Newsletter 16-15

Issue 16-15, May 7, 2016

 

+————————————–CONTENTS————————————–+

  1. ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW HORIZONS KUIPER BELT EXTENDED MISSION SCIENCE PLANNING OPPORTUNITY
  2. SOFIA CYCLE 5 CALL FOR OBSERVING PROPOSALS RELEASED
  3. FEEDBACK TO OPAG ON NASA R&A RESTRUCTURING
  4. FEEDBACK TO MEPAG ON NASA R&A RESTRUCTURING
  5. JOBS/POSITIONS OPPORTUNITIES
  6. UPCOMING MEETINGS & WORKSHOPS

+——————————————————————————————–+

 

 

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1

ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW HORIZONS KUIPER BELT EXTENDED 

MISSION SCIENCE PLANNING OPPORTUNITY

 

The centerpiece of the proposed New Horizons Kuiper Belt Extended 

Mission (NH-KEM) is the very close flyby of the 20-40 km wide KBO 

2014 MU69 on 1 January 2019. NH-KEM will also observe ~20 other 

KBOs at phase angles and/or at resolutions not otherwise possible, 

producing a unique database of KBO phase curves, satellite searches, 

and ring searches. 

 

If NH-KEM is approved, mission schedules require that both distant 

KBO observations and MU69 close flyby planning must begin almost 

immediately. 

 

The New Horizons team plans to use a portion of its September Science 

Team Meeting the week of Sep 19 to gather community input to NH-KEM 

observation plans.

 

Those are interested in listening to or potentially presenting at this 

activity should complete the indication of interest form at

http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/kem-workshop-1/index.php

 

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2

SOFIA CYCLE 5 CALL FOR OBSERVING PROPOSALS RELEASED

 

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Science 

Center is pleased to announce the Call for Proposals for SOFIA Cycle 5 

observing time. The Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is 

issuing this call on behalf of NASA.
 
The SOFIA Cycle 5 call solicits proposals for approximately 476 hours 

of observing time.  Cycle 5 observations will be scheduled during the time 

period between February 1, 2017 and January 31, 2018. A Southern 

Hemisphere deployment that may include up to 3 instrument campaigns is 

planned during Cycle 5, nominally around mid-2017.
 
The deadline for Cycle 5 proposal submission is July 1, 2016, 9 p.m. PDT.
 
A formal update of this Call for Proposals that will incorporate any late 

changes in the observatory’s status will be posted publicly on June 10, 2016.
 
Seven instruments will be available during SOFIA Cycle 5: EXES, FIFI-LS, 

FLITECAM, FORCAST, FPI+, GREAT (or upGREAT), and HAWC+. 

The HAWC+ instrument and the upGREAT High Frequency Array mode 

will be commissioned after the proposal deadline for Cycle 5, and are offered 

for General Investigator observing in Cycle 5 on a shared risk basis, contingent 

on successful commissioning.
 
This call is open to all qualified astronomers, world wide, in the U.S. and 

outside the U.S., except for those currently affiliated with German institutions. 

Astronomers with a German professional affiliation can participate through 

the parallel German Cycle 5 call issued by the German SOFIA Institute (DSI) 

on behalf of the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
 
Total General Investigator funding available through the Cycle 5 call is 

expected to be approximately $5M, contingent on budget confirmation and 

NASA approval.
 
Information regarding preparation and submission of observing proposals 

is available on the Cycle 5 webpage:
 

https://www.sofia.usra.edu/researchers/proposing-and-observing/proposal-calls/cycle-5
 
We look forward to your participation in this exciting new research opportunity.
 
Erick Young
Director of SOFIA Science Mission Operations

 

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3

FEEDBACK TO OPAG ON NASA R&A RESTRUCTURING

 

Dear Outer Planets Community:

 

Your feedback is requested! The AG Chairs have been asked by the Space 

Studies Board (SSB) for each community’s perspective on the efficacy of 

NASA’s Planetary Science Division (PSD) Research and Analysis (R&A) 

programs, following the 2014 restructuring. The OPAG community feedback 

will comprise a portion of Alfred’s OPAG presentation to an SSB R&A 

Review Committee on May 13. 

 

The R&A Committee has been tasked to address the following questions:

 

1.                  Are the PSD R&A program elements appropriately linked to, 

and do they encompass the range and scope of, activities needed to support 

the NASA Strategic Objective for Planetary Science and the Planetary Science 

Division Science Goals, as articulated in the 2014 NASA Science Plan?

