Issue 20-52, December 20, 2020

+————————————CONTENTS—————————————-+

1. MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
2. UPDATE ON NASA R&A STATUS
3. SBAG SECOND CALL FOR EARLY CAREER LIGHTNING TALKS
4. ACS SYMPOSIUM ANNOUNCEMENT: ASTROCHEMICAL COMPLEXITY IN PLANETARY SYSTEMS
5. IN MEMORIAM: KOICHIRO TSURUDA (1937-2020)
6. JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES

+——————————————————————————————–+

 

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1

 

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

 

As we approach the end of 2020, it’s a good time to reflect and look ahead. 2020 has demonstrated unequivocally the importance of science in all aspects of society. As scientists, we play a key role in advocating for science-based decision-making in our communities. The connections you make with friends, neighbors, and leaders to help them understand the scientific enterprise are vital. It’s not just about sharing our love of planetary science, it’s about sharing the tools of science – critical thinking, impartial evaluation of evidence – that allow people to dispel conspiracy theories and make logical decisions. Thank you for all that you do to bring science to your communities: it matters.

 

The DPS membership’s strength and resilience are apparent in the breadth and scope of planetary science being accomplished in spite of truly challenging circumstances, and in the care people in our community are taking for one another. The highs have been very high, including the first fresh sample from a low-albedo near-Earth object brought safely back to Earth by the Hayabusa2 team, the OSIRIS-REx team’s sample collection from asteroid Bennu, the daring Chang’E lunar sample return mission, the launch of Mars 2020, and many others.

 

The lows have been very low indeed, revealing the cracks in our society caused by inequities along many axes, such as economic and racial injustice and violence. Science is a human process, and the scientific community is not immune from these problems. Efforts to recover from the pandemic must involve addressing these issues, and as a professional society, DPS can and should play an important role in this work.

 

It’s heartening to see DPS members rallying to help each other out in countless ways big and small. As we leave 2020 behind (thankfully) and look ahead to 2021, let’s stay connected and keep checking in with our friends and colleagues to lend a supportive virtual shoulder and ask for theirs in return. Exercise more kindness for yourself and others. Our community is our strength.

 

Stay safe and keep well.

 

Amy Mainzer

 

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2

 

UPDATE ON NASA R&A STATUS

 

NASA has presented new data on its research and analysis programs at the recent Planetary Advisory Committee meeting. The presentation slides are publicly available at:

https://www.lpi.usra.edu/pac/presentations/1120/

 

The DPS Committee encourages review of the materials. We would like to collect feedback on them so that we may refine our strategies for advocacy within the Federal Relations Subcommittee (FRS). Please send comments to the DPS Committee by January 15, 2021. If you are interested in working with the FRS to help work on advocacy, please contact the FRS Subcommittee Officer, Kurt Retherford. You can find contact information for the DPS officers here:

leadership/officers

 

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3

 

SBAG SECOND CALL FOR EARLY CAREER LIGHTNING TALKS

 

The 24th Meeting of the NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) is scheduled for January 26-27, 2021.

https://urldefense.us/v3/__https:/www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/meetings/

The meeting includes time for early-career scientists and engineers attending the meeting to introduce themselves and their research to the community. The talks will be 3 minutes each. If you are interested in giving a lightning talk, please email the early-career secretary, Terik Daly ([email protected]), by COB on January 12. Attach a single slide, in PDF format, with your name, affiliation, and a figure or two that highlight your research. We encourage presenters from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.

 

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4

 

ACS SYMPOSIUM ANNOUNCEMENT: ASTROCHEMICAL COMPLEXITY IN PLANETARY SYSTEMS

 

We are delighted to announce that the American Chemical Society symposium: “Astrochemical Complexity in Planetary Systems” is back on, and will be held online during April 5th-16th 2021. The aim is to bring together laboratory, theoretical and observational astrochemists with planetary scientists, to generate insights into the origins of chemical complexity in planetary systems. To submit an abstract for a talk or poster, please visit https://callforabstracts.acs.org/acsspring2021/PHYS before January 19th.

 

Session topics include:

* Chemical Complexity in the Interstellar Medium

* Experimental Techniques for Astrochemistry

* Chemistry of Protoplanetary Disks and Comets

* Complex Chemistry in the Saturnian System

* The Inner Solar System, Asteroids & Meteorites

* Astrobiology & The Prebiotic Earth

* Emerging Techniques for Sample Analysis

 

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5

 

IN MEMORIAM: KOICHIRO TSURUDA (1937-2020)

 

From Masato Nakamura/ISAS:

Professor Koichiro Tsuruda passed away on the morning of December 3, 2020, at the age of 83. After conducting VLF observations and research, Dr. Tsuruda created a new method of electric field measurement and installed it on the S-520-9 sounding rocket, the Akebono satellite, and the Geotail satellite, which was a major break-through in solar system plasma science research. He also served as the Director of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) from 2003 to 2005 and guided the Institute through the difficult period just after it was integrated into the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Dr. Tsuruda had both a gentle personality and a strong resilience in his spirit, and many people loved him. He suffered from Parkinson’s disease in his later years, but he passed away peacefully at home with his family watching over him.

 

From Jim Green/NASA:

As a young NASA researcher who was the deputy Project Scientist on the Global Geospace Science set of satellites I had the pleasure of traveling to ISAS and working with the Geotail scientists where I met Dr. Tsuruda. I was already very familiar with his seminal Akebono wave papers. He was an outstanding scientist who took time to explain a number of key plasma wave concepts to me that I will never forget. We again met when he headed ISAS guiding that nation’s robotic space program with extensive knowledge and skill and forming long lasting relationships with NASA. He is one of our original space pioneers and will be missed.

 

6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6

 

JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES, OPPORTUNITIES

 

A) POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR

Work on Vera Rubin Observatory solar system discovery pipelines and system commissioning. Job opening extended to 5pm PST on Dec. 24th. https://jobregister.aas.org/ad/cd75520f

 

B) POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE AT LOWELL OBSERVATORY

 

Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona is currently seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Associate in Near-Earth Objects Studies.

 

https://lowell.edu/about/employment/

 

Inquiries may be sent to Catie Blazek at [email protected]

 

C) [NASA] GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH: FUTURE INVESTIGATORS IN NASA EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (FINESST) UPDATE & REMINDERS 

 

1. A summary document from the optional, pre-proposal teleconference held November 17, 2020, is now available on NSPIRES under “Other Documents.” NOTE: The teleconference summary is not a verbatim transcript. For the reader’s convenience, images of the slides (charts) are added to make it unnecessary to open a separate file. Clarifying annotations have been added along with an appendix with questions and answers (Q&A) received during and in the days following the call through December 14, 2020.

