Newsletter 24-03

Issue 24-03, January 28, 2024

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  1. REGISTRATION AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION OPEN FOR THE URANUS FLAGSHIP WORKSHOP
  2. EARLY CAREER DOMESTIC GRANTS TO ATTEND THE URANUS FLAGSHIP WORKSHOP
  3. SCIENCE WITH NEO SURVEYOR WORKSHOP MAY 7-9, 2024
  4. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE EXOPLANET EXPLORATION PROGRAM ANALYSIS GROUP (EXOPAG; NOMINATION DEADLINE JANUARY 31, 2024)
  5. SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT FOR APOPHIS T-5 YEARS WORKSHOP
  6. CALL FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN HABITABLE WORLDS OBSERVATORY MISSION CONCEPT MATURATION
  7. CALL FOR DPS PRIZE NOMINATIONS
  8. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION FOR “TNO2024: THE TRANS-NEPTUNIAN SOLAR SYSTEM” IS NOW OPEN.
  9. CONGRATULATIONS TO TENG EE (TONY) YAP, WINNER OF ICARUS “BEST STUDENT-LED PAPER” AWARD
  10. CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL AND ICARUS
  11. JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

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REGISTRATION AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION OPEN FOR THE URANUS FLAGSHIP WORKSHOP

We are pleased to announce that registration and abstract submission is now open for “The Uranus Flagship: investigating new paradigms for outer planet exploration” Workshop to be held in Greenbelt, MD from 21 to 23 May 2024.  Join us as we discuss practical aspects of the next planetary flagship and how we can employ new paradigms to better enable robust outer planet exploration. 

 We also seek abstracts on the following topics: 

1. Near term technologies.  Infusions of near-term (TRL 4-6) technologies may help enhance the science return of power and data rate constrained missions.  We especially seek contributions on technologies that can help save mass or power or can improve science data volume return.

 2. Mission science drivers.  We seek broad summary discussions that can highlight the breadth of measurements that contribute to answering Decadal thematic questions, how they drive the mission architecture, and which measurements/methods offer the highest science return.  Each abstract should focus on a single UOP science objective (from the Decadal study) when discussing the above topics.

 3. Interdisciplinary and cross-divisional science.  Flagship missions often contribute to science beyond the STM.  Topics can include best examples of how this has worked on other missions, innovative investigations that could contribute UOP interdivisional science without changing the mission design, and how UOP exploration will benefit other Division’s decadal survey goals, etc.

Please visit our website to register and submit abstracts: https://science.gsfc.nasa.gov/690/uranus-flagship

Registration Deadline:  5 April

Abstract Submission Deadline: 25 March, 5 pm eastern

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EARLY CAREER DOMESTIC GRANTS TO ATTEND THE URANUS FLAGSHIP WORKSHOP

With funding from NASA, we are pleased to announce early career domestic travel grants to attend the “The Uranus Flagship: investigating new paradigms for outer planet exploration” Workshop to be held in Greenbelt, MD from 21 to 23 May 2024. 

 Applications should consist of:

  • A letter of intent explaining why the applicant is interested in attending and what you hope to gain from the workshop;
  • A documented estimate of domestic transportation and lodging costs, any expected contribution from your advisor/supervisor/grants, and requested award (not to exceed $2000);
  • A complete curriculum vitae including US institution where you are based and status as a student or PhD date;
  • Brief letter of endorsement from an advisor, supervisor, or colleague*

 Eligibility: Applications should be students or within 10 years of their Ph.D. at the time of the workshop and based at a U.S. institution.

 Complete application packages should be emailed to Amy Simon ([email protected]).  *If preferred, endorsement letters may be sent separately but should clearly indicate the applicant’s name in the subject line.

Deadlines: Applications are due 23 February and we anticipate selections to be made by 8 March.