 

2.                  Are the PSD R&A program elements appropriately structured to 

develop the broad base of knowledge and broad range of activities needed both 

to enable new spaceflight missions and to interpret and maximize the scientific 

return from existing missions?

 

The SSB Review Committee guidelines include:

 

– Will conduct its review in the context of current budgetary realities that 

have differed from projections assumed prior to the release of the most recent 

planetary science decadal survey;

– Will not examine the PSD R&A programs as they were prior to the 

restructuring; and
– Will not comment on the strategic science goals and objectives of 

PSD, SMD, or NASA.

 

Please send comments you would like to see presented to 

[email protected] by May 9.  All responses will be confidential, 

and any included in Alfred’s presentation will be without attribution. 

 

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4

FEEDBACK TO MEPAG ON R&A RESTRUCTURING

 

Dear Mars Community:

 

Your feedback is requested! Jeff Johnson, MEPAG Chair, has been 
asked by the Space Studies Board (SSB) for the Mars community’s 
perspective on the efficacy of NASA’s Planetary Science Division 
(PSD) Research and Analysis (R&A) programs. The Mars community 
feedback will comprise a portion of Jeff’s presentation to an SSB 
R&A Review Committee. The committee will hold its first meeting at 
the National Academy of Sciences on May 12-13, and has invited 
representatives from all of the PSD analysis groups.
 
In particular, the committee has been tasked to address the following 
questions:

1. Are the PSD R&A program elements appropriately linked to, and do 
they encompass the range and scope of activities needed to support 
the NASA Strategic Objective for Planetary Science and the Planetary 
Science Division Science Goals, as articulated in the 2014 NASA 
Science Plan?

2. Are the PSD R&A program elements appropriately structured to 
develop the broad base of knowledge and broad range of activities 
needed both to enable new spaceflight missions and to interpret 
and maximize the scientific return from existing missions?

Please answer the survey questions by May 9 at: 
 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jlek-3IeOfBXe6juOx-hqT3iLhiGEsm1bjS7Y3A2PgM/viewform
 

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5

JOBS/POSITIONS OPPORTUNITIES
 

A) POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN MARS SCIENCE

 

The Department of Planetology and Habitability at the Centro de 

Astrobiología (CAB) invites applications for a postdoctoral position 

to support investigations on the nature of the early Mars environments. 

The successful candidate will work with Dr. Alberto Fairén in the 

ERC-funded Project “icyMARS”.

 

Applicants should have a recent Ph.D. in the field of Planetary Science 

or related discipline, and a background in Mars research. Expertise in 

Geochemistry or Microbiology would be helpful, but not required.

 

The position, placed in Madrid, would be for two years, with possible 

extension to a third year contingent upon funding availability and 

satisfactory performance. Benefits include working in a young enthusiastic 

team at one of the leading Planetary Sciences institutions in Europe, full 

social benefits according to the Spanish social care system, and a very 

competitive salary.

 

Applicants should send a letter of interest, a curriculum with a list of 

publications, a brief (maximum two pages) statement of research interests, 

and a list of three references, no later than July 1 2016, to Alberto Fairén

([email protected]).

 

The starting date is negotiable, but should be no later than Jan 1, 2017.  

 

B) PLANETARY INTERIOR STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS SCIENTIST

 

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a Federally-Funded Research and 

Development Center operated by the California Institute of Technology 

for NASA, invites applications for a full-time position in interior structure 

and dynamics of planets and satellites. The scientific scope of interest for 

this position is broad, but candidates should have demonstrated expertise 

in one of the following areas: Modeling of signal propagation in solid 

bodies and atmospheres, with applications, for example, to icy satellites, Mars, 

Venus, and giant planets; Processing of geophysical data, in particular seismic 

signals, over a broad range of frequencies; Material mechanical properties and 

their dependence on several parameters including pressure, temperature and 

forcing frequency; and/or Modelling of planetary internal processes. The 

selected applicant is expected to participate in or lead science definition and 

advancement of new science, technology, and mission proposals.

 

The applicant must have a PhD in Geology, Geophysics, Physics, or a related 

technical discipline.  The applicant shall have an established reputation along with

a broad knowledge of planetary measurement approaches and expertise in modeling 

and interpretation of the data for planetary science applications.