 

2. Reminder: Proposals to FINESST are due by February 4, 2021.

 

Through FINESST, the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) solicits proposals from accredited U.S. universities and other eligible organizations for graduate student-designed and performed research projects that contribute to SMD’s science, technology, and exploration goals funded by the Astrophysics, Earth Science, Heliophysics andPlanetary Science Divisions. Not all SMD Divisions participate in FINESST. The teleconference summary is posted at the FINESST research opportunity homepage at:

 

https://go.nasa.gov/2TNvEmI

 

———————————+

Send submissions to:

Maria Womack, DPS Secretary ([email protected])

 

You are receiving this email because you are a DPS member. To unsubscribe or update your information, please send your request to [email protected]. The more general AAS privacy policy is available online at https://aas.org/about/policies/privacy-policy. Current and back issues of the DPS Newsletter can be found at newsletters

Issue 20-51, December 6, 2020

 

+————————————CONTENTS—————————————-+

1. ARECIBO OBSERVATORY STATEMENT
2. AAS CONGRESSIONAL VISITS DAY CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
3. DPS PROFESSIONAL CLIMATE AND CULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE (PCCS)
4. RUBIN OBSERVATORY PREMIERS NEW LOGO 
5. IN MEMORIAM: H. J. MELOSH (1947-2020)
6. IN MEMORIAM: ROGER JAY PHILLIPS (1940-2020)
7. OUTER PLANETS ASSESSMENT GROUP (OPAG) TOWN HALL AT AGU DEC 10
8. OPAG VIRTUAL MEETING:  FEB. 9 – 11, 2021
9. JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES

+——————————————————————————————–+

 

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1

 

ARECIBO OBSERVATORY STATEMENT

 

The Arecibo Observatory, an iconic facility, has a long and proud history of planetary science achievements (http://www.naic.edu/), including its valuable role in multiple science areas as one out of the two operational planetary radar assets. The observatory has long served as an important pathway for broadening access to STEM fields, including planetary science, for Puerto Ricans and others. We are deeply saddened at the recent damage this facility has sustained, including the collapse of the platform on December 1, 2020, and thankful that no physical injuries resulted. We join those who have called for the continued support of STEM education and public outreach activities that Arecibo has provided for decades, along with support of the non-affected facilities such as its LIDAR station. We encourage DPS members to reach out to friends and colleagues in the Arecibo community to help support them through this difficult time.

 

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2

 

AAS CONGRESSIONAL VISITS DAY CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

 

Every year the AAS brings volunteers to Washington, DC, to advocate for federal support for their science with their members of Congress for a Congressional Visits Day (CVD). AAS CVD 2021 will be held in early March 2021 (virtual format). For information on eligibility requirements and how to apply, you can check out the main CVD page. We aim to select 15 volunteers who balance the program by location, career stage, and experience. We especially encourage graduate students and early-career professionals to volunteer. We ask that people who have done training and Congressional visits for astronomy advocacy before – through programs like AAS CVD, AAAS CASE, facility/collaboration programs, etc. – not volunteer for CVD, as we intend this program to increase the number of astronomers empowered to advocate for science. Please use our CVD 2021 Sign-up Form. You’ll need to use your AAS username and password to submit the form. The deadline for application to AAS CVD 2021 is 11:59 pm ET on Monday 2021 January 18. Selected volunteers will be notified later that month. 

 

Thank you,

Kelsie Krafton

John N. Bahcall Public Policy Fellow

 

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3

 

DPS PROFESSIONAL CLIMATE AND CULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE (PCCS) UPDATE 

 

DPS’ Planetary Culture and Climate Subcommittee recently convened its first meeting of the year.  We welcomed our four newest members to the subcommittee, which includes two graduate student representatives: Michaela Leung of UC Riverside (graduate student) and Jodi Berdis of New Mexico State University (graduate student), James Roberts of APL and Joe Masiero of Caltech.  They are joining returning members Serina Diniega (current chair), Julie Rathbun (former chair), Ingrid Daubar, Jen Piatek, Ed Rivera-Valentin and Shawn Brooks (co-chair).

 

We would like to draw the community’s attention to the posting of Dr. Renee Horton’s talk, “Don’t Silence Our Voice At the Table”, which was presented at the 2020 DPS meeting as the PCCS sponsored talk.  The presentation can be accessed on the PCCS homepage —  leadership/climate — under the Resources heading.  A version with embedded video can be found at the following URL: leadership/climate/2020talk.

 

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4

 

RUBIN OBSERVATORY PREMIERS NEW LOGO 

 

Vera C. Rubin Observatory is pleased to announce the release of its official logo following the organization’s renaming in December 2019. Formerly known as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, Rubin Observatory was renamed, by an Act of Congress, to honor American astronomer Vera C. Rubin, a pioneer in the study of dark matter and an advocate for women in science.

 

The logo is a visual representation of Rubin Observatory’s central purpose: to collect light from celestial objects and transform it into data for scientific discovery. It is aligned with Rubin Observatory’s mission for operations: To create a vast astronomical dataset and web-based analysis environment for unprecedented discovery of the deep and dynamic Universe. The logo was chosen by a committee of stakeholders from across the Rubin Observatory ecosystem; the committee included representation from the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), NSF’s NOIRLab operated by AURA, and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The logo is an important part of a more comprehensive branding initiative that will continue as Rubin Observatory prepares for the start of science operations in 2023. The initiative includes a new, interactive website, which will provide the public with opportunities to explore Rubin Observatory data, and to learn how those data contribute to science and discovery.

 

About Rubin Observatory

 

Rubin Observatory, currently under construction on Cerro Pachón in Chile, will employ the 8.4-meter Simonyi Survey Telescope and the 3200 megapixel LSST Camera to capture about 1,000 images of the sky, every night, for ten years. Each image will cover a 9.6 square degree field of view, or about 40 times the area of the full Moon. LSST survey images will contain data for about 20 billion galaxies and a similar number of stars—more celestial objects than there are humans on Earth. Rubin Observatory data will be used for scientific investigations ranging from cosmological studies of the Universe to searches for potentially dangerous Earth-impacting asteroids, additionally a public engagement program will enable anyone to explore the Universe and be part of the discovery process. 

 

PIO Contact:

Ranpal Gill

AURA/Rubin Observatory

+1 520 309 6195

[email protected]

 

Science Contact:

Zeljko Ivezic

University of Washington/ Rubin Observatory

+1 206 403 6132

[email protected]

More information about the logo design can be found at: https://www.lsst.org

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5

 

IN MEMORIAM: H. J. MELOSH (1947-2020)

 

One of the giants of planetary science, H. J. Melosh, died unexpectedly on 11 September 2020 at age 73. Through his students, postdocs and collaborators, he brought a high level of physical rigour to the growing field of planetary geology. 

 

Jay Melosh was in many ways a maverick. Born Henry J. Melosh IV in New Jersey, Jay would have none of it, and was always simply ‘Jay’ to everyone. He did follow family tradition in being a ‘Princeton man’, but majored in physics (graduating in 1969), which led to a PhD under Murray Gell-Mann at Caltech only three years later. His 1974 thesis publication on the relation between current and constituent quarks1 is still cited in terms of the ‘Melosh transformation’. But his next publication, in 1975, concerned mass concentrations (mascons) and the orientation of the Moon2, for Jay’s true passion turned out to be geology, and planetary geology in particular. He was immersed in the planetary science discipline that was emerging at Caltech, and returned there after postdoctoral stints at CERN (the European Centre for Particle Physics) and the University of Chicago, rising to the rank of associate professor. After three years on the faculty at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, in 1982 Jay settled in for a long and productive middle career at the University of Arizona where he held joint appointments in the Planetary Sciences and Geosciences departments, becoming an Arizona Regents Professor in 2004.