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SCIENCE WITH NEO SURVEYOR WORKSHOP MAY 7-9, 2024

The NEO Surveyor mission is pleased to announce a community workshop: “Science with NEO Surveyor”. The intent of this workshop is to provide members of the scientific community a chance to interact with Surveyor Science Team members and learn more about the anticipated NEO Surveyor observing cadence, data products, and timescales of public delivery.  For more information, and to register, please visit the workshop webpage:  https://neos.arizona.edu/events/science-neo-surveyor

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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE EXOPLANET EXPLORATION PROGRAM ANALYSIS GROUP (EXOPAG; NOMINATION DEADLINE JANUARY 31, 2024)

The Astrophysics Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate is pleased to issue this open call for nominations to serve on the Executive Committee (EC) of NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG). In the coming months, NASA anticipates making several new appointments to the ExoPAG EC, replacing three current members of the committee who have reached the end of their appointments.  New appointments will start in the Spring of 2024 and will be for a period of three years.

Overview of ExoPAG: 

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/overview/

Full call for nominations to ExoPAG Executive Committee:

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/internal_resources/2880/2024-ExoPAG_EC_recruitment.pdf

ExoPAG Executive Committee Membership:

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/executive-committee-membership/

Nominations and inquiries for the ExoPAG EC should be submitted to Dr. Hannah Jang-Condell (NASA Headquarters, Deputy Exoplanet Exploration Program Scientist, ExoPAG Executive Secretary) at [email protected].

The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2024, with announcement of selections anticipated in Spring of 2024. Selections will be announced by the ExoPAG mailing list (https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/announcementList).

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SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT FOR APOPHIS T-5 YEARS WORKSHOP

The Apophis T-5 Years: Knowledge Opportunity for the Science of Planetary Defense workshop will be held April 22–23, 2024, at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

This workshop will focus on international collaboration opportunities, as recommended by the Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG), for both Earth-based observations and potential in situ investigations, optimally supporting the science return from the OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft making a post-Earth-encounter rendezvous with Apophis.

The abstract deadline is February 12, 2024.  For Workshop information and abstract submission, the website link is   https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/apophis2024/

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CALL FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN HABITABLE WORLDS OBSERVATORY MISSION CONCEPT MATURATION

The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) is NASA’s next astrophysics flagship mission concept recommended by the 2020 Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics. Two community groups are guiding the early mission concept maturation activities for HWO: a Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START) and a Technical Assessment Group (TAG).

Working Groups being organized under the START and TAG will be exploring the HWO mission concept’s fundamental science goals and how best to pursue them. Several of these Working Groups are focused specifically on planetary science, including solar system observations.

Participation in HWO Working Groups is open to the community, and while there is no deadline for expressing interest in participating, activities are anticipated to begin around the end of January 2024 and last throughout the calendar year. Please express interest in joining an HWO Working Group here: https://forms.gle/jwdexDLAfnKAt1eK6.

More information on the Habitable Worlds Observatory and START/TAG activities can be found on the NASA website: https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/habitable-worlds-observatory/start-tag/. Questions can be sent to the HWO Program Scientist, Megan Ansdell ([email protected]).

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CALL FOR DPS PRIZE NOMINATIONS

Deadline: April 15, 2024

Every year the DPS recognizes exceptional achievement in our field. Please consider nominating a respected colleague for one of the annual DPS prizes.

The DPS sponsors six prizes:

The Gerard P. Kuiper Prize [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/kuiper] recognizes and honors outstanding contributors to the field of planetary science.

The Claudia J. Alexander Prize [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/alexander] recognizes excellence and achievements by a mid-career scientist.

The Harold C. Urey Prize [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/urey] recognizes and encourages outstanding achievements in planetary research by an early-career scientist.

The Harold Masursky Award [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/masursky] recognizes and honors individuals who have rendered outstanding service to planetary science and exploration through – but not limited to – engineering, managerial, programmatic, editorial, or public service activities.

The Carl Sagan Medal [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/sagan] recognizes and honors outstanding communication by an active planetary scientist to the general public.

The Jonathan Eberhart Planetary Sciences Journalism Award [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/eberhart] recognizes and stimulates distinguished popular writing on planetary sciences.

DPS members and the planetary science community-at-large are encouraged to submit nominations for DPS prizes.

