Within the partnership between The Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP), Earth and Planetary Systems Sciences (EPSS) section, we recognize Kiana McFadden as the newest DPS-NSBP Speaker Awardee. Kiana is a PhD student in planetary science at the University of Arizona, specializing in the study of small body surfaces. She is currently working with Dr. Amy Mainzer for the study of mainbelt asteroids, using images acquired by the Near-Earth Object Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) and Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) space telescopes.
Kiana McFadden’s award-winning talk at the NSBP Fall 2023 meeting, entitled “Size and Albedo Constraints for (152830) Dinkinesh Using WISE Data,” described work that was critical for helping the NASA Lucy mission plan their November 2023 encounter with this small main-belt asteroid (as described here).
The DPS partnership with NSBP was established to jointly represent the interests of planetary scientists and students who identify as members of communities that are critically underrepresented in this discipline. This partnership is part of a broader effort by the DPS to facilitate the involvement and participation of more students/scientists belonging to racial/ethnic groups that have been historically underrepresented in the planetary science discipline.
Within this DPS-NSBP partnership, the top early career EPSS speaker is selected by the NSBP EPSS chairs, based on their presentation at the annual NSBP meeting, as the DPS-NSBP Speaker awardee. This Speaker is invited by DPS to speak at the following year’s DPS meeting, with expenses covered by the DPS. Furthermore, the NSBP EPSS Chairs and the DPS Committee facilitate invitation of the Speaker to an academic seminar at an HBCU, NASA center, national laboratory, or large planetary science university program or research institute, in the same calendar year.
DPS is thrilled to invite Kiana McFadden to speak at the 2024 DPS meeting, which will be held in Boise, Idaho, USA and virtually. Additionally, Kiana McFadden will be speaking at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), in Boulder, colloquium series this fall.
The Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS), founded in 1968, is the largest special-interest Division of the American Astronomical Society (AAS). Members of the DPS study the bodies of our own solar system, from planets and moons to comets and asteroids, and all other solar-system objects and processes. With the discovery that planets exist around other stars, the DPS has expanded its scope to include the study of extrasolar planetary systems as well. The American Astronomical Society (AAS), established in 1899, is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America. The mission of the AAS is to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe as a diverse and inclusive astronomical community, which it achieves through publishing, meeting organization, science advocacy, education and outreach, and training and professional development.
NEAR-TERM LEADERSHIP CHANGES IN NASA’S PLANETARY SCIENCE DIVISION (PSD)
DPS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE SEEKS NEW MEMBERS
SPACE SCIENCE SERIES VOLUMES AVAILABLE ON OPEN ACCESS
EXAMINING THE READINESS OF THE LUNAR COMMUNITY TO RECEIVE ARTEMIS SAMPLES
2024 ADVANCING IDEA IN PLANETARY SCIENCE CONFERENCE: SAVE THE DATE
DPS 56TH MEETING – OCT 6-10 IN BOISE, IDAHO AND ONLINE
AAS MEETINGS TASK FORCE SURVEY HAS GONE OUT, PLEASE RESPOND
PLANETINSITU24 WORKSHOP: RISE OF THE DRONES – JULY 26
TNO 2027 HOST PROPOSAL
DPS PROFESSIONAL CLIMATE AND CULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE (PCCS) SEEKING NEW MEMBERS
CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL AND ICARUS
JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
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DPS 2024 ELECTION : CANDIDATE SLATE
The DPS Nominating Subcommittee has identified the following candidates for the 2024 DPS elections for Vice Chair, Committee, and Student Representative
Vice Chair (1 to be elected):
Anthony (Tony) Colaprete – NASA Ames Research Center
Scott Murchie – Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Committee (2 to be elected):
Conor Nixon – NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Hannah Jang-Condell – NASA Headquarters
Mariek Schmidt – Brock University, Canada
Takehiko Satoh – Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Student Representative (1 to be elected):
A’Laura Hines – George Mason University
Andrew Shumway – University of Washington
Per the DPS Bylaws, additional candidates for Vice Chair, Committee, and Student Representative, supported by a petition of at least 20 DPS members, may be nominated by June 14th. Please send any nominations to the DPS Secretary, Denise Stephens, at [email protected].
The DPS Committee thanks the members of the Nominating Subcommittee for their dedicated service to the DPS:
Morgan Cable (chair), Tim Livengood, and Jessica Noviello
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NEAR-TERM LEADERSHIP CHANGES IN NASA’S PLANETARY SCIENCE DIVISION (PSD)
Dr. Lori Glaze, PSD Director, is leaving PSD for a six-month detail as the Acting Deputy Associate Administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. Dr Gina DiBraccio will become Acting PSD Director during this time. For full details, and to read Dr
Glaze’s letter to the planetary science community, please see here:
DPS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE SEEKS NEW MEMBERS
The DPS Professional Development Subcommittee seeks new members; all career levels from students to professionals are welcome. The Professional Development Subcommittee provides educational, networking, and informational opportunities within the DPS community. These include the Women in Planetary Science event, professional development events, early career events, and a dependent care grant at the annual meeting. Read more about the subcommittee here: https://dps.aas.org/leadership/development.
If you’re interested in joining this subcommittee, e-mail the current chair Jennifer Hanley ([email protected]).
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SPACE SCIENCE SERIES VOLUMES AVAILABLE ON OPEN ACCESS
The University of Arizona Press announces the Open Access release of fourteen previous volumes in the Space Science Series. These newly released volumes span the broad range of planetary science, including giant planets, rings, satellites, asteroids, meteorites, protostars and planets. The full announcement and Open Access links can be found here: https://uapress.arizona.edu/2024/05/new-oa-titles-space-science
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EXAMINING THE READINESS OF THE LUNAR COMMUNITY TO RECEIVE ARTEMIS SAMPLES
The joint LEAG-ExMAG Specific Action Team (SAT) is examining the readiness of the lunar community to receive Artemis samples. Part of their task is to address how well-prepared we are to maximize the science return of nominal Artems samples. In this context, preparedness refers to that of workforce, facilities, and funding. A critical part of making this determination is receiving community input for the report.
With this is mind, please respond to a survey about how well prepared we are as a lunar community to enhance the science return of Artemis samples. The survey should take approximately 5-15 minutes and your input is greatly appreciated. We especially would appreciate you letting us know who else should be sent this survey as we want to make sure all interested stakeholders have a chance to provide input.
Please reach out to Nicolle Zellner with any questions: [email protected]
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2024 ADVANCING IDEA IN PLANETARY SCIENCE CONFERENCE: SAVE THE DATE
The LPI’s 2024 Advancing IDEA in Planetary Science conference will take place virtually from October 21–25, 2024. This conference aims to boost the community’s momentum in incorporating Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) principles in the workforce. NASA and other planetary science stakeholders have committed to fostering IDEA principles throughout their agencies and funded programs. The LPI’s Expanding NASA’s Community of Planetary Sample Scientists (ENComPSS) program is supporting this virtual conference as a next step, building upon the 2022 Advancing IDEA in Planetary Science conference. For more information, visithttps://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/advancingidea2024/
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DPS 56TH MEETING – OCT 6-10 IN BOISE, IDAHO AND ONLINE
Join us in the glorious Pacific Northwest for DPS 56. To be held both virtually and in person 6–10 October 2024 in Boise, Idaho, USA, this meeting will include options for remote participation and presentation. #DPS2024 promises to provide a lively environment, a jam-packed scientific schedule, and the chance to reconnect once again with colleagues and friends.
Registration and abstract submission will open soon. More can be found at the link below:
AAS MEETINGS TASK FORCE SURVEY HAS GONE OUT, PLEASE RESPOND
The AAS Meetings Task Force has sent out a survey to assess what kinds of events best meet the diverse needs of its members. The survey covers various considerations such as meeting mode (in-person and virtual), format, frequency, locations, costs, carbon footprint, and safety. It also seeks to understand the reasons folks have for conference attendance: research presentations, plenaries, town halls, career events, workshops, and, above all, networking and collaboration. Survey results and Meetings Task Force Recommendations will primarily feed into AAS meeting planning, but there may be aspects that inform future DPS meeting planning. If you received a survey invite (subject: AAS Member Survey on Conferences, sender: [email protected], date: April 29), please do fill it out – it should take <10min to complete. (Note that each invite is individualized, so we can’t forward them.)
