Newsletter 13-6

Issue 13-6, March 1, 2013

+—————————–CONTENTS——————————–+
1) IN MEMORIAM: DAVID S. MCKAY
2) ANNOUCING THE 45TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE DIVISION FOR PLANETARY SCIENCES
3) COMET ISON OBSERVING CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT
4) CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE NASA INFRARED TELESCOPE FACILITY (IRTF)
5) REMINDER : 2013 ONLINE MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
6) ROSES-13 THE ORIGINS OF SOLAR SYSTEMS PROGRAM
7) JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES
8) UPCOMING MEETINGS
+———————————————————————+

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1
IN MEMORIAM: DAVID S. MCKAY

David S. McKay, Chief Scientist for Astrobiology at the NASA Johnson Space Center, passed away on February 20, 2013. During the Apollo program, McKay gave the first men to walk on the Moon training in geology. In recent years, McKay was perhaps best known for being the first author of a scientific paper postulating past life on Mars on the basis of evidence in martian meteorite ALH 84001. This paper has become one of the most heavily cited papers in planetary science. The NASA Astrobiology Institute was founded partially as a result of community interest in this paper and related topics.

As a graduate student in geology at Rice University, McKay was present at John F. Kennedy’s speech in 1962 announcing the goal of landing a man on the Moon within the decade. Kennedy’s speech inspired his interest in helping to train the Apollo astronauts in geology. He was a chief trainer for Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during their last geology field trip in West Texas. On July 20, 1969, McKay was the only geologist present in the Apollo Mission Control Room in Houston when Armstrong and Aldrin walked on the Moon.

McKay studied lunar dust since the return of the first Apollo 11 samples in 1969, and has contributed over 200 publications on this topic. As a result of this effort, McKay contributed major discoveries, including the source of vapor deposition on lunar soil grains, the formation of nanophase iron globules on lunar soil grains, the processes on the Moon that contribute to grain size distribution, and insight into space weathering and the chemically activated nature of in situ lunar dust.

McKay was honored by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) by having an asteroid named after him in 2002. His IAU citation mentions his years of work on lunar samples as well as the positive effect his research on martian meteorites has had on planetary research. McKay was also a recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Student Award at Rice University, the NASA Superior Achievement Award for Lunar Science Contributions; the Laurels Award from Aviation Week and Space Technology, the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal, and the Distinguished Texas Scientist Award from the Texas Academy of Science.

McKay was with NASA for more than 47 years, and made substantial contributions to science during his career. He will be missed.

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2
ANNOUCING THE 45TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE DIVISION FOR PLANETARY SCIENCES

Denver, Colorado, 6-11 October 2013 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel

Dear DPS members, we invite you to attend the 45th Annual DPS meeting. Please note these important dates:

– 18 July 2013 :
45th DPS Regular Abstract Submission Deadline – 9:00pm ET
– 23 July 2013 :
45th DPS Early Registration Deadline
– 2 September 2013 :
45th DPS Workshop Proposals Due
– 3 September 2013 :
45th DPS Hotel Reservations Deadline
– 3 September 2013 :
45th DPS Late Abstract Submission Deadline – 9:00pm ET

10 Reasons to Attend the 45th Meeting of DPS in Denver, Colorado!
• Hear the latest science from planetary missions including MESSENGER at Mercury, Cassini at Saturn, Curiosity at Mars and Kepler
• Present your latest and greatest research results in planetary science
• Meet colleagues and discuss planetary science (and go on, admit it–gossip)
• See the latest widgets and wonders on display from the space industry in the Exhibit Hall
• Participate in workshops on future missions, grant writing, career development, and collaborations with amateur astronomers
• Participate in education and public outreach activities, including a live event during the Juno flyby of Earth
• Visit the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to experience their Space Odyssey
• See a Special exhibition of space art and enjoy an evening with artists in the Denver gallery district
• Explore the Rocky Mountains: hike, bike, or see the elk bugling in the rugged hills to the west of town
• Drink craft beer brewed in Colorado’s 187 breweries

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3
COMET ISON OBSERVING CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT

We announce the beginning of a new NASA Observing Campaign to study comet C/2012 S1 (ISON). This comet, first discovered on September 21, 2012 by Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok of the International Scientific Optical Network (ISON) near Kislovodsk, Russia. It is expected to be brighter than C/1995 O1 Hale-Bopp was in the mid-1990’s and has the potential to be the brightest comet (or Great Comet) observed in the last 50 years, if it survives its passage around the sun. The orbit of the comet is being established and detailed orbital information can be found at the JPL Horizons website. Trending optical lightcurves and predictive sky charts can be found at Aerith.com

Although the expectations for the 2013/2014 apparition of comet ISON are still developing, at this time measurements leading to increased understanding of this dynamically new Oort cloud comet’s orbit, its nucleus size, density, strength, and rotation rate, its composition, its coma and tail morphology, and its evolution over time as it passes through the inner solar system are highly encouraged. The comet’s potential high rate of outgassing activity will facilitate sensitive measurements of its molecular and isotopic abundances and temperatures; and determination of how its production rates vary with heliocentric distance. Measurements of rare and low abundance species and isotopic ratios should be possible. The comet will also be extremely close to the Sun by perihelion, flying within 1.7 Rsun of the solar surface, which will provide an excellent opportunity to study Sun-comet interactions.

NASA is leading an effort to observe and study this comet, providing the use of its available resources: Keck, IRTF, and its fleet of currently operating spacecraft. We encourage all observing proposals to observe the comet using NASA facilities, especially ones focusing on the comet’s abundances, activity, and evolution along its orbit, as well as those from observatories around the world.

In order to facilitate the maximal observing of ISON, we are planning on holding a 2- day pre-encounter workshop at JHU/APL on 1-2 August 2013. All interested parties are welcome to attend and discuss their observing plans and needs. We also plan on having a post-encounter workshop in the March – June 2014 timeframe.

For more information about observing opportunities for Comet ISON, please visit the Campaign webpage at http://sungrazer.nrl.navy.mil/index.php?p=ison or any of the team members:
[email protected];[email protected];[email protected];[email protected];[email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]

Dr. Carey M. Lisse
Senior Research Scientist
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4
CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE NASA INFRARED TELESCOPE FACILITY (IRTF)

DEADLINE: 01 April 2013

NASA Infrared Telescope Facility Observing Proposals. The due date for the 2013B semester (August 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014) is Monday, April 1, 2013. See our online submission form. Information on available facility and visitor instruments can be found at: http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/Facility/. Remote observing is available with SpeX, NSFCAM, CSHELL, and MORIS. NSFCAM has been upgraded with a new array; please see the instrument webpage for more information.

Important notice: SpeX will be available for the 2013B semester. We now anticipate that SpeX will be taken off line on Feb. 01, 2014, and will be unavailable for the entire 2014A semester (Feb. 1, 2014 – July 31, 2014). This is necessary to upgrade SpeX with new arrays and array controllers. We strongly recommend observers to plan their observing accordingly. We also expect to accommodate key projects requiring large amounts of observing time using CSHELL, NSFCAM, and visitor instruments during semester 2014A. The delay of the SpeX downtime is due to engineering resources that were diverted to fix the dome drive system.

C/2012 S1 (ISON) observing campaign: We encourage proposals to observe comet C/2012 S1 (ISON), a recently discovered Oort Cloud comet with perihelion passage on Nov. 28, 2013. It is expected to become extremely bright with a significant amount of daytime availability while the comet is brightest (see link to additional information below). Approximately 170 hours of observing time will be set aside for this campaign. All data obtained will be made public (within one week), and observing logs will be requested for archiving. We encourage observing groups to form collaborations to enhance the scientific return from the observations. When submitting a proposal, please note clearly that the proposal is submitted for the campaign. Groups with visitor instruments can participate in the campaign so long as the data and observing logs are allowed to be public.

Additional information on comet ISON observing can be downloaded at:
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12111886/additional_information_for_comet_ISON.pdf

To keep our bibliography up to date and to ensure future funding of the IRTF: please check for your latest publications at:

http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/research/biblio/Refereed.html

http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/research/biblio/Non_Refereed.html

and send to any missing references William Walters ([email protected]).

We appreciate an acknowledgement in your papers to the IRTF and the instrument used.

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5
REMINDER : 2013 ONLINE MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

If you have not paid your 2013 membership dues online at https://members.aas.org/ please renew now by logging in to your membership record (today !). By renewing online and not receiving a paper renewal, you will help your Society save enormous costs.

Also, please take a moment to update your personal DPS member file.

Thank you for your attention.
Send general replies to [email protected].

6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6
ROSES-13 THE ORIGINS OF SOLAR SYSTEMS PROGRAM

The Origins of Solar Systems program solicits basic research proposals to conduct scientific investigations related to understanding the formation and early evolution of planetary systems and to provide the fundamental research and analysis necessary to detect and characterize other planetary systems. These investigations may involve analytical and numerical modeling, laboratory research, and observational studies in the following areas: star formation and the relationship to planetary system formation, solar nebula processes, accumulation and dynamical evolution, analysis of primitive materials, and the detection and characterization of other planetary systems.

A number of changes have been made to Appendix E.3, The Origins of Solar Systems Program. The due dates remain unchanged:
NOIs due March 22, 2013
Proposals due May 23, 2013

More information on NNH13ZDA001N at:

http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/roses-2013

Questions:
Planetary Science Division
[email protected]
Christina Richey (202) 358-2206
Max Bernstein (202) 358-0879

Astrophysics Division
Larry Petro
[email protected]; (202) 358-4424

[Edited for length.]

7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7
JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES

[Please visit the DPS web site at : jobs
for more information and also consider posting a job by filling out the jobs submission form at:
node/add/job

You can send any comments, questions, or suggestions to the DPS Jobs Czar at: [email protected]]

A) PHD POSITION IN METEORITE IMPACT CRATERING STUDIES – UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA

A PhD position within the doctoral school I-1045 “Planetology: From Asteroids to Impact Craters” is vacant at the Department of Lithospheric Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. The position is within the area of impact crater studies and begins in the Spring of 2013, for 3 years. Details of the doctoral school are available at: http://lithosphere.univie.ac.at/ik-planetology/. The topic is meteorite impact crater research; specifically in mineralogical, petrographical, and geochemical studies of impactites and related rocks. Both laboratory and field work is anticipated. The participation in several courses is necessary. Excellent knowledge of English is necessary; basic knowledge of German is an advantage. For further details or inquiries, contact Prof. Koeberl ([email protected]).

For more information on the opening, and application procedures, see:
https://univis.univie.ac.at/ausschreibungstellensuche/ (go to opening no. 3692).

Requirements:
– Completed diploma or master degree in earth sciences or a closely related discipline.
– Expertise in petrography, mineralogy, and geochemistry

Applications including a letter of motivation (German or English) should be sent via Job Center to the University of Vienna ( http://jobcenter.univie.ac.at) no later than 20.02.2013 and be referenced to the identification number 3692. Copies of applications please to [email protected].

B) FACULTY POSITION IN SPACE PHYSICS: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES

The Department of Earth and Space Sciences seeks candidates for a tenured, or tenure track faculty appointment in Space Physics.
Applicants with a PhD from all disciplines are invited, but preference will be given to candidates with a broad background in the physics of flowing magnetized plasmas in the heliosphere. The successful candidate is expected to strengthen the department’s role in ongoing and future space missions through scientific leadership in theory, modeling and/or observations, and through the department’s undergraduate/ graduate student instruction and mentorship. Applications for all levels will be considered. Appointment and salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Please include curriculum vitae, a statement of research and teaching interests, a complete list of publications, names and email addresses of three referees, electronic or paper copies of up to five of your most significant publications, plus a short cover letter addressing your experience.

All applications received on or before April 6, 2013 will be considered. Please email your application to [email protected], reference job: 0995-1213-01. An optional hardcopy of materials may be mailed to:

Space Physics Search Committee
UCLA Earth and Space Sciences
595 Charles Young Drive East
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1567

[Edited for length – From PEN]

8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8
UPCOMING MEETINGS

See also: PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS

Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html

A) HABITABLE WORLDS ACROSS SPACE AND TIME
The 2013 STScI Spring Symposium
April 29 – May 2, 2013

Abstract submission deadline: March 15, 2013
On-line registration deadline: March 29, 2013

Within a matter of years, humanity will know for the first time the frequency of terrestrial planets in orbit around other stars. In this four-day symposium, scientists from diverse fields will discuss the formation and long-term evolution of terrestrial bodies throughout the various phases of stellar and Galactic evolution. A particular focus will be in how the specific conditions and challenges for habitability on Earth extend to other bodies in the Solar System and beyond. The existence of these overlooked environments may provide motivation for novel astronomical observations with existing and next generation ground and space-based observatories.

Registration for this Symposium is now open and there are a limited number of spots. Please go to:
http://www.stsci.edu/institute/conference/habitable-worlds
and click on the “Register” link. We also invite contributions in the form of talks and posters, which can be submitted during the registration process or after one has registered. Only a small number of contributed talks are available.

B) INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM: “THE SCIENCE OF MARCOPOLO-R”
ESA/ESTEC, June 3-4, 2013

http://www.sciops.esa.int/index.php?project=CONF2013&page=MARCOPOLO-R

We hope you will be interested in participating to this important International Symposium on the MarcoPolo-R sample return space mission under study at ESA (next selection phase at the end of 2013), and we thank you for your continuous support and interest in this mission.

Patrick Michel
On behalf of the MP-R Science Study Team.

C) IWEA, THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON EDUCATION IN ASTROBIOLOGY WILL
June 6-9th in Höör, Sweden

The meeting aims to bring together scientists and teachers engaged in astrobiology education on universities and other training institutions to:
– discuss new teaching and assessment forms in astrobiology
– foster international cooperation in astrobiology teaching
– give the attendants a thorough overview of the field

Training students in such a multidisciplinary subject implies a lot of challenges and pitfalls, both in the set-up and organization of the course, choice of lecturers and literature, grading of students as well as the necessity of new teaching methods. The conference will not only serve as forum for exchange of ideas and experiences, but also as a starting point for a long-term international collaboration in astrobiology teaching.

The meeting venue is held at the very pleasant Åkersberg Stiftsgård which is only a 50 min direct train ride from Copenhagen International Airport. For further information please go to:
http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/IWEA/

This workshop will be followed (10-15 June, Höör, Sweden) by the 3rd
Nordic Astrobiology Conference “Isotopes as diagnostic tools in
astronomy, geology and biology”:
http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/Isotopes2013/General.html

Muriel Gargaud
Présidente de la Société Française d’Exobiologie

D) 10TH INTERNATIONAL PLANETARY PROBE WORKSHOP
17 – 21 June, 2013,
San Jose State University, San Jose, California
Short Course: Entry, Descent, and Landing Systems 15 – 16 June 2013

http://ippw10.com

ABSTRACT DEADLINE : 15 MARCH 2013

Join us for the 10 International Planetary Probe
Workshop (IPPW-10), hosted by San Jose State University, June 17 – 21, 2013. The 10th Probe Workshop brings together engineers, technologists, scientists, mission designers, space agency leaders, and students from around the world for a week-long collaboration focused on exploration of Solar System atmospheres and surfaces using atmospheric entry and descent probes and aerial vehicles. Preceding the workshop, a 2-day short course on Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) Systems is offered on June 15-16.

Student Scholarship Application Deadline : Friday,15 March 2013
AI Seiff Award Nominations Deadline : Friday, 15 March 2013

E) AGU CHAPMAN CONFERENCE ON CROSSING THE BOUNDARIES IN PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES:
FROM EARTH TO EXOPLANETS
June 24–28, 2013
Annapolis, Maryland

Abstract submission ends 25 February at 23:59 EDT/3:59+1 GMT.

We welcome submissions of posters or contributed talks (slots limited) that address the current state of knowledge of terrestrial and planetary climate systems, including their atmospheric chemistry, composition, and dynamics, plus atmospheric modeling, observational techniques, and data analysis methods. Preference will be given to those with an emphasis on cross-disciplinary science and techniques that can be applied to objects as diverse as the Earth, planets in our solar system, and exoplanets. You do not need to be an AGU member to post an abstract. The preliminary program will be posted shortly, and we expect registration to open soon. To receive all future notices, you may also join the conference mailing list from our webpage, General Information link:

http://chapman.agu.org/planetaryatmospheres/

Co-conveners: Amy Simon-Miller and Anthony Del Genio

F) COMETS AS TRACERS OF SOLAR SYSTEM FORMATION AND EVOLUTION
July 9-11, 2013,
Toulouse, France

Abstract submission deadline: March 31, 2013
On-line registration deadline: April 30, 2013

http://icw.space.swri.edu

G) THE PLUTO SYSTEM ON THE EVE OF EXPLORATION BY NEW HORIZONS:
PERSPECTIVES AND PREDICTIONS
Meeting Dates: July 22-26
Abstract Deadline: April 15
Early Bird Registration Deadline: May 31

The meeting is being held at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, USA.

Both registration and abstract submission are now open for the Pluto-2013 conference at: http://plutoscience.jhuapl.edu

Abstracts are solicited on all facets of the Pluto system—including origins, interiors, surfaces, compositions, atmospheres, satellites, plasma, and context in the Kuiper Belt.
Special issues of both Icarus and JGR-Planets are planned to publish new results and prediction papers in 2014.

Alan Stern (Program Committee Chair)
Hal Weaver (Local Organizing Committee Chair)

H) 4th WORKSHOP “PLANET MARS”
The organizers welcome you at the 4th workshop “Planet Mars”, to be held in les Houches (France), on 20-25 October 2013. The goals of the workshop are to integrate the main results of both the recent Earth-based observations and the missions to Mars into a new global picture of Mars evolution.
With the same spirit of the previous workshops, discussions among scientists of different disciplines will be encouraged and it is foreseen that they will help refine the scientific goals of the future missions to Mars.