 

For full obituary, please go to: H.J. Melosh

 

6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6

 

IN MEMORIAM: ROGER JAY PHILLIPS (1940-2020)

 

Roger Jay Phillips, American geophysicist, planetary scientist and professor emeritus at the Washington University in St. Louis, passed away on November 19, 2020. Phillips served as the Director of the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) from 1979 to 1982.

Phillips received his Ph.D. in 1968 from the University of California, Berkeley. Following graduate school he worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), before joining the staff of the LPI in 1979. In 1982, Phillips accepted a faculty position at Southern Methodist University, and in 1992 he moved to Washington University in St. Louis, where he served as a Professor and as Director of the McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences. After retiring from Washington University, Phillips moved to Colorado, where he was affiliated with the Southwest Research Institute.

 

Over a career that spanned more than five decades, Phillips contributed broadly to our understanding of the geophysical structure and evolution of the Moon, Mars, Venus, and Mercury. He was the team leader for the Apollo Lunar Sounder Experiment, which flew on Apollo 17 and produced the first radar imaging of the lunar subsurface. Much later, he was team co-leader for the Shallow Radar (SHARAD) experiment on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter that imaged the internal stratigraphy of martian polar layered deposits. He also played key roles on the science teams for the Magellan mission to Venus, the Mars Global Surveyor mission, the MESSENGER mission to orbit Mercury, and the GRAIL mission to the Moon.

Phillips is well known for his contributions to understanding the impact crater distribution and resurfacing history of Venus, as well as the geodynamical evolution of that planet’s mantle and crust. He demonstrated that growth of the huge Tharsis volcanic province on Mars shaped the entire planet and influenced the distribution and direction of martian valley networks. From radar sounding and laser altimetry, he showed that the lithosphere of the martian polar regions is minimally deflected by the substantial load of the polar deposits, a condition indicative of a large lithosphere thickness or a long-term transient mantle response to loading.

 

A fellow of the American Geophysical Union, Phillips received the 2003 G. K. Gilbert Award from the Geological Society of America. He was also honored with the Whipple Award from the American Geophysical Union in 2008. Among his many contributions to the scientific literature, Phillips served as an editor of Geophysical Research Letters and co-edited the books: Basaltic Volcanism on the Terrestrial Planets, Origin of the Moon, and Venus II.

 

7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7

 

OUTER PLANETS ASSESSMENT GROUP (OPAG) TOWN HALL AT AGU DEC 10

 

AGU FALL MEETING 2020

Session Number: TH066

Date and Time: Thursday, 10 December 2020: 10:30 – 11:30 PST

The purpose of the Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) Town Hall is to update the community on OPAG activities and get community input for upcoming activities.

Please note, you must be registered for AGU in order to attend the Town Hall Meeting.

 

8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8

 

OPAG VIRTUAL MEETING:  FEB. 9 – 11, 2021

 

The next Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) meeting will be a virtual meeting to be held from February 9-11, 2021.  The meeting agenda and details about how to register and attend this meeting will be posted at a later date.

 

The focus of this meeting will be on aspects of the Decadal Survey that are relevant to OPAG.   Status reports will be requested from the Decadal Survey co-chairs and panel chairs.

 

9———9———9———9———9———9———9———9———9———9

 

JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES, OPPORTUNITIES 

 

A) JOB DESCRIPTION: PLANETARY ASTRONOMER

 

The SETI Institute is seeking a Planetary Astronomer to support the work of the Ring-Moon Systems Node (RMS) of NASA’s Planetary Data System (PDS). We seek a curious and creative individual who is eager to work with data from diverse instruments and missions. The curation of planetary data requires someone who is able to understand the data’s scientific importance, assess the data’s validity, converse knowledgeably with fellow scientists, and confirm that documentation and descriptive metadata are sufficient for the needs of current and future scientists.

 

The astronomer will collaborate closely with the Node Manager, Dr Matt Tiscareno, on all aspects of RMS Node planning and task management. They will understudy with longtime RMS Deputy Manager, Dr Mitch Gordon, and prepare to carry on his work as he approaches retirement.

 

This is a full-time position with full benefits. However, the astronomer will be encouraged to seek additional research funding on any topic of their choosing including, but not limited to, topics related to the Node’s extensive data holdings. The position offers substantial growth potential for applicants who are able to demonstrate mastery of the key requirements.

 

For details:

https://seti.org/jobs/planetary-astronomer

 

B) NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP – APPLICATION DEADLINE MARCH 1, 2021

 

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.

 

Stipends 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: [email protected]

 

C) Postdoctoral Associate – Near-Earth Object Studies

 

content/postdoctoral-associate-near-earth-object-studies

 

D) Postdoctoral Associate in Exoplanet Science

 

content/postdoctoral-associate-exoplanet-science

 

———————————+ 

Send submissions to: 

Maria Womack, DPS Secretary ([email protected])  

You are receiving this email because you are a DPS member. To unsubscribe or update your information, please send your request to [email protected]. The more general AAS privacy policy is available online at https://aas.org/about/policies/privacy-policy. Current and back issues of the DPS Newsletter can be found at newsletters

 

 

 

Issue 20-50, November 19, 2020

+————————————CONTENTS—————————————-+

1. ANNE VERBISCER ENDS SECOND TERM AS DPS SECRETARY
2. DPS 52 MATERIALS STILL VIEWABLE
3. INTERESTED IN SERVING ON LOC FOR FUTURE DPS?
4. IN MEMORIAM: JOHN CALDWELL (1949-2019)
5. EXOPAG SCIENCE INTEREST GROUP 3 ORGANIZING TUTORIAL TALKS 
6. P/2019 LD2 OBSERVING CAMPAIGN COORDINATION
7. EXOPAG CALLING FOR NOMINATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
8. NEXT EGU PLANETARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING NOV 30
9. INDEPENDENT REVIEW BOARD FOR PDE SEEKS INPUT
10. PLANETARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING 
11. JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES

+——————————————————————————————–+

 

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1

 

ANNE VERBISCER ENDS SECOND TERM AS DPS SECRETARY

Dr. Anne Verbiscer stepped down as DPS Secretary, having served two terms from 2014-2020. The DPS Committee thanks her for her service to our membership in keeping us informed about important events and connected as a community. We greatly appreciate the wealth of knowledge and experience she has brought.

Going forward, Dr. Maria Womack is serving as DPS Secretary. You can reach her with the same email address as before: [email protected]

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2

 

DPS 52 MATERIALS STILL VIEWABLE

The virtual platform for the 52nd meeting of the DPS last month will remain open indefinitely for registered attendees. That includes the talks, posters and Slack. As a reminder, Nov 30 is the deadline for presenters who are not pleased with idea of their work being displayed indefinitely to write to [email protected] and ask that their talks/posters be taken down. 

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3

 

INTERESTED IN SERVING ON LOC FOR FUTURE DPS?

Planning for future DPS meetings is ongoing. If you would like to host one, we would like to hear from you! The first step is to make sure that your city has a facility large enough to host the meeting (the number of attendees has grown to >700). We have a spreadsheet (Excel format), courtesy of Jason Barnes, to help you make that judgment with a few examples. Note that a convention center is not necessary if there is a hotel available with adequate space. Once you have checked on this minimum threshold please contact any DPS Officer or DPS Committee member. For tips and advice on running an annual meeting, see the most recent version of the DPS Meeting Guide. 