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PLANETINSITU24 WORKSHOP: RISE OF THE DRONES – JULY 26
Following the great discussions at “Optimizing Planetary In Situ Surface-Atmosphere Interaction Investigations” workshops in 2022 and 2023 as well as the success of Ingenuity, the PlanetInsitu24 workshop will be held following the “10th International Conference on Mars” with a focus on identifying and enabling future Mars surface and near-surface investigations using drones. The PlanetInsitu24 workshop will be hybrid and held Friday, July 26, ~9am-12pm PDT, in Pasadena, CA. Advance registration is required, but is free. Travel grants (for expenses related to in-person attendance of 10th Mars and PlanetInsitu24) are available to US persons, with deadline of May 17. Additionally, papers are solicited for our “Planetary Science Journal” focus issue:https://iopscience.iop.org/collections/psj-230607-254. Questions can be sent to Serina Diniega ([email protected]).
Recordings of presentations, discussions, and tech demos from PlanetInsitu22 and PlanetInsitu23-ICAR:https://boi.st/planetinsitu22
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TNO 2027 HOST PROPOSAL
The TNO2024 Meeting (https://tno2024.org/) Scientific Organizing Committee are calling for proposals to hold the next conference in 2027. We especially encourage people outside of Europe and Asia to offer to host. We plan to announce the location of the next conference (TNO2027) during the upcoming meeting, so please email your proposals to Meg Schwamb ([email protected]) by 11:59 pm UTC on May 31 with the subject line “TNO2027 Location Proposal”. Please limit your proposal to three letter/A4 pages, and include the following information:
Host institution, city, and country
Meeting dates
One to three names of local organizers who will be willing and able to join the SOC
Meeting venue (conference center, university or other institute), A/V facilities, seating capacity (at least 100, preferably closer to 150), space for poster sessions, and amenities (coffee, snacks, etc.)
Level of IT support available
Expected funding levels to support the conference and expected conference fees
Support for diverse needs of attendees, such as dietary restrictions, child care, accessibility, and prioritization of EDI efforts (e.g. personal pronouns on name badges and quiet rooms)
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DPS PROFESSIONAL CLIMATE AND CULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE (PCCS) SEEKING NEW MEMBERS
Are you interested in making the planetary science community more diverse and inclusive? If so, please volunteer to be part of the DPS Professional Culture and Climate subcommittee (PCCS). A list of our charge, duties, and expectations can be found at:
Recent openings and opportunities are listed below and more are at the link above.
Job Opportunity: Senior Scientist for Mars Exploration, Planetary Science Division (NASA HQ)
Applications are now being accepted for this position. The Senior Scientist for Mars Exploration will serve as a senior science advisor to the Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and other SMD leadership—on all matters concerning scientific content and strategy for Mars exploration, including the Mars Exploration Program and Mars Sample Return Program. They will also lead Agency science planning and coordination, in collaboration with international partners, in preparation for delivery of Mars samples, and serve as the principal SMD Mars science representative to the scientific community, NASA top management, Office of Management and Budget, Congress, and other agencies and organizations. For full details: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/790851400#hiring-paths
NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship – Application Deadline July 1, 2024
The NASA Postdoctoral Program offers US and international scientists the opportunity to advance their research while contributing to NASA’s scientific goals. The NPP supports fundamental science; explores the undiscovered; promotes intellectual growth; and encourages scientific connections.
Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year Fellowship appointments that advance NASA’s missions in Earth science, planetary science, heliophysics, astrophysics, biological and physical science, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration systems, space operations, space technology, and astrobiology. Search for NPP research opportunities in Planetary Science here:NPP Research Opportunities.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in hand before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. Please see currenteligibility requirements. Stipends start at $70,000 per year, with supplements for higher cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Financial assistance is available for relocation and health insurance, and $10,000 per year is provided for travel and professional development.
Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1.
Two Open Rank Professors of Planetary Sciences at the University of Bern
Institution: Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
Job Description: The Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences within the Physics Institute of the University of Bern has two openings, as of 2025, for two professors in experimental planetary sciences. The Division is one of the leading research groups in the field of space instrumentation for experimental solar system exploration and is looking for professors in the fields of planetary remote sensing and in situ mass spectrometry or in related fields. The initial hiring level can range from assistant professor tenure track to full professor according to qualifications (open rank). The successful candidates are expected to have or further develop an excellent and internationally recognized track record in the development, construction, and exploitation of scientific instrumentation flying on spacecraft missions. The Division offers excellent conditions in terms of laboratory infrastructure, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities to build space-grade hardware. The University of Bern has set the aim of increasing the percentage of women in leading academic positions and thus strongly encourages female scientists to apply for the positions.
The application deadline is 1 August 2024. More information can be found at:
Job Opening: Assistant Professor in Space Physics – Electrical & Computer Engineering
The Francis College of Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell is searching for outstanding candidates for one full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Electrical and Computer Engineering. This tenure-track faculty position is initially being funded for up to five years through a $1.5 million award from the NSF Faculty Development in geoSpace Science (FDSS) program. This new faculty will have opportunities to collaborate in research and teaching with faculty across the Kennedy College of Sciences and the Francis College of Engineering. We value excellence and innovation in curriculum design and courses that promote experiential learning and professional skills for our students.
Minimum Qualifications (Required): Applicants must have earned a doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline.
For this FDSS tenure-track position in Electrical and Computer Engineering, we seek candidates at the Assistant Professor level with expertise in one or more of the following areas: 1) Space weather modeling; 2) Space weather instrumentation and experimentation; 3) Effects of space weather on the ionosphere and on critical space and terrestrial infrastructure such as communication, navigation, and power systems.
More information about the position and how to apply can be found at:
SPACE SCIENCE SERIES VOLUMES AVAILABLE ON OPEN ACCESS
EXAMINING THE READINESS OF THE LUNAR COMMUNITY TO RECEIVE ARTEMIS SAMPLES
2024 ADVANCING IDEA IN PLANETARY SCIENCE CONFERENCE: SAVE THE DATE
DPS 56TH MEETING – OCT 6-10 IN BOISE, IDAHO AND ONLINE
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR SCIENTISTS: EFFECTIVE MENTORING PRACTICES
NEW HORIZONS SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT WEBINAR
TOWN HALL FOR PLANETARY SCIENCE RESEARCH PROGRAM
AAS MEETINGS TASK FORCE SURVEY HAS GONE OUT, PLEASE RESPOND
NASA SMALL BODIES ASESSMENT GROUP (SBAG) STEERING COMMITTEE SOLICITATION
PLANETINSITU24 WORKSHOP: RISE OF THE DRONES – JULY 26
TNO 2027 HOST PROPOSAL
DPS PROFESSIONAL CLIMATE AND CULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE (PCCS) SEEKING NEW MEMBERS
MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ICARUS AND THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
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DPS 2024 ELECTION : CANDIDATE SLATE
The DPS Nominating Subcommittee has identified the following candidates for the 2024 DPS elections for Vice Chair, Committee, and Student Representative
Vice Chair (1 to be elected):
Anthony (Tony) Colaprete – NASA Ames Research Center
Scott Murchie – Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Committee (2 to be elected):
Conor Nixon – NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Hannah Jang-Condell – NASA Headquarters
Mariek Schmidt – Brock University, Canada
Takehiko Satoh – Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Student Representative (1 to be elected):
A’Laura Hines – George Mason University
Andrew Shumway – University of Washington
Per the DPS Bylaws, additional candidates for Vice Chair, Committee, and Student Representative, supported by a petition of at least 20 DPS members, may be nominated by June 14th. Please send any nominations to the DPS Secretary, Denise Stephens, at [email protected].
The DPS Committee thanks the members of the Nominating Subcommittee for their dedicated service to the DPS:
Morgan Cable (chair), Tim Livengood, and Jessica Noviello
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SPACE SCIENCE SERIES VOLUMES AVAILABLE ON OPEN ACCESS
The University of Arizona Press announces the Open Access release of fourteen previous volumes in the Space Science Series. These newly released volumes span the broad range of planetary science, including giant planets, rings, satellites, asteroids, meteorites, protostars and planets. The full announcement and Open Access links can be found here: https://uapress.arizona.edu/2024/05/new-oa-titles-space-science
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EXAMINING THE READINESS OF THE LUNAR COMMUNITY TO RECEIVE ARTEMIS SAMPLES
The joint LEAG-ExMAG Specific Action Team (SAT) is examining the readiness of the lunar community to receive Artemis samples. Part of their task is to address how well-prepared we are to maximize the science return of nominal Artems samples. In this context, preparedness refers to that of workforce, facilities, and funding. A critical part of making this determination is receiving community input for the report.
With this is mind, please respond to a survey about how well prepared we are as a lunar community to enhance the science return of Artemis samples. The survey should take approximately 5-15 minutes and your input is greatly appreciated. We especially would appreciate you letting us know who else should be sent this survey as we want to make sure all interested stakeholders have a chance to provide input.
