Issue 20-33, July 19, 2020
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- REMINDER: VOTE IN THE 2020 DPS ELECTIONS
- JANUARY 2021 SBAG MEETING TO BE HELD VIRTUALLY
- FREE “BLACK LIVES IN ASTRONOMY” RESOURCE GUIDE AVAILABLE
- WHITE PAPER ON PLASMA AND MAGNETIC INSTRUMENTS IN SMALL BODY MISSIONS
- FALL AGU VIRTUAL MEETING, ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS OPEN
- JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES
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REMINDER: VOTE IN THE 2020 DPS ELECTIONS
Thank you to those have already voted in the 2020 DPS Elections. As of Friday, 462 DPS
Members have cast their ballots, a 38% turnout. Last year, we set a record with a 41%
turnout. We are very close to beating that record that this year!
Please vote today if you have not already done so.
We are electing the first-ever student representatives to the DPS Committee this year,
so please take a moment to review the candidate statements and cast your vote. Thanks!
The 2020 election for DPS Vice-Chair and Committee will close on July 31st 2020.
To vote you should have received an email from the AAS asking you to cast your ballot.
Each email contains a link with a unique code that will bring you to the ballot site. There
is no need to enter your AAS login information. You will be able to review the candidate
statements and cast your vote.
You should vote for one of the two candidates for Vice-Chair:
· Diana Blaney
· Nader Haghighipour
The Vice-Chair will become the DPS Chair in October 2021.
You should vote for two of the four candidates for DPS Committee:
· Jessie Christiansen
· Edgard Rivera-Valentín
· Kelsi Singer
· Matt Tiscareno
The successful candidates will serve on the DPS Committee for three years.
You should vote for one of the two candidates for the student representatives to the
DPS Committee:
· Malena Rice
· Maya Yanez
The successful student candidate will serve on the DPS Committee for two years.
This information also appears on the election page when you click on the link in your
email sent from the AAS.
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JANUARY 2021 SBAG MEETING TO BE HELD VIRTUALLY
The next SBAG meeting will be January 26-27, 2021, virtually. Go to:
https://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/meetings
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FREE “BLACK LIVES IN ASTRONOMY” RESOURCE GUIDE AVAILABLE
“Black Lives in Astronomy,” a new 8-page resource guide by astronomer/educator
Andrew Fraknoi, includes written and video resources about and by 25 black astronomers,
as well as general materials to examine the history and issues facing black members
of the astronomical community. Both older, established scientists and people early in
their careers are covered. It is aimed at the Astro 101 and amateur astronomer level,
and thus does not include any technical materials. It is designed to give instructors and
students examples of authentic black voices that can be shown in class or used in assignments.
You can find it free of charge at: http://bit.ly/blackastro
For a broader examination of the astronomy (and astronomers) of non-white cultures,
see Fraknoi’s “Astronomy of Many Cultures” at the website of the Astronomical Society
of the Pacific, at: http://bit.ly/astrocultures
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WHITE PAPER ON PLASMA AND MAGNETIC INSTRUMENTS IN SMALL BODY MISSIONS
We invite co-signers for our paper, “The Importance of Plasma and Magnetic Investigations
in Small Body Missions.” The paper highlights the small body science that can be conducted
with this instrumentation (internal layering/composition, remanent magnetism, space weathering,
and outgassing detection) and proposes a ride-along program be created which would allow
for continuous heliospheric monitoring en route and upon arrival at the target body using
these missions.
The paper can be accessed here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Le3c5b04Dh0jf8oyGThTSlhZsh5Ivj8f/view?usp=sharing
Please email [email protected] if you would like to endorse.
The paper will be submitted by August 15th.
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FALL AGU VIRTUAL MEETING, ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS OPEN
The American Geophysical Union Fall Virtual Meeting 2020 abstract
submission site is now open. Go to: http://www.agu.org/Fall-Meeting
Abstract submission guidelines are at: http://www.agu.org/Fall-Meeting/2020/Present/Abstracts
Session Viewer/Abstract submission site is at: http://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/prelim.cgi/Home/0
We will be keeping all sites updated with information regarding the virtual meeting
as the planning continues.
AGU FALL MEETING SESSION: “ENCELADUS: A HABITABLE WORLD BECKONS”
Saturn’s small yet active icy moon remains one of the most scientifically compelling
worlds in the solar system.
In this long-running special session, now in its 15th year, we seek to sustain a highly
multidisciplinary and stimulating atmosphere that enables a deeper understanding of
the nature and causes of Enceladus’ activity. We encourage submissions that specifically
provide insights into the moon’s interior, biological potential, surface morphology, south
polar plume, and space environment from diverse disciplines: e.g., planetary geology,
comparative planetology of relevant icy satellites, terrestrial studies, hydrothermal systems,
oceanography, geodynamics, tectonics, volcanology, space physics, organic chemistry,
geochemistry, astrobiology, origins of life, microbiology, and biosignatures. Field,
laboratory, and theoretical studies are all welcome.
We also welcome contributions on Cassini data analysis and modeling, as well as instrument
and mission concept developments that will lay the groundwork for a new generation of
explorers to Enceladus.
