Subject: [DPS Members] DPS Mailing #08-20: Ithaca DPS Meeting... Issue 08-20, September 30th 2008 DPS Web site: http://dps.aas.org/ +-----------------------------CONTENTS--------------------------------+ 1) DPS Meeting 2008: Pre-Registration Deadline is October 1 2) DPS Meeting 2008: Rideshare Program at DPS Conference 3) DPS Meeting 2008: More DPS Workshop News 4) DPS Meeting 2008: Sagan Medal Prize Talk at DPS 5) DPS Meeting 2008: Volunteers Still Needed for Several DPS08 E/PO Events 6) DPS Meeting 2008: Remember that DPS08 Will be Webstreamed Live! 7) DPS Meeting 2008: Correction to Jim Bell's e-mail address 8) Job Announcements +---------------------------------------------------------------------+ 1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1 PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 1 The on-line pre-registration deadline for DPS08 is 1 October, 10 PM EDT. If you do not register by this time, you will only be able to register on site, at a higher rate. Register online at https://members.aas.org/source/meetings/cMeetingProcessSearch.cfm The registration form can be downloaded and faxed to AAS from: http://dps08.astro.cornell.edu/reg.html For the first time this year, the registration form includes an opportunity to contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the meeting. 2---------2---------2---------2---------2---------2---------2---------2 RIDESHARE PROGRAM AT DPS CONFERENCE The DPS Ithaca meeting Green Conferencing Initiative has an easy-to-use web-based program that facilitates ride sharing during the conference. Like a bulletin board, users can post ride offers and ride requests, starting now. If you'd like to avoid renting a car, have a specialty destination, or want some company on a tour of local attractions, please visit our rideshare website: http://greenconferencing.astro.cornell.edu/ride/ 3---------3---------3---------3---------3---------3---------3---------3 MORE DPS WORKSHOP NEWS 1) Delayed Start for James Webb Space Telescope Workshop Jonathan Lunine, organizer and presenter of the workshop "Observing With the James Webb Space Telescope" that will take place on Friday, October 10, announces that the workshop will begin at 10:00am (not the earlier 9:00am announced previously). Workshop attendees, please make note of the time change. In this workshop, we will discuss the science of planetary observations with the James Webb Space Telescope, the premier space observatory of the next decade. We will focus on both planets within our Solar System and planets beyond, as well as objects relevant to planetary system formation (small solar system bodies, exoplanetary disks). The workshop goals are to: engage the broader planetary community in the exciting science that JWST will enable, educate the community about JWST's capabilities, and elicit from the community new ideas for planetary observations with JWST. For more information, contact Jonathan Lunine: [email protected] or Heidi Hammel: [email protected]. 2) Next Decadal Study for Planetary Science: Update and Information Session The Space Studies Board of the National Research Council has been requested to carry out a Decadal Study for planetary science for the 2010-2020 decade. An informational session about this study will be held at the upcoming Ithaca DPS meeting. This session will provide an update on current planning for this activity, which is scheduled to begin in January 2009, and will outline some of its major goals. A particular focus will be to seek ideas and suggestions from DPS members on how to maximize effective inputs from the science community. The session will be held on Sunday, October 12 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the Statler Auditorium. Please contact Joe Veverka ([email protected]) for more information. 4---------4---------4---------4---------4---------4---------4---------4 SAGAN MEDAL PRIZE TALK AT DPS The 40th DPS Sagan Medal prize talk will take place on Sunday, October 12 at 7:30 pm in Bailey Hall on the Cornell University campus. The event will be free and open to the public. Presenter G. Jeff Taylor, from the University of Hawaii and winner of the prize, will speak about "Lunar Settlements, Lunar Science". Emmy-award winning television host and science educator Bill Nye will emcee the event. According to Jeff: The talk will discuss the reasons why scientists and explorers want to return to Earth's neighbor and the value of humans settling it. Humans living and working on the Moon will pave the way for a broader human presence on other planetary bodies, while providing scientific insight into the Moon and its unexplored mysteries. In many ways, the Moon is the eighth continent. Its settlement will enable us to use all the space near the Earth and Moon, for both science and commerce. The Moon contains vital evidence about planet formation, melting, and early impact bombardment