This workshop is an opportunity for the young scientists to be updated on the most recent results and to be trained in some specific data processing techniques. In addition to the previous editions, a specific session will be devoted to comparative analyses of Mars, Venus, the Earth and Titan in all their aspects (internal structure; atmospheric composition and photochemistry; climatology; this session will take advantage of recent results acquired, in particular, by the Venus Express and Cassini missions, as well as recent developments on global climate models of Venus and Titan.

More at: http://www.sciops.esa.int/mars4

Deadline for registration: 31 May 2013

Olivier Witasse
European Space Agency
ESTEC
Noordwijk, The Netherlands
[email protected]

———————————+
Send submissions to:
Athena Coustenis, DPS Secretary ([email protected])

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

Athena Coustenis
LESIA (Bat. 18)
Observatoire de Paris-Meudon
5, place Jules Janssen
92195 Meudon Cedex
France
Tel: +33145077720
[email protected]

Newsletter 13-4

Issue 13-4, February 13, 2013

+—————————–CONTENTS——————————–+
1) MESSAGE FROM DPS LEADERSHIP
2) REMINDER : 2013 ONLINE MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
3) CALL FOR CHAPTERS FOR THE BOOK ASTEROIDS IV: A NEW VOLUME IN THE SPACE SCIENCE SERIES
4) NEW PLANETARY SCIENCES EDITOR AT GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
5) NOAO SURVEY PROGRAM LETTERS OF INTENT DUE 15 FEBRUARY 2013
6) OSTP STUDENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM–SUMMER 2013
7) JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES
8) UPCOMING MEETINGS
+———————————————————————+

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1
MESSAGE FROM DPS LEADERSHIP

Dear DPS Members,

We have been paying close attention to the activity in Washington regarding the sequestration and its potential impacts on science in general and NASA in particular. The AAS has joined with NDD-United in a statement on the negative impact of sequestration. See http://publichealthfunding.org/uploads/NDD3200Letter.Final.Feb2013.pdf

NDD-United has designated 14 February as a “Day of Action” and is encouraging people to make contact with their representatives in Washington. Please stay tuned for an announcement from the AAS on this activity, and please take a moment to participate.

Rosaly Lopes, DPS Chair
Heidi Hammel, DPS Vice-Chair

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2
REMINDER : 2013 ONLINE MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

If you have not paid your 2013 membership dues online at https://members.aas.org/ by 31 December 2012, there is still time to renew by logging in to your membership record (today !) and in any case before the membership lists are updated end of February 2013. By renewing online and not receiving a paper renewal, you will help your Society save enormous costs.

Also, please take a moment to update your personal DPS member file.

Thank you for your attention.
Send general replies to [email protected].

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3
CALL FOR CHAPTERS FOR THE BOOK ASTEROIDS IV: A NEW VOLUME IN THE SPACE SCIENCE SERIES

The Editors and the SOC invite you to volunteer to participate in the Asteroids IV project. More specifically, they solicit ideas for chapter topics and a solicitation for volunteers for chapter authors. If you would like to recommend chapters for the book, or would like to volunteer to write a particular chapter as a first author, contact the editors no later than March 31st, 2013. To be most helpful, and to be seriously considered for selection as a chapter author, you need to send detailed information as outlined at the bottom of the call for chapters that can be seen and downloaded on the Asteroids IV web site:

http://www.oca.eu/michel/ASTEROIDSIV/

The SOC will then make the final choice of chapters, based on the received ideas and its own conclusions. Your participation would be an extremely valuable service to the asteroid and planetary science community. Detailed information for Asteroids IV chapters/authors as well as the participation form are indicated on the Asteroids IV website.

The editors wish to render Asteroids IV as useful as Asteroids (1979), Asteroids II (1989), and Asteroids III (2002) leading to the science community’s primary reference manual for at least the next decade, and they hope you will volunteer to participate to this challenge.

On behalf of the co-Editors and SOC,

Patrick Michel
Editor, Asteroids IV
[email protected]
web: http://www.oca.eu/michel/

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4
NEW PLANETARY SCIENCES EDITOR AT GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS

Geophysical Research Letters seeks to expand its role as a top journal in the Planetary Sciences. To that end, GRL has hired an additional editor to handle papers submitted in that field. GRL publishes short letters of broad interest that have an immediate impact on the research of others. GRL is the fastest publishing, high impact journal in earth and space sciences.

Consider submitting your best work to GRL (http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/, IF = 3.792, mean time from submission to publication = 12 weeks).

E. Calais, GRL Editor in Chief
A. Dombard, GRL Editor for Planetary Sciences

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5
NOAO SURVEY PROGRAM LETTERS OF INTENT DUE 15 FEBRUARY 2013

The NOAO Survey Program will be accepting proposals for new surveys to
start in the 2013B and 2014A semesters. This program supports large
observational projects using the Gemini, KPNO, and CTIO telescopes
that allow the identification of complete, well-defined samples that
can yield both conclusions based on statistical analysis of the survey
data itself and also provide important subsets for more detailed
observations with larger telescopes. In addition, surveys are expected
to provide coherent datasets that will be useful for other
researchers.

Investigators must submit letters of intent to propose for the NOAO
Survey Program to [email protected] by 15 February 2013 to be eligible
to propose for an NOAO Survey Program commencing in the 2013B/2014A
semester. The deadline for receiving completed Survey proposals is 28
March 2013 at 11:59pm.

The Dark Energy Camera (DECam) on the CTIO 4m Blanco telescope is now
available for surveys under this call (especially for surveys
operating during the A semesters). For more information, go to
http://www.noao.edu/gateway/surveys/, as well as the Gemini, KPNO, and
CTIO instrument pages. Question about the Survey Program may be
addressed [email protected].

6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6
OSTP STUDENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM–SUMMER 2013

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is currently accepting applications for its Summer 2013 Student Volunteer Program.
The application deadline is 11:59pm Friday, 22 February. Students who are U.S. citizens and who will be actively enrolled during the Fall 2013 semester are welcome to apply.

More information and application instructions are available at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/about/student/.

About OSTP. The Office of Science and Technology Policy advises the President on the effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs. The office serves as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans and programs of the Federal Government.

About the Student Volunteer Program. Student Volunteers are accepted for one of three annual terms (Spring, Summer, or Fall), which each last no more than 90 days. While these positions are without compensation, the assignments provide educational enrichment, practical work experience, and network opportunities with other individuals in the science and technology policy arena.

For questions, please contact Lauren Andersen, [email protected].

7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7
JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES

[Please visit the DPS web site at : jobs
for more information and also consider posting a job by filling out the jobs submission form at:
node/add/job

You can send any comments, questions, or suggestions to the DPS Jobs Czar at: [email protected]]

A) CO-EDITOR SOUGHT FOR JGR-PLANETS

AGU is looking for a dynamic, well-organized scientist with high editorial standards and strong leadership skills to serve a 4-year term as editor for the Planets section of the Journal of Geophysical Research. Applicants should be respected leaders in the community, independent-minded, and even-handed. As editor you should be committed to further strengthening JGR-Planets as the leading journal in planetary sciences and be proactive in attracting innovative contributions in traditional disciplines and in emerging areas.

Given the steady increase in submissions to JGR-Planets over the past several years, this position is for a second editor that will complement the duties of the current editor-in-chief. Applicants from all fields of planetary science are welcome, but those with specializations in Mars and planetary surface processes will be given special consideration. As editor, you will have full authority to accept or reject submitted papers, and you will be expected to guarantee a fair and timely review process.

A search committee will evaluate prospective candidates and conduct personal interviews with a small number of individuals. The AGU President makes the final selection and appointment, and the editor serves at the pleasure of the President. An honorarium will be provided that is commensurate with the expected workload of about 1 day per week.

If you would like to be considered as an editor of JGR-Planets, send your curriculum vitae with a short letter of interest via e-mail to [email protected]. If you would like to nominate a highly qualified colleague, send a letter of recommendation to the same email address. Please make sure that you specify JGR-Planets in the subject line of the email. Deadline for applications is 25 March 2013.

B) NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers scientists and engineers unique opportunities to conduct research at NASA Centers. Each NPP fellowship opportunity is designed to advance NASA research in a specific project related to space science, earth science, aeronautics, exploration systems, lunar science, astrobiology, or astrophysics.

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 $53,500 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
$8,000 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:
http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm

Questions may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected]

C) PLANETARY SCIENCES REPRESENTATIVE NEEDED FOR THE EOS EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

What’s involved in being a member of the Eos Editorial Advisory Board? The Eos editors call on members of the Editorial Advisory Board to help with the review of feature articles and other submissions. For the feature articles, we may ask for review because the person’s expertise most closely matches the topic covered. For those manuscripts, we ask Editorial Advisory Board members to review manuscripts and comment on their merit in light of current science as well as for accuracy and balance. In doing so, we ask board members to identify points that may need to be covered better, what should be avoided, and potential biases, hidden agendas, or conflicts of interest of which we should be aware. We also turn to the Editorial Advisory Board members as “cross-disciplinary readers” for comments on features that are outside their discipline. The purpose is to get input on whether submitted features are accessible and appropriate for a broad spectrum of the Eos readership, not just for those working within the topic covered by the feature.

In addition, we ask members of the Editorial Advisory Board to send ideas for manuscripts that should be encouraged along with potential authors. We call on the board for general advice and input on ways to improve Eos. In that vein, we have periodic conference calls and usually gather for a face-to-face meeting at the AGU Fall Meeting.

If you are interested, please contact Nathan Bridges.

8———8———8———8———8———8———8———8
UPCOMING MEETINGS

See also: PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS

Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html

A) CHARACTERISING EXOPLANETS: DETECTION, FORMATION, INTERIORS, ATMOSPHERES AND HABITABILITY
Scientific discussion meeting Monday 11 March – Tuesday 12 March 2013
at The Royal Society, London

organised by A. Coustenis, S. Miller, P. Read and J. Tennyson

See : http://royalsociety.org/events/2013/exoplanets/

This meeting aims to set the agenda for the next decade in this rapidly expanding field of extra-solar planet science. Some 800 planets orbiting stars outside of our solar system have now been detected, with varying masses and orbital parameters. The challenge now is to move from detection to understanding these planets as bodies in their own right.

If you’re interested, there is still room for attendance, you can register at:

https://secure.royalsociety.org/eventregistration/account/login.aspx

B) LPSC WORKSHOP FOR PLANNING YOUR SOLAR SYSTEM OBSERVATIONS WITH JWST

The Science Working Group of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has a dedicated effort to establish the full capabilities of this facility for Solar System Science. JWST is an infrared-optimized telescope to be placed at the Earth-Sun Lagrange 2 point. It is scheduled for launch in 2018, and will have a robust suite of astronomical instrumentation available for General Observer proposals.

In order to fully realize the maximum potential of JWST for Solar System observations, we are seeking experienced observers of solar system targets to participate and provide input in an upcoming workshop held at the annual LPSC meeting in Houston, Texas on Sunday March 17, 2013 (1pm-5pm). This workshop will provide you an opportunity to learn about the current instrument specifications and observing modes, as well as the observatory capabilities (brightness limits, moving target tracking, and others). Our goal is to fully engage the Solar System community to provide the tools needed to plan observations with JWST.
This workshop is complimentary to the previous one held at the fall DPS meeting.
A key output of the workshop will be capability objectives for the JWST team to consider for further pre-launch studies. More information can be found at:

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2013/events/highlighted/

If you are interested in participating, please contact Stefanie Milam at [email protected].

Organized by S. Milam, H. Hammel, and J. Lunine

C) DIVISION ON DYNAMICAL ASTRONOMY – AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
44th Annual Meeting
Paraty (Brasil) 5-9 May 2013

DEADLINES:
ABSTRACTS and EARLY REGISTRATION: 15 FEBRUARY 2013 9:00 pm ET

The annual DDA Meeting brings together top researchers in astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, and astrodynamics for in-depth and stimulating discussions and talks on all aspects of dynamics in the space sciences.

For more information see:
http://dda.harvard.edu/meetings/2013/

The 44th Annual Meeting of the AAS/DDA is organized by Observatório Nacional
(Rio de Janeiro)

D) HABITABLE WORLDS ACROSS SPACE AND TIME
The 2013 STScI Spring Symposium
April 29 – May 2, 2013

Abstract submission deadline: March 15, 2013
On-line registration deadline: March 29, 2013

E) MEETING OF THE LABORATORY ASTROPHYSICS DIVISION (LAD) – AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY

June 2-6, 2013, Indianapolis, IN. USA

Organized by : R. Paul Drake, Steve Federman, Wick Haxton, Farid Salama and Daniel Wolf Savin

The first LAD meeting will be held jointly with the AAS 222nd summer meeting from June 2-6, 2013, in Indianapolis, IN. USA
The meeting will feature an AAS/LAD plenary talk by Prof. Robert Rosner from the University of Chicago; LAD sessions devoted to atoms, molecules, dust and ices, plasmas, planetary science, nuclear, and particles; and an LAD poster session to run the duration of the meeting. Each session will feature two invited 30 minute talks and two contributed 15 minute talks.

Additional information can be found at: http://aas.org/meetings/aas222/lad

Important Dates :
Early Registration: 22 January – 13 February 2013
Regular Registration: 14 February – 11 April 2013
Late Registration: 12 April – 16 May 2013
Registration with On-site Fees: 17 May 2013 – 6 June 2013

Regular Abstract Submission: 1 February – 4 March 2013, 9:00pm ET
Late Abstract Submission: 6 March – 18 April 2013, 9:00pm ET

F) NEXT-GENERATION SUBORBITAL RESEARCHERS CONFERENCE (NSRC) 2013 ABSTRACT DEADLINE APPROACHING

NSRC-2013 will be the fourth in a series of three-day topical meetings held since 2010 for the next-gen suborbital research and education (REM) communities.

The meeting is designed to educate researchers and EPO professionals about the capabilities of the new generation of commercially-available reusable suborbital vehicles, funding and flight opportunities for flying experiments on these vehicles, and the kinds of experiments various research communities–including microgravity physics, astrophysics and planetary science, life sciences, and atmospheric science–are planning. The meeting includes a NASA night.

NSRC typically has over 400 attendees. Confirmed keynote speakers for 2013 include NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, Commercial Spaceflight Federation President and former NASA astronaut Mike Lopez-Alegria, and FAA Associate Administrator George Nield. This year’s meeting will be held June 3-5 in Broomfield, Colorado, just outside Boulder.

The meeting website is at:

http://nsrc.swri.org/

The NSRC-2013 abstract deadline is 7 March.

G) 10TH INTERNATIONAL PLANETARY PROBE WORKSHOP
17 – 21 June, 2013,
San Jose State University, San Jose, California
Short Course: Entry, Descent, and Landing Systems 15 – 16 June 2013

http://ippw10.com

H) AGU CHAPMAN CONFERENCE ON CROSSING THE BOUNDARIES IN PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES:
FROM EARTH TO EXOPLANETS
June 24–28, 2013
Annapolis, Maryland

Abstracts are now being accepted, through February 25, for this AGU Chapman Conference.

http://chapman.agu.org/planetaryatmospheres/

Co-conveners: Amy Simon-Miller and Anthony Del Genio

I) COMETS AS TRACERS OF SOLAR SYSTEM FORMATION AND EVOLUTION
July 9-11, 2013,
Toulouse, France

Abstract submission deadline: March 31, 2013
On-line registration deadline: April 30, 2013

http://icw.space.swri.edu

J) THE PLUTO SYSTEM ON THE EVE OF EXPLORATION BY NEW HORIZONS:
PERSPECTIVES AND PREDICTIONS
Meeting Dates: July 22-26
Abstract Deadline: April 15
Early Bird Registration Deadline: May 31

The meeting is being held at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, USA.

Both registration and abstract submission are now open for the Pluto-2013 conference at: http://plutoscience.jhuapl.edu

Alan Stern (Program Committee Chair)
Hal Weaver (Local Organizing Committee Chair)

———————————+
Send submissions to:
Athena Coustenis, DPS Secretary ([email protected])

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

Athena Coustenis
LESIA (Bat. 18)
Observatoire de Paris-Meudon
5, place Jules Janssen
92195 Meudon Cedex
France
Tel: +33145077720
[email protected]

Newsletter 13-3

Issue 13-3, January 30, 2013

+—————————–CONTENTS——————————–+
1) STATEMENT ON MARS 2020
2) IN MEMORIAM : RICHARD E. YOUNG (1943-2013)
3) IN MEMORIAM : STEPHEN E. DWORNIK (1926-2012)
4) DPS CONGRATULATES SALLY DODSON-ROBINSON
5) SCIENCE VERIFICATION OF SAM: CALL FOR PROPOSALS
6) JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES
7) UPCOMING MEETINGS
+———————————————————————+

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1
STATEMENT ON MARS 2020

Statement on Mars 2020 from the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Sciences, prepared in collaboration with The Planetary Society, The American Geophysical Union’s Planetary Science Section and the Geological Society of America’s Planetary Geology Division

NASA recently announced a return to Mars in 2020 with a new rover derived from the MSL Curiosity design. Continued exploration of Mars is crucial to the scientific community and important for building upon our decades-long investment in technology and engineering capability. We strongly believe that the mission should carry a payload consistent with the recommendations given in the National Research Council’s decadal survey for planetary science, Vision and Voyages. It is of the utmost importance that NASA and Congress follow the recommendations laid forth in the Decadal Survey in order to maximize science return and support a balanced and affordable approach to exploration in our solar system.

