Issue 24-13, Jul 26, 2024
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- EARLY REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR 56TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AAS DIVISION FOR PLANETARY SCIENCES (DPS)
- PLEASE VOTE IN THE 2024 DPS ELECTION
- EXHIBITOR AND SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES AT 56TH DPS MEETING
- NEW HORIZONS DATA RELEASE AVAILABLE THROUGH NASA PDS
- NEW HORIZONS SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT WEBINAR
- BLACK SPACE WEEK 2024 RECORDINGS ARE AVAILABLE
- AGU SESSION P033: SSSBs: SAMPLE RETURNS, JWST, GROUND-BASED ASTRONOMY, AND MORE
- AGU SESSION P018: JUNO’S MULTI-INSTRUMENT VIEW OF IO, EUROPA, AND GANYMEDE
- AGU SESSION P028: PLANETARY SCIENCE AND ASTROBIOLOGY WITH THE HABITABLE WORLDS OBSERVATORY
- AGU SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT: P009: ENCELADUS: THE STORYTELLER
- SERIES OF NASA SMD WORKSHOPS DISCUSSING PRIORITY SCIENCE GOALS AND PLANETARY PROTECTION KNOWLEDGE GAPS
- ASTROBIOLOGY AND THE FUTURE OF LIFE MEETING
- ICE GIANT SYSTEMS SEMINAR SERIES: AUG 13TH DR JESSICA WEBER (JPL/CALTECH)
- CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL AND ICARUS
- JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
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EARLY REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR 56TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AAS DIVISION FOR PLANETARY SCIENCES (DPS)
Early registration is open for the 56th DPS Meeting in beautiful Boise, Idaho. Early registration will close on August 14th, and regular registration will close on September 12th. Register now to take advantage of the early-bird registration rates and consider attending one of the free workshops on Sunday October 6th or sign up to tour the Western Snake River Plain. Note that you must register for the meeting to attend any of these events. Information about registration rates, the workshops, and the tour can be found on the following webpage. https://aas.org/meetings/dps56/registration
You can reserve housing at this time through the following link. The housing deadline is September 13th. https://aas.org/meetings/dps56/accommodations
Click on this link to read a letter from our chair regarding the meeting registration rates.
If you have questions or need any assistance with registration, you can reach out to the AAS staff at [email protected]
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PLEASE VOTE IN THE 2024 DPS ELECTION
You should have received your ballot on Thursday July 11th at the email address you registered with for AAS/DPS for the 2024 DPS election. If you did not see your ballot, please check your spam/junk folder and also check that your membership did not lapse. Additional e-mails will be sent periodically until you have voted. If you have not received a ballot, and your DPS membership is current, please reach out to Diane Frendak at [email protected] or 202-328-2010 x109 for help. The election will close on August 20th.
LEADERSHIP: This year we are choosing a new Vice-Chair, two DPS Committee Members, and one Student Representative. The Vice-Chair will become Chair in October 2025. For more information about current officers and committee members, please visit the leadership section of the DPS website.
CANDIDATES: Information and position statements for the candidates have been collected into this single PDF. The same information is also accessible on your ballot.
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EXHIBITOR AND SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES AT 56TH DPS MEETING
If you are looking to showcase your organization or product to an audience of influencers and decision makers, please consider a booth, sponsorship, or both. See the Exhibitor Prospectus for more information. https://aas.org/meetings/dps56/exhibitors-sponsors
Please note: booth space and sponsorship packages are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Important Dates
- 16 August: Booth purchase early deadline
- 20 September: Booth purchase final deadline
- 6 October: Booth setup
- 10 October: Booth teardown
If you have any questions about the exhibit booth or sponsorship packages, please reach out to Rod Nenner, Director of Sales and Strategic Partnerships for the AAS.