 A complete nomination submitted by the deadline will be considered by the DPS Prize subcommittee for 3 years (i.e. for this year’s award, next year’s award, and the year after that), or for the duration of a candidate’s eligibility, whichever is less. Please fill out the nomination form [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/nomination-form], and it will be submitted to the prize subcommittee. The Eberhart Award has different rules and procedures than the other DPS Prizes, please see its page [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/eberhart-nomination-form] for more information.

 Scroll to the bottom of https://dps.aas.org/prizes for rules and procedures.

 Questions: Email [email protected]

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ABSTRACT SUBMISSION FOR “TNO2024: THE TRANS-NEPTUNIAN SOLAR SYSTEM” IS NOW OPEN.

Abstract submission for TNO2024: The Trans-Neptunian Solar System conference is now open. Abstracts can be submitted at the conference website, https://tno2024.org. The conference will focus on a number of topics, including:

  • Physical and dynamical properties
  • Dwarf planets
  • Binaries and multiple systems
  • Relationships with other small body populations (Centaurs, Trojans, comets, inner Oort Cloud objects, interstellar objects)
  • Distant TNOs
  • Formation and evolutionary processes
  • Current and future surveys
  • Laboratory studies
  • Current and future space missions
  • Occultations

The conference will take place at the Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics in Taipei, Taiwan 24–28 June 2024.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO TENG EE (TONY) YAP, WINNER OF ICARUS “BEST STUDENT-LED PAPER” AWARD

We are pleased to announce the winner of the 2023 Icarus “Best Student-Led Paper” Award. Teng Ee (Tony) Yap’s paper, ” The NC-CC dichotomy explained by significant addition of CAI-like dust to the Bulk Molecular Cloud (BMC) composition” https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115680 which appeared in the November 15, 2023 issue of Icarus.  The paper was selected by the independent Icarus Board of Advisory Editors and was among five nominated for the Award. 

Detailing their reason for selecting Tony Yap’s paper as the winner, the board stated, “The paper presents a model for the formation of isotope anomalies in solar system materials based on mixing among primordial reservoirs. In contrast to other recent studies, the authors demonstrate that mixing between CAI-like and bulk-molecular cloud reservoirs can explain observed isotope trends without a third reservoir representing CI chondrites and asteroid Ryugu. This work advances the field by providing a self-consistent model of early solar system formation that can be tested with further data on Fe isotopes in CC achondrites.”.”

The lead author obtained his B.A. in Astrogeophysics from Colgate University and is currently a second-year graduate student pursuing a PhD in Planetary Science at Caltech. His research lies at the intersection of isotope cosmochemistry and planetary astrophysics, and aims to offer new insights into early Solar System evolution and the planet formation process.

We wish to express our warmest congratulations to Tony and his co-author Francois Tissot on winning this Award.

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CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL AND ICARUS

The current issues for both DPS-affiliated journals are here:

The Planetary Science Journal:

https://iopscience.iop.org/issue/2632-3338/5/1

Icarus:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/icarus/vol/409/suppl/C

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JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

Job seekers and employers are encouraged to browse DPS’s job listings and advertise open positionsfor free  **for free**.

Recent openings and opportunities are listed below and more are at the link above.

  1.  Steve Fossett Postdoctoral Fellowship

The Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Washington University in Saint Louis invites applications for the Steve Fossett Postdoctoral Fellowship. The Department seeks outstanding candidates who will strengthen and complement existing areas of study, including terrestrial and planetary geology, geochemistry, geophysics, geobiology, and climate science. Candidates will be encouraged to collaborate directly with faculty and students within the Department, and will be invited to lead a seminar in their area of expertise.

This competitive postdoc is awarded for a one-year period, which may be extended to a second year. The annual salary is $70,000 with additional research funds of $6,000 per year. The appointment is anticipated to begin on or around July 1, 2024.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Earth, planetary, or climate science or a related field at the time of appointment, and have a record of excellent scholarship. The ideal candidate will have trans-disciplinary interests, and will interact scientifically with a broad spectrum of the Department’s members.