Abstract submission deadline: July 29, 2020
Abstract submission link: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/prelim.cgi/Session/101707
Chris Glein (SwRI) and Bill McKinnon (WashU)
AGU FALL MEETING SESSION: P006 – CARBON ACROSS THE SOLAR SYSTEM
ON THE EVE OF RETURNING ASTEROID SAMPLES
Studies of the existence and state of carbonaceous material on Solar System bodies
is at the forefront of planetary research. Samples of low-albedo asteroid 162173 Ryugu
are en route to the Earth on the Hayabusa2 probe, and a rehearsal of the initial sample
analysis is planned. At this time, the OSIRIS-REx space probe sampling of low-albedo
asteroid 101955 Bennu has been rehearsed. As a framework for these studies, telescopic,
laboratory and theoretical studies of carbon in all its forms have recently snowballed.
The 2018 SSERVI Carbon in the Solar System workshop launched a series of presentations
and discussions at various planetary science venues, enabling an information exchange
around the weathering of carbonaceous compounds in response to thermal processes and
irradiation, and what implications these compositions have for understanding material
processing in the Solar System. We will generate and share ideas to support research
and the imminent arrival of new samples.
We invite abstracts to be submitted through July 29:
https://www.agu.org/Fall-Meeting/2020/Present/Abstracts
Conveners:
Faith Vilas (Planetary Science Institute)
Amanda R. Hendrix (Planetary Science Institute)
AGU FALL MEETING SESSION: “GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS OF SATELLITES
AND SMALL BODIES: TO IO, AND BEYOND”
We wish to invite abstracts to the AGU Fall Meeting Planetary Science session
“Geology and Geophysics of Satellites and Small Bodies: to Io, and Beyond.
This is an exciting time for exploring the dynamic, evolving small bodies in the
Solar System. The AGU abstract submission site will open in late June. The
deadline for all submissions is Wednesday, 29 July at 23:59 EDT. We hope to
see you (virtually!) in December.
Conveners: A.G. Davies, K. de Kleer, T. McCord, T. V. Johnson
This is a session of contributed and invited papers on the geology and geophysics
of active or recently active satellites and dwarf planets, including small exoplanets.
Research is progressing rapidly due to the stream of new spacecraft and Earth-based
telescope data. Additionally, there are exciting future missions to the Jovian system
under development, including Europa Clipper, JUICE, and the proposed Io Volcano
Observer. Papers are welcomed on processes that affect the interiors of individual
bodies as well as the surface expressions they produce. Included are the effects and
chronology of internal heating (tidal dissipation and radioactivity), structural evolution
(e.g., differentiation), tides, and other geophysical and geological processes (e.g.,
volcanism, tectonism).
Sincerely,
Ashley Gerard Davies, Katherine de Kleer, Tom McCord and Torrence Johnson.
AGU FALL MEETING SESSION “LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE OF PLANETARY SCIENCE”
We’d like to invite abstracts to the virtual AGU session “ Looking ahead to the future of Planetary Science”
to be submitted through https://www.agu.org/Fall-Meeting/2020/Present/Abstracts through July 29th, and
look forward to seeing you for a fascinating session.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE OF PLANETARY SCIENCE
Description:
In preparation for the NASA Decadal Survey, the Planetary Science Division awarded
funds to study eleven mission concepts under the rubric of PMCS (Planetary Mission
Concept Studies). This program element solicited proposals for mission concept studies
that addressed NASA’s planetary science objectives, which are to ascertain the content,
origin, and evolution of the Solar System and the potential for life elsewhere. The oral
session will highlight the final reports of these Planetary Science Decadal Survey studies,
while abstracts for additional concepts that the community may have will be solicited to
be presented in a poster session.
Thanks a lot,
Doris Daou, Pat Beauchamp and Julie Castillo-Rogez
AGU FALL MEETING SESSION “THE FUTURE OF PLANETARY ATMOSPHERIC, SURFACE,
AND INTERIOR SCIENCE USING RADIO AND LASER LINKS”
Radio science has been used to study solar system phenomena and fundamental physics
for over five decades. The scope of this session includes radio and optical science techniques
to study ocean worlds, planetary and small body interiors, the dynamics, composition,
and thermal structure of planetary atmospheres, to characterize the scattering, electrical,
and other properties of planetary surfaces, to study solar system dynamics, and to conduct
tests in fundamental physics. Of particular interest are presentations on radio science investigations
motivated by U.S. Planetary Science Decadal Survey white papers. Relevant technology topics
include but are not limited to the design of small spacecraft networks and constellations, advances
in flight and ground instrumentation, advances in space clock technologies, novel communications
architectures including optical links, advances in radio and laser technologies, and new techniques
and instrumentation for entry probe radio science.