202-328-2010 x148
Schedule a call: Rod’s calendar
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NEW HORIZONS DATA RELEASE AVAILABLE THROUGH NASA PDS
The following New Horizons data were released in the NASA PDS in May and June and are now available for use in research and proposals:
2024.05.30 New Horizons Bolometric Hemispherical Albedo Map of Pluto
To access the data above, go to: https://pdssbn.astro.umd.edu/holdings/pds4-nh_derived:pluto_albedo-v1.0/SUPPORT/dataset.shtml
2024.06.28 New Horizons Alice Reference Files Used in Calibrating Data
2024.06.28 New Horizons Alice KEM1 Encounter Calibrated Data
2024.06.28 New Horizons Alice KEM1 Encounter Raw Data
2024.06.28 New Horizons Documents for the Alice Instrument
2024.06.28 New Horizons Documents for the LORRI Instrument
2024.06.28 New Horizons Mission Documents v2.0
2024.06.28 New Horizons Documents for the SWAP Instrument
2024.06.28 New Horizons LORRI Reference Files Used in Calibrating Data
2024.06.28 New Horizons LORRI KEM1 Encounter Partially Processed Data
2024.06.28 New Horizons LORRI KEM1 Encounter Raw Data
2024.06.20 New Horizons SWAP KEM2 Raw,Calibrated V1.0
2024.06.20 New Horizons SDC KEM2 Raw,Calibrated V1.0
2024.06.20 New Horizons PEPSSI KEM2 Raw,Calibrated V1.0
2024.06.20 New Horizons LORRI KEM2 Raw,Calibrated V1.0
2024.06.20 New Horizons LEISA KEM2 Raw,Calibrated V1.0
To access the data listed above, go to:
https://pdssbn.astro.umd.edu/data_sb/missions/nh-kem/index.shtml
New Horizons team
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NEW HORIZONS SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT WEBINAR
New Horizons continues its operation, now at 58.8au from the Sun. Since 2015 it has made ground-breaking discoveries of the Pluto-Charon system, flown past the small contact KBO binary Arrokoth and collected phase and light curve data for some three dozen additional KBOs and the ice giants. It has also been sampling dust density throughout the solar system and studying the cosmic optical background. To raise awareness of New Horizon’s scientific impact we are beginning a new spotlight seminar series on the 4th Thursday of each month at 2:30 PM EST, which we invite you to attend online, or watch recorded at your convenience.
Calendar for future seminars:
Recordings are archived and posted at:
https://pluto.jhuapl.edu/News-Center/index.php#Spotlight-Presentations
Speaker Schedule:
- May 23, 2024 – Mark Postman, New Synoptic Observations of the Cosmic Optical Background with New Horizons
- Jun 27, 2024 – Alex Doner, New Horizons Venetia Burney Student Dust Counter Observes Higher than Expected Fluxes Approaching 60 AU
- Jul 25, 2024 – Anne Verbiscer, Photometric Parameters for KBOs Derived from LORRI Photometry
- Aug 22, 2024 – Randy Gladstone, The Lyman Alpha Sky as Observed by New Horizons at 57 AU
- Sep 26, 2024 – The Termination Shock
For questions, contact New Horizons CoI Susan Benecchi, [email protected]
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BLACK SPACE WEEK 2024 RECORDINGS ARE AVAILABLE
The fifth annual Black Space Week, organized by the Black in Astro organization, was held in Washington, DC., June 16-22, 2024 (https://www.blackinastro.com/black-space-week-2024). The events of Black Space Week were attended by hundreds, and included several panels featuring current and former astronauts, high-ranking U.S. Space Force officers, actors, entrepreneurs, government officials, students, and scientists. The full event was organized in partnership with NASA, the U.S. National Space Council, and the White House, and it was recognized by the U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris (https://eos.org/articles/black-space-week-celebrates-fifth-anniversary). Recordings of the panels and discussion can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/@Black_In_Astro. Please share this resource around the DPS community and keep your eyes out for the 2025 event!
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AGU P033 SSSBs: SAMPLE RETURNS, JWST, GROUND-BASED ASTRONOMY, AND MORE
Please consider submitting an abstract to our session on SSSBs. This session welcomes abstracts that address analyses of returned samples, new observations and models of large planetesimals found across the solar system, and contrast the properties of planetesimals found in various small body reservoirs.
