Issue 18-32, August 11, 2018
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- IN MEMORIAM: JOHN EDWARD WESTFALL (1938-2018)
- ANNOUNCEMENT FOR PROPOSALS FOR A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT RELATED TO SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE NASA MARS 2020 PROJECT
- MAPSIT SPECIAL ACTION TEAM SOLICITS FEEDBACK ON ISIS
- NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE NOVEMBER 1, 2018
- EXPLORING THE INFRARED UNIVERSE: THE PROMISE OF SPICA
- JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES
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IN MEMORIAM: JOHN EDWARD WESTFALL (1938-2018)
Professor of Geography and Environmental Sciences at San Francisco State
University, 1968 – 2005.
Ph.D, The George Washington University;
BA and MA, University of California, Berkeley.
Director of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, 1985 – 1995.
Full obituary at https://www.higginsmortuary.com/tributes/John-Westfall
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ANNOUNCEMENT FOR PROPOSALS FOR A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT RELATED
TO SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE NASA MARS 2020 PROJECT
The Mars 2020 rover mission is part of NASA's Mars Exploration
Program, a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the Red Planet.
The Mars 2020 mission addresses high-priority science goals for Mars
exploration, including key questions about the potential for life on Mars.
https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/
This AFP solicits proposals from commercial, educational, or non-profit
organizations to partner with NASA on a non-reimbursable, i.e.,
no-exchange-of-funds, basis to define, organize, and execute a contest
for K-12 students in U.S. schools to select a name for the Mars 2020
rover launching in 2020. NASA seeks proposals from organizations that
are innovative, inspirational, and utilize avenues of high impact for
reaching a diversity of populations and broadening participation. NASA
views such contests as opportunities that further the Agency objectives
to inform the public and distribute knowledge gained from the space
program to a broad audience.
Responses due: October 9, 2018
Details:
Interested parties are encouraged to read the AFP carefully, as it
differs significantly from a ROSES-type solicitation.
Questions: George Tahu (hqmars2020namingproposals@mail.nasa.gov)
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MAPSIT SPECIAL ACTION TEAM SOLICITS FEEDBACK ON ISIS
NASA has chartered the Mapping and Planetary Spatial Infrastructure
Team (MAPSIT) to create a special action team to execute a review of
the present state of the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS's) Integrated
Software for Imagers and Spectrometers (ISIS) capabilities and
development to provide findings relevant to future development of those
capabilities and others funded by NASA at the USGS's Astrogeology
Science Center.
This form is a way for you to provide input into that process:
https://goo.gl/forms/iLJSRKu4sivLSqmu1
You may enter questions for which you think the special action team
should get answers, comments about your previous experience with ISIS,
and suggestions for future NASA-funded software development in this
area.
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NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE NOVEMBER 1, 2018
This announcement reflects recent increases to the NPP annual base stipend
and the annual travel allowance provided to fellows.
The NASA Postdoctoral Program offers US and international scientists the
opportunity to advance their research while contributing to NASA's scientific
goals. The NPP supports fundamental science; explores the undiscovered;
promotes intellectual growth; and encourages scientific connections.
Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP Fellows complete one-
to three-year Fellowship appointments that advance NASA's missions in
earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics, space bioscience,
aeronautics and engineering, human exploration and space operations, and
astrobiology.
Current NPP research opportunities in planetary science can be viewed here:
NPP Planetary Sciences Research Opportunities
Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in hand before beginning
the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. U.S.
citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and foreign nationals eligible for J-1
status as a Research Scholar may apply.
UPDATED! Stipends now start at $60,000 per year, with supplements for
high cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Financial
assistance is available for relocation and health insurance, and $10,000 per
year is provided for professional travel.
Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1.