 

A list of the next DPS meeting locations and more information is provided here: meetings/future

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4

 

IN MEMORIAM: JOHN CALDWELL (1949-2019)

York University Professor Emeritus John Caldwell died on Dec. 12 at the age of 75 after a lengthy illness. Caldwell was a professor of astronomy, with expertise in space and planetary astronomy and extra-solar planets, in the Faculty of Science.

Caldwell came to York in 1986 after serving in the Royal Canadian Navy, and earning a PhD in astronomy from the University of Madison (Wisconsin). During his career, he also taught at Princeton University and State University of NY at Stony Brook.

He was well known for his extensive collaborations with NASA’s Ames Research Centre, where he worked with a team of scientists to develop the Kepler mission to discover Earth-like planets around other stars. He also made observations of Mars with the Hubble Space Telescope and focussed efforts on searching for possible volcanic emissions with his students and collaborators.

He is also remembered for his passion for softball, and playing on campus during the summer months with grad students.

John achieved great professional success and was highly respected in his field. Raising his three children, as he would say, was his greatest accomplishment and spending time with his children and grandchildren was his favourite thing to do.

He leaves behind his daughter, Devon (Neil), and his sons, David (Lisa) and Garrett (Candice). He was the adored “Du” of nine grandchildren: Tim (Salina), Bryanna, Madison, Abigail, Sophia, Riley, James, Reagen and Emma. He will be missed by his twin sister, Joan, and her family.

 Adapted from the full obituary at: https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/2019/12/18/passings-professor-emeritus-john-caldwell/

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5

 

EXOPAG SCIENCE INTEREST GROUP 3 ORGANIZING TUTORIAL TALKS

The ExoPAG Science Interest Group 3 on Exoplanet Solar System Synergies is organizing Tutorial Talks aimed at introducing field newcomers to important topics or methods in planetary and exoplanetary science. The talks include a 30-minute tutorial from an expert to introduce the topic, followed by a 30-minute group discussion of a recent paper in which the topic/method features. They are held by zoom the 2nd Thursday of each month 11 AM PST/ 2 PM EST and recorded so that anyone who can’t make it can watch them later (or rewatch them since they are so informative). We have hosted three talks so far:

· “Solutions and Solubilities” by Laura Schaeffer (Stanford University)

· “How to leverage NASA’s Planetary Data System Atmospheres Node for exoplanet science” by Nancy Chanover (New Mexico State University)

· The advantages and challenges of M dwarfs as planet hosts by Elisabeth Newton (Dartmouth College)

· “Spectra of Solar System Planets for Exoplanet Scientists” by Mark Marley (NASA Ames) and Victoria Meadows (University of Washington)

 

These talks are hosted at our new informational space on the NExSS website:https://nexss.info/community/exoss-synergy

All are welcome, so feel free to share this announcement and the link to the recording of the first tutorial. Also feel free to suggest topics you’d like to hear future tutorials on.  Vikki Meadows<http://[email protected]>, Mark Marley<http://[email protected]>  and Laura Schaefer<http://[email protected]>  are collecting suggestions for future tutorials.

6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6

 

P/2019 LD2 OBSERVING CAMPAIGN COORDINATION

P/2019 LD2 (ATLAS) is a recently discovered active centaur, on an unstable orbit that is evolving towards the inner solar system and a potential future as a Jupiter Family Comet. This object presents a unique opportunity, which enables us to monitor a Centaur as its activity evolves and it transitions to an inner solar system object for what is likely the first time. LD2 is currently (and starting April/May 2021) observable as a northern hemisphere nighttime object at ~18th visual magnitude. It is a high priority target for characterization of composition, continuous activity and outbursts. 

We encourage the community – those with planned, scheduled or completed observations – to participate in a observing campaign coordination, through the following webpage:

https://observe-ld2.blogspot.com

The webpage includes a short observing record form. Note that signing up here does not commit anyone to sharing their data, but we hope this will become a natural gathering place for researchers to see who else will be at the telescope and when, and perhaps initiate some new collaborations.

Sincerely, 

 

G. Sarid, L. Woodney, M. Womack

7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7

 

EXOPAG CALLING FOR NOMINATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

To: Astrophysics and Planetary Science Community

From: Astrophysics Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters

Date: November 16, 2020

Subject: Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program

Analysis Group (ExoPAG)

Dear Colleagues:

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 three 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 2021 and will be for a period of three years. The ExoPAG is an open, interdisciplinary forum that provides a conduit for community input into NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP, http://exoplanets.nasa.gov), and for conducting analyses in support of ExEP science objectives and their implications for planning and prioritization of Program activities. The ExoPAG is led by a Chairperson drawn from the membership of the Astrophysics Subcommittee, and a volunteer Executive Committee, whose membership is chosen to reflect the broad range of scientific disciplines and interests represented in the field of exoplanet exploration. Together, the ExoPAG Chair and Executive Committee are responsible for capturing and organizing community input, overseeing ExoPAG analyses, reporting ExoPAG findings and inputs to the Astrophysics Division Director, and keeping the scientific community apprised of ongoing activities and opportunities within NASA’s ExEP. Detailed information about the structure and function of the ExoPAG, including the current and past membership of the EC, can be found at http://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exopag. 

Nominations for the ExoPAG EC should be submitted via email to the address: [email protected]. Nominations must include both a cover letter and a one-page CV summarizing the nominee’s relevant background. The cover letter should provide a description of the nominee’s area of expertise and qualifications for service on the ExoPAG Executive Committee. Nominations will only be accepted for scientists who reside at a U.S. institution for the period of the service. There are no citizenship restrictions. Nominations from individuals at academic institutions—university, college, or non-NASA research laboratory—are strongly encouraged. Self-nominations are welcome. The deadline for nominations is January 22, 2021, with announcement of selections anticipated in April 2021. Selections will be announced by the ExoPAG mailing list (http://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/announcementList).

We look forward to working with all of our stakeholders to develop a robust and compelling

Exoplanet Exploration Program.

Sincerely,

Douglas Hudgins, NASA Headquarters

Exoplanet Exploration Program Scientist, ExoPAG Executive Secretary

8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8

 

NEXT EGU PLANETARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING NOV 30

The next Planetary Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting will be held, via WebEx, on November 30, 2020 (10 am to 6pm Eastern time). See here for connection information: https://science.nasa.gov/science-red/s3fs-public/atoms/files/FRN-PAC-2020-24365.pdf  

In 2021, EGU will be hosting vEGU21: Gather Online (#vEGU21), a fully virtual meeting that will be held in place of the General Assembly in Vienna. The dates of vEGU21 will be 19–30 April 2021.vEGU21 will provide as full a representation of the experience that EGU members enjoy at the annual meeting in Vienna as possible.

You are invited to submit a paper to the Session PS5.1 Ice Giant System Exploration (see https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU21/session/39948).

Session Description: This session welcomes papers addressing the exploration of the ice giant systems, including the composition, structure, and processes of ice giant atmospheres, internal structure, and ice giant systems including magnetospheres, satellites, and rings. Potential concepts for future ice giant system exploration, instrumentation, mission concepts, technology developments, and international cooperation are also topics of high interest. We especially would like to encourage authors of Decadal Survey White Papers focused on ice giant system science, exploration, mission concepts, and instruments and instrument technologies to contribute to this session.