Please reach out to Nicolle Zellner with any questions: [email protected]
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2024 ADVANCING IDEA IN PLANETARY SCIENCE CONFERENCE: SAVE THE DATE
The LPI’s 2024 Advancing IDEA in Planetary Science conference will take place virtually from October 21–25, 2024. This conference aims to boost the community’s momentum in incorporating Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) principles in the workforce. NASA and other planetary science stakeholders have committed to fostering IDEA principles throughout their agencies and funded programs. The LPI’s Expanding NASA’s Community of Planetary Sample Scientists (ENComPSS) program is supporting this virtual conference as a next step, building upon the 2022 Advancing IDEA in Planetary Science conference. For more information, visithttps://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/advancingidea2024/
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DPS 56TH MEETING – OCT 6-10 IN BOISE, IDAHO AND ONLINE
Join us in the glorious Pacific Northwest for DPS 56. To be held both virtually and in person 6–10 October 2024 in Boise, Idaho, USA, this meeting will include options for remote participation and presentation. #DPS2024 promises to provide a lively environment, a jam-packed scientific schedule, and the chance to reconnect once again with colleagues and friends.
Registration and abstract submission will open soon. More can be found at the link below:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR SCIENTISTS: EFFECTIVE MENTORING PRACTICES
Join the Lunar and Planetary Institute for a professional development seminar on Monday, May 20, at 2:00 p.m. CDT. In this 60-minute virtual seminar, we are joined by Dr. Sarah Hokanson and Dr. Béné Gnangnon of Boston University and the Postdoc Academy. We will share evidence-based practices for building an effective mentoring relationship, provide resources, and answer questions. Whether you are a first-time mentor, an experienced mentor, or just interested in learning more, this session will prepare you to make the most of your next mentoring interaction. Please register at
For questions, contact New Horizons CoI Susan Benecchi, [email protected]
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TOWN HALL FOR PLANETARY SCIENCE RESEARCH PROGRAM
On May 21, 2024 at 1 PM Eastern, NASA’s Planetary Science Division (PSD) will host a webinar to discuss the Planetary Research Program, including upcoming changes, some data on programs to date, and plans to reduce the barrier to proposing for the planetary research community.
A large focus of this Town Hall will be to discuss requirements for proposals submitted under the Dual Anonymous Peer Review (DAPR) process, which will be the default for all proposals submitted to the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) under ROSES-2025 (with rare exceptions). In DAPR, not only are proposers unaware of the identity of reviewers, but the reviewers do not have explicit knowledge of the proposing teams and institutions during the scientific evaluation of the proposal. This portion of the Town Hall will discuss the motivation for DAPR and how SMD has used it to date, the process of DAPR reviews, and tips on how to be compliant with DAPR submissions.
Additionally, we will discuss some analytics for our Planetary Research programs and potential future ways of soliciting proposals for Planetary Research, with the goal of increasing accessibility and decreasing unnecessary barriers for proposing to Planetary Research programs.
In advance of the webinar, questions may be submitted and upvoted on at:
+1-929-251-9612 United States Toll (New York City)
+1-415-527-5035 United States Toll
Access code: 282 158 49322
Additional Questions can be sent to Delia Santiago-Matereses – [email protected]
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AAS MEETINGS TASK FORCE SURVEY HAS GONE OUT, PLEASE RESPOND
The AAS Meetings Task Force has sent out a survey to assess what kinds of events best meet the diverse needs of its members. The survey covers various considerations such as meeting mode (in-person and virtual), format, frequency, locations, costs, carbon footprint, and safety. It also seeks to understand the reasons folks have for conference attendance: research presentations, plenaries, town halls, career events, workshops, and, above all, networking and collaboration. Survey results and Meetings Task Force Recommendations will primarily feed into AAS meeting planning, but there may be aspects that inform future DPS meeting planning. If you received a survey invite (subject: AAS Member Survey on Conferences, sender: [email protected], date: April 29), please do fill it out – it should take <10min to complete. (Note that each invite is individualized, so we can’t forward them.)
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NASA SMALL BODIES ASESSMENT GROUP (SBAG) STEERING COMMITTEE SOLICITATION
SBAG acts as a primary bridge between the small bodies scientific community and NASA and is led by its Steering Committee (SC). The SC organizes two SBAG meetings per year, writes official SBAG findings, and takes a leadership role in activities requiring community input.
The SBAG SC is soliciting two new general members and a Technology Lead at this time. Members of the small bodies community from any career stage, including international members, are welcome to apply. The term of service is three years, starting in August 2024.
The general member application requires: 1) a two-page CV, including a description of participation in SBAG, other small bodies organizations, or related work, and 2) a short (300 words maximum) statement of interest. Criteria for selection are participation in the small bodies community organizations/commissions/committees/etc., demonstrated leadership experience, and relevant research or mission experience. Applicants may specify any relevant information in support of diversity. We especially welcome applications from people interested in increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in the small bodies community and willing to serve on the cross-AG Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) committee.
The Technology Lead is responsible for activities relating to the development of technology applicable to the study and exploration of small bodies. This individual should be actively involved in developing technologies for small body exploration and aware of the current challenges and progress in this field. The application should (i) meet the requirements of the general member application, (ii) indicate a preference for the Technology Lead position, and (iii) include relevant small body technology experience.
Send application packages to Lori Feaga ([email protected]) by May 24, 2024, 8:00 PM EDT. The new SC members will be announced at SBAG #31 (Jul. 11-12, 2024).
PLANETINSITU24 WORKSHOP: RISE OF THE DRONES – JULY 26
Following the great discussions at “Optimizing Planetary In Situ Surface-Atmosphere Interaction Investigations” workshops in 2022 and 2023 as well as the success of Ingenuity, the PlanetInsitu24 workshop will be held following the “10th International Conference on Mars” with a focus on identifying and enabling future Mars surface and near-surface investigations using drones. The PlanetInsitu24 workshop will be hybrid and held Friday, July 26, ~9am-12pm PDT, in Pasadena, CA. Advance registration is required, but is free. Travel grants (for expenses related to in-person attendance of 10th Mars and PlanetInsitu24) are available to US persons, with deadline of May 17. Additionally, papers are solicited for our “Planetary Science Journal” focus issue:https://iopscience.iop.org/collections/psj-230607-254. Questions can be sent to Serina Diniega ([email protected]).
Recordings of presentations, discussions, and tech demos from PlanetInsitu22 and PlanetInsitu23-ICAR:https://boi.st/planetinsitu22
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TNO 2027 HOST PROPOSAL
The TNO2024 Meeting (https://tno2024.org/) Scientific Organizing Committee are calling for proposals to hold the next conference in 2027. We especially encourage people outside of Europe and Asia to offer to host. We plan to announce the location of the next conference (TNO2027) during the upcoming meeting, so please email your proposals to Meg Schwamb ([email protected]) by 11:59 pm UTC on May 31 with the subject line “TNO2027 Location Proposal”. Please limit your proposal to three letter/A4 pages, and include the following information:
Host institution, city, and country
Meeting dates
One to three names of local organizers who will be willing and able to join the SOC
Meeting venue (conference center, university or other institute), A/V facilities, seating capacity (at least 100, preferably closer to 150), space for poster sessions, and amenities (coffee, snacks, etc.)
Level of IT support available
Expected funding levels to support the conference and expected conference fees
Support for diverse needs of attendees, such as dietary restrictions, child care, accessibility, and prioritization of EDI efforts (e.g. personal pronouns on name badges and quiet rooms)
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DPS PROFESSIONAL CLIMATE AND CULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE (PCCS) SEEKING NEW MEMBERS
Are you interested in making the planetary science community more diverse and inclusive? If so, please volunteer to be part of the DPS Professional Culture and Climate subcommittee (PCCS). A list of our charge, duties, and expectations can be found at:
You also can speak with any current PCCS members (listed at the above site).
To express interest in becoming a PCCS member, please send an email to PCCS Chair James Roberts ([email protected]), describing:
(1) why you are interested,
(2) a brief description of any EDIA work you’ve already done, and
(3) a brief statement on what you might hope to accomplish with the PCCS. Comments about past or potential future work by PCCS are also welcome.
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MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
The Planetary Science Journal (PSJ) funds itself with publication charges (formerly `page charges’ back when physical pages were a thing), but we recognize that such fees can be an impediment to DPS members submitting their papers to the journal. Therefore, the AAS offers publication support to assist in covering publications fees for cases where authors
are unable to pay. The publication support is based on need, not merit, and therefore if you click the box to request consideration for publication support when you submit a manuscript to PSJ then having done so will not affect the peer-review process or evaluation of your paper.
Evaluation, publication, and curation of papers does cost money, and so if you have grant money then paying for publication charges is expected. But if for whatever reason you find yourself unable to publish in PSJ solely due to cost, then please do not hesitate to request support. You
can read more in this letter from the AAS Editor-in-Chief here:
Recent openings and opportunities are listed below and more are at the link above.
