for research and development. As a DPS Committee member, I
will use my experience and insights gained as a CVD participant to
continue to be a voice for the planetary community and communicate
the critical need for adequate funding of scientific research, not
only for the present, but especially for the future. Any cuts in
science funding deeply compromise our ability to attract and
maintain young researchers, our "seed corn", the very people who
will be enjoying the fruits of the missions we can only dream about
today.
Toward this end, as a DPS Committee member, I will work to improve
the effectiveness of the CVD by actively seeking participants from
critical congressional districts such as those of House and Senate
Appropriations Subcommittee members. These Subcommittees are
directly responsible for establishing funding levels for both NASA
and the NSF, and visits from member constituents assure that our
voices are heard by those who most need to hear them.
Finally, as a DPS Committee member, I would encourage DPS members
to take advantage of all opportunities to convey our enthusiasm and
appreciation for the public's support of the exploration of the
Solar System. I will offer any assistance I can provide to E/PO
within NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) to simplify both
the acquisition and implementation of the E/PO supplement grants,
upon resumption from their current hiatus status at SMD. So many
youngsters have an infectiously keen interest in space exploration
as elementary school-aged children that somehow either wanes or
gets squelched by the time they enter high school and college. I
would like to find ways to maintain that interest level that is so
clearly present at an early age. NASA's spacecraft missions,
enabled by taxpayers, are the crown jewels of its science programs.
We need to preserve the awe and wonder instilled by viewing images
from other worlds and translate these emotional responses into real
support for the continued exploration of our solar neighborhood.
Current plans have the Space Shuttle retiring in 2010, leaving
NASA's robotic missions, many with significant international
participation, to be the most visible symbols of the agency's
success.
I would be truly honored to serve the DPS community as a Committee
member and I look forward to working with the chair, vice-chair,
and other committee members to promote the goals and interests of
the planetary community as a whole.
3---------3---------3---------3---------3---------3---------3---------3
PLANETARY SCIENCE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING, 23-24 JUNE, GODDARD
The next meeting of the Planetary Science Subcommittee of the
NASA Advisory Council will be on 23-24 June in room E100E of Building
1 at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The agenda will include the
usual updates on the Planetary Science and Mars Exploration Programs
and reports on the activities of the community-based assessment groups
(MEPAG, LEAG, OPAG, etc.) There will also be presentations on the
Cassini extended mission, the current status of planning for Mars
Sample Return and the Outer Planet Flagship and a the results of
studies on the drivers for cost overruns and schedule slips. The
meeting is open to the public up to the capacity of the room.
Attendees will be requested to sign a register and to comply with NASA
security requirements, including the presentation of a valid picture
ID, before receiving an access badge. Foreign nationals attending
this meeting will be required to provide the following information no
less than 15 working days prior to the meeting: full name; gender;
date/place of birth; citizenship; social security number; green card
information (resident alien number, expiration date); visa information
(number, type, expiration date); passport information (number, country
of issue, expiration date); employer/affiliation information (name of
institution, title/position, address, country of employer, telephone,
email address); title/position of attendee. To expedite admittance,
attendees with U.S. citizenship can provide identifying information 4
working days in advance by contacting Marian Norris via email at
[email protected] or by telephone at (202) 358-4452.
Michael New
Executive Secretary, Planetary Science Subcommittee
4---------4---------4---------4---------4---------4---------4---------4
JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS
1) Post-Doc Position In Planetary Dynamics at the Observatoire de la
Cote D'Azur in Nice (France)
A new post-doc position will be open from October 2008 in the
Planetary Science Team at the Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur in
Nice. The position is for one year, but renewable up to three
years. The net salary will be 2.200 Euros/month and will include
medical coverage.
The object of this post-doctoral research will be to investigate in
details the dynamical evolution of the asteroid belt during the period
of Late Heavy Bombardment of the terrestrial planets, with emphasis on
the history of the cratering rate on Earth and the origin of
projectiles. Other aspects of small bodies' evolutions during the
same phase of Solar System history will also be investigated.
Applicants should have some knowledge of dynamics in the Solar System
and some experience in the use of numerical integrators. Applications
should include a CV, a list of publications and three letters of
recommendation. The applications should be sent before June 30, 2008
by email to Alessandro Morbidelli ([email protected]), whom applicants
may contact for further information.
The position will be funded by the Helmholtz-Society through the
Research Alliance `Planetary Evolution and Life'. The Alliance
is led and managed by Institut f=FCr Planetenforschung, Deutsches
Zentrum f=FCr Luft- und Raumfahrt, Berlin.
2) PhD Student Fellowships, Solar System Physics, Max Planck Institute
Several fellowships for PhD students in solar system physics
URL: www.solar-system-school.de
Contact: Dieter Schmitt, Max Planck Institute for Solar System
Research, [email protected] Phone Number: +49 5556 979 431
3) Planetary Physicist, Max Planck Institute for Solar System
Research, to participate in the science planning and data analysis of
the DAWN Framing Camera
Information about our research program can be found at www.mps.mpg.de.
We need support to prepare for the scientific investigations
(operations planning), to operate the cameras, and for scientific data
analysis. The candidate is expected to take an active role in the
science planning, data reduction and analysis, and in the operation of
the Framing Camera onboard NASA's DAWN spacecraft. He/she shall
support the scientific mission planning, development of tools, and
appropriate preparation of the science data analysis. Extended stays
in the US (science & operations center at UCLA) have to be
supported. It is expected that the candidate will pursue his/her
research in the field of minor planetary bodies in order to support
the scientific goals of the DAWN mission.
Qualifications: University degree in physics, several years of
experience in asteroid research, experience with space instruments and
operations. Knowledge of mission simulation software (e.g. SPICE,
SOA), IDL, and experience in CCD data analysis are of
advantage. Fluent command of English is mandatory.
The position is available immediately for an initial period of four
years up to and including Vesta orbit. The DAWN mission will nominally
end in the year 2016. Salary and benefits will be enumerated according
to the TV=F6D scale of the German civil services based on qualification
and experience.
Applicants should include a CV, a list of past employers
(certificates), and a list of publications. Applications should be
sent until 30th of June 2008 to:
Max-Planck-Institut f=FCr Sonnensystemforschung
Dr. H. Sierks
Max-Planck-Str. 2
37191 Katlenburg-Lindau
Germany
e-mail: [email protected]
5---------5---------5---------5---------5---------5---------5---------5
UPCOMING MEETINGS
1) 3rd European Planetary Science Congress (EPSC#3), Muenster, Germany,
21-26 September 2008
See http://meetings.copernicus.org/epsc2008/index.html
Online submission abstract deadline, June 13th (tomorrow!)
Note this session:
OA3: "Observing the Solar System: Contributions from Amateur Astronomy
to Planetary Research"
http://cosis.net/members/meetings/sessions/information.php?p_id=3D348&s_id=3D6021
This session should provide a platform to foster or even strengthen
cooperation between amateur astronomers and planetary
researchers. Experience reports from technical equipment,
observational techniques, data analysis methods (e.g., telescopes,
videoastronomy, image processing), ground-based observations of the
Moon, inner and outer planets, asteroids, comets, meteor showers, and
coordinated observational campaigns are welcome. The session will
include solicited and contributed papers; poster presentations are
particularly encouraged.
There will be reduced registration fees for teachers and amateur
astronomers.
Susanne Huttemeister, [email protected]
Silvia Kowollik, [email protected]
Frank Sohl, [email protected]
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+