We also emphasize that the serious budget cuts to NASA’s Planetary Science Division have not yet been averted. The budget environment proposed by the Obama Administration in February 2012, if fully implemented, will result in deep cuts across the entire planetary exploration program. Outcomes could include early termination of highly successful ongoing missions, delays of future missions in the Discovery and New Frontiers programs; and reductions in basic research grants that fund current and future scientists. The proposed budget also precludes a mission to Europa, long considered one of the most compelling and scientifically rich destinations in the solar system. A strategic mission to Europa is considered a close second to the Mars mission in the Decadal Survey.

We strongly urge Congress and the Administration to reverse these cuts and, at minimum, maintain the 2012 funding level of $1.5 billion per year for the next five years for NASA’s Planetary Science Division.

A flat budget of $1.5 billion would allow NASA to conduct Discovery- and New Frontiers-class missions – smaller, less expensive missions that provide outstanding scientific return – at a tempo closer to the recommendation given by the Decadal Survey: a Discovery mission every three years and the selection of two new New Frontiers missions before 2022. Proper funding for scientific research and technology development, both crucial aspects of the planetary program, would also be possible. We believe it is vitally important to provide NASA’s Planetary Sciences Division with the minimal funds necessary to provide a proper balance between its five key elements: strategic missions, Discovery missions, New Frontiers missions, research and analysis, and advanced technology development. A restored budget could achieve this.

Additionally, the top two major mission recommendations of the Decadal Survey could be pursued within this $1.5 billion per year budget cap, without adjustment for inflation, based on publicly available NASA budget data and cost estimates for the Mars 2020 rover and a reduced-cost Europa mission.

Congress deserves credit for restoring some of this funding in the FY13 appropriations bills taken up last year. While these bills are currently stalled while Congress tackles broader fiscal issues, they demonstrate a strong commitment to the program by both the House and the Senate. A vocal, coordinated, and focused response by the scientific community and the public provided crucial support for this effort. NASA planetary missions and programs are by definition innovative – all the technology, equipment, and building needs to created and crafted, requiring high-tech jobs and fostering high-tech skills in our national work force.

In summary, we support the decision by NASA to pursue a 2020 Mars rover mission as long as it fits within the specific recommendations of the Decadal Survey, which include both scientific and cost-cap guidance, and is part of a balanced exploration portfolio. We urge Congress and the Administration to maintain NASA’s leadership in planetary science by restoring the division’s budget to FY12 levels of $1.5 billion per year.

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2
IN MEMORIAM : RICHARD E. YOUNG (1943-2013)

Richard E. Young, planetary scientist from NASA’s Ames Research Center, passed away unexpectedly on January 16, 2013 while walking near his country home in the Sierra foothills at Dunlap, California. He was 69. Rich had a long and productive career in planetary science. After graduating from UC Berkeley, he came to Ames to work on advanced planetary mission concepts, which inspired him to seek and earn a Ph.D. from UCLA, working with Prof. Gerald (Jerry) Schubert, in 1972. After a short post-doc at NCAR, Rich returned to Ames to work on the Venus atmosphere with Jim Pollack, and joined the Theoretical Studies Branch of the Space Science Division in 1976. During his career Rich conducted research into a broad variety of topics ranging from interior structural and thermal models of the Moon, Mercury, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune, to 3D atmospheric dynamics of free and forced planetary scale waves and zonally averaged flows, and the radiative properties of terrestrial volcanic hazes. He was among the first to develop general circulation models for Venus to try to explain its four-day superrotation – perhaps the most challenging goal for understanding deep planetary atmospheres. He participated in three major planetary missions including Pioneer Venus, the Venus Vega mission, and the Galileo Jupiter mission for which he served as the entry probe chief scientist. Later in his career Rich managed the Planetary Systems Branch for five years. He retired in 2006, but remained active in science by educating the public about the reality and challenge of climate change on Earth. As a human being, Rich was the best. His hearty laugh often echoed around the halls at Ames, and he never had a bad word for anyone. He was an enthusiastic tennis player, poker player and backpacker. He had a soft spot in his heart for animals of all kinds, and in his retirement he volunteered at an animal rescue shelter near his home. He is survived by his wife Cindy, her two daughters and two grandchildren.

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3
IN MEMORIAM : STEPHEN E. DWORNIK (1926-2012)

Stephen Eugene Dwornik passed away peacefully on December 17, 2012. Dwornik was born July 3, 1926, in Buffalo, New York, to Stephen Dwornik and Helena Januszkiewicz Soltys.

Beloved husband of 61 years to Kathleen Westphal Dwornik; father to Kris Bragg (Al), Karen McCaa (Kevin), and David Dwornik (Fran); Grampy to Matthew, Stephanie and Jessica Bragg; Jason (Lori), Michael and Michelle McCaa; Emily and Alex Dwornik. As a young boy he lived above, and worked at his parents’ neighborhood bar, learning from his mother a work ethic and social liveliness he never lost.

He attended Buffalo’s prestigious Technical High School and enlisted in the Army at age 17 (with the blessings of his mother in support of her adopted country). Dwornik, 102nd Division, fought along the front lines in Europe, participated in the Battle of the Bulge and received the Army’s Bronze Star for his service. After returning to Buffalo, he entered the State University of New York at Buffalo where he received both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Geology. Summer work included field work in Alaska along the Brooks Range in the late 1940s. After several years of persistent courting, he married the “One Love of his Life”, Kathleen Rose Westphal, on June 2, 1951, and moved to Springfield, Virginia, to begin a career dedicated to scientific advancements, starting with mine detection at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Laboratories and continuing with planetary geology space research at NASA.

While at NASA, Dwornik acted as a Project Manager for the Surveyor Program (seven unmanned Moon landing spacecrafts). Dwornik co-authored several books, including Atlas of Mercury. One of his fondest memories was providing the first substantial NASA grant monies to a young astronomer named Carl Sagan. After Dwornik’s retirement from NASA, he enjoyed a second career with Ball Aerospace, including volunteer work helping to create a planetary Braille map and being a speaker for ElderHostel courses. He was a perennial joker and loved pranks, puns, and humor of all kinds. He was also a die-hard Washington Redskins fan, first obtaining season-tickets in 1954, and continuing in the family to this day. Some of his favorite memories were also spent with his entire family at Jekyll Island, GA for annual Summer vacations, continuously from 1969. He endowed the Stephen E. Dwornik Paper Award for Planetary Geology to support future generations of scientists.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Stephen E. Dwornik Award c/o Geological Society of America Foundation, P.O. Box 9140, Boulder, CO 80301; or to the Multiple Sclerosis Society/National Capital Chapter, 1800 M Street, NW, Suite 750 South, Washington, DC 20036. Celebration of his life to be scheduled later.

Published in The Washington Post on December 22, 2012
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/WashingtonPost/obituary.aspx?n=STEPHEN-…

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4
DPS CONGRATULATES SALLY DODSON-ROBINSON

The DPS Leadership congratulates Dr Sally Dodson-Robinson on her Annie Jump Cannon Award for outstanding research and promise for future research by a woman. The award was bestowed at the 221st semiannual AAS meeting a few weeks ago in Long Beach, CA.

Sally Dodson-Robinson (University of Texas, Austin) was awarded for her contributions to the study of the formation of planetary systems. Especially notable is how her insights into giant planet formation in our own solar system and in exoplanetary systems arise from combining theoretical modeling with observations of stars and circumstellar disks. She showed that both core accretion and gravitational instability may operate in different regions around stars of different masses to form giant planets.

See : http://aas.org/press/pr2013Jan23

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate her on behalf of the whole Division of Planetary Sciences Division (DPS).

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5
SCIENCE VERIFICATION OF SAM: CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Deadline for proposals: March 15, 2013

The SOAR Adaptive Module (SAM is a laser guide star adaptive optics
system that improves natural seeing at the 4.1-m SOAR telescope. The
instrument is equipped with a CCD imager (pixel scale 0.045 arcsec,
field of view 3 arcmin). SAM commissioning is almost complete, and we
are ready to begin Science Verification (SV) testing as a final step
prior to offering SAM on a shared risk basis in Semester 2013B.

Through this call for proposals (CfP), we solicit proposals for short
(<0.5 night) science projects which could be executed as part of this
SV testing process. This solicitation is open to investigators from
all SOAR partners including the US, Brazilian and Chilean open access
communities.

Full information is available at:
http://www.ctio.noao.edu/new/Telescopes/SOAR/Instruments/SAM/science/sv….

6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6
JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES

[Please visit the DPS web site at : jobs
for more information and also consider posting a job by filling out the jobs submission form at:
node/add/job

You can send any comments, questions, or suggestions to the DPS Jobs Czar at: [email protected]]

A) COORDINATOR OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM SCHOOL AT THE MAX PLANCK INSTITUTE FOR SOLAR SYSTEM RESEARCH

The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) invites applications for the posi- tion of the
Coordinator of the “Solar System School”
The “Solar System School” is an International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) offering a re- search-oriented doctoral program for solar system science. It is jointly run by the MPS and the Univer- sity of Göttingen. Usually about 50 students are enrolled at any given time. Since its start in 2002 113 students from 36 different countries successfully completed the School and gained their PhD degree. The funding of the School was recently extended up to 2019. More information about the School is available at http://www.solar-system-school.de/
The incumbent will be responsible for all organizational and administrative matters of the School. He or she will be the point of contact for the students and lecturers and is expected to organize the lectures, summer schools and seminars, to coordinate the activities of the partner institutes, to represent the school within the university committees, to oversee the recruitment process and to be responsible for advertising the School in general.
The successful applicant will have the option and is encouraged to pursue own research in one of the scientific areas of the MPS (comprising all areas of solar system science and aspects of stellar re- search; for more information please visit: http://www.mps.mpg.de/en/forschung/), roughly at a 70/30 share between the tasks as coordinator and research.
The institute is currently located in Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany, but will move in the beginning of 2014 to Göttingen, a lively and scenic University town, into a new building on the northern campus of the University, in the immediate vicinity of the Institute for Astrophysics of the University.
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in physics and are expected to have several years of research experience in a research field pursued at the MPS, or a closely related field. Teaching experience and/or experience in science management as well as familiarity with the German language will be an ad- vantage.
The position is offered initially for a period of two years and may be extended up to the end of the cur- rent funding period (2019) depending on performance and, in case of a further extension of the funding (which the Institute plans to pursue), also beyond 2019. Salary will be according to E13 or E14 (commensurate with the experience level) of the TVöD scale of the German public services.
Applications, including a CV, a statement of research interests, a publication list, and contact information of three potential referees should be sent to [email protected]. The applicant should also provide a short statement describing his/her ideas and perspectives on ways to further develop the graduate school.
Review of applications will begin 25 February 2013 and continue until the position is filled.
The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer and particularly encourages applications
from women and disabled persons.
For further information please contact Sami. K. Solanki ([email protected]) or Dieter Schmitt ([email protected]).

B) POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN PLANETARY SCIENCE
The Astrophysics group at the University of Bristol seeks applicants for an interdisciplinary project to study changes in the bulk composition of the Earth during accretion.

The Research Assistant/Associate will be responsible for (1) conducting numerical simulations of the formation of planetary embryos in the terrestrial region using an N-body code and (2) analyzing these results to determine the compositional differences between embryos and the original planetesimals that could arise because of incomplete accretion. The main focus of this project is to determine if the collisional growth and evolution of the Earth could result in a non-chondritic bulk composition.

The Research Assistant/Associate will be supervised by Dr. Zoe Leinhardt and also collaborate with Prof. Tim Elliott and Prof. Mike Walter at the University of Bristol and Prof. Sarah T. Stewart at Harvard University.

Applicants with interests in computational astrophysics/geophysics and planetary chemistry are strongly encouraged to apply. A Ph.D. in Astrophysics, Geophysics or related field is required.

The appointment is for 30 months. Apply online at:
http://www.bris.ac.uk/jobs (ref:ACAD100184)

by 3rd March. Interviews will begin 11th March and continue until the position is filled. For inquiries please email Dr. Leinhardt at [email protected]

C) NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS

Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1.

For further information and to apply, visit:
http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm

Questions may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected]

7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7
UPCOMING MEETINGS

See also: PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS

Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html

A) CHARACTERISING EXOPLANETS: DETECTION, FORMATION, INTERIORS, ATMOSPHERES AND HABITABILITY
Scientific discussion meeting Monday 11 March – Tuesday 12 March 2013
at The Royal Society, London

organised by A. Coustenis, S. Miller, P. Read and J. Tennyson

See : http://royalsociety.org/events/2013/exoplanets/

If you’re interested, there is still room for attendance, you can register at:

https://secure.royalsociety.org/eventregistration/account/login.aspx

B) DIVISION ON DYNAMICAL ASTRONOMY – AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
44th Annual Meeting
Paraty (Brasil) 5-9 May 2013

DEADLINES:
ABSTRACTS and EARLY REGISTRATION: 15 FEBRUARY 2013 9:00 pm ET

For more information see:
http://dda.harvard.edu/meetings/2013/

The 44th Annual Meeting of the AAS/DDA is organized by Observatório Nacional
(Rio de Janeiro)

C) HABITABLE WORLDS ACROSS SPACE AND TIME
The 2013 STScI Spring Symposium
April 29 – May 2, 2013

Abstract submission deadline: March 15, 2013
On-line registration deadline: March 29, 2013

D) 10TH INTERNATIONAL PLANETARY PROBE WORKSHOP
17 – 21 June, 2013,
San Jose State University, San Jose, California
Short Course: Entry, Descent, and Landing Systems 15 – 16 June 2013

http://ippw10.com

E) AOGS 2013 ANNUAL MEETING
24-28 June 2013,
Brisbane, Australia

http://asiaoceania.org/aogs2013/public.asp?page=home.htm

Abstract deadline extended and coming up soon : 8 February 2013.

F) AGU CHAPMAN CONFERENCE ON CROSSING THE BOUNDARIES IN PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES:
FROM EARTH TO EXOPLANETS
June 24–28, 2013
Annapolis, Maryland

Abstracts are now being accepted, through February 25, for this AGU Chapman Conference.

http://chapman.agu.org/planetaryatmospheres/

Co-conveners: Amy Simon-Miller and Anthony Del Genio

G) DAVOS ATMOSPHERE AND CRYOSPHERE ASSEMBLY (DACA-13)
8-12 July 2013,
Davos, Switzerland

http://www.daca-13.org/index_EN

Last chance for abstract submission : now !

DACA-13 will be held from July 8 – 12 in the mountain resort of Davos, where the exciting outdoors join culture, lifestyle and an invigorating climate in the middle of the magnificent alpine landscape.

H) COMETS AS TRACERS OF SOLAR SYSTEM FORMATION AND EVOLUTION
July 9-11, 2013,
Toulouse, France

Abstract submission deadline: March 31, 2013
On-line registration deadline: April 30, 2013

http://icw.space.swri.edu

I) THE PLUTO SYSTEM ON THE EVE OF EXPLORATION BY NEW HORIZONS:
PERSPECTIVES AND PREDICTIONS
Meeting Dates: July 22-26
Abstract Deadline: April 15
Early Bird Registration Deadline: May 31

The meeting is being held at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, USA.

Both registration and abstract submission are now open for the Pluto-2013 conference at: http://plutoscience.jhuapl.edu

Alan Stern (Program Committee Chair)
Hal Weaver (Local Organizing Committee Chair)

———————————+
Send submissions to:
Athena Coustenis, DPS Secretary ([email protected])

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

Athena Coustenis
LESIA (Bat. 18)
Observatoire de Paris-Meudon
5, place Jules Janssen
92195 Meudon Cedex
France
Tel: +33145077720
[email protected]

Newsletter 13-2

Issue 13-2, January 21, 2013

+—————————–CONTENTS——————————–+
1) IN MEMORIAM: BERTRAM DONN (1919 – 2012)
2) PLANETARY ASTRONOMERS – NOTE NEW CATEGORIES IN HUBBLE PROPOSAL CALL
3) NOAO SURVEY PROGRAM LETTERS OF INTENT DUE 15 February 2013
4) REMINDER : 2013 ONLINE MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
5) JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES
6) UPCOMING MEETINGS
+———————————————————————+

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1
IN MEMORIAM: BERTRAM DONN (1919 – 2012)

Dr. Bertram “Bert” Donn, the first head of NASA Goddard’s astrochemistry
group, passed away on Friday December 28, 2012 at age 93. A New Yorker
by birth, Bert attended Harvard University where he was taught by such
legends as Fred Whipple, Cecilia Payne, and Bart Bok. A meeting with
Harold Urey in the 1950s turned Bert’s attention to problems of low-
temperature reactions and their connections to cometary and interstellar
chemistry. Bert’s research at Goddard spanned theory, observation, and
experiment, with connections to NASA missions such as Skylab, Apollo,
and the International Ultraviolet Explorer. Bert also was an early NASA
contributor to the astrobiological literature, he initiated several astrobiology-
related research projects at Goddard, and he founded Goddard laboratories
for studying the chemistry and physics of ice, dust, and nucleation. He
was a 50-year member of the American Astronomical Society and a long-time
DPS member. Aside from his Goddard work, Bert was a well-known and
honored advocate of non-violence and peaceful conflict resolution, and
was instrumental in the racial integration of Greenbelt, Maryland, where
he and his family lived for 50 years. For more information please see
http://science.gsfc.nasa.gov/691/Donn.html.

– Reggie Hudson and Joe Nuth (January 6, 2013)

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2
PLANETARY ASTRONOMERS – NOTE NEW CATEGORIES IN HUBBLE PROPOSAL CALL

NASA and STScI are pleased to announce the Cycle 21 Call for Proposals for
Hubble Space Telescope Observations and funding for Archival Research and
Theoretical Research programs. Solar System astronomers may be
interested to learn that Cycle 21 features a new category of medium
proposals (35-74 orbits), and the threshold for Large programs has been
dropped to >75 orbits. Over the past 20 cycles, Solar System science has
been allocated ~5% of the total observing time, or over 3200 orbits.
However, only one large GO proposal for Solar System observations has been
submitted since Servicing Mission 4; that proposal was awarded time in
Cycle 17 (GO 11644). The planetary community is encouraged to take
advantage of the new opportunities.

