Issue 18-18, May 12, 2018

 

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1. DPS ELECTIONS 2018: CANDIDATE SLATE
2. REQUEST FOR COMMUNITY INPUT TO NASA SCIENTIFIC BALLOON PROGRAM ANALYSIS GROUP
3. EPSC SESSION: MODELS OF ATMOSPHERES AND EXOSPHERES, SURFACES, AND INTERIORS OF SMALL BODIES
4. EPSC SESSION: CERES AND VESTA
5. EPSC SESSION: AEROSOLS AND CLOUDS IN PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
6. ASTRONOMY X: MINING THE PAST, MAKING SPACE FOR THE FUTURE
7. NASA SMD SEEKS VOLUNTEER REVIEWERS
8. JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES

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DPS ELECTIONS 2018: CANDIDATE SLATE

 

The DPS Nominating Subcommittee has identified the following candidates

for the 2018 DPS elections for Vice Chair and Committee :

 

Vice-Chair (1 to be elected):

o Matija Cuk, SETI Institute

o Amanda Hendrix, Planetary Science Institute

 

Committee (2 to be elected):

o Michael Bland

o Will Grundy, Lowell Observatory

o Lucille Le Corre, Planetary Science Institute

o Krista Soderlund, University of Texas, Austin

 

Additional candidates, supported by a petition of at least 20 DPS members,

may be nominated by May 15th. Please send any nominations to the

DPS Secretary, Anne Verbiscer, at dpssec@aas.org [1].

 

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REQUEST FOR COMMUNITY INPUT TO NASA SCIENTIFIC BALLOON PROGRAM ANALYSIS GROUP

 

NASA seeks input from planetary scientists on future directions of scientific
ballooning. Over the next several months, NASA will incorporate input from
the community into a Balloon Roadmap which, in turn, will help inform the
upcoming 2020 Decadal Surveys. NASA's scientific balloons regularly fly
payloads weighing over 5000-lb to altitudes of 33 - 37 km, above 99% of the
Earth's atmosphere. NASA is developing super-pressure balloons to support
100-day flight durations at mid-latitudes.

- The NASA/GHAPS/SIDT report discusses some potential uses of stratospheric
balloons for planetary science: <http://tinyurl.com/ghaps-sidt-report> [2]

 

 

 

 
- The full text of the Request-for-Input letter is here:

 

http://www.phys.hawaii.edu/~gorham/Post/NASA_Roadmap_RFI.pdf [3]

Note that there will be a session on July 19, 2018 at COSPAR in Pasadena with
opportunities to present input, but content must be received by mid-June (via

email: balloonroadmap@lsu.edu [4]).
 

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EPSC SESSION: MODELS OF ATMOSPHERES AND EXOSPHERES, SURFACES, AND INTERIORS OF SMALL BODIES

 

Dear colleagues,

 

This is a reminder for the upcoming abstract submission deadline of the

next EPSC conference (https://www.epsc2018.eu/ [5]) that will be held in

Berlin on 16-21 September 2018.

 

Abstracts submission is now open to  Session SB11/MD7: "Models of

atmospheres and exospheres, surfaces, and interiors of small bodies"

The analysis and interpretation of data from recent and upcoming planetary

missions to solar system small bodies require the development of new

specific models. This session will focus on the description of these new

models and the results of their applications. Abstracts on atmospheric and

exospheric modeling, radiative transfer models and modeling of scattering

properties of surfaces and surface release processes, are welcome as well

as thermophysical evolution models of interiors of small bodies.

 

To submit you may use the following link:

https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC2018/abstractsubmission/29898 [6]

The Abstract submission deadline is  May 16, 2018, 13:00 CEST. 

 

Best regards,

The conveners

Michelangelo Formisano

Andrea Raponi

Audrey Vorburger

 

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EPSC SESSION: CERES AND VESTA

 

Dear colleagues,

 

this is a reminder for the upcoming abstract submission deadline of the next

EPSC conference (https://www.epsc2018.eu/ [5]) that will be held in Berlin on

16-21 September 2018.

 

The "Abstract submission deadline" is  May 16, 2018, 13:00 CEST.

 

We would like to invite you to submit an abstract to the Session: 

SB9 - "Ceres and Vesta ". 

 

Session summary: September 2017 marked 10 years since the launch of NASA's

Dawn mission. Dawn has been the first mission to orbit two different targets in

the main asteroid belt: the largest asteroid Vesta and the dwarf planet Ceres.

Dawn’s overall results represent a huge leap in our understanding of these bodies.

Dawn is now in its Second Exteneded Mission Phase. In this session we welcome

contributions that cover: 1) latest results obtained from the Dawn mission on both

Ceres and Vesta, concerning geology, mineralogy, surface composition and/or

geophysics, 2) comparative analysis of Vesta and Ceres in terms of surface

processes, internal structure, thermal evolution and origins. The goal of this session

is to highlight the major achievements of the Dawn mission, and to illustrate recent

discoveries and ongoing work on Vesta and Ceres through direct analysis of Dawn

data, study of analogs and/or theoretical models.