Job Opportunity: Senior Scientist for Mars Exploration, Planetary Science Division (NASA HQ)
Applications are now being accepted for this position. The Senior Scientist for Mars Exploration will serve as a senior science advisor to the Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and other SMD leadership—on all matters concerning scientific content and strategy for Mars exploration, including the Mars Exploration Program and Mars Sample Return Program. They will also lead Agency science planning and coordination, in collaboration with international partners, in preparation for delivery of Mars samples, and serve as the principal SMD Mars science representative to the scientific community, NASA top management, Office of Management and Budget, Congress, and other agencies and organizations. For full details: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/790851400#hiring-paths
NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship – Application Deadline July 1, 2024
The NASA Postdoctoral Program offers US and international scientists the opportunity to advance their research while contributing to NASA’s scientific goals. The NPP supports fundamental science; explores the undiscovered; promotes intellectual growth; and encourages scientific connections.
Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year Fellowship appointments that advance NASA’s missions in Earth science, planetary science, heliophysics, astrophysics, biological and physical science, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration systems, space operations, space technology, and astrobiology. Search for NPP research opportunities in Planetary Science here:NPP Research Opportunities.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in hand before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. Please see currenteligibility requirements. Stipends start at $70,000 per year, with supplements for higher cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Financial assistance is available for relocation and health insurance, and $10,000 per year is provided for travel and professional development.
Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1.
Two Open Rank Professors of Planetary Sciences at the University of Bern
Institution: Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
Job Description: The Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences within the Physics Institute of the University of Bern has two openings, as of 2025, for two professors in experimental planetary sciences. The Division is one of the leading research groups in the field of space instrumentation for experimental solar system exploration and is looking for professors in the fields of planetary remote sensing and in situ mass spectrometry or in related fields. The initial hiring level can range from assistant professor tenure track to full professor according to qualifications (open rank). The successful candidates are expected to have or further develop an excellent and internationally recognized track record in the development, construction, and exploitation of scientific instrumentation flying on spacecraft missions. The Division offers excellent conditions in terms of laboratory infrastructure, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities to build space-grade hardware. The University of Bern has set the aim of increasing the percentage of women in leading academic positions and thus strongly encourages female scientists to apply for the positions.
The application deadline is 1 August 2024. More information can be found at:
Job Opening: Assistant Professor in Space Physics – Electrical & Computer Engineering
The Francis College of Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell is searching for outstanding candidates for one full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Electrical and Computer Engineering. This tenure-track faculty position is initially being funded for up to five years through a $1.5 million award from the NSF Faculty Development in geoSpace Science (FDSS) program. This new faculty will have opportunities to collaborate in research and teaching with faculty across the Kennedy College of Sciences and the Francis College of Engineering. We value excellence and innovation in curriculum design and courses that promote experiential learning and professional skills for our students.
Minimum Qualifications (Required): Applicants must have earned a doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline.
For this FDSS tenure-track position in Electrical and Computer Engineering, we seek candidates at the Assistant Professor level with expertise in one or more of the following areas: 1) Space weather modeling; 2) Space weather instrumentation and experimentation; 3) Effects of space weather on the ionosphere and on critical space and terrestrial infrastructure such as communication, navigation, and power systems.
More information about the position and how to apply can be found at:
DPS 56TH MEETING – OCT 6-10 IN BOISE, IDAHO AND ONLINE
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR SCIENTISTS: EFFECTIVE MENTORING PRACTICES
NEW HORIZONS SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT WEBINAR
TOWN HALL FOR PLANETARY SCIENCE RESEARCH PROGRAM
THE 14TH PAOLO FARINELLA PRIZE OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS
AAS MEETINGS TASK FORCE SURVEY HAS GONE OUT, PLEASE RESPOND
NASA SMALL BODIES ASESSMENT GROUP (SBAG) STEERING COMMITTEE SOLICITATION
PLANETINSITU24 WORKSHOP: RISE OF THE DRONES – JULY 26
TNO 2027 HOST PROPOSAL
DPS PROFESSIONAL CLIMATE AND CULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE (PCCS) SEEKING NEW MEMBERS
MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL AND ICARUS
JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
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DPS 56TH MEETING – OCT 6-10 IN BOISE, IDAHO AND ONLINE
Join us in the glorious Pacific Northwest for DPS 56. To be held both virtually and in person 6–10 October 2024 in Boise, Idaho, USA, this meeting will include options for remote participation and presentation. #DPS2024 promises to provide a lively environment, a jam-packed scientific schedule, and the chance to reconnect once again with colleagues and friends.
Registration and abstract submission will open soon. More can be found at the link below:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR SCIENTISTS: EFFECTIVE MENTORING PRACTICES
Join the Lunar and Planetary Institute for a professional development seminar on Monday, May 20, at 2:00 p.m. CDT. In this 60-minute virtual seminar, we are joined by Dr. Sarah Hokanson and Dr. Béné Gnangnon of Boston University and the Postdoc Academy. We will share evidence-based practices for building an effective mentoring relationship, provide resources, and answer questions. Whether you are a first-time mentor, an experienced mentor, or just interested in learning more, this session will prepare you to make the most of your next mentoring interaction. Please register at
For questions, contact New Horizons CoI Susan Benecchi, [email protected]
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TOWN HALL FOR PLANETARY SCIENCE RESEARCH PROGRAM
On May 21, 2024 at 1 PM Eastern, NASA’s Planetary Science Division (PSD) will host a webinar to discuss the Planetary Research Program, including upcoming changes, some data on programs to date, and plans to reduce the barrier to proposing for the planetary research community.
A large focus of this Town Hall will be to discuss requirements for proposals submitted under the Dual Anonymous Peer Review (DAPR) process, which will be the default for all proposals submitted to the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) under ROSES-2025 (with rare exceptions). In DAPR, not only are proposers unaware of the identity of reviewers, but the reviewers do not have explicit knowledge of the proposing teams and institutions during the scientific evaluation of the proposal. This portion of the Town Hall will discuss the motivation for DAPR and how SMD has used it to date, the process of DAPR reviews, and tips on how to be compliant with DAPR submissions.
Additionally, we will discuss some analytics for our Planetary Research programs and potential future ways of soliciting proposals for Planetary Research, with the goal of increasing accessibility and decreasing unnecessary barriers for proposing to Planetary Research programs.
In advance of the webinar, questions may be submitted and upvoted on at:
+1-929-251-9612 United States Toll (New York City)
+1-415-527-5035 United States Toll
Access code: 282 158 49322
Additional Questions can be sent to Delia Santiago-Matereses – [email protected]
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THE 14TH PAOLO FARINELLA PRIZE OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS
The 14th Paolo Farinella Prize will be awarded to a young scientist with outstanding contributions in the field of planetary science concerning “Internal structure of planetary bodies: clues on formation processes of the Solar System“, including theoretical, modelling, experimental and observational work on the internal structure of solar system bodies, namely planets, satellites, and small bodies.
Nominations must be sent by email not later than 15 May 2024 to the following addresses: [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected], using the form downloadable from this link. Self-nominations are acceptable. The candidates should have international and interdisciplinary collaborations and should be not older than the age of Paolo when he passed away, 47 years, as of 15 May 2024.
AAS MEETINGS TASK FORCE SURVEY HAS GONE OUT, PLEASE RESPOND
The AAS Meetings Task Force has sent out a survey to assess what kinds of events best meet the diverse needs of its members. The survey covers various considerations such as meeting mode (in-person and virtual), format, frequency, locations, costs, carbon footprint, and safety. It also seeks to understand the reasons folks have for conference attendance: research presentations, plenaries, town halls, career events, workshops, and, above all, networking and collaboration. Survey results and Meetings Task Force Recommendations will primarily feed into AAS meeting planning, but there may be aspects that inform future DPS meeting planning. If you received a survey invite (subject: AAS Member Survey on Conferences, sender: [email protected], date: April 29), please do fill it out – it should take <10min to complete. (Note that each invite is individualized, so we can’t forward them.)
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NASA SMALL BODIES ASESSMENT GROUP (SBAG) STEERING COMMITTEE SOLICITATION
SBAG acts as a primary bridge between the small bodies scientific community and NASA and is led by its Steering Committee (SC). The SC organizes two SBAG meetings per year, writes official SBAG findings, and takes a leadership role in activities requiring community input.
The SBAG SC is soliciting two new general members and a Technology Lead at this time. Members of the small bodies community from any career stage, including international members, are welcome to apply. The term of service is three years, starting in August 2024.