Further information about the Hubble Cycle 21 call is available
electronically from the STScI Announcement Web Page:
http://www.stsci.edu/hst/proposing/docs/cycle21announce

More information specifically for Solar System astronomers interested in
Hubble can be found at in a presentation by John Clarke:
http://www.stsci.edu/jwst/science/dps12-clarke-hst-go.pdf

Questions can be addressed to the STScI Help Desk (email: [email protected]<[email protected] by February 15, 2013 to be eligible to propose for an NOAO Survey Program commencing in the 2013B/2014A semester. The deadline for receiving completed Survey proposals is March 28, 2013 at 11:59pm.

The Dark Energy Camera (DECam) on the CTIO 4m Blanco telescope is now available for surveys under this call (especially for surveys operating during the A semesters). For more information, go to http://www.noao.edu/gateway/surveys/, as well as the Gemini, KPNO, and CTIO instrument pages. Question about the Survey Program may be addressed to [email protected].

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4
REMINDER : 2013 ONLINE MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

If you have not paid your 2013 membership dues online at https://members.aas.org/ by 31 December 2012, there is still time to renew by logging in to your membership record (today !) and in any case before the membership lists are updated within a month or two from the beginning of 2013. By renewing online and not receiving a paper renewal, you will help your Society save enormous costs.

Also, please take a moment to update your personal DPS member file.

Thank you for your attention.
Send general replies to [email protected].

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5
JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES

[Please visit the DPS web site at : jobs
for more information and also consider posting a job by filling out the jobs submission form at:
node/add/job

You can send any comments, questions, or suggestions to the DPS Jobs Czar at: [email protected]]

POSTDOC – BOSTON UNIVERSITY – CURIOSITY AND MARS ATMOSPHERE

The Center for Space Physics at Boston University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher position supervised by Professor Paul Withers. The research will involve the analysis of accelerometer and other measurements made by Curiosity during its descent to the surface of Mars, leading to an accurate reconstruction of the atmospheric conditions encountered by Curiosity and subsequent scientific interpretation of these results. Candidates should possess a PhD degree in a relevant field. Experience conducting research on planetary atmospheres and/or experience working with spacecraft observations are desirable. The salary offered will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Funding is available for two years with the possibility of extension. The appointment is expected to begin as soon as possible after 1 April 2013. Please contact Paul Withers ([email protected]) for further information.

Applications should be sent by email to Paul Withers ([email protected]). The application should be submitted in PDF format and contain a curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, and contact information for three referees. Review of applications will begin on 28 February 2013. Women and underrepresented minorities are particularly encouraged to apply. Boston University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6———6
UPCOMING MEETINGS

A) HABITABLE WORLDS ACROSS SPACE AND TIME
The 2013 STScI Spring Symposium
April 29 – May 2, 2013

Abstract submission deadline: March 15, 2013
On-line registration deadline: March 29, 2013

B) IPEWG 2013
Dear Colleagues:

We are pleased to announce that the third Meeting of the International Primitive Body Exploration Working Group (IPEWG 2013) will be held May 29-31 2013 in Nice, France. Information regarding meeting goals, logistics and registration are indicated on the following web site (to be completed, so please check it regularly):
http://www.oca.eu/michel/IPEWG2013/

Discussions held at IPEWG 2013 are expected to impact and improve international collaboration activities for primitive body space exploration. We expect the workshop to come up with a prioritized set of recommendations to be included in a charter. We hope you will attend and participate in this important program.

Please note that IPEWG2013 is followed by a MarcoPolo-R International Symposium (ESA primitive asteroid sample return mission in competition in the M3 class mission) at ESTEC (The Netherlands) on June 3-4, 2013. Direct low-cost flights from Nice to Amsterdam can be used to attend this Symposium.

We are currently working on the program of the workshop and to invite subject experts as we prepare to build on the successes of IPEWG 2008 and 2011. Please contact Patrick Michel, LOC Chair ([email protected]) with any questions.

We look forward to welcoming you on the “Nice” Côte d’Azur!
Sincerely,
Patrick Michel
[email protected]

C) VENUS SCIENCE CONFERENCE
10-14 June 2013, Catania, Italy

Dear Colleagues,
With a wealth of new data from Venus Express and ground based telescopic observations, enhanced with significant progress in theory and modelling the interest in Venus is higher than in many years. We are organising an International Venus Science conference in the ancient town of Catania, Italy, 10-14 June 2013. Topics covered include all aspects of Venus research from the interior through the atmosphere out to the magnetosphere and the interaction with the solar wind. The format of the conference will follow that of the three past conferences held in La Thuile and in Aussions in 2007-2010, with a mix of invited talks/tutorials, contributed talks and posters. An excursion to Mount Etna, as an analogue of a Venusian volcano is foreseen.
Please have a look at the meeting web site for additional information:
http://www.iaps.inaf.it/Venus2013/

On behalf of the Scientific Organising Committee,
Håkan Svedhem
ESA/ESTEC

D) AOGS 2013 ANNUAL MEETING
24-28 June 2013, Brisbane, Australia

http://asiaoceania.org/aogs2013/public.asp?page=home.htm

Abstract deadline coming up soon !!!: 29 January 2013.

10th Anniversary Meeting and First Time in the Southern Hemisphere- Join Us!

Some of the sessions are listed hereafter:

Session PS07: Spectropolarimetric Exploration of Planetary Systems and Their Habitability

Spectro-polarimetry is becoming a valuable remote sensing tool to explore our solar system (including earth, planetary atmospheres, satellite, ring systems, comets, asteroids, trans-Neptunian objects, etc.) to understand its formation and evolution. With the increasing diversity of extrasolar planetary systems, it important to understand their formation and evolution and place our solar system in context. This session will include invited and contributed talks on: (i) application of the principles of polarization to remote sensing; and (ii) role of polarization as an independent and complementary remote sensing tool to imaging and spectroscopic techniques; (iii) laboratory measurements and modelling; (iv) instrumentation and missions and (v) astrobiology and habitability. We welcome both polarimetrists and non-polarimetrists (observers, theorists and experimentalists) that study planetary systems to identify the challenges and advances in this growing field.
For the Conveners:
Dr. Padma A. Yanamandra-Fisher (Space Science Institute, USA), [email protected]

Session PS09: Icy satellites and Rings
This session will be devoted to outer planet satellites, rings and icy dwarf planets. The session will include solicited, contributed, and
poster presentations addressing observational, laboratory, and
theoretical studies relevant to past, ongoing, and future missions.
Relevant topics include:
(1) interior structure, composition and thermal evolution,
(2) surface geology and composition,
(3) orbital dynamics and satellite interactions,
(4) structure and dynamics of planetary rings,
(5) physical properties of ring particles and small satellites of
outer planet satellites.
For the Conveners: Jun Kimura

Session PS11: Outer planets and their analogs in exoplanets
Ten years ago, the planetary science community was eagerly awaiting the debut of AOGS, still in the planning stage, and the launch of Cassini spacecraft a couple of years alter. A decade later, AOGS is in full bloom and the Cassini mission is still going strong. In addition, the New Horizons spacecraft will be at Pluto in July 2015, Juno will enter orbit around Jupiter a year later, and plans are being developed for a new Titan mission and a Uranus Orbiter with Probe mission in the 2020’s decade. Across the Atlantic Ocean, the JUICE mission has been approved by ESA for launch in 2025. Following in the footsteps of successful lunar missions of JAXA (Japan), CNSA (China) and ISRO (India), scientists of the Asian Continent may soon join forces with their European and American colleagues in exploring the outer solar system. Thus it is timely to organize an AOGS session on outer planets to review significant scientific achievements in the areas of planetary and satellite atmospheres, magnetosphere, icy moons and the rings, including results on the Saturn system obtained by Cassini-Huygens, prior to the anticipated observations of other outer planets and moons, and modeling of planetary phenomena. Because of tremendous advances made in the study of extrasolar giant planets, we solicit also abstracts on related topics, with a view to promote interdisciplinary dialog among planetary scientists and astrophysicists in an international settling, as most appropriately exemplified by the4 10th annual meeting of AOGS in Brisbane, Australia.
For the Conveners: Wing Ip

Session PS13: Active satellites in the Solar System

This is a session of contributed and invited papers on the geophysics of satellites, especially those that are currently active — Io, Enceladus, Triton, and possibly Europa and Ganymede. Research is progressing rapidly due to the stream of new spacecraft data. Welcome are papers on processes that affect the interiors of individual bodies as well as the surface expressions they produce. Included are the affects and chronology of internal heating (e.g., radioactivity, tidal dissipation, and other), structural evolution (e.g., differentiation), tides, and other processes. These geophysical processes themselves are universal in their application and transcend the compartmentalization suggested by nomenclature such as “satellite,” “dwarf planet,” “asteroid,” “comet,” “KBO,” “TNO,” “parent body,” and “planetesimal”.
For the Conveners: Steve Vance

E) WHISPERS
Gainesville, Florida, June 25-28, 2013
Deadline: 15 February 2013

WHISPERS is the premier meeting of IEEE for hyperspectral image processing. The international annual meeting will be held this year in Gainesville, Florida, June 25-28, 2013, on the campus of the University of Florida. We invite members of the planetary science community to join colleagues from the terrestrial remote sensing and signal processing communities. This year we are proposing a special section devoted to exploring cutting-edge techniques in planetary image processing (described below) with a data users workshop. Note that the deadline for papers is soon (February 15) and that these are 4-pages, peer-reviewed prior to acceptance, and published in IEEE Transactions. It is the perfect venue for your technically-focused advances. We hope you can join us in Florida. Please contact Sylvain Doute ([email protected]) and Bethany Ehlmann ([email protected]) for more information. (http://core.ieee-whispers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&…)

Planetary hyperspectral imaging
Imaging spectroscopy in the visible and in the infrared is a key remote sensing technique for exploring and studying planetary objects in the Solar System. Since 1989, imaging spectrometers have been onboard orbiters around the Moon, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, asteroids, and outer planet satellites. The acquisition of three dimensional hyperspectral images (2 spatial, 1 spectral) allows the mapping of chemical, physical and structural properties related to surfaces and atmospheres. Consequently, planetary environments – past or present – can be investigated. Continuing technological improvements and new missions have promoted improvements in the dimensionality and precision as well as dramatically expended spectro-image collections. A new generation of imaging spectrometers has also emerged with an additional angular dimension. This progress provides exciting new opportunities but accentuates the complexity of data analysis and challenges of eliminating instrumental artifacts. This special session welcomes all contributions that represent the state of the art in using hyperspectral imaging for planetary exploration included (but not restricted) to: sensors (design and calibration), image processing (artifact reduction, atmospheric correction), spectro-photometry, physical modeling, spectral unmixing and endmember extraction, and applications (minerals, ices, aerosols, regolith properties, climate, etc.).

F) DAVOS ATMOSPHERE AND CRYOSPHERE ASSEMBLY (DACA-13)
8-12 July 2013, Davos, Switzerland

http://www.daca-13.org/index_EN

Abstract deadline coming up soon !!! 31 January 2013.

This conference is a joint assembly organized by The International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS) and the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS), will bring together some 1’200 scientists from both fields to present and discuss the latest research in separate or joint sessions. A large variety of topics will be covered, from ice-sheet modelling to extreme climate events, from solar UV radiation to avalanche formation and permafrost – be sure to contribute and benefit from the possibility to extend your network and meet excellent scientists from a wide range of fields.

The schedule for the week is now online. We hope to se you there!
Athena Coustenis
IAMAS President

G) COMETS AS TRACERS OF SOLAR SYSTEM FORMATION AND EVOLUTION
July 9-11, 2013, Toulouse, France

Abstract submission deadline: March 31, 2013
On-line registration deadline: April 30, 2013

Maximum number of participants: 60
http://icw.space.swri.edu

We are pleased to announce a workshop on the role of comets in understanding the formation and evolution of the Solar System. This meeting will take place in a three-day science program comprised of themed sessions, and featuring a mixture of invited reviews, invited and contributed talks and posters.
The workshop will cover topics ranging from the dynamical and chemical evolution of the solar nebula during formation, to the techniques for measuring the composition of comets. Invited speakers include some of the community leaders in cometary science, measurements and technology development. We will discuss the role that Rosetta measurements will play in understanding the origin of Solar System bodies, and what future missions to comets are being planned. Abstract submissions for posters and for talks are encouraged, although the number of talks available is limited in order to keep the meeting to three days. Register early, as space is limited to no more than 60 participants! There will be a special issue of the journal Planetary and Space Science devoted to the works presented at this meeting.

From Kathleen Mandt and Olivier Mousis

H) THE PLUTO SYSTEM ON THE EVE OF EXPLORATION BY NEW HORIZONS:
PERSPECTIVES AND PREDICTIONS

Meeting Dates: July 22-26
Abstract Deadline: April 15
Early Bird Registration Deadline: May 31
Reception: July 21

The meeting is being held at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, USA.

In July 2015, NASA’s New Horizons mission will conduct the first in situ exploration of the Pluto system in the Kuiper Belt. This scientific conference will take stock of our current knowledge of the Pluto system in advance of the New Horizons flyby, and introduce potential new mission collaborators and those interested in participating in NASA/SMD Pluto system data analysis programs to the details of the scientific investigations planned during the 6-month New Horizons encounter.

Both registration and abstract submission are now open for the Pluto-2013 conference at: http://plutoscience.jhuapl.edu

Abstracts are solicited on all facets of the Pluto system—including origins, interiors, surfaces, compositions, atmospheres, satellites, plasma, and context in the Kuiper Belt.

Special issues of both Icarus and JGR-Planets are planned to publish new results and prediction papers in 2014.

If you are interested in the Pluto system and its context within the Kuiper belt, join our invited speakers and the New Horizons science team at APL in July for this landmark meeting in the exploration of Pluto and the Kuiper Belt.

Alan Stern (Program Committee Chair)
Hal Weaver (Local Organizing Committee Chair)

———————————+
Send submissions to:
Athena Coustenis, DPS Secretary ([email protected])

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

Athena Coustenis
LESIA (Bat. 18)
Observatoire de Paris-Meudon
5, place Jules Janssen
92195 Meudon Cedex
France
Tel: +33145077720
[email protected]

Newsletter 13-1

Issue 13-1, January 6, 2013

+—————————–CONTENTS——————————–+
1) PLANETARY DIVISION MANAGEMENT RESPONDS TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS
2) CHANGES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MARS EXPLORATION PROGRAM AT NASA
3) COMMUNITY URGED TO HEAR NASA¹S JIM GREEN PRESENTATION ON 10 JANUARY
4) REMINDER : 2013 ONLINE MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
5) INVITATION TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP IN EXOPLANET MISSION CONCEPT STDTS
6) JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES
7) UPCOMING MEETINGS
+———————————————————————+

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1
PLANETARY DIVISION MANAGEMENT RESPONDS TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS

By James L. Green, Director, Planetary Science Division

The President’s FY13 budget for the Planetary Science Division (PSD)
was reduced by 21% from its FY12 level. This reduction has not been
equally distributed throughout the program. For instance our flight
programs have taken the greatest reduction with the withdrawal of
significant NASA participation in ESA¹s Mars 2016 and 2018 missions,
and significant changes in the Discovery and New Frontiers flight
rates. It is a fact that a reduction in Planetary Division funding will
reduce science with the additional expectation that there will be
increased proposal pressure in many of the Research and Analysis
(R&A) programs as missions wind down with no new mission selections and
participating scientist calls to take their place.

The projected R&A funding for FY13 is planned to be $228M, which is
more than 19% of the entire Planetary Science budget (a historic high
percentage). The PSD is following closely previous recommendations and
findings of the Planetary Science Subcommittee (PSS) to better manage
its R&A program consistent with funding constraints while addressing
critical R&A issues such as slow notification and budget stability. It
is important to note that NASA is currently being funded under a
continuing resolution whose procedures are to provide partial funding
at regular intervals. Therefore, many of the PSD Program Officers (PO)
do not currently have all their R&A program funding to meet their
current commitments and selections. To take this situation into
account, the following are the PSD R&A management principles:

1. FY13 funding targets have been provided to all program officers
(PO) for each of the PSD ROSES program elements.

2. All POs will meet current ongoing grants commitments before new
selections can be made.

3. Awards will be made and announced beginning one month after the
review panels have met.

4. Section announcements will be either: selected, notselected, or
selectable.

5. Proposals in the selectable category will be selected as funding
becomes available throughout the fiscal year. This means that selection
rates for a program will increase as additional selections are announced.

As an example, recent selection announcements in the Planetary
Astronomy and Planetary Atmosphere R&A programs did not report the “selectable”
letters that went out to many proposers that would be funded as funds
become available later in the year.

Contrary to statements being made by some individuals in the science
community, the recent announcement of the Mars 2020 rover has nothing
to do with the current R&A selection rates nor has it impacted the
current or projected amounts to be spent in the R&A program. The Mars
2020 rover will be designed to “conduct mobile surface-based science at
a site selected for its ability to preserve evidence of life, and
prepare for the future return of samples per the NRC Planetary Decadal
Survey.” A call for the membership of the Science Definition Team
(SDT) for the Mars 2020 rover has just been release. For more
information on this SDT please see:

http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/Announcements/index.html

[copied from the PEN SPECIAL EDITION – Vol. 6, Nr. 57]

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2
CHANGES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MARS EXPLORATION PROGRAM AT NASA
By James L. Green, Director, NASA Planetary Science Division

With the retirement of Doug McCuistion, Director of the Mars Exploration Program (MEP) at the end of December, I would like to announce the following:
– Acting MEP Director: James Green
– Lead MEP Program Executive: Lisa May
– Lead MEP Program Scientist: Michael Meyer

Doug has worked tirelessly for the Federal Government for over 30 years and as the Director of MEP for 8 and 1/2 years. His dedication to the program is legendary. As a good friend, I will miss our daily interactions and his very steady hand on the Mars program. I am sure I speak for everyone in wishing him the very best in his future endeavors.