 

To submit you may use the following link:

 https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC2018/session/29473 [7]

 

Looking forward to see you in Berlin,

 

The conveners

Francesca Zambon

Eleonora Ammannito

Wladimir Neumann

 

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EPSC SESSION: AEROSOLS AND CLOUDS IN PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES

 

Dear Colleagues,

The abstract submission for the European Planetary Science Congress 2018
organized in Berlin, Germany, on 16–21 September 2018, is open until May 16.

We invite you to submit abstracts to the session
OPS5/TP11  "Aerosols and clouds in planetary atmospheres"!

http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC2018/session/29457 [8]

Atmospheric aerosols and cloud particles are found in every atmosphere
of the solar system, as well as, in exoplanets. Depending on their size,
shape, chemical composition, latent heat, and distribution, their effect
on the radiation budget varies drastically and is difficult to predict.
When organic, aerosols also carry a strong prebiotic interest reinforced
by the presence of heavy atoms such as nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur.

The aim of the session is to gather presentations on these complex
objects for both terrestrial and giant planet atmospheres, including the
special case of Titan’s hazy atmosphere. All research aspects from their
production and evolution processes, their observation/detection, to
their fate and atmospheric impact are welcomed, including laboratory
investigations and modeling.

The ambition of the session is a review effort beginning in our solar
system, and which would be valuable to further investigate atmospheric
aerosols in exoplanetary systems.

Spread the word, and see you in Berlin!

With best regards,
Nathalie Carrasco, Panayotis Lavvas and Anni Määttänen

 

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.ASTRONOMY X: MINING THE PAST, MAKING SPACE FOR THE FUTURE

 

Dear colleagues

We are excited to announce our upcoming conference:

".Astronomy X: Mining the past, making space for the future”
Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, US

24-27 September 2018

The .Astronomy conference (http://www.dotastronomy.com [9]) brings together

an international community of astronomers, science communicators and educators

to discuss new ways in which software and web-based technologies can enable

innovation and accelerate new discoveries in astronomy research that reach

beyond the realm of traditional academia. Through talks, tutorials, unconferences

and a hack day, participants gain new coding or maker skills, hear about the latest

data services and tools, learn how to communicate and collaborate more effectively

using web platforms, and broaden their views on what a career in astronomy can

look like. 

For the 10th edition of .Astronomy we will explore the past/future duality that is

unique to our subject. We push to build, innovate and explore to study at the same

time the history and the future of the Universe. We apply new technologies to data

from past observations to generate new knowledge. As our host institute STScI is

a world-leading centre for space astronomy, we’ll be incorporating the theme of

space into our sessions.

If you are interested in attending .Astronomy X, please visit the  STScI conference

webpage <http://www.stsci.edu/institute/conference/astronomyx [10]> for information

on registration. Please submit your pre-registration forms by Friday, June 8th.

If you have any questions, contact us at dotastrox@stsci.edu [11].

 

Confirmed Invited Speakers
   * Prof. Andy Connolly, University of Washington, US
   * Prof. Jarita Holbrook, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
   * Prof. Sarah Hörst, Johns Hopkins University, US
   * Prof. James Howison, University of Texas at Austin, US

We hope to welcome you in Baltimore!

Kind regards,

The .Astronomy X SOC
Sarah Kendrew (Chair)

Arfon Smith (co-Chair)
Tom Donaldson 

Susan Kassin
Iva Momcheva
Josh Peek
Erik Tollerud

 

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NASA SMD SEEKS VOLUNTEER REVIEWERS

 

Seeking volunteer reviewers in Earth and Space Science

 

NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is seeking subject matter

experts to serve as mail-in and/or panel reviewers of proposals to

ROSES and other SMD solicitations. Just follow the links below to the

volunteer review forms and click the boxes to indicate the topics in

which you consider yourself to be a subject matter expert. If your

skills match our needs for that review, we will contact you to discuss

scheduling. 

 

We are currently seeking reviewers for:

 

Heliophysics Programs (Appendix B of ROSES-18)

Emerging Worlds (C.2 of ROSES)

Exobiology (C.5 of ROSES)

Solar System Observations (C.6 of ROSES)

Planetary Data Archiving, Restoration, and Tools (C.7 of ROSES)

MatISSE and DALI (high-TRL planetary instrument programs) C.13 and C.22

 of ROSES

Juno Participating Scientist Program (E.5 of ROSES)

Earth Surface and Interior and Space Geodesy Programs

Astrophysics Data Analysis Program (D.2 of ROSES)

Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx PEA J of

 SALMON-3 AO)

 

The landing page all of these forms may be found at:

 

http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/volunteer-review-panels/ [12] 

 

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JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES

A) LECTURER POSITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE

 

Lecturer / Laboratory Director position in the Department of Earth and

Planetary Sciences

 

Further details and instructions for applying are at:

 

https://webapps.utk.edu/humanresources/utjoblist/ [13]

 

We seek to hire a dynamic educator to teach introductory geoscience

courses (including planetary science), coordinate laboratory sections

and mentor graduate students. This is a 12-month position with a

competitive salary and would be a great fit for those interested in

geoscience education and curriculum development. Although the initial

appointment is for one year, the contract is renewable. The University

of Tennessee, Knoxville has a three-tiered promotional structure for

lecturers, so career advancement and wage increases are expected,

contingent upon performance evaluations. Knoxville has a growing arts

and culture scene, fantastic outdoor recreational opportunities and

provides excellent quality of life. 