The general member application requires: 1) a two-page CV, including a description of participation in SBAG, other small bodies organizations, or related work, and 2) a short (300 words maximum) statement of interest. Criteria for selection are participation in the small bodies community organizations/commissions/committees/etc., demonstrated leadership experience, and relevant research or mission experience. Applicants may specify any relevant information in support of diversity. We especially welcome applications from people interested in increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in the small bodies community and willing to serve on the cross-AG Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) committee.
The Technology Lead is responsible for activities relating to the development of technology applicable to the study and exploration of small bodies. This individual should be actively involved in developing technologies for small body exploration and aware of the current challenges and progress in this field. The application should (i) meet the requirements of the general member application, (ii) indicate a preference for the Technology Lead position, and (iii) include relevant small body technology experience.
Send application packages to Lori Feaga ([email protected]) by May 24, 2024, 8:00 PM EDT. The new SC members will be announced at SBAG #31 (Jul. 11-12, 2024).
PLANETINSITU24 WORKSHOP: RISE OF THE DRONES – JULY 26
Following the great discussions at “Optimizing Planetary In Situ Surface-Atmosphere Interaction Investigations” workshops in 2022 and 2023 as well as the success of Ingenuity, the PlanetInsitu24 workshop will be held following the “10th International Conference on Mars” with a focus on identifying and enabling future Mars surface and near-surface investigations using drones. The PlanetInsitu24 workshop will be hybrid and held Friday, July 26, ~9am-12pm PDT, in Pasadena, CA. Advance registration is required, but is free. Travel grants (for expenses related to in-person attendance of 10th Mars and PlanetInsitu24) are available to US persons, with deadline of May 17. Additionally, papers are solicited for our “Planetary Science Journal” focus issue: https://iopscience.iop.org/collections/psj-230607-254. Questions can be sent to Serina Diniega ([email protected]).
PlanetInsitu24 Registration and a starting description of the workshop:
The TNO2024 Meeting (https://tno2024.org/) Scientific Organizing Committee are calling for proposals to hold the next conference in 2027. We especially encourage people outside of Europe and Asia to offer to host. We plan to announce the location of the next conference (TNO2027) during the upcoming meeting, so please email your proposals to Meg Schwamb ([email protected]) by 11:59 pm UTC on May 31 with the subject line “TNO2027 Location Proposal”. Please limit your proposal to three letter/A4 pages, and include the following information:
Host institution, city, and country
Meeting dates
One to three names of local organizers who will be willing and able to join the SOC
Meeting venue (conference center, university or other institute), A/V facilities, seating capacity (at least 100, preferably closer to 150), space for poster sessions, and amenities (coffee, snacks, etc.)
Level of IT support available
Expected funding levels to support the conference and expected conference fees
Support for diverse needs of attendees, such as dietary restrictions, child care, accessibility, and prioritization of EDI efforts (e.g. personal pronouns on name badges and quiet rooms)
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DPS PROFESSIONAL CLIMATE AND CULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE (PCCS) SEEKING NEW MEMBERS
Are you interested in making the planetary science community more diverse and inclusive? If so, please volunteer to be part of the DPS Professional Culture and Climate subcommittee (PCCS). A list of our charge, duties, and expectations can be found at:
You also can speak with any current PCCS members (listed at the above site).
To express interest in becoming a PCCS member, please send an email to PCCS Chair James Roberts ([email protected]), describing:
(1) why you are interested,
(2) a brief description of any EDIA work you’ve already done, and
(3) a brief statement on what you might hope to accomplish with the PCCS. Comments about past or potential future work by PCCS are also welcome.
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MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
The Planetary Science Journal (PSJ) funds itself with publication charges (formerly `page charges’ back when physical pages were a thing), but we recognize that such fees can be an impediment to DPS members submitting their papers to the journal. Therefore, the AAS offers publication support to assist in covering publications fees for cases where authors
are unable to pay. The publication support is based on need, not merit, and therefore if you click the box to request consideration for publication support when you submit a manuscript to PSJ then having done so will not affect the peer-review process or evaluation of your paper.
Evaluation, publication, and curation of papers does cost money, and so if you have grant money then paying for publication charges is expected. But if for whatever reason you find yourself unable to publish in PSJ solely due to cost, then please do not hesitate to request support. You
can read more in this letter from the AAS Editor-in-Chief here:
Recent openings and opportunities are listed below and more are at the link above.
NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship – Application Deadline July 1, 2024
The NASA Postdoctoral Program offers US and international scientists the opportunity to advance their research while contributing to NASA’s scientific goals. The NPP supports fundamental science; explores the undiscovered; promotes intellectual growth; and encourages scientific connections.
Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year Fellowship appointments that advance NASA’s missions in Earth science, planetary science, heliophysics, astrophysics, biological and physical science, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration systems, space operations, space technology, and astrobiology. Search for NPP research opportunities in Planetary Science here:NPP Research Opportunities.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in hand before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. Please see currenteligibility requirements. Stipends start at $70,000 per year, with supplements for higher cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Financial assistance is available for relocation and health insurance, and $10,000 per year is provided for travel and professional development.
Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1.
Two Open Rank Professors of Planetary Sciences at the University of Bern
Institution: Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
Job Description: The Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences within the Physics Institute of the University of Bern has two openings, as of 2025, for two professors in experimental planetary sciences. The Division is one of the leading research groups in the field of space instrumentation for experimental solar system exploration and is looking for professors in the fields of planetary remote sensing and in situ mass spectrometry or in related fields. The initial hiring level can range from assistant professor tenure track to full professor according to qualifications (open rank). The successful candidates are expected to have or further develop an excellent and internationally recognized track record in the development, construction, and exploitation of scientific instrumentation flying on spacecraft missions. The Division offers excellent conditions in terms of laboratory infrastructure, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities to build space-grade hardware. The University of Bern has set the aim of increasing the percentage of women in leading academic positions and thus strongly encourages female scientists to apply for the positions.
The application deadline is 1 August 2024. More information can be found at:
Job Opening: Assistant Professor in Space Physics – Electrical & Computer Engineering
The Francis College of Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell is searching for outstanding candidates for one full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Electrical and Computer Engineering. This tenure-track faculty position is initially being funded for up to five years through a $1.5 million award from the NSF Faculty Development in geoSpace Science (FDSS) program. This new faculty will have opportunities to collaborate in research and teaching with faculty across the Kennedy College of Sciences and the Francis College of Engineering. We value excellence and innovation in curriculum design and courses that promote experiential learning and professional skills for our students.
Minimum Qualifications (Required): Applicants must have earned a doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline.
For this FDSS tenure-track position in Electrical and Computer Engineering, we seek candidates at the Assistant Professor level with expertise in one or more of the following areas: 1) Space weather modeling; 2) Space weather instrumentation and experimentation; 3) Effects of space weather on the ionosphere and on critical space and terrestrial infrastructure such as communication, navigation, and power systems.
More information about the position and how to apply can be found at:
AAS ACTION ALERT: HELP PROTECT FUNDING FOR ASTRONOMICAL SCIENCES
CALL FOR DPS PRIZE NOMINATIONS
2024B NASA KECK CALL FOR PROPOSALS
EUROPA CLIPPER LECTURE SERIES EMAIL SIGNUP
ABSTRACT AND GRANT SUBMISSIONS FOR IAU-S393 SYMPOSIUM ON PLANETARY SCIENCE AND EXOPLATES IN THE ERA OF THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS – “A TOUR OF THE SOLID SOLAR SYSTEM: RECOGNIZING EARLY CAREER CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLANETARY SCIENCE”, A GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON SPECIAL PUBLICATION
NEO WARP COMMUNITY FEEDBACK OPPORTUNITY
ICE GIANTS SYSTEMS SEMINAR SERIES
SPECIAL ISSUE IN ADV. SPACE RESEARCH: LUNAR ENVIRONMENT EFFECTS RESULTING FROM HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OCCUPATION OF THE MOON
UPDATED AND EXPANDED GUIDE TO SCIENCE FICTION WITH REASONABLE ASTRONOMY COMPILED BY ANDREW FRAKNOI
EARLY CAREER DOMESTIC GRANTS TO ATTEND THE URANUS FLAGSHIP WORKSHOP
REGISTRATION AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION OPEN FOR THE URANUS FLAGSHIP WORKSHOP
SCIENCE WITH NEO SURVEYOR WORKSHOP MAY 7-9, 2024
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION FOR “TNO2024: THE TRANS-NEPTUNIAN SOLAR SYSTEM” IS NOW OPEN.
CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ICARUS AND THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
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AAS ACTION ALERT: HELP PROTECT FUNDING FOR ASTRONOMICAL SCIENCES
We’ve made it easy to contact your congresspeople to ask for support to fund NASA, NSF, and Department of Energy’s Office of Science to protect these agencies from severe budget cuts and let them know how important federal funding is for the astronomical sciences in the US. The AAS Public Policy Action Center contains an example message and phone script.