 

JPL/Caltech offers a competitive salary and impressive benefits, and provides 

research opportunities at the leading edge of Planetary Science. To view the 

full job description and apply, visit: http://Careerlaunch.jpl.nasa.gov/ (Job 

ID #2016-6584). Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and should

include a curriculum vitae, a career statement with research objectives, and 

contact information for three professional references. JPL/Caltech is an equal 

opportunity/affirmative action employer.

 

C) POSTDOCTORAL POSITION REACTION DYNAMICS & 

PLANETARY SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA, USA 

The Reaction Dynamics Group, Department of Chemistry, University of 

Hawai’i at Manoa, invites applications for one postdoctoral position. The 

appointment period is initially for one year, but can be renewed annually 

based on avail­a­b­ility of funds and satisfactory progress. The salary is 

competitive and commensurate with experience. Successful applicants 

should have a strong background in experimental reaction dynamics, UHV 

tech­nology, and pulsed laser systems. The goal of the experiments is to 

probe the formation of alkylphosphonic acids via interaction of ionizing 

radiation with low temperature interstellar and cometary analog ices. Reaction 

products will be probed via tunable vacuum ultraviolet photoionization of 

the subliming molecules. 

Solid communication skills in English (written, oral), a publication record 

in internationally circulated, peer-reviewed journals, and willingness to work 

in a team are man­da­to­ry. Only self-motivated and energetic candidates are 

encouraged to apply. Please send a letter of interest, three letters of 

recommendation, CV, and publication list to Prof. Ralf I. Kaiser, De­partment 

of Chemistry, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822-2275, USA

[[email protected] ].

 

Applicants must demonstrate their capability to prepare manuscripts 

for publications independently. The review of applications will start 

May 30, 2016, and continues until the position is filled. A description of 

our current research group can be found at 

http://www.chem.hawaii.edu/Bil301/welcome.html.

 

6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6

UPCOMING MEETINGS & WORKSHOPS

 

A) ENCELADUS AND THE ICY MOONS OF SATURN

     Boulder, Colorado July 26-29, 2016

 

ABSTRACT DEADLINE : May 12, 2016

 

http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/enceladus2016/

 

B) LUNAR AND SMALL BODIES GRADUATE CONFERENCE 2016 – 

     ANNOUNCEMENTAND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: JUNE 3

 

Registration is now open for the 7th Annual Lunar and Small Bodies Graduate

Conference (LunGradCon 2016) to be held on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at the

NASA Ames Research Center, preceding the NASA Exploration Science Forum

(ESF). 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 bodies 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 3rd 2016, 11:59 PM PDT.

For more details, please visit:

http://impact.colorado.edu/lungradcon/2016/

or email any questions to: [email protected] 

 

C)  SUMMER SCHOOL IN SOFTWARE SYSTEMS FOR ASTRONOMY

 

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Physics and Astronomy Department offers 

the two week course (July 25 – August 5).  The course covers software design 

and implementation of telescope and instrument control systems, observation 

planning tools, and software for analyzing and archiving astronomical data.  

A full course description and instructions for enrollment are given at:

http://phys.uhh.hawaii.edu/Summer2016/summer2016.php

 

D) ASTEROIDS, COMETS, METEORS 2017 – 1ST CIRCULAR

10-14 April 2017
Montevideo, Uruguay

www.acm2017.uy

The series of conferences “Asteroids, Comets, Meteors” focuses on the 
research of small Solar System bodies. The series constitutes the 
leading international meeting in this field. The first three 
conferences took place in Uppsala, Sweden in the 1980’s, and 
afterwards they were organized every ~3 years all over the world. 

Next year’s meeting will be held in the Edificio Polifuncional Jose 
Luis Massera that belongs to the Universidad de la Republica and is 
located beside the Faculty of Engineering. The building is 
located near the sea coast in a beautiful green area called Parque 
Rodo. There are several hotels and restaurants in the surroundings 
within walking distances. Furthermore, Montevideo downtown is 
only a ten minute drive away. There are several bus lines connecting 
downtown with Parque Rodo. 

For those interested in attending, please, fill the form with your 
personal data. Provide us a tentative title of your contribution 
and/or the subject you are working on:

http://acm2017.uy/x/pre-registration/

Funds are very limited, so we expect to cover some accommodation 
expenses for graduate students and recent PhDs; and it will be 
possible to waive the registration fee for some people needing 
some assistance.

———————————+

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].