For further information and to apply, visit: https://npp.usra.edu/
Questions: npphelp@usra.edu
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EXPLORING THE INFRARED UNIVERSE: THE PROMISE OF SPICA
Crete, Greece
20-23 May 2019
The infrared wavelength range is key to understand the origin and evolution
of galaxies, stars and planetary systems, which are obscured by dust during a
large part of their life cycles. With a large cold mirror and a sensitive suite of
instruments, SPICA, recently selected as a candidate for ESA’s Cosmic Visions
program, stands poised to revolutionize these fields by providing ultra-deep
spectroscopy in the 12-230 µm range, as well as imaging (17-37 µm and
100-350 µm) and polarimetry (100-350 µm). With launch planned for 2030,
SPICA will complement current and upcoming facilities, filling the spectral
gap between JWST and ALMA, while providing a huge leap over previous
infrared space missions. We would like to invite the international astronomical
community to participate in the conference, Exploring the Infrared Universe:
The Promise of SPICA, which will take place on the island of Crete on 20-23
May 2019. At this conference, participants will learn about the capabilities
and current design of SPICA, which includes a significant Guest Observer
program, while discussing the exciting scientific promise of the mission.
Up to date information about the SPICA mission and its instruments can be
found at http://www.spica-mission.org, in addition to links to a set of
whitepapers recently published in the journal PASA, that focus on some of
extragalactic science enabled by SPICA.
Topics to be addressed at the meeting include:
-The rise of metals and dust across cosmic time
-Feedback and feeding processes in galaxy evolution
-Star formation and the baryon cycle in galaxies
-Magnetic fields and turbulence in star formation
-Protoplanetary disks and the formation of habitable planets
-Debris disks, planetary systems, and the Solar system
Confirmed invited speakers include: Susanne Aalto, Yuri Aikawa,
Françoise Combes, Bill Dent, Edith Falgarone, Davide Fedele,
Andrea Ferrara, Javier Goicoechea, Masateru Ishiguro, Patrick Koch,
Leon Koopmans, Ilse de Looze, Roberto Maiolino, Thomas Müller,
Tohru Nagao, Klaus Pontoppidan, Alexandra Pope, and Peter Roelfsema.
For further information about the conference, please visit http://www.spica2019.org/
Abstracts are due December 1, 2018.
Registration is closed February 1, 2019.
Looking forward to seeing you in Crete!
On Behalf of the SOC.
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JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES
A) POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST – ASTROPHYSICS LABORATORY
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Columbia University’s Astrophysics Laboratory invites applications for a
Postdoctoral Research Scientist to perform laboratory simulations of solar
wind ion irradiation of Mercury’s regolith surface. The successful candidate
will join the group headed by Senior Research Scientist Dr. Daniel Wolf Savin;
they will participate in designing, building, and performing experiments
utilizing a novel ion beam apparatus to study the spectral changes and
sputtering yields of regolith-like loose powders.
The appointment is initially for one year, with the possibility of renewal for
up to two additional years; this is contingent upon the availability of funds
and mutual satisfaction.
The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. or the equivalent degree in
Planetary Science, Physics, Geology, Astrophysics, or a related field. Desired
laboratory skills include experience with apparatus design and construction,
fast ion beams, ion optics, ultra-high vacuum techniques, visible and near
infrared spectral reflectance measurements, quadrupole mass spectrometers,
catcher foils, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and associated electronics.
Desired computer skills include programming, multidimensional data analysis,
LabView, Python, Autodesk Inventor, Solidworks, SIMION, Linux/Mac OS,
and Windows OS.
The successful candidate will have a strong background in at least some of
the areas listed above, a proven research ability, and evidence of future research
potential. The candidate is expected to be able to work well independently and
cooperatively with a team and to communicate the results of his/her research
both orally and in writing. Demonstrated written and oral communication
skills are highly desirable. Questions regarding this position can be addressed
to Dr. Savin at savin@astro.columbia.edu.
Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae (including a list of
publications) and statement of past research. In addition they should arrange
to have three letters of reference sent directly by the writers to Dr. Savin.
Applications will be considered only after all of the requested material has
been received. Applications and letters should be submitted by email to
savin@astro.columbia.edu. Screening of applicants will begin immediately
and will continue until the position has been filled.
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