The Harold C. Urey Prize [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/urey] recognizes and encourages outstanding achievements in planetary research by an early-career scientist.
The Harold Masursky Award [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/masursky] recognizes and honors individuals who have rendered outstanding service to planetary science and exploration through – but not limited to – engineering, managerial, programmatic, editorial, or public service activities.
The Carl Sagan Medal [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/sagan] recognizes and honors outstanding communication by an active planetary scientist to the general public.
The Jonathan Eberhart Planetary Sciences Journalism Award [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/eberhart] recognizes and stimulates distinguished popular writing on planetary sciences.
DPS members and the planetary science community-at-large are encouraged to submit nominations for DPS prizes.
A complete nomination submitted by the deadline will be considered by the DPS Prize subcommittee for 3 years (i.e. for this year’s award, next year’s award, and the year after that), or for the duration of a candidate’s eligibility, whichever is less. Please fill out the nomination form [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/nomination-form], and it will be submitted to the prize subcommittee. The Eberhart Award has different rules and procedures than the other DPS Prizes, please see its page [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/eberhart-nomination-form] for more information.
The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute is soliciting proposals to use NASA’s portion of time on the two 10m Keck Telescopes for the 2024B observing semester (August 1, 2024-January 31, 2025).
The opportunity to propose as a Principal Investigator for NASA time on the Keck Telescopes is open to all U.S.-based astronomers. Investigators from institutions outside of the U.S. may participate as Co-Investigators on proposals for NASA Keck time.
NASA intends the use of the Keck telescopes to be highly strategic in support of on-going space missions and/or high priority, long-term science goals. Proposals are sought in the following discipline areas: (1) investigations of our own SOLAR SYSTEM; (2) investigations in support of EXOPLANET EXPLORATION science goals and missions; (3) investigations in support of COSMIC ORIGINS science goals and missions; and (4) investigations in support of PHYSICS OF THE COSMOS science goals and missions. Direct mission support proposals in any of these scientific areas are also encouraged.
Deadline: March 14: all proposals due to NExScI by 4 pm PDT
The Europa Clipper Project is happy to announce the opening of the Europa Clipper Lecture Series to the scientific community. Speakers in this series include a variety of Europa Enthusiasts ranging from, for example, the PIs of the recently awarded PSIE grants to authors of recently published Europa-relevant papers to members of NASA HQ. Talks are typically held biweekly on Fridays from 11am -12pm PT / 2-3pm ET. If you are a fellow Europa Enthusiast and would like to join the email distribution list, please sign up on this Google Form: http://tinyurl.com/ECLS-signup.
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ABSTRACT AND GRANT SUBMISSIONS FOR IAU-S393 SYMPOSIUM ON PLANETARY SCIENCE AND EXOPLATES IN THE ERA OF THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE
We would like to invite you to submit your abstracts and/or apply for a grant to participate in our upcoming IAU-S393 Symposium on “Planetary Science and Exoplanets in the Era of the James Webb Space Telescope,” scheduled for August 13-15th, 2024 at the next IAU General Assembly, set to take place in Cape Town, South Africa.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS – “A TOUR OF THE SOLID SOLAR SYSTEM: RECOGNIZING EARLY CAREER CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLANETARY SCIENCE”, A GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON SPECIAL PUBLICATION
We are pleased to announce that the call for abstracts for the upcoming Geological Society of London Special Publication, “A tour of the solid solar system: Recognising early career contributions to planetary science,” is now open!
We are looking for contributions from early career researchers (students and those within 10 years of completing their degree) who are conducting novel science with extraterrestrial samples. The Geological Society of London represents the interests of the geoscience community globally, and planetary science was recently incorporated into the Society’s Scientific Themes. This upcoming Special Publication aims to encompass the solid solar system from pre-solar disk components through planetary bodies to celebrate the excellent work being carried out by students and early career researchers in planetary science.
Special Publications are high quality collections of peer-reviewed papers that are hosted online as well as being published as hardback books, and can be cited in future research as any other peer-reviewed article. Once accepted, articles are assigned a DOI and published online within two weeks. The Geological Society of London ensures a high standard of peer-review, inclusion in major indexers such as Scopus, editorial support for authors and reviewers, open access options, free colour figures, no page charges, and active marketing and promotion of the publication. Previous Special Publications can be found at the Lyell Collection website.
Abstracts should be no longer than two pages and can include figures and tables if desired. Submission for this Special Publication is not restricted to studies that are currently complete; we are also accepting abstracts for studies that can reasonably be ready for peer-review within the next 10-12 months.
Abstracts should be submitted by 12pm (noon) GMT on Friday 8th March 2024 using this form. An abstract template can be downloaded here.
Abstracts will be assessed by the editors Dr Jennifer Mitchell (University of Minnesota, USA), Dr Natasha Stephen (The Geological Society of London, Imperial College London, UK), Dr Thomas Barrett (LPI, USA), and Dr Ashley King (Natural History Museum, UK) for novelty, impact, and reasonable completion within the timeframe. We will inform all submitters if their abstract was accepted or not as soon as possible.
Questions should be directed to Dr Jennifer Mitchell, Lead Editor, at [email protected].
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NEO WARP COMMUNITY FEEDBACK OPPORTUNITY
NEO WARP Community Feedback Opportunity: Following the summary presentation at the recent 30th NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group Meeting about the Near-Earth Objects Workshops to Assess Reconnaissance for Planetary Defense (NEO WARP), the organizers of the NEO WARP workshop series are requesting community feedback from now through February 23, 2024. Feedback can be provided via this link (https://t.ly/3cSRc). For reference, the NEO WARP summary presented at SBAG can be viewed at this link (https://t.ly/iSfPt).
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ICE GIANTS SYSTEMS SEMINAR SERIES
The Ice Giant Systems Seminar Series showcases recent developments in scientific topics covering all aspects of the ice giant systems, including atmospheres, satellites, rings, magnetic fields, interior structures, and science related to formation and evolution.
To access the virtual seminar, view the seminar schedule, and “Stay Informed”, visit the series website here: http://icegiantsseminar.jhuapl.edu
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SPECIAL ISSUE IN ADV. SPACE RESEARCH: LUNAR ENVIRONMENT EFFECTS RESULTING FROM HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OCCUPATION OF THE MOON
We wish to announce a special issue of Advances in Space Research, entitled ‘Lunar Environment Effects resulting from Human Exploration and Occupation of the Moon’. Papers should focus on research concerning the environment of the Moon, its influence on humans and human systems on the Moon and in the Moon’s vicinity, and the effect of human exploration on the lunar environment. We encourage research concerning limits to human exposure on the lunar surface under different conditions, the various effects on human systems on the Moon and efforts to enhance protection. We encourage papers concerning the scientific value of the Moon and possible efforts to preserve scientifically valuable environments. Papers to be included in this special issue will be accepted until January 30, 2024. All papers must be submitted through the Elsevier Editorial Manager System (EM) for ASR. The papers should be designated for the special issue upon submission. There are no page limits for individual articles. While ASR does not have any publication costs, there is a charge for the printing of color pages. All papers will be refereed by a minimum of two individuals.
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UPDATED AND EXPANDED GUIDE TO SCIENCE FICTION WITH REASONABLE ASTRONOMY COMPILED BY ANDREW FRAKNOI
An updated and expanded guide to science fiction with reasonable astronomy, compiled by astronomy educator Andrew Fraknoi, is now available free on line. The 23-page guide is organized by topic; so, for example, all the stories that feature reasonable depictions of Mars or impacts are in one place. Some 44 astronomy (and related physics) topics are covered. For students (or scientists) on limited budgets, the new version includes 88 links to published stories that are available free on the Web. Find the guide at:http://bit.ly/astronomyscifi
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REGISTRATION AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION OPEN FOR THE URANUS FLAGSHIP WORKSHOP
We are pleased to announce that registration and abstract submission is now open for “The Uranus Flagship: investigating new paradigms for outer planet exploration” Workshop to be held in Greenbelt, MD from 21 to 23 May 2024. Join us as we discuss practical aspects of the next planetary flagship and how we can employ new paradigms to better enable robust outer planet exploration.
We also seek abstracts on the following topics:
1. Near term technologies. Infusions of near-term (TRL 4-6) technologies may help enhance the science return of power and data rate constrained missions. We especially seek contributions on technologies that can help save mass or power or can improve science data volume return.
2. Mission science drivers. We seek broad summary discussions that can highlight the breadth of measurements that contribute to answering Decadal thematic questions, how they drive the mission architecture, and which measurements/methods offer the highest science return. Each abstract should focus on a single UOP science objective (from the Decadal study) when discussing the above topics.