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3
COMMUNITY URGED TO HEAR NASA¹S JIM GREEN PRESENTATION ON 10 JANUARY

There has been much discussion of NASA¹s Planetary Science Division (PSD) budget in recent weeks (about R&A in particular). Next week, Jim Green will give a presentation at the OPAG meeting in Atlanta about this, at 8:30 am on 10 January 2013. We strongly encourage our membership to call in via webcast to hear what he has to say, and to educate themselves about the current and upcoming PSD budget, including R&A. You can register for the webex and see the agenda at http://www.lpi.usra.edu/opag/.

Rosaly Lopes (DPS Chair) & Heidi Hammel (DPS Vice-Chair)

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4
REMINDER : 2013 ONLINE MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

You should have paid your 2013 membership dues online at https://members.aas.org/ by 31 December 2012. But there is still time to renew by logging in to your membership record (today !) and in any case before the membership lists are updated within a month or two from the beginning of 2013. By renewing online and not receiving a paper renewal, you will help your Society save enormous costs.

Also, please take a moment to update your personal DPS member file.
Thank you for your attention.

Send general replies to [email protected].

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5
INVITATION TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP IN EXOPLANET MISSION CONCEPT STDTS

The NASA Astrophysics Division is soliciting applications for membership in two Science and Technology Definition Teams (STDTs) for exoplanet direct-imaging missions. The Dear Colleague letter is being distributed via the NSPIRES distribution list. Applications (via e-mail) are due by February 15.
One team will study a concept based on a telescope with an internal coronagraph to generate the ultra-high contrast images needed for directly detecting and characterizing exoplanets. A second study will use a pair of spacecraft flying in formation – a telescope and an external occulter (starshade). The STDTs are supported by a Concept Study Office staffed by the Exoplanet Exploration Program.
You can find more information on the STDTs, including the Dear Colleague invitation letter and a draft Charter for the teams, on the new STDT web pages on the Exoplanet Exploration Program’s website: https://exep.jpl.nasa.gov/stdt/.
If you have questions about the studies, please contact Douglas Hudgins, NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program Scientist ([email protected]<[email protected]<jobs
for more information and also consider posting a job by filling out the jobs submission form at:
node/add/job

You can send any comments, questions, or suggestions to the DPS Jobs Czar at: [email protected]]

A) SENIOR AND POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER POSITIONS
in electromagnetic wave scattering with Solar System application

The Planetary-System Research group at the Department of Physics, University of Helsinki invites applications for two senior researcher positions and one postdoctoral researcher position. The positions are funded by the European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant entitled Scattering and absorption of electromagnetic waves in particulate media (SAEMPL).

In SAEMPL, electromagnetic scattering in complex particulate media is studied numerically using multiple-scattering theory based on the Maxwell equations, with a sophisticated treatment of the leading interaction diagrams. The numerical methods are validated using a nanotechnology-based scattering experiment that utilizes Atomic Force Microscopy. The numerical and experimental methods promise to have an impact on how knowledge is accrued on objects in our Solar System based on their scattering characteristics. Furthermore, the methods promise to have immediate applications in Earth observation, including remote sensing of the atmosphere, land, and sea.

Senior researcher A (scattering theory, numerical methods)

Senior researcher A will carry out theoretical and numerical research for multiple scattering in particulate media. The position will be filled for three years with a tentative starting date of March 1, 2013. There will be an option for a two-year extension of the employment.

Senior researcher B (scattering experiments)

Senior researcher B will develop experimental measurements in scattering at visible to near-infrared wavelengths. The position will be filled for three years with a tentative starting date of March 1, 2013. There will be an option for a two-year extension of the employment.

Postdoctoral researcher (scattering theory, numerical methods)

The postdoctoral researcher will focus on theoretical and numerical advances in multiple scattering. The position will be filled for two years with a tentative starting date of September 1, 2013. There will be an option for a one-year extension of the postdoctoral period.

For more detailed information about the positions, see

http://wiki.helsinki.fi/display/PSR/SAEMPL+call+for+job+applications,
http://wiki.helsinki.fi/display/PSR

Applications should have the following two enclosures (in English):
1) curriculum vitae (four pages at maximum);
2) list of publications.

Applications are to be delivered, together with the required enclosures, to Professor Karri Muinonen either electronically via e-mail to [email protected] or, alternatively, via ordinary mail using the following address: Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 64 (Gustaf Hällströmin katu 2a), FI-00014 U. Helsinki, Finland.

The closing date for applications is January 28, 2013 at 16.00 local time in Helsinki.

More details can be obtained from Professor Karri Muinonen,
+358 9 191 22941, [email protected].

B) POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER POSITION IN ”EXOPLANETARY MAGNETOSPHERES” PROJECT WITHIN KEY NATIONAL RESEARCH NETWORK PROGRAM S116.

Space Research Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Graz, Austria

The Space Research Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Graz, Austria, announces the availability of a Postdoctoral Researcher position in the “Exoplanetary Magnetospheres” project which is a part of a Key National Research Network program “Pathways to Habitability” (S116) supported by the Austrian Science Foundation (FWF). The research scope of the project includes (but not limited) the investigation of plasma processes and self-consistent magnetic field structure in the magnetospheres of giant exoplanets in the presence of a rotating magnetized planetary body and an escaping ionized atmospheric material flow.
The position will be given initially for 2 years, with a monthly brutto salary 3.382 €. Prolongation of the position up to full 6 years may be possible, depending on the project performance and availability of funds. An early starting date, February 1, 2013 is encouraged.
A successful candidate is expected to have an advanced knowledge of space plasma physics with an expertise in plasma kinetic and MHD theories. Research experience in the field of planetary magnetospheric physics, planetary radio emission, as well as competence in numerical simulations would be an advantage.
Further details regarding the position may be requested from the project leader Dr. Maxim Khodachenko at Space Research Institute in Graz ([email protected]).
Applications include a CV, a publication list, a summary of previous and current research (max 3 pages) submitted electronically as a PDF file to the project leader. Applicants also should arrange for three letters of reference sent by the referees directly to the same contact. Applications review begins in January 2013 and will continue until the position is given.

7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7———7
UPCOMING MEETINGS

A) 44TH LPSC
18-22 March 2013, The Woodlands, Texas

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2013/

URGENT : Abstract deadline: 8 January 2013.

B) 47th ESLAB SYMPOSIUM : THE UNIVERSE AS SEEN BY PLANCK
2-5 April 2013, ESTEC, Noorwijk

http://congrexprojects.com/13a11

URGENT :Abstract deadline: 10 January 2013.

C) EGU 2013 GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Vienna, Austria
7- 12 Apr 2013
http://www.egu2013.eu

You are cordially invited to browse through the Planetary Sessions programme at: http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2013/sessionprogramme/PS

and submit an abstract. Each Session shows the link Abstract Submission. Using this link you are asked to log in to the Copernicus Office Meeting Organizer.

Detailed information on how to submit an abstract can be found at: http://www.egu2013.eu/abstract_management/how_to_submit_an_abstract.html

URGENT : The deadline for the receipt of abstracts is 09 Jan 2013.

Athena Coustenis
EGU/PS President

D) THIRD IAA PLANETARY DEFENSE CONFERENCE
April 15-19, 2013, Flagstaff, Arizona.

Topics include planetary defense; recent progress and plans; NEO discovery; NEO characterization; mitigation techniques and missions; impact effects that inform warning, mitigation and costs; and consequence management and education.
The conference will include an exercise where participants will simulate the decision-making process for developing deflection and civil defense responses to a hypothetical asteroid threat.
A field trip to Meteor Crater is also offered.
The abstract deadline has been extended to January 18 2013.
See www.pdc2013.org for more information.

E) HABITABLE WORLDS ACROSS SPACE AND TIME
The 2013 STScI Spring Symposium
April 29 – May 2, 2013

Abstract submission deadline: March 15, 2013
On-line registration deadline: March 29, 2013

Within a matter of years, humanity will know for the first time the frequency of terrestrial planets in orbit around other stars. This knowledge will pave the way for joining research from astronomy, Earth science, and biology to understand the past, present, and future of the Earth within its larger context as one of many habitable worlds. Such work seeks to understand the formation and fate of the Earth as well as predict where and when different bodies will be suitable for life. In this four-day symposium, scientists from diverse fields will discuss the formation and long-term evolution of terrestrial bodies throughout the various phases of stellar and Galactic evolution. A particular focus will be in how the specific conditions and challenges for habitability on Earth extend to other bodies in the Solar System and beyond. The existence of these overlooked environments may provide motivation for novel astronomical observations with existing and next generation ground and space-based observatories.

For more information on the Symposium, please check the website:
http://www.stsci.edu/institute/conference/habitable-worlds

F) VENUS SCIENCE CONFERENCE
10-14 June 2013, Catania, Italy

On behalf of the Scientific Organising Committee,
Håkan Svedhem
ESA/ESTEC

G) AOGS 2013 ANNUAL MEETING
24-28 June 2013, Brisbane, Australia

http://asiaoceania.org/aogs2013/public.asp?page=home.htm

Abstract deadline: 29 January 2013.

10th Anniversary Meeting and First Time in the Southern Hemisphere- Join Us!

H) DAVOS ATMOSPHERE AND CRYOSPHERE ASSEMBLY (DACA-13)
8-12 July 2013, Davos, Switzerland

http://www.daca-13.org/index_EN

Abstract deadline: 31 January 2013.

The schedule for the week is now online. We hope to se you there!
Athena Coustenis
IAMAS President

I) COMETS AS TRACERS OF SOLAR SYSTEM FORMATION AND EVOLUTION
July 9-11, 2013, Toulouse, France

Abstract submission deadline: March 31, 2013
On-line registration deadline: April 30, 2013

Maximum number of participants: 60
http://icw.space.swri.edu

From Kathleen Mandt and Olivier Mousis

———————————+
Send submissions to:
Athena Coustenis, DPS Secretary ([email protected])

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

Athena Coustenis
LESIA (Bat. 18)
Observatoire de Paris-Meudon
5, place Jules Janssen
92195 Meudon Cedex
France
Tel: +33145077720
[email protected]

Newsletter 12-29

Issue 12-29, December 19, 2012

+—————————–CONTENTS——————————–+
1) MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
2) DPS/FRS HILL VISITS REPORT
3) PLANETARY RESPONSES TO SALSO RFI NEEDED!
4) JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES
5) UPCOMING MEETINGS
+———————————————————————+

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

At the recent AGU meeting, NASA’s John Grunsfeld announced that NASA will send a MSL type rover to Mars in 2020. This was met by our community with a mixture of relief (we have a science mission and it can be a great one) and dismay (what about the specific caching mission outlined by the Planetary Science Decadal Survey?).

Before we start throwing basaltic stones (or even the odd meteorite) at the 2020 Mars rover, let’s give the mission’s Science Definition Team (SDT) the chance to do their job. These are our colleagues, and in their place we would want the same courtesy. The colleagues I have talked to who may be on that SDT (it has not been put in place yet) are fully behind the Decadal and know that they need to be responsive to its science priorities.

Assuming the Mars 2020 SDT does indeed follow the Decadal and defines sample caching as an essential element of the mission, the Mars 2020 mission will be good news for all of us. Good news for our Mars colleagues for the obvious reason, but good news for everyone else in that it clears the plate of the Decadal’s top Flagship priority so that NASA can proceed with other priorities, IF the budget is restored.

That is where we come in. We must continue to speak with one voice for restoration of the planetary budget to $1.5B so that the full suite of recommendations of the Decadal can be implemented. If we deviate from unity at this critical point we will come across as a fragmented community and risk losing our hard-earned support with our key Congressional allies.

We should thank the Obama Administration for allowing NASA to move forward with the new Mars mission that was devised by the MPPG in response to their request for a less costly Mars mission. At the same time, we should continue to ask the Administration and Congress to restore the budget cuts so that NASA can implement the full program recommended by the NRC. Only through the balanced mix of the strategic flagship missions (Mars and Europa), competed missions (Discovery and New Frontiers), healthy R&A funding and advanced technology development can we make genuine progress toward answering the two overarching questions of the Decadal Survey, the same questions humans have been asking for a very long time: how did our solar system come to be, and is there life outside our Earth?

– Rosaly Lopes,
DPS Chair

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2
DPS/FRS HILL VISITS REPORT

On Thursday, December 13, 2012 the DPS/FRS went down to the Hill and visited 8 House offices and 4 Senate offices, focusing on the key members of the House SST and Senate CJS committees. We (Lisse, McNutt, Verbiscer, Roman, and Knight) delivered updated versions of our Decadal handout and an advocacy letter for the funding we would like to see restored in the FY2013 budget, as well as a compendium of ten op-ed pieces published since the Curiosity landing supporting continued funding for planetary science. Our message, worked out in collaboration with the DPS Committee leadership, was the same as delivered in May 2012, that the House Report of April 2012 was a good target, and followed the 2012 Decadal relatively closely.

We found good knowledge of the Decadal and support for our budget position from all the offices we visited, especially on the House side. In fact, other groups have already helped advocate for a $1.5 B level of funding, while the House report we advocated asks for $1.4B. We also heard that Congress expects to be back at work right after Christmas, on the fiscal cliff agenda. Right now they are mostly in a lull, at least on the House side, and still moving offices – we saw furniture lying in the halls everywhere. I believe we still have some work to do in advocating in the Senate, to help the House/Senate compromise effort come to fruition in an appropriate manner. It is not clear to me how well the 2 chambers have been talking, nor if they have very different agendas vis-à-vis the Administration’s FY2013 and FY2014 budgets. I do understand that the individual chamber markups have now happened.

We also were asked to provide information concerning the current state of Pu-238 reprocessing. And we heard that surface mail letters from constituents to their elected representatives have a real effect, especially when received in quantity (each office typically counts its letter rate per month on a given subject). This suggests we should do our best to match our DPS community members with their elected representatives, and ask them if they could write a letter to their Representative and Senators supporting our message.

There was also notice of an important groundswell of House interest and support for the “Space Leadership Act” (introduced by Reps. Culberson, Wolf, Posey, and Olson on 20 Sept 2012 and co-sponsored by Sensenbrenner and Smith, among 9 other Republicans and 2 Democrats). Along with a new NRC Report, “NASA’s Strategic Direction and the Need for a National Consensus” (released on 5 Dec 2012), and a House hearing held on 12 Dec 2012 (the day before our visits) concerning “The Future of NASA: Perspectives on Strategic Vision for America’s Space Program”, this act could make important structural changes to NASA, to help insulate it vs. rapid political changes along the lines of how NIH and NSF are currently run. I can’t tell if the push for the Space Leadership Act will affect our current budget and structural issues, but I do recommend the DPS Committee discuss this soon and form a position on the subject. We did get some very probing questions from the House SST Committee staffers we met with on these issues.

– Carey Lisse, DPS/FRS Chair

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3
PLANETARY RESPONSES TO SALSO RFI NEEDED!

The due date (7 January) for responses to the SALSO call (science.nasa.gov/salso/) is rapidly approaching. NASA is seeking input for what to do with a mirror system from NRO.

Let’s not be left out … Wouldn’t it be great if this system could be used for planetary observations? We can make that happen with efforts from the community to build a strong case for doing so. Please consider submitting an abstract (for a planetary science topic, instrument concept or mission concept).

We are coordinating efforts for a strong response from the planetary science community. Please check out the wiki (www.giardiacorp.com/pstwiki) and add information about your abstract, or contact those who have already posted to join their effort.

Mike Wong ([email protected])
Amanda Hendrix ([email protected])

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4
JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES

[Please visit the DPS web site at : jobs
for more information and also consider posting a job by filling out the jobs submission form at:
node/add/job

You can send any comments, questions, or suggestions to the DPS Jobs Czar at: [email protected]]

A) PHD POSITIONS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM

The Astronomical Institute Anton Pannekoek (API) at the University of Amsterdam invites applications for up to 10 PhD positions funded by the Netherlands Research School for Astronomy (NOVA). The positions are open to candidates from all countries.

PhD students in Amsterdam execute a vigorous research program lasting four years, under the supervision of one or more faculty members. Positions will be available in all fields of research where the Institute is active, including Neutron Stars and Black Holes, Cosmic Explosions, Protoplanetary Disks and Planet Formation, Massive Stars and their Formation.

More information about our research can be found at http://www.astro.uva.nl/research/.

University of Amsterdam PhD students are appointed as civil servants and earn competitive salaries. PhD positions are funded for four years. Instructions for applicants are available at http://www.astro.uva.nl/jobs. Applicants will have to provide a curriculum vitae, a list of all university courses taken and grades obtained, and a statement of research interests and experience. They should also arrange for at least two letters of reference to be sent directly.

The successful candidates must have a MSc degree (or equivalent) by the starting date. The starting dates are negotiable. Applications need to be submitted before December 20, 2012. By mid January we will invite promising candidates for a presentation and interviews to be held on February 13 and 14.

———————————————————————

We would like to draw your attention also to the GRAPPA PhD program (http://grappa.science.uva.nl/graduateprogram/).

GRAPPA (GRavitation and AstroParticle Physics in Amsterdam) is a new center of excellence of the University of Amsterdam,
which brings together experts from astronomy, particle physics, and theoretical physics, who work on the interface of these
disciplines.

The GRAPPA PhD program consists of two components. The first component concerns a GRAPPA PhD fellowship, for which candidates can define their own program. Two positions are available. The application consist of two stages:
1) application letter + research statement including brief description of proposed PhD project;
2) excellent candidates will be invited in the beginning of January to write a 3 page proposal.