of the inner solar system, and a permanent presence on the Moon will allow us to decipher that complex record. For more information, see http://dps08.astro.cornell.edu/events.html. 5---------5---------5---------5---------5---------5---------5---------5 VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED FOR SEVERAL DPS08 E/PO EVENTS Additional DPS member volunteers are still needed for the Sunday Oct. 12, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., "Ask an Astronomer" E/PO event with Bill Nye on the Sciencenter's Sagan Planet Walk, and for the Monday Oct. 13, 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., Family Open House Day in the Barton Hall poster area. See the Sept. 3 DPS member email for more details, and please contact Jim Bell at [email protected] if you are willing to help with either of these E/PO events. 6---------6---------6---------6---------6---------6---------6---------6 REMEMBER THAT DPS08 WILL BE WEBSTREAMED LIVE! Remember that this year, as an experiment, all DPS oral talks in all sessions will be streamed LIVE on the internet. Session chairs will be strongly encouraged to stick to the allotted time schedule, to enable remote participants to plan to view specific talks, if desired. Please mark your calendars, and check http://dps08.astro.cornell.edu for details and web links during the conference. To help you plan to participate by webstream, the science program is posted at http://dps08.astro.cornell.edu/sciprog.html. 7---------7---------7---------7---------7---------7---------7---------7 CORRECTION TO JIM BELL'S E-MAIL ADDRESS In the last e-news issue (08-19), the item about yesterday's DPS webstreaming test gave an incorrect e-mail address for Jim Bell, who is the person to contact with feedback or reports of technical problems. His correct address is [email protected] 8---------8---------8---------8---------8---------8---------8---------8 JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS 1) Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Planetary Science The Department of Astronomy of the University of Maryland, College Park, seeks applications to fill an immediate post-doctoral position in planetary science, in collaboration with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The aim of the research project is to study the lower atmosphere and surface of Saturn's moon, Titan, using data collected by the Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) on the Cassini Saturn orbiter spacecraft. The position is a two-year appointment in the first instance, with the possibility of extension depending on the success of future grant proposals. For further information on this position, including qualifications required and application details see: http://www.astro.umd.edu/~nixon/postdoc_job.html or contact Dr C.A. Nixon ([email protected]) Applications received by November 12th will receive full consideration. 2) Postdoctoral Scholar Positions at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Postdoctoral Scholars Program at JPL invites applications for postdoctoral research positions in Martian atmospheric properties and dynamics. The research will involve analysis and modeling of data collected by the Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) instrument on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) spacecraft. The successful candidate will work with retrieved profiles of temperature, pressure, and ice and aerosols abundance to study the distribution and properties of Martian clouds and dust and Martian atmospheric dynamics (including tides and the global circulation). Dr. David M. Kass, Mars Climate Sounder Instrument Scientist, of JPLís Division 32 will serve as JPL postdoctoral adviser to the selected candidates. A Ph.D. in planetary atmospheric sciences or related fields is required. Experience in the analysis of Martian atmospheric data and processes (i.e., atmospheric dynamics, radiative transfer, or scattering) is highly desirable. Prior experience with instrumental datasets (such as TES) will be beneficial. A strong background in programming, UNIX systems, and experience working with large data sets is also highly desirable. The positions are open immediately and appointments are contingent upon completion of Ph.D. The annual starting salary for a recent Ph.D. is $US 52,000 and can vary somewhat according to the applicantsí qualifications. Positions are awarded initially for a one-year period. Appointments may be renewed in one-year increments for a maximum of two additional years. Applicants should submit a CV and the names of three references to: Dr. David M. Kass Jet Propulsion Laboratory, M/S 169-237 4800 Oak Grove Dr. Pasadena, CA 91109 FAX : 818-393-4619 Email: [email protected] +---------------------------------------------------------------------+ Send E-news submissions to: John Spencer, DPS Secretary ([email protected])