3. Interdisciplinary and cross-divisional science. Flagship missions often contribute to science beyond the STM. Topics can include best examples of how this has worked on other missions, innovative investigations that could contribute UOP interdivisional science without changing the mission design, and how UOP exploration will benefit other Division’s decadal survey goals, etc.
EARLY CAREER DOMESTIC GRANTS TO ATTEND THE URANUS FLAGSHIP WORKSHOP
With funding from NASA, we are pleased to announce early career domestic travel grants to attend the “The Uranus Flagship: investigating new paradigms for outer planet exploration” Workshop to be held in Greenbelt, MD from 21 to 23 May 2024.
Applications should consist of:
A letter of intent explaining why the applicant is interested in attending and what you hope to gain from the workshop;
A documented estimate of domestic transportation and lodging costs, any expected contribution from your advisor/supervisor/grants, and requested award (not to exceed $2000);
A complete curriculum vitae including US institution where you are based and status as a student or PhD date;
Brief letter of endorsement from an advisor, supervisor, or colleague*
Eligibility: Applications should be students or within 10 years of their Ph.D. at the time of the workshop and based at a U.S. institution.
Complete application packages should be emailed to Amy Simon ([email protected]). *If preferred, endorsement letters may be sent separately but should clearly indicate the applicant’s name in the subject line.
Deadlines: Applications are due 23 February and we anticipate selections to be made by 8 March.
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SCIENCE WITH NEO SURVEYOR WORKSHOP MAY 7-9, 2024
The NEO Surveyor mission is pleased to announce a community workshop: “Science with NEO Surveyor”. The intent of this workshop is to provide members of the scientific community a chance to interact with Surveyor Science Team members and learn more about the anticipated NEO Surveyor observing cadence, data products, and timescales of public delivery. For more information, and to register, please visit the workshop webpage: https://neos.arizona.edu/events/science-neo-surveyor
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ABSTRACT SUBMISSION FOR “TNO2024: THE TRANS-NEPTUNIAN SOLAR SYSTEM” IS NOW OPEN.
Abstract submission for TNO2024: The Trans-Neptunian Solar System conference is now open. Abstracts can be submitted at the conference website,https://tno2024.org. The conference will focus on a number of topics, including:
Physical and dynamical properties
Dwarf planets
Binaries and multiple systems
Relationships with other small body populations (Centaurs, Trojans, comets, inner Oort Cloud objects, interstellar objects)
Distant TNOs
Formation and evolutionary processes
Current and future surveys
Laboratory studies
Current and future space missions
Occultations
The conference will take place at the Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics in Taipei, Taiwan 24–28 June 2024.
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CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ICARUS AND THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
The current issues for both DPS-affiliated journals are here:
Recent openings and opportunities are listed below and more are at the link above.
Postdoctoral position at LSU for Star-Planet Chemical Interplay
Happy Mardis Gras, all! I’m hiring an Interdisciplinary Postdoc for Star-Planet Chemical Interplay to work with me in my group at LSU! I’m interested in a wide variety of topics and people. See below for details or reach out to me with questions.
Job description: The postdoctoral research associate will work with Dr. Catherine Elder to investigate the surface of the Moon. Specifically, they will use data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment (Diviner) to constrain the thermophysical properties of the surface. Areas of particular interest include volcanism, and the breakdown of rocks and the evolution of regolith. Additionally, the postdoctoral researcher will supervise undergraduate interns. The interns will use LRO Camera (LROC) images to count boulders surrounding cold-spot craters to assess spatial variability in the subsurface rock content of the Moon.
Qualifications: Applicants with a PhD in planetary science, physics, geology, astronomy, or any related field are encouraged to apply. Experience with some or all of the following is helpful but not required:
You can also see the overview of the science schedule in a block format (note the two tabs at the bottom) here: SCIENCE BLOCK SCHEDULE
Those who submitted abstracts should have received an email with the details including day and time of their session(s). Those presenting lightning poster talks (in-person and virtual) will receive a follow-up email with the exact time of their lightning talk, which will occur within their assigned poster session window.
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DPS-EPSC 2023 UPDATE: EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE AUGUST 17
Thanks to all who have submitted abstracts to the DPS-EPSC 2023 meeting. Emails announcing accepted oral or poster presentations have been sent out, and the detailed block program will soon be available online.
The government-rate rooms at the Marriott Rivercenter are already filled up, and the regular set of block rooms is also filling up fast.
Copious details about the meeting and travel to San Antonio (https://youtu.be/aUU9Bd2aH_I) are available on the main website (https://aas.org/meetings/dps55), including several exciting public outreach events (https://aas.org/meetings/dps55/public-events) and excursions (https://aas.org/meetings/dps55/excursions). Our Open Mic Food Truck party at the Witte museum Wednesday night is sure to be a great time. The party has a $0 registration fee thanks to SwRI sponsorship, and these RSVP’s on the registration page are appreciated to help us arrange the optimum number of food trucks. A fun bus trip to Texas Hill/Wine Country in historic Fredericksburg nearby is planned for Saturday Oct. 7. The limited availability SwRI campus tour has been expanded owing to popular demand, but will fill up fast. Several DEIA tools and resources are available on the site (https://aas.org/meetings/dps55/tools-resources), with more updates in progress. Note that Solar Eclipse Planning and Juno Community workshops are planned on the weekends before and after the meeting, respectively.
Complete your registration and travel plans today!
LAST CHANCE TO VOTE IN DPS ELECTION (CLOSES TUES AUG 15)
Have you voted yet? More people have already voted this year than last year. We’re now into the final days!
We’re choosing a new Vice-Chair and two DPS Committee members. The Vice-Chair will become Chair in October 2024.
CANDIDATES
Information and position statements for the candidates have been collected into this single PDF; however, if you prefer the information separately, please click on each candidate’s name in this section. The same information is also accessible on your ballot.
For more information about current officers and committee members, please visit the leadership section of the DPS website.
You should have received your ballot at the email address you registered with AAS/DPS. Just click the link and it takes you straight to your ballot.
If you did not see it, please check your spam/junk folder and also check that your membership did not lapse. NEED HELP? Please contact Diane Frendak at [email protected] or 202-328-2010 x109.
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2023 HYBRID WOMEN IN PLANETARY SCIENCE DISCUSSION HOUR AT THE DPS-EPSC MEETING
This is a hybrid event taking place during the DPS-EPSC meeting on Tues Oct 3, 12:15-1:15pm Central US time. Join us for networking and an informal discussion on professional development topics over the lunch hour. This year’s theme is resilience. We will provide some food for thought but much of the meeting will be reserved for discussion. Thanks to generous sponsorship from AURA and the DPS Committee! To learn more about AURA please visit https://www.aura-astronomy.org/ Registration for the WiPS event is separate from the main DPS-EPSC meeting. The registration form and more details can be found at: https://bit.ly/DPS_WiPS_2023.
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DPS-NSBP SPEAKER TO PRESENT AT GEORGIA TECH (AND ONLINE) ON SEPT 1
Dr. Naomi Rowe-Gurney, the 2023 DPS and National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) Speaker Awardee, will speak about “Solar System Science from the James Webb Space Telescope” at Georgia Tech Astrobiology Seminar Series on September 1 at 11am EDT. This presentation is organized in collaboration with the Spelman College Physics Department, and will be available at Georgia Tech and via Livestream – https://www.youtube.com/live/0263lN3xC0s?feature=share. The DPS Community is invited to attend!
The DPS Fund to Support Underrepresented Minority Communities in Planetary Science was created to build partnerships between the DPS and national organizations, such as the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP), and to enhance participation of underrepresented minority scientists at the annual DPS conference, with special focus on Black/African Americans, Hispanic/Latinx, and Indigenous communities. As a new fund, growth is needed to support the travel of enough students and scientists each year to make a lasting difference to the diversity of our community. DPS made a significant contribution two years ago to build up principal and last year approved a large budget for 2022 travel support for the travel of 12 students and postdocs to the DPS meeting and one student to the NSBP meeting. Participants expressed significant appreciation for the opportunity this provided for them to engage with the planetary science community and with other minority scientists, and we loved having them attend and present on great science. This year, we have even more applicants, from 20 institutions and 7 countries seeking to attend the 2023 DPS-EPSC meeting, and the DPS Committee has again approved large support! But we expect the application number to continue to increase as we successfully reach more of those in underrepresented communities that we seek to include, and increases in our principal are needed to keep this program going.
To enable stability and continued large support from this program, DPS community donations are solicited. And a community member has agreed to match private donations submitted now through the end of the 2023 DPS meeting, up to $10,000. Please consider donating!