The second component are pre-defined PhD projects, as listed on http://grappa.science.uva.nl/graduateprogram.

For logistical reasons, we have delayed the deadline for both components of the GRAPPA PhD program to December 20.
Details on the submission process can be found on the websites: http://grappa.science.uva.nl/graduateprogram.

On February 13 and 14 we will have general interview presentation days, in which local and external applicants will be invited to
give a presentation on their master’s research project (and for PhD fellowship candidates on their intended research project),
and to have interviews with one or several PhD project supervisors.

B) POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP IN THE JOINT CENTER FOR PLANETARY ASTRONOMY (JCPA)

The Joint Center for Planetary Astronomy (JCPA) at the California Institute of Technology solicits applications for a newly established postdoctoral prize fellowship associated with the center. This fellowship will be awarded to an outstanding applicant pursuing research in any area related to planetary systems, either our own or others. The JCPA provides a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment for researchers at Caltech with common interests spanning both the astronomy and planetary science; see http://www.caltech.edu/content/sky-full-planets for more information. Fellows will also have full access to Caltech’s extensive resources, including the Keck and Palomar Observatories and the newly upgraded GPS computational cluster.

The Fellowship will commence in fall 2013 with an annual stipend of $65,000 and an additional research fund of $16,000 per year. The JCPA will also provide funds for relocation expenses and other benefits including health care.

Applicants for the position must have a PhD in planetary science, astronomy, astrophysics, geology, or an equivalent field by the date of their appointment. Applicants must also be within four years of receiving their PhD (i.e., PhD awarded after Jan. 1st 2009). Applicants should submit a CV with email and citizenship indicated, list of publications, a statement describing their current and proposed research (4 page single spaced, 12 pt font not including figures and references), and three letters of recommendation to [email protected] by January 15th 2013; offers will be made by Feb. 1st. Questions regarding the fellowship should be directed to Professor Mike Brown ([email protected]).

Caltech is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and disabled persons are encouraged to apply.

For more information, see http://www.gps.caltech.edu/employment/PostDoc_JCPA

C) POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH AT CU BOULDER

The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) is seeking a recent Ph.D. scientist to analyze and interpret Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph data of the Saturn system. We are particularly interested in understanding the atmospheres of the Saturnian satellites Enceladus and Titan. This is a one-year appointment, renewable for up to 3 years. Key skills include experience with ultraviolet spectroscopy, aeronomy, atmospheric escape and/or satellite exospheres.

Requirements Include:
Ph.D. degree in a related field

For full consideration, all application materials: letter of interest, resume, proof of degree, and three names of references, should be received via the jobsatcu website below.

Applications must be submitted through the jobsatcu website:

www.jobsatcu.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=71463

The job posting is # 820166.
Applications received before 31 January 2013 will receive full consideration.

D) POST DOC POSITION ON PLANETARY COLLISIONAL MODELING: ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

Arizona State University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) is recruiting a Postgraduate Researcher in planetary collisional modeling, with an emphasis on early solar system bodies (e.g. planetary embryos, asteroids, comets, satellites, KBOs, ice giants). An earned PhD in Planetary Sciences, Astrophysics, Geophysics, Computer Modeling, or a related field is required.

The successful applicant will have a demonstrated capability of using computer models to tackle large-‐scale problems in astrophysics, geophysics, granular physics or fluid dynamics, and will have some familiarity with the theory of hydrocodes, and a demonstrated ability to mine/reduce/visualize large quantities of 3D simulation data and analyze and clearly present the results. An academic track record in planet formation and evolution is desired but not required.

The position is intended to bring a talented scholar to the forefront of this exciting and expanding arena of research, working closely with Prof. Erik Asphaug and his colleagues and students. The successful applicant will lead at least one first-‐author paper per year, so a record of research publication is required. The position includes funding for travel to one domestic and one international conference per year, and dedicated access to the world-‐class computational facilities at ASU.

Applications are due by January 31, 2013 and reference letters by February 7, 2013 via email to [email protected]. A full description of the application process is available at http://sese.asu.edu/opportunities. The appointment will start on or after March 1, 2013, and the position will remain open until filled. Salaries are competitive, and commensurate with research experience. Students finishing their PhDs by July 2013 are encouraged to apply, as are applicants with postgraduate experience looking for a new position. The initial appointment will be for 2 years.

ASU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that actively seeks diversity among applicants and promotes a diverse workforce.

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5
UPCOMING MEETINGS

A) 44TH LPSC
The Woodlands, Texas
18-22 March 2013
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2013/

Abstract deadline: 8 January 2013.

B) 47th ESLAB SYMPOSIUM : THE UNIVERSE AS SEEN BY PLANCK
ESTEC, Noorwijk
2-5 April 2013
http://congrexprojects.com/13a11

Abstract deadline: 10 January 2013.

C) EGU 2013 GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Vienna, Austria
7- 12 Apr 2013
http://www.egu2013.eu

You are cordially invited to browse through the Planetary Sessions programme at: http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2013/sessionprogramme/PS

And submit an abstract. Each Session shows the link Abstract Submission. Using this link you are asked to log in to the Copernicus Office Meeting Organizer.

Detailed information on how to submit an abstract can be found at: http://www.egu2013.eu/abstract_management/how_to_submit_an_abstract.html

The deadline for the receipt of Abstracts is 09 Jan 2013.

Athena Coustenis
EGU/PS President

D) THIRD IAA PLANETARY DEFENSE CONFERENCE
April 15-19, 2013, Flagstaff, Arizona.

Topics include planetary defense; recent progress and plans; NEO discovery; NEO characterization; mitigation techniques and missions; impact effects that inform warning, mitigation and costs; and consequence management and education.
The conference will include an exercise where participants will simulate the decision-making process for developing deflection and civil defense responses to a hypothetical asteroid threat.
A field trip to Meteor Crater is also offered.
The abstract deadline is 21 Dec 2012. See www.pdc2013.org for more information.

E) HABITABLE WORLDS ACROSS SPACE AND TIME
First Announcement: The 2013 STScI Spring Symposium
April 29 – May 2, 2013

Abstract submission deadline: March 15, 2013
On-line registration deadline: March 29, 2013

For more information on the Symposium, please check the website:
http://www.stsci.edu/institute/conference/habitable-worlds

F) AOGS 2013 ANNUAL MEETING
Brisbane, Australia
24-28 June 2013

http://asiaoceania.org/aogs2013/public.asp?page=home.htm

Abstract deadline: 29 January 2013.

10th Anniversary Meeting and First Time in the Southern Hemisphere- Join Us!

G) DAVOS ATMOSPHERE AND CRYOSPHERE ASSEMBLY (DACA-13)
Davos, Switzerland
8-12 July 2013
http://www.daca-13.org/index_EN

Abstract deadline: 31 January 2013.

The schedule for the week is now online. We hope to se you there!

Athena Coustenis
IAMAS President

———————————+

Newsletter 12-28

Issue 12-28, December 3, 2012

+—————————–CONTENTS——————————–+
1) NEW “DISCOVERIES IN PLANETARY SCIENCE” CLASSROOM POWERPOINTS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, AND FARSI
2) GRADUATE STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR THE LPI CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD
3) REQUESTING CONCEPTS FOR APPLICATIONS OF LARGE SPACE OPTICS
4) JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES
5) UPCOMING MEETINGS
+———————————————————————+

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1
NEW “DISCOVERIES IN PLANETARY SCIENCE” CLASSROOM POWERPOINTS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, AND FARSI

The DPS Education Subcommittee announces the 6th release of “Discoveries in Planetary Science” Classroom Powerpoints, covering three new topics:

– Mercury Hollows
– Man in the Moon
– The Size of Eris

These are succinct summaries of discoveries too recent to appear in “Intro Astronomy” college textbooks; each set consists of just three slides to be shown: the discovery itself, a basic explanation based on good planetary science, and the “big picture” context. Another page for further information is provided as well. Powerpoints and pdf’s can be downloaded from education/dpsdisc.

By popular request, all available slide sets have now been translated into both Spanish and Farsi. Versions in other languages should become available in the coming months. Planetary scientists with recent or upcoming results of broad interest are encouraged to submit them for consideration by providing an initial draft using the template provided on the website. For more information, contact Nick Schneider & Dave Brain at [email protected]

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2
GRADUATE STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR THE LPI CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD

Please pass this on to students who may be interested:

The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) is proud to announce its sixth LPI Career Development Award, which is open to both U.S. and non-U.S. applicants. This award will be given to graduate students who have submitted a first-author abstract for presentation at the 44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC).

A travel stipend of $1000.00 will be awarded to the top applicants to help cover travel expenses for attending the LPSC in March. Awards will be based on a review of the application materials by a panel of lunar and planetary scientists.

The application deadline for the LPI Career Development Award is January 11, 2013.

Applications must include:
· Letter outlining why the applicant would like to participate at the LPSC and what he or she will contribute to the conference
· Letter of recommendation from his or her research advisor
· Copy of the first-author abstract
· Curriculum vitae for the applicant

NEW for this year: Applications and all accompanying materials must be submitted electronically. Note that all documents listed above will need to be uploaded in text or PDF format.

To apply, visit the website:
https://www.lpi.usra.edu/Awards/lpi_career/

Questions should be directed to:
Dr. Stephen Mackwell
c/o Claudia Quintana
3600 Bay Area Boulevard
Houston TX 77058-1113
[email protected]

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3
REQUESTING CONCEPTS FOR APPLICATIONS OF LARGE SPACE OPTICS

Solicitation Number: NNH13ZDA002L
Release Date: 11/26/12
Response Date: 1/7/13
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Classification Code: A – Research and Development
Issued by: Science Mission Directorate
Description
NASA is soliciting broad community inputs in support of a study activity focused on utilization of large flight qualified optical systems recently transferred to NASA from another Government Agency. The Study on Applications of Large Space Optics (SALSO) activity is a multistep process to develop a representative set of options for the use of these assets that draws on government, academic and industry capabilities to address Agency-wide needs.
The goal of the overall study is to gather and assess concepts for possible utilization of the recently acquired systems for Agency goals aligned with 5 principal areas; space technology, human exploration and operations, heliophysics, planetary science, and astrophysics (excluding an infrared wide field survey). The SALSO activity consists of a managed workshop and follow-on study of concepts flowing from the workshop process. NASA encourages submission of concepts that address multiple NASA objectives (above); make innovative use of NASA capabilities and/or anticipated commercial services; and/or incorporate innovative processes or partnership arrangements.
NASA has posted Agency goals, guidance and technical information about the space optics systems at the SALSO website, http://science.nasa.gov/salso/ . Complete information on submission of concepts and other details regarding SALSO activities are also posted at this site. Respondents and other interested persons should check the site often for pertinent information and updates.
Responses must be received by the due date above and shall not exceed four pages total using no smaller than 12 point type; this requirement shall include a 4-quadrant summary chart and a concept description including all text, tables and illustrations. Detailed information about submission requirements are provided at the SALSO website.
It is NASA’s intention to invite formal presentations and discussions of compelling responses at a workshop hosted by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL, on February 5 and 6, 2013. Details about the workshop are also provided at the SALSO website.

Submission of responses must be via email to [email protected]<[email protected]<jobs
for more information and also consider posting a job by filling out the jobs submission form at:
node/add/job

You can send any comments, questions, or suggestions to the DPS Jobs Czar at: [email protected]]

A) FACULTY POSITION IN PLANETARY SCIENCE, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences invites applications for the first of three anticipated tenure-track faculty positions in planetary science. The first position will be filled at the Assistant Professor level, starting as early as Fall, 2013. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an internationally recognized and externally funded research program, help develop and participate in undergraduate and graduate teaching, and supervise graduate student research. A Ph.D. is required in the Earth and/or planetary sciences or related discipline; postdoctoral experience is desirable. The successful candidate will further be expected to devote a portion of their research to exploring links between terrestrial and planetary processes. Accordingly, possible areas of planetary research include, but are not limited to, geomorphology and planetary surfaces, volcanology, tectonics and dynamics, petrology and mineralogy, cosmochemistry, cryospheres, climates, and studies of the early Earth and terrestrial planets in the solar system and their subsequent evolution. Approaches involving laboratory, field, and theoretical methods; remote sensing; and spacecraft observation are all welcome.

We strongly encourage the successful candidate to forge research ties with other parts of the Johns Hopkins community that are active in planetary science, including the Applied Physics Laboratory, the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and the Space Telescope Science Institute. There are excellent opportunities for additional collaborations within the BaltimoreWashington region, including with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, the Carnegie Institution, the Smithsonian Institution, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Applications can only be submitted electronically through Interfolio ( https://secure.interfolio.com/apply/18014 ) and must include a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching interests, and the names and complete contact information of at least three references. Questions concerning submission of application materials should be directed to Kristen Gaines ([email protected]). Other requests for information may be directed to Prof. John Ferry, Search Committee Chair ([email protected]). Review of the applications will begin December 15, 2012, and will continue until the position is filled. Johns Hopkins University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, and actively encourages interest from minorities and women.

B) POSTDOCTORAL OPPORTUNITY IN PLANETARY SCIENCE – UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH

The Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Minnesota Duluth seeks a full time Postdoctoral Associate to conduct original geological mapping and research of Venus with the goal to understand regional- to global-scale geohistories, and implications for geodynamic processes and Venus evolution. Requirements include: a recent Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent) in geology, geophysics, or related field, and experience in geologic mapping and GIS. Candidates with strong field-based geologic mapping experience and/or geologic mapping using remote sensing data. The appointment is for up to 3 years, and includes healthcare, and salary commensurate with experience. Preferred start date: Jan. 2, 2013. For more details, or questions, please contact :
Vicki Hansen (218-726-8628; or [email protected]).

The University of Minnesota requires that you apply online for this position at:

http://employment.umn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=219524

Applications should include: a cover letter with current contact information; CV; summary of research experience, skills, and interests; and contact information for three references.

5———5———5———5———5———5———5———5
UPCOMING MEETINGS

A) 44TH LPSC
The Woodlands, Texas
18-22 March 2013
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2013/

Abstract deadline: 8 January 2013.

B) 47th ESLAB SYMPOSIUM : THE UNIVERSE AS SEEN BY PLANCK
ESTEC, Noorwijk
2-5 April 2013
http://congrexprojects.com/13a11

Abstract deadline: 10 January 2013.

C) EGU 2013 GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Vienna, Austria
7- 12 Apr 2013
http://www.egu2013.eu

You are cordially invited to browse through the Sessions at: http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2013/sessionprogramme

And submit an abstract. You may want to note in particular the Planetary and Solar System Sessions at :
http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2013/sessionprogramme/PS

Each Session shows the link Abstract Submission. Using this link you are asked to log in to the Copernicus Office Meeting Organizer.

Detailed information on how to submit an abstract can be found at: http://www.egu2013.eu/abstract_management/how_to_submit_an_abstract.html

The deadline for the receipt of Abstracts is 09 Jan 2013.

In case any questions arise, please contact us!

Athena Coustenis
EGU/PS President

D) THIRD IAA PLANETARY DEFENSE CONFERENCE
April 15-19, 2013, Flagstaff, Arizona.

Topics include planetary defense; recent progress and plans; NEO discovery; NEO characterization; mitigation techniques and missions; impact effects that inform warning, mitigation and costs; and consequence management and education.
The conference will include an exercise where participants will simulate the decision-making process for developing deflection and civil defense responses to a hypothetical asteroid threat.
A field trip to Meteor Crater is also offered.
The abstract deadline is 21 Dec 2012. See www.pdc2013.org for more information.

E) HABITABLE WORLDS ACROSS SPACE AND TIME
First Announcement: The 2013 STScI Spring Symposium
April 29 – May 2, 2013

Abstract submission deadline: March 15, 2013
On-line registration deadline: March 29, 2013

Within a matter of years, humanity will know for the first time the frequency of terrestrial planets in orbit around other stars. This knowledge will pave the way for joining research from astronomy, Earth science, and biology to understand the past, present, and future of the Earth within its larger context as one of many habitable worlds. Such work seeks to understand the formation and fate of the Earth as well as predict where and when different bodies will be suitable for life.
In this four-day symposium, scientists from diverse fields will discuss the formation and long-term evolution of terrestrial bodies throughout the various phases of stellar and Galactic evolution. A particular focus will be in how the specific conditions and challenges for habitability on Earth extend to other bodies in the Solar System and beyond. The existence of these overlooked environments may provide motivation for novel astronomical observations with existing and next generation ground and space-based observatories.

For more information on the Symposium, please check the website:
http://www.stsci.edu/institute/conference/habitable-worlds

F) AOGS 2013 ANNUAL MEETING
Brisbane, Australia
24-28 June 2013

http://asiaoceania.org/aogs2013/public.asp?page=home.htm

Abstract deadline: 29 January 2013.

G) INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON PLANETARY SCIENCES (IAPS2013)
July 1-4, 2013,
Shanghai, China
http://202.127.29.4/meetings/iaps2013

The International Symposium on Planetary Sciences (IAPS2013) will be held at the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, July 1-4, 2013, Shanghai, China, which brings together international scientists to present the latest results of research and development in planetary exploration and science. Topics include planetary geodesy, navigation, remote sensing, atmosphere, ionosphere/ plasma physics, magnetic and gravity field, geomorphology, geophysics, geology, petrology, geochemistry, interior physics, Life & Astrobiology, Giant & Extrasolar Planets, etc.

The Organizing Committee

H) DACA-13
Davos, Switzerland
8-12 July 2013
http://www.daca-13.ch/

Abstract deadline: 31 January 2013.