 

B) PHD POSITION AT UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO

 

The IceCrystal project has an open position for a student seeking a

PhD. The individual will be working with VNIR spectral analysis of lava

flows and will focus on  microcrystal distribution throughout flow

features. The student will participate in field campaigns in rugged and

remote volcanic regions located in Idaho, Iceland, and Alaska. The

student will produce a protocol for the most effective method for

collecting spectral data with the purpose of identifying environmental

conditions experienced by lava flows during emplacement. The work will

be performed in collaboration with NASA Ames Research Center and the

SETI Institute. Starting date for the position is as soon as

August-2018. 

 

Please contact erader@uidaho.edu [14] with questions about the position and

instructions on how to apply.

 

C) THREE-YEAR POSTDOC POSITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO

 

Position Summary

 

The IceCrystal project has a post-doctoral fellowship available. The

individual will be expected to perform visible-near infrared

reflectance (VNIR) spectral analysis of terrestrial basaltic lava flows

with particular emphasis on unaltered glassy surfaces. Spectral

measurements will be conducted during field campaigns, which involves

travel to rugged and remote volcanic regions located in Idaho, Iceland,

and Alaska. This individual will then compare spectral signatures of

glassy basalts from different regions and apply these findings to lava

flows on Mars using the CRISM dataset. The work will be performed in

collaboration with NASA Ames Research Center and the SETI Institute.

Starting date for the position is as soon as August-2018.

 

Please contact erader@uidaho.edu [14] with questions about the position and

application instructions. 

 

D) POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN COMETARY PLASMA PHYSICS AT IRF IN UPPSALA,

SWEDEN

 

The Swedish Institute of Space Physics is seeking candidates for a

postdoctoral position in space physics to study the complex dynamics of

a cometary ionosphere. Our group is responsible for one of the plasma

instruments on the Rosetta spacecraft to comet 67P, and we collaborate

closely with other Rosetta teams. In this project, there will also be

collaboration with a team doing particle-in-cell plasma simulations.

The work involves both analysis of Rosetta data and theoretical

modeling. Experience in the analysis of space plasma data is expected,

and experience in relevant theoretical modelling is an advantage.

 

Candidates should have completed a PhD during 2015 or later. Candidates

planning to obtain their PhD degree no later than September 2018 can

also apply.

 

The position is available at our Uppsala office for 2 years. At IRF

Uppsala some 20 researchers work on the space plasma mainly around

Earth, Saturn, Mars and comet 67P using data from our own instruments

on Rosetta, Cluster, MMS, Swarm and Cassini as well as other data. The

project is financed by the Swedish National Space Board.

 

More information:

 

http://www2.irf.se/Topical/Vacancies/?group=P4&vacid=62 [15]

 

Closing date: 15 May 2018

 

E) POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE IN VENUS OR MARS SCIENCE, WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

 

Wesleyan University Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences,

Planetary Sciences Group is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate

for one of two potential projects to work under the direction of Prof.

Martha Gilmore. The funds will be available July 1, 2018 for two

years.

 

Venus Surface Mineralogy - we seek someone with expertise in

geomorphology, remote sensing and mineralogy to undertake analysis of

radar properties of the Venus surface to constrain the origin and

composition of tessera highlands and the lowland plains materials. We

will also examine chemical changes in relevant minerals exposed to

Venus conditions using a number of analytical techniques.

 

Mars Geochemistry and Spectroscopy - The project is to create a series

of Mars analogue brines and precipitate them under terrestrial and

martian conditions in a Mars chamber. VNIR spectra of the precipitates

will be collected in situ and compared to data collected by CRISM in

Mars orbit.

 

The Planetary Sciences Group comprises 6 core faculty, 7 affiliated

faculty and postdocs across the sciences and offers both graduate and

undergraduate planetary curricula.

 

http://www.wesleyan.edu/planetary [16]

 

Wesleyan University is in Middletown CT, a New England college town

midway between New York and Boston.

 

To apply:

 

https://careers.wesleyan.edu/postings/6316 [17]

 

Questions: Prof. Martha Gilmore, mgilmore@wesleyan.edu [18]

 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

 

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Send submissions to:

Anne Verbiscer, DPS Secretary (dpssec@aas.org [19]) 

 

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