Conveners: David H. Atkinson, Sushil K. Atreya, Mark Hofstadter, Patrick Irwin, Olivier Mousis. 

To submit an abstract, go to 

https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU21/abstractsubmission/39948

 

The deadline for abstract submission 13 Jan 2021, 13:00 CET. Please note that EGU has a One-Abstract Rule: Authors are allowed as first author to submit either one regular abstract plus one abstract solicited by a convener, or two solicited abstracts.

9———9———9———9———9———9———9———9———9——–9

 

INDEPENDENT REVIEW BOARD FOR PDE SEEKS INPUT

The NASA Planetary Science Division is conducting an independent review of the Planetary Data Ecosystem (PDE), defined as the ad hoc connected framework of activities and products that are built upon and support the data collected by planetary space missions and research programs which are primarily NASA funded. Many familiar tools and databases are part of the PDE, including (but not limited to): ADS, AstroMat, DAPs, data policies & standards, JMars, JPL Horizons, MAPSIT, NASA Github, PDS, Planetary Geologic Mapping, Planetary Photojournal, Quickmap, RPIFs, and USGS Astrogeology ISIS3. The PDE Independent Review Board will review the current state of the PDE and provide findings and prioritized, actionable recommendations that will be used to develop an optimal PDE long-term strategy.  To this end, NASA is seeking information and gathering community feedback on the PDE via a Request for Information (RFI), with responses due November 9, 2020.  We encourage the planetary sciences community to provide input via this RFI. The full text of the RFI and response instructions can be found at:  

https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId=%7bF0D635B2-C638-402B-862A-9D56320B4826%7d&path=&method=init

10———10———10———10———10———10———10———10———10———10

 

PLANETARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

 

The next Planetary Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting will be held, via WebEx, on November 30, 2020 (10 am to 6pm Eastern time). See here for connection information: 

https://science.nasa.gov/science-red/s3fs-public/atoms/files/FRN-PAC-2020-24365.pdf  

In 2021, EGU will be hosting vEGU21: Gather Online (#vEGU21), a fully virtual meeting that will be held in place of the General Assembly in Vienna. The dates of vEGU21 will be 19–30 April 2021.vEGU21 will provide as full a representation of the experience that EGU members enjoy at the annual meeting in Vienna as possible. You are invited to submit a paper to the Session PS5.1 Ice Giant System Exploration (see https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU21/session/39948).

Session Description: This session welcomes papers addressing the exploration of the ice giant systems, including the composition, structure, and processes of ice giant atmospheres, internal structure, and ice giant systems including magnetospheres, satellites, and rings. Potential concepts for future ice giant system exploration, instrumentation, mission concepts, technology developments, and international cooperation are also topics of high interest. We especially would like to encourage authors of Decadal Survey White Papers focused on ice giant system science, exploration, mission concepts, and instruments and instrument technologies to contribute to this session.

Conveners: David H. Atkinson, Sushil K. Atreya, Mark Hofstadter, Patrick Irwin, Olivier Mousis

To submit an abstract, go to https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU21/abstractsubmission/39948

The deadline for abstract submission 13 Jan 2021, 13:00 CET. Please note that EGU has a One-Abstract Rule: Authors are allowed as first author to submit either one regular abstract plus one abstract solicited by a convener, or two solicited abstracts.

 

11———11———11———11———11———11———11———11———11———11

JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES

 

1. NASA Hubble Fellowship- #0049161
   content/nasa-hubble-fellowship-0049161

 

1. Postdoctoral Researcher (Visiting) (Geochemistry and petrology)
   content/postdoctoral-researcher-visiting-geochemistry-and-petrology

 

1. Postdoctoral Researcher (Visiting) (Radiative Transfer Modeling)
   content/postdoctoral-researcher-visiting-radiative-transfer-modeling

 

1. Exploration Science Summer Internship
   content/exploration-science-summer-internship

 

1. Cooper Union full-time tenure track position in astrophysics. 50/50 position jointly with the Center for Computational Astrophysics of the Simons Foundation’s Flatiron Institute.  

https://cooper.edu/work/employment-opportunities/albert-nerken-school-engineering-physics-tenure-track-faculty

 

1. BRIDGE TO FACULTY PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO

   The B2F program is a University-level initiative to increase the pipeline toward faculty diversity at UIC by attracting and retaining
   promising scholars from different backgrounds, with an emphasis on individuals from groups who are underrepresented in their discipline. Outstanding candidates will be mentored and supported to further their research and scholarship during their postdoctoral appointments with the goal that they will transition to a research-active, tenure-track faculty position in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. The position is open to all disciplines in the Geosciences.

   https://eaes.uic.edu/people/open-positions/

 

———————————+

Send submissions to: 

Maria Womack, DPS Secretary ([email protected])  

 

To unsubscribe visit http://aas.org/unsubscribe or email [email protected]. 

To change your address email [email protected]

 

Issue 20-49, October 24, 2020

 

+————————————CONTENTS—————————————-+

1. MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR: LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR FIRST VIRTUAL DPS MEETING!
2. UPCOMING DPS ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. DPS 2020 EXHIBITORS
4. SHARING PLANETARY SCIENCE: ENGAGING AUDIENCES WITH DISABILITIES
5. DPS PROFESSIONAL CLIMATE AND CULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE (PCCS) SEEKING NEW MEMBERS
6. JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES

+——————————————————————————————–+

 

 

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR: LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR FIRST VIRTUAL DPS MEETING!

 

Well, it’s not the meeting any of us thought, a year ago, that we’d be planning or 

attending, but it’s our first virtual meeting, and it’s really exciting.

 

I’m very proud of, and grateful for, the groundbreaking efforts put in by the Science 

Organizing Committee, led by Dr. Lucy Lim, and the Virtual Organizing Committee. 

They really rose to the challenge of designing an excellent meeting, both in science 

content and in networking opportunities.  I’m also very grateful to the AAS Meetings 

Staff for their wonderful help in putting together all the details of the meeting and 

working with us to morph it into the gathering that we envisioned for the planetary 

community in the virtual environment.

 

As I close out my term as DPS Chair, I would like to express my appreciation to a 

wonderfully supportive Committee – including officers and subcommittee chairs – 

who have really been inspirational and helpful throughout this turbulent year. The 

most important aspect of the DPS has always been the annual meeting and the opportunity 

to gather together to share science and community. This year has been particularly 

challenging and, I believe, has shown us how critical it is for the DPS to be not only 

about the annual meeting but about our scientists and supporting our people throughout 

the year.

 

I look forward to seeing you next week at #DPS2020.

 

Amanda Hendrix

DPS Chair

 

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2

UPCOMING DPS ITEMS OF INTEREST
 

* The NASA-NSF Townhall will be open to the public, Tues Oct 27, 5:00-6:00 PM ET. 

Check https://aas.org/meetings/dps52 for the Zoom link.

* The DPS Members Meeting will be held, for DPS meeting registrants, on Oct 28, 1-2PM ET. 

This is your chance to nominate a colleague for the DPS Nominating Subcommittee! Please come 

prepared with a name (and make sure that person is present and ok with being nominated), to be 

entered in the Zoom chat window. Voting for the Nominating Subcommittee new members will be 

done via Google Forms (please be sure to have a google account set up so you can access Google Forms).

* The Decadal Survey Townhall will be open to the public, Thurs Oct 29, 4:30-5:30PM ET. 