———————————+

Newsletter 12-27

Issue 12-27, November 18, 2012

+—————————–CONTENTS——————————–+
1) ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ACS-PHYS ASTROCHEMISTRY SUBDIVISION
2) CALLING ALL EARLY CAREER SCIENTISTS! FAMELAB : EXPLORING EARTH AND BEYOND
3) JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES
4) UPCOMING MEETINGS
+———————————————————————+

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ACS-PHYS ASTROCHEMISTRY SUBDIVISION

We are pleased to announce that at the national ACS meeting in Philadelphia, the ACS-PHYS division established a new Astrochemistry Subdivision. Astrochemistry is the study of the abundances and chemical reactions of atoms, molecules, and ions and how they interact with radiation in both gas and condensed phases in Solar Systems and in the Interstellar Medium. The new Subdivision provides an interdisciplinary “home” for individuals interested in this growing research area. In addition, the Subdivision contributes to PHYS Division programs in areas of special interest to Astrochemists.

We would like to invite you and the undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows in your group to join the ACS Astrochemistry Subdivision to connect to an exciting research endeavor and to further promote the Astrochemistry Subdivision at (international) meetings, in your university, and in your department. Additional information on joining the Subdivision may be found at:

http://www.chem.hawaii.edu/Bil301/ACSAstrochemistry.html

http://www.chem.hawaii.edu/Bil301/ACSAstrochemistryjoin.html

An inaugural Astrochemistry Symposium will be held at the Fall ACS National Meeting in Indianapolis, IN, September 8-12, 2013. Please also email us ([email protected], [email protected], [email protected]) suggestions for forthcoming ACS Astrochemistry Symposia and nominations for officers for the Astrochemistry subdivision.

We would also like to thank those of you who supported the establishment of the Astrochemistry Subdivision! We hope that the new Subdivision will effectively serve this thriving scientific community.

Best regards,

Ralf Kaiser (Chair), Arthur Suits (Chair-Elect), Martin Head-Gordon (Vice-Chair)

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2
CALLING ALL EARLY CAREER SCIENTISTS! FAMELAB : EXPLORING EARTH AND BEYOND

PASSIONATE ABOUT SCIENCE? LOVE TO COMMUNICATE?
You are wholeheartedly invited to participate in FameLab: Exploring Earth and Beyond!

FameLab is something like American Idol for scientists… Sponsored by NASA and National Geographic, it’s a fun-filled day of competition, coaching, and camaraderie that’s all about science communication! At regional heats held across the US over the next 18 months—starting with the AGU Fall meeting in December—early career scientists from diverse scientific disciplines craft a 3-minute, powerpoint-free talk on their research or a related topic and deliver it in a supportive environment to judges who give only constructive feedback. No slides, no charts—just the power of words and any prop you can hold in your hands. The heart of the whole thing is a workshop conducted by communication professionals to help participants enrich their skills. So unlike American Idol, everyone wins!

Even if you’re not planning to attend AGU, you’re welcome to participate. This will be the one competition we plan to schedule in the Bay Area, but we’ll also be announcing future competitions as they emerge in the coming months. Register or sign up for our mailing list to stay in the loop: http://famelab-eeb.arc.nasa.gov/. Contact Daniella Scalice of the NASA Astrobiology Program if you have any questions at [email protected]

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3
JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES

[Please visit the DPS web site at : jobs
For more information and also consider posting a job by filling out the jobs submission form at:
node/add/job

You can send any comments, questions, or suggestions to the DPS Jobs Czar at: [email protected]]

A) FACULTY AND POST-DOC POSITIONS AT THE ACADEMIA SINICA INSTITUE ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
Faculty: http://jobregister.aas.org/job_view?JobID=43491
The Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA) has openings for faculty positions at the assistant or associate research fellow levels. Candidates who work in (a) optical/IR/radio astronomy, (b) theoretical/computational astrophysics, or (c) instrumentation (optical/IR/submillimeter) are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants should hold a PhD in astronomy, physics, or engineering, and preferably have prior postdoctoral experience.

ASIAA is an institute of Academia Sinica, the leading national research organization of Taiwan. The Institute has approximately 195 staff members (including 40 Faculty, 6 visiting scholars, 37 Postdocs, 35 Engineers/Technicians, and 33 Graduate Students). Research areas include the Solar and Exoplanetary Systems, Star and Planet Formation, Astrochemistry, Dust Grains, Stars and Compact Objects (evolved stars, white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes), Galactic Dynamics, Active Galaxies, Galaxy Evolution, Cosmology, and Instrumentation Developments.
ASIAA offers excellent research facilities and an international environment, where English is the working language. The institute’s strong instrumentation team is involved in a number of international projects in the optical/IR/radio. The Institute operates the SMA in collaboration with the SAO Taiwan is a member country of the ALMA project through collaborations with Japan and North America. The VLBI group is leading the effort for sub-mm VLBI. The AMiBA is in full scientific operation on Mauna Loa. The Institute is a partner in instrumental developments on the SUBARU Telescope (Hyper Suprime-Cam, the Prime Focus Spectrograph ) and on the CFHT (SPIROU). The TAOS telescopes are in operation to detect small objects beyond Neptune, and TAOS-2 telescopes will be placed in Mexico. The Theory group has a dedicated computer cluster for CFD-MHD simulations. ASIAA plans to participate in the SPICA mission. More information on each topic or facility can be found in our Home Page.
We seek candidates who can lead the Institute’s research programs, or initiate entirely new forefront programs. More information on target areas of recruitment can be found at http://www.asiaa.sinica.edu.tw/jobopening/. Applicants are requested to submit (1) a curriculum vitae, (2) a summary of past research (or instrumentation experience), and (3) a plan for future research, through the on-line submission system. Applicants are also requested to arrange three letters of recommendation to be submitted through the online application system. Applications submitted by or on 31 January 2013 will receive full consideration.
Included Benefits:
Medical insurance and travel allowance are provided. Please visit the Academia Sinica website for more information: http://hro.sinica.edu.tw/indexen.html and http://www.ifs.sinica.edu.tw/form.htm

=====================================================================
Post-docs: http://jobregister.aas.org/job_view?JobID=43111

The Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA) has openings for postdoctoral positions. Candidates with a PhD in any area of theoretical, observational, or instrumental astronomy are invited to apply.
ASIAA is an institute of Academia Sinica, the national research organization of Taiwan. The Institute has approximately 195 staff members (including 40 Faculty, 6 visiting scholars, 37 Postdocs, 35 Engineers/Technicians, and 33 Graduate Students). Areas of research include: Solar and Exoplanets Systems, Star and Planet Formation, Stellar Evolution, Compact Objects, Astrochemistry, Dust Grains, Galactic Dynamics, Active Galaxies, Galaxy Evolution, Clusters of Galaxies, Cosmology, and Instrumentation Developments.
ASIAA built two antennas (receivers included) for the SMA, and operates the SMA in collaboration with the SAO, and ALMA antennas in Taiwan. Taiwan is a member country in the ALMA project through collaborations with Japan and North America. We participate in instrumentation development on the CFHT and Subaru Telescope. We participate in the Hyper Suprime-Cam survey and the Prime Focus Spectrograph project of the Subaru Telescope. The TAOS project is in operation on Lulin Mountain in Taiwan to conduct a survey for small objects beyond Neptune. TAOS-2 will be deployed in Mexico. AMiBA is in scientific operation on Mauna Loa for the study of clusters of galaxies through the Sunyaev-Zel’dovich effect. Theoretical and computational astrophysics is being pursued both in ASIAA/TIARA in Taipei and TIARA in Hsinchu in collaboration with National Tsing-Hua University. A new initiative (CHARMS) has been incubated by TIARA, aiming to develop numerical simulators to bridge SMA/ALMA observations and theories in fluid dynamics, chemistry, and radiative transfer. The VLBI group is leading the effort to redeploy the ALMA-NA prototype antenna to Greenland for submm VLBI and single dish THz science. Site testing for VLBI is ongoing, aiming to image the shadow of the supermassive black holes. We plan to participate in the SPICA mission. More information on each topic can be found in our Home page.
ASIAA offers excellent research facilities and an international environment, where English is the working language. We seek scientists who actively participate in the Institute’s projects, in particular:
1. optical/IR or radio astronomers to pursue research topics related to Institute interests;
2. astronomers with radio interferometry experience to participate in ongoing tests, software-developments, or scientific observations with the SMA, AMiBA, ALMA, or VLBI;
3. solar system or planetary astronomers to participate in the study of small objects beyond Neptune through TAOS;
4. scientists or engineers to participate in instrumentation development for Optical/IR telescopes or radio telescopes; or
5. scientists with backgrounds in astrophysics or planetary sciences to pursue topics in theoretical astrophysics, computational fluid dynamics, or MHD.
More information on target areas of postdoc recruitment can be found at ASIAA Job Opening

The postdoc appointments at ASIAA will initially be for two years, with possible extension for additional two years based on satisfactory performance.
Applicants should apply online at on-Line Submission Form and submit:
(1) a curriculum vitae,
(2) a brief summary of past research or instrumentation experience, and
(3) a future research plan.
Applicants are also requested to arrange three letters of recommendation to be submitted online at the same site.

Applications submitted before or on 15 December 2012 will receive full consideration.
In addition, applicants have the option to apply for three types of prestige postdoctoral fellowships (the EACOA fellowships, the joint Berkeley-ASIAA fellowships, and the ALMA Taiwan fellowships). Please apply separately to these prestige fellowships through the respective submission instructions on ASIAA Job Opening
Included Benefits:
Medical insurance and travel allowance are provided. Please see the Academia Sinica website for more information:
http://hro.sinica.edu.tw/cbemployee/cbemployeeen.html

B) TENURE-TRACK POSITION, BOSTON UNIVERSITY

The Department of Earth and Environment at Boston University invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in the broad field of Solid Earth Geophysics, starting July 1, 2013. We seek an applicant whose research emphasizes quantitative study of the Earth’s lithosphere and mantle at either a regional or a global scale. Fields of study might include, but are not limited to, rock and mineral physics, seismology, geodynamics, tectonophysics, and marine geophysics. We encourage applications from individuals who employ field-based, experimental, or computational methods in their research.

We seek an applicant whose research complements departmental expertise in seismology, geodynamics, geochemistry and surface processes. Details at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/2245.
Review of applications will begin on January 1, 2013. Women and underrepresented minorities are particularly encouraged to apply. Boston University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Note from submitter Paul Withers – The scope of this search is sufficiently broad to include planetary geophysics.

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4
UPCOMING MEETINGS

Atmospheres and Ices in Planetary Systems Symposium during the Davos Atmosphere and Cryosphere Assembly DACA-13 (http://www.daca-13.ch/)

The International Commission on Planetary Atmospheres and Evolution (ICPAE, www.atm.ox.ac.uk/icpae) will convene a symposim on Atmospheres and Ices in Planetary Systems at the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences IAMAS and the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences IACS, both Associations of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics IUGG, invite you to the Davos Atmosphere and Cryosphere Assembly DACA-13 in Davos, Switzerland during 8-12 July 2013.
We invite papers reporting progress on our understanding of (i) giant planetary systems (cold gas and ice giants, their rings and icy satellites); (ii) terrestrial planets (lower, middle and upper atmosphere, ionosphere and surface ices); (iii) the cold conditions of icy bodies in the distance solar system (e.g., Pluto, dwarf planets, KBOs and comets); and (iv) the extreme physicochemical conditions to be found on extrasolar planets.
This symposium will be subdivided into two sessions: outer planets, terrestrial planets, exoplanets and laboratory experiments. Comparative studies of exoplanet atmospheres including the solar system planetary atmospheres are on the verge of becoming possible. Papers dealing with such topics are welcomed. Laboratory measurements under conditions found on solar system and exoplanet atmospheres are essential for understanding those atmospheres. Papers addressing such measurements are also invited.
In addition, papers reviewing the history of observing planetary atmospheres from space based observations are also welcome to mark the 50th anniversary of the successful Mariner 2 observations of Venus in December 1962.
Sponsors: ICPAE of IAMAS, IACS

Session C1.1: Atmospheres and ices on terrestrial planets
Lead convener: Dmitri Titov ([email protected])
Co-conveners: Sanjay Limaye, Ralf Greve

Session C1.2: Atmospheres and ices on outer planets
Lead convener: Leigh N. Fletcher ([email protected])
Co-conveners: Darrell Strobel, Athena Coustenis

Limited travel support is available to young scholars to attend the meeting.

Schedule:
Deadline for abstracts with grant application 14 December 2012
Deadline for abstracts without grant application 31 January 2013
Acceptance information and draft program 28 February 2013
Deadline early registration 31 March 2013

http://www.daca-13.org/index_EN

———————————+

Newsletter 12-26

Issue 12-26, October 26, 2012

+—————————–CONTENTS——————————–+
1) MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
2) REQUEST FOR INPUT: NAMING OF THE NEW NASA SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION INSTITUTE
3) JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES
4) UPCOMING MEETINGS
+———————————————————————+

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you all for making the DPS Reno meeting a great success. We had 654 abstracts and 784 registered participants. As we begin another DPS year, our major concern is the NASA planetary budget. Unless you have been living under a rock, you already know the situation that faces the future of planetary science and exploration.

The DPS, under Dan Britt’s leadership, has made great strides in communicating with Congress. Our letters earlier this year to our congressional representatives had a very positive impact. Both the House and the Senate appropriations bills would restore a substantial fraction of the proposed budget cuts to the FY13 budget for planetary when they become law in the coming months. But we have more to do because Congress can fund only one year at a time. We need the Administration to back away from the dire cuts they proposed in February. We need the OMB and OSTP to provide a 5-year plan that is consistent with the planetary budget in FY12, which is $1.5B. With funding at this level, NASA can execute the number one recommendation of the Decadal Survey, which is to conduct a balanced mixed of program elements that includes strategic missions and competed missions underpinned by strong programs in R&A and technology.

Our letters to the OMB and OSTP a few weeks ago told the leaders there that we are a well-organized and persistent community. Our efforts and those of the AGU, The Planetary Society, the GSA and others resulted in thousands of letters to OBM and OSTP. We believe our message was clearly heard. However, we need to do one more thing this year before the Administration finalizes it proposal for the FY14 5-year budget that will be released next February. We need to write to the boss of the OMB and OSTP, to President Obama himself, to make sure that the White House hears our message directly. It is critical that we do this now because the first full draft of the F14 budget will be completed by the OMB in early November, to be passed back to NASA for their response soon thereafter. If we are to have an impact on what the OMB passes back to NASA, we must write our letters now, this week.

We are sending a draft for a letter, but we urge you to adapt it and use your own words. Form letters have a much smaller impact that personal letters. Please make an effort to do this. I know that being an activist does not come naturally to many of us (certainly not to me) but these are very challenging times and we must act. You may want to fax your letter to President Barack Obama, (202) 456-2461 or (202) 395-1051.

Rosaly Lopes
——————–

Suggested wording for Letter to President Obama (using your own words will make it more effective) :

Dear Mr. President,

You were absolutely right when you told NASA’s Curiosity team, after their successful Mars landing, “We are fortunate to be part of a society that can reach beyond our planet and explore frontiers that were only imagined by our ancestors.”

Only missions to distant worlds like Mars and Jupiter’s watery ice-covered moon Europa can answer deep questions like: Is there life elsewhere, beyond the Earth? Are we alone in the Solar System?

Yet the funding that the Administration proposed last February would put us on a fast track to end the magnificent endeavor of planetary exploration. Planetary exploration attracts our excellent students to science and engineering. It fuels the creation of whole new high-tech industries at home, here in the US. Exploration raises the expectations of everyone in our society. Planetary missions drive us to accomplish great things. They are the quintessence of innovation.

The US National Academy of Sciences, in their recent planetary exploration decadal survey, declared the return of Mars samples and the exploration of Europa as highest priority, but asked for costs to be reduced. NASA and the space science community responded. Last week, two major NASA studies, one each for Mars and Europa, were released. Both cut costs in half yet retained a substantial portion of the leading edge science called for by the National Academy. The Mars plan also dovetails with your Administration’s long-term goal to send humans to Mars.

Right now, your Administration is planning the FY 2014 budget proposal that will be released next February. If that proposal continues the current steep decline in NASA’s planetary program funding, it will gravely endanger the unique capabilities that have enabled US leadership in space (such as the ability to land safely on Mars) and took decades to develop.

For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to direct your budget planners to rebalance and restore NASA’s planetary allocation to the FY12 level, $1.5B for each of the next five years so that NASA can move forward with the visionary priorities recommended by the National Academy. This amounts to less than one tenth the total NASA yearly budget, which itself is less than one half a penny for each US tax dollar invested in our Nation.

Great nations pursue great goals and create the future. The search for evidence of life beyond our Earth is such a goal. It is one that only the US has the capability to pursue. Please reverse the dramatic cuts proposed last February so that we can remain the world leader in space and on Earth.

Respectfully yours,

Signed…
————–

You can FAX your letter to President Barack Obama, (202) 456-2461 or (202) 395-1051

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2
REQUEST FOR INPUT: NAMING OF THE NEW NASA SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION INSTITUTE

The NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI) is expanding to include other destinations beyond the Moon, stemming from NASA’s Flexible Path strategy for human exploration. The new Institute’s scope will include science and exploration research efforts focusing on solar system destinations for human exploration. The new institute will initially focus on the Moon, Near Earth Objects, Phobos and Deimos. These destinations are the focus of an upcoming Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) to be issued shortly by NASA. Additionally, heliophysics and astrophysics uniquely enabled through observations from these objects will be part of the new Institute.

NASA is seeking your input for a name for the new institute, reflective of its broader scope. For further details, and to submit a suggested name, please go to http://lunarscience.nasa.gov/newname/ .
All suggestions received by midnight PST Nov. 9, 2012, will be considered.
NASA expects to announce the new name in early 2013, however, the NASA Lunar Science Institute name will remain in effect until the new teams are selected. The new institute will operate under the current NLSI leadership and the central office will remain at Ames Research Center.