Observations returned by space missions (e.g., OSIRIS-REx, Hayabusa 2, New Horizons…) and large telescopic facilities (e.g., JWST, Adaptive optics observations) offer a broad encompassing view of the populations of large planetesimals and dwarf planets that formed shortly after solar system formation. Most of these bodies have retained information on their accretional environments while others have undergone significant internal evolution. The sample return missions will continue deciphering the solar system’s early history with the exploration of near Earth asteroids like Ryugu and Bennu. Upcoming flyby missions to visit 16 Psyche and Jupiter Trojan asteroids and instruments on the extremely large telescopes available in the next decade will provide observations with unprecedented details of many large planetesimals.
Conveners: Julie Castillo, Franck Marchis, Bryan Holler
Submit an abstract here: https://agu.confex.com/agu/agu24/prelim.cgi/Session/225952
Deadline July 31, 2024
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AGU SESSION:P018: JUNO’S MULTI-INSTRUMENT VIEW OF IO, EUROPA, AND GANYMEDE
Please consider submissions to the AGU Session P018: Juno’s multi-instrument view of Io, Europa, and Ganymede
https://agu.confex.com/agu/agu24/prelim.cgi/Session/226276
Session ID: 226276
Session Title: P018: Juno’s multi-instrument view of Io, Europa and Ganymede
Section: Planetary Sciences
Session Description:
The Juno spacecraft performed close and distant flybys of Ganymede, Europa, and Io between 2021 and 2024. The data collected during these flybys provided unprecedented views of these Jovian moons. Juno’s multi-instrument measurements include high-resolution imagery in visible, ultraviolet, and infrared of the surface geology and composition, microwave subsurface sounding, electromagnetic sounding of the sub-surface conductive layers, gravitational sounding of the interior, as well as the characterization of the electromagnetic fields and particles environment of these moons.
This session welcomes papers on the observations and models related to Juno’s flybys of Europa, Ganymede, and Io, focusing on the surface composition and geology, ice-shell thermal structure, ocean dynamics, the structure and dynamics of deeper layers as well as atmospheric and space environment studies. Ground and space telescope observations of the Jovian moons and modeling work in anticipation of the Europa Clipper and Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) missions are equally welcome.
Conveners: Anton Ermakov (Stanford), Tracy M. Becker (SwRI), Hao Cao (UCLA), Lynnae C. Quick (GSFC), Phillip H. Phipps (Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore County)
Deadline July 31, 2024
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AGU SESSION P028: PLANETARY SCIENCE AND ASTROBIOLOGY WITH THE HABITABLE WORLDS OBSERVATORY
If you are planning to attend AGU this year, please consider submitting an abstract to the Planetary Science and Astrobiology with the Habitable Worlds Observatory session!
Session ID: 226393
Session Title: P028: Planetary Science and Astrobiology with the Habitable Worlds Observatory
Section: Planetary Sciences
Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) is a NASA mission concept currently under development that responds to the Astro2020 Decadal Survey’s prioritization of a large, space-based, ultraviolet/optical/near-infrared-capable telescope capable of directly imaging Earth-like exoplanets around nearby Sun-like stars. Importantly, HWO will also have a science scope that can address elements of the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey through its imaging and spectroscopy of solar system worlds. This Great Observatory will revolutionize our understanding of habitability, search for signs of life elsewhere, and study planetary system formation/evolution in our solar system and beyond. This session invites presentations focused on the major science questions that could be answered with HWO. Key topical areas will include characterizing exoplanetary atmospheres, potential biospheres, and surface environments through direct imaging and transits; solar system science; understanding planetary systems; and exoplanet demographics.
https://agu.confex.com/agu/agu24/prelim.cgi/Session/226393
Deadline July 31, 2024
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AGU SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT: P009: ENCELADUS: THE STORYTELLER
Saturn’s moon Enceladus has a starring role in the story of our solar system. It is the smallest geologically active body. It is also an ocean world. Enceladus’ subsurface ocean is in direct contact with a rocky seafloor where geophysical processes fuel geochemistry.
There is an amazing diversity of planetary processes to explore on Enceladus. Moreover, this moon appears to provide the most accessible ocean samples beyond Earth in which we can search for evidence of life. Incredible progress has been made, but the story is still unfolding. We continue to ask questions, from how does Enceladus work as a system, to could life be supported and leave imprints on the environment?