Check https://aas.org/meetings/dps52 for the Zoom link.

* Open Mic Night is Thursday Oct 29, 9:00-midnight ET. Email Joe Spitale ([email protected]) 

to participate!

* check the #DPS2020 peripheral events page (https://aas.org/meetings/dps52/peripheral-events) 

for more exciting events, such as:
     Student & Early Career Reception 
      Women in Planetary Science Discussion Hour 
      LGBTQ+ Networking Meetup
      Planetary Science Art Fair
     Exhibit Hall
      DPS Career Center
      Scientists of Color Meet-Up
      Social Hour + Trivia Games (with prizes from Startorialist!)
      Daily Science Chats
     Decadal Survey White Paper Discussion Hour
     Workforce Townhall 
 

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3

DPS 2020 EXHIBITORS

 

Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsors of the 52nd DPS meeting! 

Don’t forget to visit the Exhibit Hall during DPS week!  

 

Gold Exhibitors/Partners/Sponsors

AAS Publishing (Gold Sponsor – Pre-meeting Training)

Planetary Data System (Gold Partner)

Universities Space Research Association – USRA (Gold Sponsor – Press Room)

 

Silver Exhibitors/Partners/Sponsors

Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy – AURA (Silver Sponsor – Women in Planetary Science Event)

Elsevier (Silver Sponsor – Planetary Scientists of Color Meetup & Underrepresented Minority Travel Grant)

Southwest Research Institute (Silver Sponsor – Student and Early Career Reception)

Space Telescope Science Institute (Silver Partner)

TREX – (Silver Sponsor – Open Mic Night – NO EXHIBIT)

 

Bronze Exhibitors/Partners/Sponsors

Ball Aerospace (Bronze Sponsor)

NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (Bronze Partner)

NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (Bronze Partner)

Planetary Science Institute (Bronze Partner)

Smithsonian/NASA Astrophysics Data System (Bronze Partner)

University of Central Florida, Department of Physics (Bronze Sponsor)

 

Exhibitors

Astro Haven Enterprises

Caltech/IPAC

DPS Career Center

Lunar and Planetary Institute

Space Dynamics Laboratory

STARtorialist (Donor of Prizes for Game Nights)

University of Arizona Press

 

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4

SHARING PLANETARY SCIENCE: ENGAGING AUDIENCES WITH DISABILITIES

 

All planetary scientists and engineers, including early career scientists, are invited to join us 

virtually on November 4 at 2 pm Central, for our next seminar.

 

Sharing Planetary Science:

Engaging Audiences with Disabilities

Wednesday, November 4, 2pm Central (3pm EST, 1pm MST, 12pm PST)

 

Join us to hear about best practices for making planetary science more accessible for functionally 

and neurologically diverse audiences, and to discuss resources and ways to modify your programs 

to engage audiences with disabilities. Our presenters include Laura Jean Checki, a Solar System 

Ambassador and the CEO of Interstellar Inspirations, LLC, with more than 12 years’ experience 

working with individuals with disabilities and creating Universal Instructional Design educational 

products, and Dr. Cassandra Runyon is a planetary scientist and Director of the NASA SC Space 

Grant Consortium, whose passion is helping to provide access to STEM for all audiences, including 

those with visible and invisible disabilities. 

 

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1485126608

OR Join by browser: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/wc/username/1485126608/join
Or iPhone one-tap : US: +1(346)9804201,,1485126608# 
Or Telephone: US: +1(346) 980-4201 Meeting ID: 148 512 6608 

If you experience technical difficulties while joining this event:

•             If using one browser, such as Chrome, try using a different browser (such as Safari or Internet Explorer).

•             If joining appears very slow, close other programs on your computer or tablet, and close your VPN connection.

•             As a last resort, join us by phone.

 

Information and recordings from past Sharing Planetary Science sessions

www.lpi.usra.edu/education/scientist-engagement

 

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5

DPS PROFESSIONAL CLIMATE AND CULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE (PCCS) SEEKING NEW MEMBERS

 

Are you interested in making the planetary science community more diverse and 

inclusive? If so, please contact [email protected] by Oct 30 to volunteer to be 

part of the DPS Professional Culture and Climate subcommittee (PCCS). A list of 

our charge, duties, and expectations can be found at: leadership/climate . 

You also can speak with any current PCCS members (listed at above site) and, in 

particular, you are welcome to contact Co-Chair Serina Diniega ([email protected]). 

At the DPS meeting, PCCS efforts will be described a bit at the DPS Members meeting 

(Oct 28, 1-2pm EDT) and with the PCCS Plenary speaker (Oct 30, 12:45-1:40pm EDT). 

 

To express interest in becoming a PCCS member, please send an email to [email protected] 

by the end of the DPS meeting (Oct 30), including (1) why you are interested, (2) a 

brief description of any EDIA work you’ve already done, and (3) a brief statement on 

what you might hope to accomplish with the PCCS. Comments about past or potential 

future work by PCCS are also welcomed, as always.

 

6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6

JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES

 

A) IT SPECIALIST (UX-AWARE FRONT-END DEVELOPER)

     Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

     Cambridge, Massachusetts

 

content/it-specialist-ux-aware-front-end-developer

B) POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW – GEOPHYSICS – MARS 3D ICECAP RADAR IMAGING

     Colorado School of Mines Department of Geophysics

     Golden, Colorado

 

The Colorado School of Mines Department of Geophysics invites applications for

a postdoctoral researcher in 3D imaging of the Mars ice caps using orbital radar data.

 

The successful candidate’s responsibilities will consist of developing custom radar processing
and imaging software, as well as the processing of large 3D data volumes obtained from Mars
orbiters equipped with radar systems (SHARAD and MARSIS). We seek an outstanding individual
holding a Ph.D. in geophysics, (electrical) engineering, or a related discipline with demonstrated

– experience with orbital radar instrumentation and data processing;

– experience with large scale numerical modeling, imaging, and inversion;

– excellent programming skills in C++ and Python, or equivalent languages;

– experience with high-performance distributed computing.

 

All candidates applying for this position should be motivated to work in an interdisciplinary framework
and to interact closely with other team members at Mines and partner institutions. The candidate is expected
to work independently, demonstrating initiative, strong organizational and communication skills, and respect
for project deadlines.

 

The position will be located in the Department of Geophysics at Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO.
We at Mines recognize that diversity is a crucial component to excellence in education and research, and
strive to cultivate a community in which students, faculty, and staff with differing backgrounds, perspectives,
talents, and needs are supported. We believe that a diverse community fosters energizing and enlightening
debates, leads to deeper commitments, and results in a host of educational, research, and service outcomes
both within our institution and the broader scientific community.

 

The successful candidate will be offered an initial one-year full-time postdoctoral scholar position, with the
possibility for an extension during a second year. The position is available immediately and the goal is to fill
it no later than January 2021.

 

Starting salary will be determined by the qualifications of the selected applicant balanced with departmental
budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information. Mines provides
an attractive benefits package including fully paid health and dental insurance. Part of Mines’ mission is to
create a family-friendly environment supported through our dependent tuition benefits, parental leave benefits,
and dependent care assistance plan, as well as in special events, camps, and programming. For more information
visit: https://www.mines.edu/human-resources/family-at-mines

 

All applications must include:

– a cover letter outlining the candidate’s suitability and motivation for the role;

– a current curriculum vitae;

– copies of the diplomas/university certificates; and

– a list of three people who could provide references.