The conveners invite abstracts to be submitted through July 29 at https://www.agu.org/Fall-Meeting/2020/Present/Abstracts
David H. Atkinson, Sami W. Asmar, Luciano Iess, Silvia Tellmann
AGU FALL MEETING SESSION “TITAN – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE INVESTIGATIONS OF SATURN’S GIANT MOON”
Titan’s unique standing as the only moon in the solar system with a dense atmosphere
provides an environment like no other. Its complex meteorology of rainfall, wind, rivers,
lakes and seas interacting with a solid surface is reminiscent of the planets of the inner
solar system, while its icy crust and deep liquid water interior provide comparison to outer
solar system ocean worlds, such as Europa, Ganymede and Enceladus. Titan alone straddles
these diverse environments, providing a fertile natural laboratory for studying one-of-a-kind
chemistry, dynamics, geology and more. This session welcomes new results from past missions
including Voyager and Cassini-Huygens; present day modeling, observations and experiments;
and on-going scientific research to prepare for future missions including Dragonfly.
The conveners invite abstracts to be submitted through
https://www.agu.org/Fall-Meeting/2020/Present/Abstracts through July 29th,
and look forward to a session filled with exciting new results.
Conor Nixon, Alex Hayes, Kathy Mandt and Christophe Sotin
AGU FALL MEETING SESSION “CONCEPTS FOR FUTURE PLANETARY SCIENCE
MISSIONS AND INSTRUMENTS” (E-LIGHTNING)
Today planetary science missions are exploring the solar system as never before.
NASA spacecraft are headed to targets from Mercury to the Kuiper Belt, and aiming
to return the first samples from Mars and asteroid Bennu. ESA spacecraft are reaching
new targets from Mercury to Jupiter, and a wave of other missions from countries around
the world are targeting the Moon, Mars, near-Earth asteroids and beyond, with an dizzying
array of orbiters, rovers and landers. It is an exciting, dynamic time for planetary scientists
with new opportunities to propose mission concepts ranging from small Cubesats to traditional
large missions. This session solicits interactive electronic poster (e-Lightning) presentations
on novel mission and instrument concepts designed for future planetary science missions.
Abstract submissions are encouraged on all relevant mission and instrument concepts at:
https://www.agu.org/Fall-Meeting/2020/Present/Abstracts by July 29th.
We look forward to another very interesting session in December.
Conor Nixon, Morgan Cable, Charles Hibbitts, Melissa Trainer
AGU-2020 SESSION ON PLANETARY ACCRETION AND DIFFERENTIATION
We invite contributions to the session “Accretion and differentiation of rocky planets:
perspectives from geophysics, geochemistry, & astronomy” at the AGU Fall Meeting
from 7-11 December 2020, which will be at least partially virtual this year. We welcome
contributions from all disciplines to advance the understanding of the formation and
differentiation of rocky planets including, but not limited to, geochemistry, geophysics,
cosmochemistry, planetary science, and astronomy:
https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/prelim.cgi/Session/101356. The AGU
abstract portal is already open and the deadline for submissions is Wednesday, 29 July.
Session description: The simultaneous advent of high-resolution observations of planet-
forming disks and enhanced prospects to characterize rocky exoplanets highlights the need
for increasing interdisciplinary collaboration to understand the birth and life cycle of terrestrial
worlds in our solar system and exoplanetary systems. Therefore, this session welcomes
abstracts that address new observational, theoretical, and laboratory constraints on the
formation of Earth and other terrestrial planets in the solar system as well as in exoplanetary
systems. This includes modeling, observational, and experimental studies related to properties
of planetesimals, impacts, pebble accretion, core segregation, moon formation, crust–mantle
differentiation, atmosphere formation, or other major geophysical/geochemical processes that
fundamentally shape the evolution of rocky planetesimals and planets during their formation
and early evolution.
Conveners: Laura Schaefer (Stanford), Rebecca Fischer (Harvard), Tim Lichtenberg (Oxford)
Invited Speakers: Bethany Chidester (UC Davis), Jennifer Bergner (UChicago)
Sections: Study of Earth’s Deep Interior (primary), Mineral and Rock Physics, Planetary Science
Themes: Origin and evolution, Planetary atmospheres, Planetary interiors, Planetary Geochemistry
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JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES
A) RESEARCH PHYSICAL SCIENTIST
USGS ASTROGEOLOGY SCIENCE CENTER
The USGS Astrogeology Science Center is accepting applications for a Research
Physical Scientist term position. The position requires a combination of expertise
in machine learning and multivariate statistics, as well as in spectroscopy and planetary
science. The researcher would work on software development and data analysis for
ChemCam, SuperCam, and similar instruments. This position is equivalent to a post-doc,
although a PhD is not necessarily required if the applicant has an appropriate combination
of education and experience. Applications will be accepted through July 22, or until 65
applications have been received. Only US citizens are eligible for this position. Start
date is flexible but would be no earlier than mid-August.
Please refer to the job posting for more details:
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/573169300
Contact Ryan Anderson ([email protected]) with any questions.
B) U.S. NAVAL OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMER
The Nautical Almanac Office AA Department is hiring for an Astronomer GS-1330-11/12
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent/Full-Time
LOCATION: Washington, DC
ANNOUNCEMENT: DE-10859318-20-DMM
OPEN DATE: 7/17/20
CLOSE DATE: 7/27/20
WHO MAY APPLY: ALL US CITIZENS
To view the full vacancy announcement, please use the link provided below:
The URL is: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/573609400
For more information, please see the DON USAJOBS Link:
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