We welcome contributions from diverse perspectives across all disciplines of planetary science and astrobiology, with topics ranging from the deep interior to the space environment. Icy/ocean world comparative studies and mission/technology developments are also encouraged.
Submit your abstract here: https://agu.confex.com/agu/agu24/prelim.cgi/Session/224915
Due by 31 July 2024.
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SERIES OF NASA SMD WORKSHOPS DISCUSSING PRIORITY SCIENCE GOALS AND PLANETARY PROTECTION KNOWLEDGE GAPS
Please join NASA’s Science Mission Directorate for a series of workshops aimed at discussing the priority science goals and Planetary Protection knowledge gaps that NASA should address in advance of human presence on the surface of Mars.
The first, a two-day virtual seminar, “Science and Planetary Protection in Advance of Human Missions Seminar”, will take place on July 31 and August 1, 2024. It will introduce key discussion topics and knowledge gaps, led by community experts and based on the latest available data. We will ask attendees to contribute to brainstorming sessions to identify forward work and potential priorities for the subsequent workshop.
The second, a three-day virtual workshop to be held October 30 – November 1, will collect abstracts from the community to introduce mission concepts, research questions, and considerations based on discussions at the first event. Additional details about the second workshop will be provided as they are available.
Attendees will discuss and develop answers to pertinent questions including:
- What data do we need to collect and what research do we need to conduct to limit harmful contamination of Mars before humans arrive?
- What scientific research needs to be conducted before humans arrive and how will it inform the activities of the human explorers once they are on the surface?
- What research will the crew themselves be doing, and how will forward and backward contamination control be incorporated into those research activities?
We will use results from these workshops to inform future research and mission priorities for the NASA Planetary Protection Office, the Astrobiology Program, and the Mars Exploration Program. This workshop is co-sponsored by the Network for Life Detection (NfoLD), an Astrobiology Research Coordination Network (RCN). We will make a summary of the workshop publicly available.
Find additional information and updates on the event page.
Please send any additional questions to Bob Collom at [email protected]
Click on this link to register for the workshop
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ASTROBIOLOGY AND THE FUTURE OF LIFE MEETING
The Astrobiology and the Future of Life meeting is scheduled for October 16–18, 2024, at the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) in Houston, Texas. This meeting is designed to explore the potential of new interdisciplinary, interdivisional research efforts organized around the theme of the Future of Life. Presentations related to astrobiology and NASA’s science divisions (Astrophysics, Biological and Physical Sciences, Earth Science, Heliophysics, and Planetary Science) may include such topics as:
- Technosignatures (Astrophysics, Planetary Science)
- Future evolution of Earth (Biological and Physical Sciences, Earth Science, Planetary Science)
- Long-term climate sustainability and the fates of biospheres and technospheres (Astrophysics, Earth Science, Planetary Science)
- Modeling possible future Earths and exoplanet observations (Astrophysics, Earth Science, Planetary Science)
- Survival of Earth life on other planets (Biological and Physical Sciences)
- Multigenerational life in isolated habitats (Biological and Physical Sciences)
- Solar/Stellar evolution and habitable zones (Astrophysics, Earth Science, Planetary Science)
- The Sun’s future path through the galaxy and possible climate implications (Astrophysics, Earth Science, Planetary Science)
- Long-term biosphere/planetary feedback affecting the habitable lifetimes of planets (Planetary Science)
- Stability of Planetary Systems (Astrophysics, Planetary Science)
- Solar/stellar variability and limits on biospheres and technospheres (Astrophysics, Earth Science, Planetary Science)
- Evolution of habitable zones during post-main sequence solar/stellar evolution (Astrophysics Heliophysics, Planetary Science)
Abstract submission deadline: August 2, 2024, 5:00 p.m. CDT
Questions concerning this announcement may be directed to David Grinspoon at [email protected].