 

For full consideration, please submit applications by November 15, 2020, via the Mines application portal:
https://jobs.mines.edu/cw/en-us/job/494592/postdoctoral-fellow-geophysics-mars-3d-icecap-radar-imaging

 

Please send any questions to Dr. Paul Sava ([email protected]).

 

C) TWO FACULTY POSITIONS IN EXOPLANETS AND PLANETARY SCIENCES

     Universidad Adolfo Ibanez

     Santiago, Chile

 

content/two-faculty-positions-exoplanets-and-planetary-sciences

 

———————————+ 

Send submissions to: 

Anne Verbiscer, DPS Secretary ([email protected]) 

 

You are receiving this email because you are a DPS member.

To unsubscribe or update your information, please send your request

to [email protected]. The more general AAS privacy policy is available

online at https://aas.org/about/policies/privacy-policy. Current and back

issues of the DPS Newsletter can be found at newsletters  

–>

• The DPS Members Meeting will be held, for DPS meeting registrants, on Oct 28, 1-2PM ET. This is your chance to nominate a colleague for the DPS Nominating Subcommittee! Please come prepared with a name (and make sure that person is present and ok with being nominated), to be entered in the Zoom chat window. Voting for the Nominating Subcommittee new members will be done via Google Forms (please be sure to have a google account set up so you can access Google Forms).
• The Decadal Survey Townhall will be open to the public, Thurs Oct 29, 4:30-5:30PM ET. Check https://aas.org/meetings/dps52 for the Zoom link.
• The NASA-NSF Townhall will be open to the public, Tues Oct 27, 5:00-6:00 PM ET. Check https://aas.org/meetings/dps52 for the Zoom link.
• Open Mic Night is Thursday Oct 29, 9:00-midnight ET. Email Joe Spitale ([email protected]) to participate!
• Check the #DPS2020 peripheral events page (https://aas.org/meetings/dps52/peripheral-events) for more exciting events, such as:
  • Student & Early Career Reception
  • Women in Planetary Science Discussion Hour
  • LGBTQ+ Networking Meetup
  • Planetary Science Art Fair
  • Exhibit Hall
  • DPS Career Center
  • Scientists of Color Meet-Up
  • Social Hour + Trivia Games (with prizes from Startorialist!)
  • Daily Science Chats
  • Decadal Survey White Paper Discussion Hour
  • Workforce Townhall 

Issue 20-48, October 20, 2020

 

+————————————CONTENTS—————————————-+

1. AAS/DPS FEDERAL RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE (FRS) ACTION ALERT
2. UPCOMING DPS ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. DPS 2020 EXHIBITORS
4. #DPS2020 CAREER CENTER: ADVERTISE YOUR JOB OPENINGS! 
5. DPS ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE (DPSEAS) SEEKING NEW MEMBERS
6. DPS PROFESSIONAL CLIMATE AND CULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE (PCCS) SEEKING NEW MEMBERS
7. TEACHING ASTRO 101 ON-LINE: TIPS, TRICKS, AND LESSONS LEARNED 
8. JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES

+——————————————————————————————–+

 

 

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1

AAS/DPS FEDERAL RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE (FRS) ACTION ALERT

 

The AAS is moving quickly to take action against the Department of Homeland Security’s new 

rule aiming to limit the duration of international students’ visas.  Since the newly restricted visa 

durations of 2 or 4 years, varying by type and country of origin, are well below the timeline for 

typical completion of a PhD this new regulation would severely impact numerous members of 

the planetary community. 

 

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/09/25/2020-20845/establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-for-nonimmigrant

 

Many professional societies, including AAS, are writing organizational responses to this policy 

while also encouraging their individual members to utilize this website developed by the American 

Physical Society:

https://p2a.co/AXj9Ptc

 

The period of comment to DHS is through October 26th, so we are calling on all of our members 

to take action right away to amplify our messaging.  This APS site puts a nice wrapper email around 

your personal points and anecdotes, which can be brief.  The process took me two minutes in total.  

An example sentence for your customized message is:

In addition to the countless academic and cultural benefits they bring to our campus, international 

students contributed nearly $41 billion and supported more than 458,000 jobs in the U.S. economy 

during the 2018-9 academic year.

 

Another site would allow you to go a step further to contact your congressional representatives with 

a (perhaps less effective) form letter:

https://www.connectingourworld.org/app/onestep-write-a-letter?0&engagementId=491995

 

The DPS FRS and AAS’s Committee on Astronomy and Public Policy (CAPP) are working to respond 

to additional regulatory topics, including a recent executive order regarding diversity training.  Be sure 

to tune in to our DPS Meeting NASA-NSF Town Hall on Tuesday Oct. 27 at 17:00-18:00 EDT to discuss 

additional policy issues, listed under “Public Events” on our main meeting page: https://aas.org/meetings/dps52. 

 

Kurt Retherford, FRS Officer

 

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2

UPCOMING DPS ITEMS OF INTEREST

* The DPS Members Meeting will be held, for DPS meeting registrants, on Oct 28, 1-2PM ET. This is 

your chance to nominate a colleague for the DPS Nominating Subcommittee! Please come prepared with 

a name (and make sure that person is present and ok with being nominated), to be entered in the Zoom chat 

window. Voting for the Nominating Subcommittee new members will be done via Google Forms (please be 

sure to have a google account set up so you can access Google Forms).

* The Decadal Survey Townhall will be open to the public, Thurs Oct 29, 4:30-5:30PM ET. Check https://aas.org/meetings/dps52 for the Zoom link.

* The NASA-NSF Townhall will be open to the public, Tues Oct 27, 5:00-6:00 PM ET. Check https://aas.org/meetings/dps52 for the Zoom link.

* Open Mic Night is Thursday Oct 29, 9:00-midnight ET. Email Joe Spitale ([email protected]) to participate!

* check the #DPS2020 peripheral events page (https://aas.org/meetings/dps52/peripheral-events) for more exciting events, such as:
     Student & Early Career Reception 
      Women in Planetary Science Discussion Hour 
      LGBTQ+ Networking Meetup
      Planetary Science Art Fair
     Exhibit Hall
      DPS Career Center
      Scientists of Color Meet-Up
      Social Hour + Trivia Games (with prizes from Startorialist!)
      Daily Science Chats
     Decadal Survey White Paper Discussion Hour
     Workforce Townhall 
 

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3

DPS 2020 EXHIBITORS

 

Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsors of the 52nd DPS meeting! 

Don’t forget to visit the Exhibit Hall during DPS week!  