Application Instructions

Applicants should include a cover letter, a current curriculum vitae (including full publication list), a two- to four-page statement of research interests, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Inquiries about the position should be directed to Prof. William McKinnon ([email protected]). Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position will remain open until filled. Priority will be given to applications received by Febuary 7, 2024. Please see:

https://apply.interfolio.com/138677

  • Two Associate Editor Openings with Icarus

The role of Associate Editor, along with the Editor-in-Chief and other members of the Editorial Board of the Journal and Elsevier, is to manage the peer review process for manuscripts submitted to the journal using the online journal system.  The Associate Editor is empowered to make decisions autonomously on manuscripts but is also welcome (and expected) to seek the opinion of the wider editorial team.

The Associate Editor role entails:

  • Responsibility for the scientific content of the Journal within a specific area relating  to  the  Journal,  taking  into  account  the  Aims  and  Scope, the Publisher’s editorial policies as updated from time to time (including without limitation those on ethics in publishing at the Publisher’s website) and the editorial policy of the Journal. 
  • The evaluation and selection of articles for publication in the Journal that are consistent with the high standards of the journal.  This includes coordinating an objective and unbiased peer-review process for submitted Articles, obtaining a minimum of (2) reviews for each article, and will reject, or  return  for  revision  to  the  authors Articles  that  do  not  meet  the required standards of the Journal.
  • Ensuring an appropriate and sufficient level of submissions of Articles for publication to meet the publication goals of the Journal. If necessary, the Editor will solicit Articles to help meet such publication goals.
  • Conduct activities in accordance with generally accepted industry standards for integrity and objectivity in all matters respecting the selection, editing, acceptance and reviewing of Articles

Alongside the review process the Associate Editors are asked to periodically participate in discussions with Elsevier about the journal’s development and potential new initiatives.  The team of Editors will hold meetings approximately twice a year via video call, as well as in-person meetings in conjunction with certain events or training sessions, as required.

The applicants:

  •  Must have a PhD in a field of study relevant to the scope of this journal
  • Two positions for applicants who must have demonstrated broad expertise in either: terrestrial/super-Earth atmospheres, global circulation and climate models  OR giant planet atmospheres and interior models
  • Be knowledgeable in research publishing, managing a journal publication, the peer review process and in growing a journal
  • Demonstrate skills as a good collaborator with ability to lead a team effectively

Elsevier is committed to inclusion and diversity in our work and want the Journal to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We are therefore committed to ensuring that the Editorial Board is representative, and encourage all individuals interested to apply for a position with the board.

 Interested candidates are asked to provide a complete CV, including publication record, as well as a one-page summary of their relevant experience and area of expertise for this Associate Editor position by February 28, 2024.  Please include up to three references. 

Applications and relevant supporting documents must be sent to Christina Gifford, Publisher, [email protected].

  • Postdoctoral Position, UC Santa Cruz, Planetary Thermal Evolution Modeling

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics and Other Worlds Laboratory at the University of California, Santa Cruz, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar position in planetary evolution modeling. We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience working on theory and modeling of planetary or stellar interiors or atmospheres. 

Successful candidates will work in the research group of Professor Jonathan Fortney, which focuses on the physics and chemistry of the atmospheres and interiors of substellar objects, from terrestrial planets to giant planets to brown dwarfs, for objects in and out of the solar system.  Potential projects for the Scholar include the thermal evolution and internal structure of strongly irradiated giant planets, solar system giant planets, brown dwarfs, and sub-Neptunes. Projects will require code development in Python and potentially include work with the open-source MESA code.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: All documents and materials must be submitted as a single PDF and should be forwarded to Jonathan Fortney ([email protected]). Applications must include:

  • a cover letter
  • a curriculum vitae with list of publications
  • a research statement (up to 3 pages) that includes a discussion of relevant experience in addition to future research interests
  • names of three references who will be submitting letters

Please have each of the three references e-mail their recommendation letters to [email protected] by the application deadline for full consideration. Please refer to “Evolution Postdoc” in all correspondence.

RECRUITMENT PERIOD: Full consideration will be given to applications completed by Monday January 22, 2024. Applications received after this date will be considered if the position has not been filled.

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Send submissions to: Denise Stephens, DPS Secretary, at this address  [email protected]

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