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ICE GIANT SYSTEMS SEMINAR SERIES: AUG 13TH DR JESSICA WEBER (JPL/CALTECH)
Date/Time: Aug 13th, 11am ET
Speaker: Dr. Jessica Weber (JPL/Caltech)
Topic: Astrobiology Applications in the Uraniun System
The Ice Giant Systems Seminar Series showcases recent developments in scientific topics covering all aspects of the ice giant systems, including atmospheres, satellites, rings, magnetic fields, interior structures, and science related to formation and evolution.
Events are held on the second Tuesday of the month. To access the virtual seminar, view the seminar schedule, and access recordings of previous talks, visit the series website here: http://icegiantsseminar.jhuapl.edu
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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/2632-3338/5/7
Icarus:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/icarus/vol/418/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 positions **for free**.
Recent openings and opportunities are listed below and more are at the link above.
- Associate Editor Opening for Icarus Covering Mars surface geomorphology and geochemistry
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
- Applicants who must have demonstrated broad expertise in Mars surface geomorphology and geochemistry
- 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 October 1, 2024. Please include up to three references.
Applications and relevant supporting documents must be sent to Christina Gifford, Publisher, [email protected].
- Job Announcement – Department Chair of Physics and Applied Physics
The University of Massachusetts Lowell invites applications for the position of Chair to lead an established and active Department of Physics and Applied Physics. We seek a visionary chair with a record of academic and research achievement to take the department to a new level, who will supervise and maintain departmental academic activities, while continuing their independent research program in a field that enhances and/or complements our current research strengths. The successful candidate will be a nationally prominent academic leader with an established record of excellence in research, education and mentorship that can promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, respect, and integrity.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell is a leading public research university in the greater Boston area and has a national reputation in science, engineering, and technology. The appointee will be offered a competitive start-up package, with access to high-end research equipment and facilities, and the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across disciplines in various science and engineering departments and research centers.
The position is open until filled, with a planned start date of September 1, 2025.
For more information visit: https://explorejobs.uml.edu/en-us/job/523612/professor-and-department-chair-of-physics-and-applied-physics
- Two Open Rank Professors of Planetary Sciences at the University of Bern
Institution: Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
Job Description: The Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences within the Physics Institute of the University of Bern has two openings, as of 2025, for two professors in experimental planetary sciences. The Division is one of the leading research groups in the field of space instrumentation for experimental solar system exploration and is looking for professors in the fields of planetary remote sensing and in situ mass spectrometry or in related fields. The initial hiring level can range from assistant professor tenure track to full professor according to qualifications (open rank). The successful candidates are expected to have or further develop an excellent and internationally recognized track record in the development, construction, and exploitation of scientific instrumentation flying on spacecraft missions. The Division offers excellent conditions in terms of laboratory infrastructure, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities to build space-grade hardware. The University of Bern has set the aim of increasing the percentage of women in leading academic positions and thus strongly encourages female scientists to apply for the positions.
The application deadline is 1 August 2024. This is a reposted job ad because of the long time interval between the initial publication date and the deadline. More information can be found at:
https://www.space.unibe.ch/about_us/jobs/questionnaire/index_eng.html
- Lecturer or Senior Lecturer Positions in the Department of Physics at Imperial College London
Applications are invited for five Lecturer or Senior Lecturer positions within the Department of Physics at Imperial College. The positions are permanent academic appointments. The post holders will play a leading role in shaping the future research and teaching portfolio of the Department. We are seeking candidates whose expertise will strengthen our academic mission to deliver world-class scholarship, education and research. Appointment of the highest caliber candidates will be based on scientific excellence.
The Department is structured into five research communities that drive new research directions: Light, Matter, Physics of Particles, Physics of the Universe, and Space, Plasma and Climate. In this call, we particularly welcome applications in the following research areas:
- Atmospheric dynamics of extreme weather.
- Direct search for dark matter.
- Physics implementation of neuromorphic hardware.
- Quantum technology.
- Quantum Field Theory and gravity.
- Application of Artificial Intelligence to astrophysical modeling.
Reference Number: NAT01762
Salary: £67,221 – £76,184 per annum
Location / Campus: South Kensington Campus – On site only
Contract Type: Full time, permanent
Closing date: 19-Aug-2024
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Send submissions to: Denise Stephens, DPS Secretary, at this address [email protected]
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