 

Gold Exhibitors/Partners/Sponsors

AAS Publishing (Gold Sponsor – Pre-meeting Training)

Planetary Data System (Gold Partner)

Universities Space Research Association – USRA (Gold Sponsor – Press Room)

 

Silver Exhibitors/Partners/Sponsors

Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy – AURA (Silver Sponsor – Women in Planetary Science Event)

Elsevier (Silver Sponsor – Planetary Scientists of Color Meetup & Underrepresented Minority Travel Grant)

Southwest Research Institute (Silver Sponsor – Student and Early Career Reception)

Space Telescope Science Institute (Silver Partner)

TREX – (Silver Sponsor – Open Mic Night – NO EXHIBIT)

 

Bronze Exhibitors/Partners/Sponsors

Ball Aerospace (Bronze Sponsor)

NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (Bronze Partner)

NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (Bronze Partner)

Planetary Science Institute (Bronze Partner)

Smithsonian/NASA Astrophysics Data System (Bronze Partner)

University of Central Florida, Department of Physics (Bronze Sponsor)

 

Exhibitors

Astro Haven Enterprises

Caltech/IPAC

DPS Career Center

Lunar and Planetary Institute

Space Dynamics Laboratory

STARtorialist (Donor of Prizes for Game Nights)

University of Arizona Press

 

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4

#DPS2020 CAREER CENTER: ADVERTISE YOUR JOB OPENINGS!

 

At the upcoming DPS meeting (Oct 26-30), we will be hosting a virtual career center 

with job resources and opportunities to connect job seekers with job listers.

 

Employers, this is a fantastic opportunity to advertise your job openings to lots of job-

seeking astronomers, geologists, and space scientists! Please consider listing (for free!) 

your job openings in the DPS jobs register here: jobs

 

Questions: contact [email protected]

 

https://aas.org/meetings/dps52

 

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5

DPS ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE (DPSEAS) SEEKING NEW MEMBERS

 

DPS Environmental Affairs subcommittee (DPSEAS) is looking for new members. The purpose 

of the subcommittee is to provide insight and recommendations to the DPS Committee and members 

on environmentally sustainable actions. If interested in joining, please contact the DPS secretary 

([email protected]) by November 2 indicating your interest in joining DPSEAS, background information 

about yourself, and your motivation to join the subcommittee. For more information on DPSEAS, see 

leadership/environmental-affairs.

 

6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6

DPS PROFESSIONAL CLIMATE AND CULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE (PCCS) SEEKING NEW MEMBERS

 

Are you interested in making the planetary science community more diverse and 

inclusive? If so, please contact [email protected] by Oct 30 to volunteer to be 

part of the DPS Professional Culture and Climate subcommittee (PCCS). A list of 

our charge, duties, and expectations can be found at: leadership/climate . 

You also can speak with any current PCCS members (listed at above site) and, in 

particular, you are welcome to contact Co-Chair Serina Diniega ([email protected]). 

At the DPS meeting, PCCS efforts will be described a bit at the DPS Members meeting 

(Oct 28, 1-2pm EDT) and with the PCCS Plenary speaker (Oct 30, 12:45-1:40pm EDT). 

 

To express interest in becoming a PCCS member, please send an email to [email protected] 

by the end of the DPS meeting (Oct 30), including (1) why you are interested, (2) a 

brief description of any EDIA work you’ve already done, and (3) a brief statement on 

what you might hope to accomplish with the PCCS. Comments about past or potential 

future work by PCCS are also welcomed, as always.

 

7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7

TEACHING ASTRO 101 ON-LINE: TIPS, TRICKS, AND LESSONS LEARNED 

 

A Thread at the 2020 Meeting of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific on Astronomy Education 

Dec 3-5 (On-line) 

https://astrosociety.org/get-involved/events/asp2020-a-virtual-conference/  

 

          A group of us are organizing a series of panels and short presentations at this meeting on
the challenges of teaching Astro 101 virtually.  This will be a group of sessions devoted to “progress
reports” about best practices in on-line teaching, learning, assessment, and survival. 

 

          We invite you to join us by sharing your knowledge or experience, or simply by listening
and joining in the session discussions.  A modest number of “scholarships” (paying the registration
fee) will be available for instructors (including part-timers) in community colleges and other institutions
that do not have professional development funds. 

 

The thread will be divided into the following six main topics: 

 

1. Running Your Class Online 

          Guidance for how to get your class online NOW 

          Norms for online classrooms 

          What active learning looks like online (both synchronous and asynchronous) 

          Tricks and tips (in Zoom, Canvas, and other platforms) 

          Accessibility and diversity issues 

          Seeing to the mental health of students and instructors 

 

2. Astronomy Labs Online 

          Virtual lab activities: what works, what doesn’t 

          Use of robotic telescopes 

          Virtual environments that permit lab experiences 

 

3. On-line Assessment 

          What else can you do besides old-fashioned testing? 

          Frequent, flexible mastery quizzes or higher-stakes exams? 

          Secure testing, cheating sites, and electronic tools 

          Equity in grading  

          How do you assess how YOU are doing as an instructor? 

 

4. Observing Sessions, Campus Planetarium, Student Citizen Science, etc. 

          Virtual observatories or star parties 

          Virtual or distanced planetarium visits 

          Authentic student research opportunities 

           

5. Students Working in Small Groups 

          Breaking up is not hard to do: tools and tips 

          Asynchronous and synchronous group projects, discussions 

           

6. Resources for Virtual Learning and Teaching 

          On-line books and other tools 

          Simulations and where to find them 

          Useful apps and websites for Astro 101 

 

          Some panelists and presenters have already been selected, but there is lots of time available
to contribute to any of these six topics.  If you’d like to present, we ask that you submit an abstract:
https://astrosociety.org/get-involved/events/asp2020-a-virtual-conference/abstract-submissions/  
(Be sure to read the guidelines posted there about abstract submissions.) 

 

On the abstract, please tell us: 

1. that you want to be part of the Astro 101 Thread; 

2. which of the six main topics (above) you want to be grouped under; 

3. whether you’d like to be part of a panel (50-min topical session) or do a short presentation (10-min oral). 
The oral presentations will be grouped into sessions with others tackling similar topics. 

 

You don’t need to be a world-class expert to contribute. If you have useful experience about things that
worked or things to avoid in on-line teaching, consider sharing it with your peers. 

 

          If you have questions about the meeting program for this thread, you can contact Andrew Fraknoi
at [email protected] (Questions about meeting logistics should be directed to [email protected] ) 

 

8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8

JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES

 

A) ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PHYSICS (ASTRONOMY)

     Albion College

     Albion, Michigan

 

content/assistant-professor-physics-astronomy

B) POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP IN THEORETICAL ASTROPHYSICS/PLANETARY PHYSICS, CENTER FOR MATTER AT ATOMIC PRESSURE (CMAP)

     University of Rochester

     Rochester, New York

 

content/post-doctoral-fellowship-theoretical-astrophysics-planetary-physics-center-matter-atomic

 

C) RESEARCH SPACE SCIENTIST

     Marshall Space Flight Center

     Huntsville, Alabama

 

content/research-space-scientist

 

D) POSTDOC WITH MAVEN’S IMAGING ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROGRAPH TEAM

     University of Colorado

     Boulder, Colorado

 

content/postdoc-mavens-imaging-ultraviolet-spectrograph-team

 

E) RESEARCH SCIENTIST II, PLANETARY AND EXOPLANETARY ATMOSPHERES

     Jet Propulsion Laboratory

     Pasadena, California

 

content/research-scientist-ii-planetary-and-exoplanetary-atmospheres

 

———————————+ 

Send submissions to: 

Anne Verbiscer, DPS Secretary ([email protected]) 

 

You are receiving this email because you are a DPS member.

To unsubscribe or update your information, please send your request

to [email protected]. The more general AAS privacy policy is available

online at https://aas.org/about/policies/privacy-policy. Current and back

issues of the DPS Newsletter can be found at newsletters

–>