3———3———3———3———3———3———3———3
JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES

[Please visit the DPS web site at : jobs
For more information and also consider posting a job by filling out the jobs submission form at:
node/add/job

You can send any comments, questions, or suggestions to the DPS Jobs Czar at: [email protected]]

A) FACULTY POSITION AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANETARY SCIENCES/ LUNAR AND PLANETARY LABORATORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
The Department of Planetary Sciences/Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona has available a tenured or tenure-track faculty position. Candidates in all areas of planetary science are encouraged to apply. Current faculty and research staff are engaged in many facets of planetary science, including planetary surfaces, interiors, atmospheres, the Sun and heliosphere, exoplanetary systems, comparative planetary studies, origins of planetary systems, and orbital dynamics. They employ tools such as theoretical studies and data analysis, laboratory and field investigations, telescopic observations, remote sensing, and spacecraft development, operations, and instrumentation. The faculty, research staff, and graduate student body are drawn from the diverse backgrounds of planetary science, astronomy, chemistry, geology, physics, and engineering. Additional information concerning the Department/Laboratory is available at http://www.lpl.arizona.edu.
Successful candidates will teach at all levels, from freshman through advanced graduate classes. They will establish and maintain a distinguished research program in the field of planetary sciences and will supervise graduate students. Salary is dependent on qualifications. To be considered for an appointment above the rank of Assistant Professor, candidates must have an internationally recognized record of distinguished scientific achievement, leadership, and teaching ability in the planetary sciences. To be considered for appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, candidates must demonstrate clear promise of such achievement.
Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2012, and will continue until the position is filled. The starting date for the appointment is anticipated to be August 12, 2013. Applicants must complete the online application at www.UACareerTrack.com/hr (search for Job Number 51233). Inquiries and supporting application materials, including a CV with publication list, statement of research interests, statement of teaching philosophy, and the names and addresses of at least four references may be submitted to:
Professor Timothy D. Swindle
Head, Department of Planetary Sciences Director, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory The University of Arizona
1629 E. University Blvd. Tucson, Arizona 85721-0092 (520) 621-4128
The University of Arizona is an EEO/AA employer – M/W/D/V.

B) PROFESSORSHIP IN PLANETARY REMOTE SENSING AND RESOURCE GEOSCIENCE
The School of Engineering and Science at Jacobs University Bremen invites applications for a professorship in the field of Earth and
Planetary Sciences with a focus on planetary remote sensing, resource characterization, and/or resource exploration. Applicants should be experienced in the application of geophysical methods such as potential field analysis, satellite image interpretation and mapping, electromagnetic sounding methods and remote sensing to bridge between resource geoscience and planetary sciences. Within the undergraduate program Earth and Space Sciences, the successful candidate will contribute to education in the field of Geophysics and Planetary Sciences. Participation in curricula, organizational, outreach and communication activities is expected.

Applications should include a single PDF attachment containing a letter of application, curriculum vitae, publications list, statements of research and teaching, and the names and addresses including e-mail of at least three potential referees.

Only Electronic submissions to: [email protected]
Please quote Faculty Search #2150 in all correspondence.

For more information see:
https://www.jacobs-university.de/node/23155

C) FACULTY OPENING: PHYSICS DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS
The Department of Physics at Washington University announces a faculty opening in experimental physics at the level of Associate Professor with tenure in space sciences, particularly cosmochemistry or extraterrestrial materials. Candidates at the Assistant Professor level who are exceptionally well qualified and who have a demonstrated aptitude for teaching and original research will also be considered.
Duties include teaching and advising students, conducting original research, and participating in departmental and university service.
A PhD in a relevant field is required. Demonstrated success in obtaining research funding is highly desirable. The appointment will begin fall 2013. Applications should consist of the following: cover letter, current resume including publication record, statement of research interests and plans (up to 5 pages), statement of teaching interests and approach (up to 3 pages), and names and complete contact information (including email addresses) of three references.
Application materials must be submitted electronically by email as a single file in editable PDF format to:
[email protected]

For full consideration applications should be submitted on or before November 15, 2012. Washington University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

D) NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS
The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers scientists and engineers unique opportunities to conduct research at NASA Centers. Each NPP fellowship opportunity is designed to advance NASA research in a specific project related to space science, earth science, aeronautics, exploration systems, lunar science, astrobiology, or astrophysics.

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 $53,500 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 $8,000 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:
http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm

Questions may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected]

E) POSTDOCTORAL OPPORTUNITY IN PLANETARY SCIENCE AT STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
The Research Foundation of Stony Brook University seeks a Postdoctoral Associate to work with Prof. Scott McLennan in the Department of Geosciences conducting laboratory experiments and/or analyzing spacecraft data in the field of the geochemistry of the Martian surface. Further details of the position and application procedures can be found at:
http://naples.cc.sunysb.edu/Admin/CampusJob.nsf/Job+Category+K/
?OpenView

The position code is: WC-R-7413-12-08-S. Application deadline has been extended to November 30, 2012.

F) SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR SERVICE ON NASA SCIENCE ADVISORY
SUBCOMMITTEES
NASA announces its annual invitation for public nominations for service on NASA science advisory subcommittees. These science advisory subcommittees report to the Science Committee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC). U.S. citizens may nominate individuals and also submit self-nominations for consideration as potential members of NASA’s science advisory subcommittees. NASA is committed to selecting members to serve on its science advisory subcommittees based on their individual expertise, knowledge, experience, and current/past contributions to the relevant subject area.

These are not full-time positions. Successful nominees will be required to attend meetings of the subcommittee approximately two to four times a year, either in person (NASA covers travel-related expenses for this non-compensated appointment) or via telecon/WebEx.
Successful nominees who are not already government employees will become Special Government Employees (SGEs). All successful nominees will be required to submit a confidential financial disclosure form, and undergo a conflict of interest review by the NASA Office of the General Counsel, before their appointment is finalized.

DATES: The deadline for NASA receipt of all public nominations is November 14, 2012.

For further information see:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-committee/subcommittees/

For any questions, please contact Ms. Marian Norris, NASA Headquarters
202-358-4452

[From PEN: Reduced for length.]

G) STUDENT OPPORTUNITY: LPI SUMMER INTERN PROGRAM IN PLANETARY SCIENCE
Application Deadline: January 18, 2013

The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) invites undergraduates with at least 50 semester hours of credit to experience research in the planetary sciences. As a summer intern, you will work one-on-one with a scientist either at the LPI or NASA Johnson Space Center on a research project of current interest in planetary science. Furthermore, you will participate in peer-reviewed research, learn from top-notch planetary scientists, and preview various careers in science.

The 10-week program begins June 3, 2013, and ends on August 9, 2013. Selected students will receive a $5000.00 stipend plus a travel stipend of $1000.00 (U.S. students) (foreign nationals will receive a $1500.00 foreign travel reimbursement).

Applications are only accepted via the electronic application form found at the LPI’s Summer Intern Program website:

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/lpiintern

Faculty members: Please pass this information on to any of your students who might be interested.

Contact:
Claudia Quintana
Phone: 281-486-2159
E-mail: [email protected]

4———4———4———4———4———4———4———4
UPCOMING MEETINGS

AGU Chapman Conference – Crossing the Boundaries in Planetary Atmospheres:
From Earth to Exoplanets

Annapolis, MD, June 24-28, 2013

http://chapman.agu.org/planetaryatmospheres/

This will be a working meeting that emphasizes developing a common language, exchange of ideas, and planning for future collaborations among the Earth, planetary and exoplanetary science communities. Among the topics we plan to explore are:

1. What fundamental processes govern ALL atmospheres? Can they be applied uniformly in generalized dynamic, thermodynamic, and chemistry models including non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) effects? What limitations of our current theories and models of Earth climate compromise their application to more extreme climates of the past and future, and to other planets?

2. Can planetary atmospheres be broken into classes or taxonomies with commonalities in composition, structure, or dynamics?

3. How can insights from one field be adapted or extended to improve our knowledge in another field?

4. Are there community-specific observational and analysis techniques that can be applied to the other disciplines?

Contributed abstracts are solicited on the following topics, crossing the Earth, planetary, and exoplanet atmospheres disciplines. Preference for contributed talks will be given to those that are of a cross-disciplinary nature.
* Atmospheric model development and applications
* Atmospheric theory
* Data acquisition, assimilation, and analysis
* Observational techniques and needs, ground and space-based
* Laboratory techniques and needs

[See also the PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS

Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html]

Newsletter 12-25

Issue 12-25, October 12, 2012

+—————————–CONTENTS——————————–+
1) REMINDERS 44TH DPS MEETING
2) JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES
3) UPCOMING MEETINGS
+———————————————————————+

1———1———1———1———1———1———1———1
REMINDERS 44TH DPS MEETING

Note the following reminders for our DPS Reno meeting next week.

– PROGRAM
The program for the DPS Meeting is available at:
http://www.psi.edu/dps12/sciprog.shtml

– REGISTRATION
If you have not registered yet you may use any of the options below.
Online: psi.edu/dps12/reg.shtml
Phone: 202-328-2010 ext. 106
Fax: 202-234-7850
If you are presenting an abstract you must register to attend the meeting.

– ORAL AND POSTER PRESENTATIONS :
Information regarding Oral presentations and Poster guidelines and suggestions are available at psi.edu/dps12/abs.shtml.
Presentation Uploads :
If you have an oral presentation in Reno, you must upload your presentation to the Speaker Ready service. We encourage you to upload your presentation early at aasuploads.com. After your presentation has been uploaded, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive an email, please contact [email protected]. If you have trouble uploading your presentation at the link above, please email it to [email protected] with the session number, speaker number, last name, email address, and operating system.

– MEDIA AT DPS
The DPS LOC has started social media accounts for this year’s Annual Meeting and beyond. Stay tuned for the latest news, announcements, and discussions.
These accounts are at :
https://www.facebook.com/DPSMeeting
https://twitter.com/DPSMeeting

– MEETINGS AND EVENTS AT THE DPS
* Please join us for the annual DPS Members (Business) Meeting which will be on Tuesday 16 October, 10:30 AM -12:00 PM in the Reno Ballroom. In order to better use our limited Members Meeting time, the preliminary reports of the DPS Officers for the DPS Members meeting are available for review via the link below. While the reports may not be in their final form, most are available now and they will be updated prior to the meeting.
reports/2012/members-meeting.pdf

* The Agency night will be the same day at 7:30 pm.

* Please note the Monday Town hall event:
Assessing the State of the Decadal Survey in the Light of the Current Budget Environment in Washington
Monday, Oct 15, 2012. Noon-1pm (Carson 1&2)
Panelists: Phil Christensen, Dan Britt, Bill McKinnon, Jim Bell, Dale Cruikshank
Chair: Rosaly Lopes
Last year the National Research Council released the latest Decadal Survey for planetary sciences entitled Vision and Voyages representing the input of some 1,700 members of the planetary science community. Vision and Voyages calls for a balanced program comprised of five key elements, all of which are required to build on what we have learned in the past several decades so that we can make the next major advances in humanity’s quest to understand our place in the universe. The five elements of the balanced program are strategic missions, competed missions in the small Discovery and medium New Frontiers classes, a well-supported science research and analysis program, and a healthy technology program. The panel will discuss the critical need for the community to stay aligned behind the recommendations of the Decadal Survey, and will brief the status of efforts to restore the budget for NASA’s planetary science program so that the recommended program in Vision and Voyages can be realized in the decade ahead. The good news is that we see strong support within Congress for restoration of the dramatic cuts proposed in the President’s FY13 5-year budget. But persistence and solidarity in the community will be required to achieve the end goal, which is a NASA planetary science budget that is as close as possible to the baseline that was assumed when Vision and Voyages was being created.

* Europa mission studies town hall
The Europa SDT will present an update of their activities at noon, Oct 16, at the Reno DPS. This Town Hall meeting will bring the community up to speed on the current status of the NASA descoped Europa Flagship mission studies.

* Workshops at DPS :
– “Boosting the Effectiveness of your EPO Efforts” workshop Sunday 1-5 pm
Are you active in education & outreach, but looking for a way for your efforts to have a greater impact? Join us this Sunday afternoon for a special workshop “Boosting the Effectiveness of Your Education and Outreach Efforts”. Topics include public lectures and outreach events, teacher professional development, getting into classrooms, as well as participant-selected topics. For each topic, research-based best practices, lessons learned, tips, available resources, and participant experiences will be explored. Possible funding sources will be presented. We’ll be in the Teton Room at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino on Sunday, 14 October 2012 at 1:00pm-5:00pm.

– Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group 6
13-14 October, 7:30am-5:30pm
Organizer: Ozhen Pananyan, [email protected]

– Planning Your Solar System Observations with JWST
14 October, 9:00am-12:00noon
Organizer: Stephanie Milam, [email protected]

– NASA Grant Writing Workshop
14 October, 12:30pm-4:00pm
Organizer: Curt Niebur, [email protected]

– Boosting the Effectiveness of Your Education and Outreach Efforts
14 October, 1:00pm-5:00pm
Organizer: Nick Schneider, [email protected]

– Planetary Science on Commercial Suborbital Flights
14 October, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Organizer: Constantine Tsang, [email protected]

– Remote Observations of Rosetta Target Comet 67P
14 October, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Organizer: Rita Schulz, [email protected]

– Publishing Your Paper: A Guide for MSc and PhDs
16 October, 12:00noon-1:00pm
Organizer: Clare Lehane, [email protected]

– Women in Astronomy Discussion Hour
17 October, 12:00noon-1:30pm
Organizer: Kelsi Singer, [email protected]

– Meeting of the IOPW Atmospheres Section
17 October, 3:30pm-5:00pm
Organizer: Ricardo Hueso, [email protected]

2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2
JOB/POSITION OPPORTUNITIES

A) SPACE POLICY INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE IN 2013

The Space Studies Board plans to continue its highly successful space policy intern program in 2013. They offer both a summer (undergraduates only) and autumn program (undergraduates and graduates). Full details, including application process, application deadlines, etc. can be found at http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/ssb_052239. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible but they must be a registered student at a U.S. university or college. Contact David Smith ([email protected]) for any questions or comments.

B) FACULTY POSITION IN PLANETARY AND SPACE SCIENCE
The School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Georgia Tech invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in the areas of Planetary and Space Sciences. We are seeking candidates interested in a range of topics that complement our existing strengths: space physics, magnetospheric science, planetary atmospheres, interiors, and/or planetary geology and surface processes. We are particularly interested in candidates who incorporate spacecraft observations with numerical and/or laboratory studies. Applicants at the Assistant Professor level are sought, although outstanding individuals at all levels will be considered. We seek individuals who are interested in working in a dynamic interdisciplinary academic and research environment that includes geophysics, planetary sciences, geochemistry and biogeochemistry, atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, oceanography, hydrology, and paleoclimatology as well as active planetary research in the Schools of Chemistry, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Aerospace Engineering.

Georgia Tech, consistently a top ranked educational/research institution, is undergoing growth in earth and planetary sciences, which includes a new Strategic University Research Partnership with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences currently has 29 faculty members and 93 graduate students, and has excellent facilities in the 265,000 square-foot Environmental Science and Technology Building. For more information about our School and academic programs, visit http://www.eas.gatech.edu. Applicants should send an application letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of research and teaching interests, and the names and contact information for at least three references. PDF applications should be emailed to [email protected]. Requests for information should be directed to Dr. Carol Paty ([email protected]) or Dr. James Wray ([email protected]). Applications will be considered beginning November 1, 2012 but the search will continue until the position is filled. Georgia Tech is a unit of the University System of Georgia and an equal education/employment opportunity institution.

C) PERMANENT FACULTY POSITIONS IN PLANETARY SCIENCES
From: Niescja Turner

The Department of Physics and Space Sciences at the Florida Institute of
Technology invites applications for up to two permanent faculty positions in
planetary sciences. These positions may be at any rank: assistant through
full professor. We seek to expand our current space sciences program to
include planetary geology, atmospheres, magnetospheres, or interiors and/or
exoplanets. For both positions, candidates must have a Ph.D. in physics,
planetary sciences, space sciences, astronomy, or a related discipline.
Successful candidates must demonstrate the ability to develop a vigorous
externally funded research program as well as the enthusiasm and drive to
teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Candidates with
experience in space instrumentation are particularly encouraged to apply.

Florida Tech is located on the eastern coast of central Florida, just south
of the Kennedy Space Center. Information about the department and current
research activities can be found at http://cos.fit.edu/pss/. To apply, please
send a cover letter, CV, statement of research and teaching experience and
interests, and the names of at least three references, preferably in a single
PDF file, to [email protected]<http://planets.ucla.edu/meetings/mars-habitability-2013/
Location: Los Angeles, CA on the UCLA Campus

A description of the event:
The UCLA Institute for Planets and Exoplanets, The UK Center for Astrobiology and the NASA Astrobiology Institute invite you to participate in a two-day conference in February 2013 that will examine the present-day habitability of Mars.
Major topics to be considered include:
• Mars Salts and Perchlorates
• Current Mars Liquid Water Activity
• Early MSL Results
• Redox Potentials for Martian Life
• Active Martian Geochemical Cycles
• Implications for Mars Planetary Protection Policies
The conference will be held in historic Royce Hall on the UCLA campus February 4-6, 2013. The first two days of the conference will consist of a set of 30-minute invited and contributed talks interspersed with discussions. The entire conference will be open to remote participation via NASA’s Astrobiology Institute “Workshop Without Walls” webcast. On February 6th, there will be an optional field trip to JPL, which will include a tour of the Mars Science Laboratory facilities. Online registration will open on October 15, 2012.
Contact : Kim DeRose
Education and Public Outreach Coordinator
UCLA Institute for Planets and Exoplanets (iPLEX)
[email protected]

See also the PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS

Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html