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR: DPS TO CONTINUE HYBRID MEETINGS
DPS-EPSC 2023 ORAL TALK UPLOAD DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 29TH
BOOK YOUR LODGING AT THE CONFERENCE HOTEL BY SEPTEMBER 8
DPS HISTORY AT JANUARY 2024 AAS MEETING
AAS JOURNALS PEER REVIEW WORKSHOP ON OCTOBER 1, 2023
LONG-TERM VARIABILITY MONITORING STRATEGIES FOR HST AND JWST (RFI)
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR THE DPS 2023–VIRTUAL CLASSROOM SPEAKERS
JOB OPENINGS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR: 2023 ELECTION RESULTS
It is my pleasure to announce the results of the 2023 DPS elections.
Congratulations to Athena Coustenis, who is the incoming Vice-Chair, and to Steven Vance and Laura Woodney, the incoming Committee members. These elected members will begin their terms of service after the Members Meeting at the 55th Annual DPS meeting in October.
The Division for Planetary Sciences relies on volunteers for its leadership positions and we thank all members who were willing to run for these elected positions. A special thanks to our Nominating Subcommittee, Alessondra Springmann, Morgan Cable, and Tim Livengood for assembling the 2023 slate of candidates, Secretary Maria Womack, for running the elections and to the AAS for their technical support.
Catherine Neish
DPS Chair
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR: DPS TO CONTINUE HYBRID MEETINGS
Many of you may have seen the note from the AAS in August, explaining that they intend to “pause” their hybrid meeting options, starting with the 2024 Winter meeting in New Orleans:
I wanted to write to assure you that the decision to pause hybrid meeting options for the main AAS meeting does not impact the DPS meetings. The format for DPS meetings will continue to be decided by the DPS Committee, in coordination with the LOC, VOC, and SOC Chairs. The 2023 Fall meeting will remain a hybrid meeting, and options for virtual registration are available on the meeting website (https://aas.org/meetings/dps55). If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].
Catherine Neish DPS Chair
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DPS-EPSC 2023 ORAL TALK UPLOAD DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 29TH
The DPS-EPSC 2023 meeting on October 1-6 will be here before you know it. Please note on your calendars that the deadline for uploading (https://warpspeedtech.com/aas-dps23) oral talks and lightning poster slides is September 29th. This method of removing the speaker-ready room and planning ahead provides considerable cost savings and helps keep the hybrid format running smoothly.
Please also note that even after you’ve registered that you can go back and add a workshop, excursion, and/or RSVP for the Open Mic Night. A fun bus trip to Texas Hill/Wine Country in historic Fredericksburg nearby is planned for Saturday Oct. 7. See details on the $40 excursion here (https://aas.org/meetings/dps55/excursions). Texas wine country is the second largest in the U.S. next to California with a quality that is sure to surprise you, and the Texas whiskey distillery industry is booming (https://www.visitsanantonio.com/hill-country-wineries-and-tours/). The natural beauty of this picturesque area is worth the trip in itself. See more here (https://youtu.be/aUU9Bd2aH_I).
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BOOK YOUR LODGING AT THE CONFERENCE HOTEL BY SEPTEMBER 8
AAS/DPS has contracted with the Marriott Rivercenter hotel for the DPS-EPSC 2023 Conference. The leadership would like to encourage participants to make their reservation with the official contracted DPS-EPSC hotel block. Reduced rates are available through September 8, 2023. Booking with the conference hotel supports the DPS-EPSC 2023 conference by reducing costs associated with the meeting facilities. This supports the overall financial stability of DPS.
Additional benefits for booking within the official contracted hotel block include:
Networking – whether it’s in a hotel lobby, the hotel coffee shop, or elevator ride, there are numerous opportunities for attendees to connect with each other by staying at the conference hotel.
Easily accessible — staying in the conference hotel means less travel time, since you are already where you are supposed to be each morning. If you need a few minutes to yourself, your room is only an elevator ride away.
Support — should you encounter any issues with your stay, the AAS staff can support you in getting them resolved with the hotel.
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DPS HISTORY AT JANUARY 2024 AAS MEETING
2024 is the 125th anniversary of the founding of the AAS. As part of the celebration of that, the AAS Historical Astronomy Division (HAD) is organizing a session about the history of the AAS divisions. The session will take place during the 243rd AAS meeting in New Orleans, LA January 7-11, 2024. HAD is looking for speakers from each AAS division to give talks about the history of the divisions. If you are planning to attend the AAS meeting in New Orleans and you would be willing to give a talk about the history of the DPS, please send a message to [email protected].
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AAS JOURNALS PEER REVIEW WORKSHOP ON OCTOBER 1, 2023
Note: You must be registered and attending the DPS-EPSC 2023 Meeting in-person in order to participate in this in-person workshop.
This in-person workshop focuses on key aspects of the peer-review process at the AAS journals, which includes the Planetary Science Journal. Through extensive training with hands-on labs, participants gain familiarity with the AAS peer-review process and learn how to make better use of peer-review for their own manuscripts. Be ready to interact with your fellow participants and Scientific Editors. These are not passive, online, slide-oriented workshops!
Learn about the peer review process at the AAS journals from its Scientific Editors
Explore examples of referee reports
Gain experience by writing a referee report during the workshop
Lunch provided!
On successful completion of the workshop, participants receive a graduation certificate and will be designated in the AAS Journals system as a certified reviewer.
Date: Sunday, Oct 1, 2023
Time: 8:00 am CDT to 12:00 pm CDT (4 hour duration)
LONG-TERM VARIABILITY MONITORING STRATEGIES FOR HST AND JWST (RFI)
The STScI Interim Director is seeking input (via a working group) on how HST and JWST observations can be leveraged to probe the variable universe at moderate and longer timescales.
PDF contributions to the working group will remain confidential, so listing/ linking your contribution is optional. Only about 4% of the working group membership consists of planetary scientists, so community response from solar system observers will be of high value.
Mike Wong (UC Berkeley)
HST STUC member
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SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR THE DPS 2023–VIRTUAL CLASSROOM SPEAKERS
The American Astronomical Society’s Division of Planetary Sciences (DPS, https://dps.aas.org/ ) will be hosting their annual scientific meeting in San Antonio, TX this October!
We are looking for speakers to participate in Virtual Classroom Events in the weeks previous to the DPS conference. These events will be for high school students. We look for colleagues at all career stages, diverse backgrounds, heritage, and affiliations.
You can volunteer to participate as a speaker filling this form (2 mins)
https://forms.gle/uYC6uApGkajdv6iz9
More information, below.
What: We will be hosting virtual school/classroom visits where scientists across different aspects of Planetary Science will discuss their career paths (how did they get to where they are?) and tell the students what a typical day in their lives looks like! We will then open it up for a Q&A.
When: This event will be 45-60 min depending on your availability. Virtual visits are September 18-29, 2023 as the meeting will be October 1-6, 2023.
Where: Via Zoom/Skype/Teams/GoogleMeet, whichever digital platform works best for theschool!
Who: For this form: Planetary Scientists at all career stages, planetary science students, or people working in positions related to planetary science from all backgrounds! Even those that are not attending the DPS. For the event: We are aiming to talk to middle school aged students, so roughly 6th-8th grade classes.
If you would like to be one of our 3-4 participants per class visit, please fill out this interest form and, if not, help us to distribute it around. It is very important for us to have a diverse representation in these events so that the students can find out different pathways to work in planetary science.
DPS-EPSC 2023 HOUSING: RESERVATION DEADLINE, EXPANDED GOVERNMENT RATE BLOCK, ADDITIONAL REDUCED-RATE STUDENT HOUSING BLOCK, AND RIDE-SHARE PLANS
EARLY CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFERINGS AT DPS-EPSC MEETING
DPS-EPSC 2023 ORAL TALK UPLOAD DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 29TH
MS/PHD POSITIONS FOR FALL 2024
FINAL ARECIBO OBSERVATORY NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2023 TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ICARUS AND THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
NASA PDS: APERIODIC DATA RELEASES IN 2023.08
JOB OPENINGS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
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DPS-EPSC 2023 HOUSING: RESERVATION DEADLINE, EXPANDED GOVERNMENT RATE BLOCK, ADDITIONAL REDUCED-RATE STUDENT HOUSING BLOCK, AND RIDE-SHARE PLANS
Be sure to reserve your room at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter prior to the September 8th deadline to secure our negotiated block rate discount. https://aas.org/meetings/dps55/accommodations.
Thanks to popular demand we’ve negotiated additional government-rate rooms at the Marriott Rivercenter hotel for Civil Servants.
To help students find housing at a more affordable rate we’ve obtained a block of rooms at the Home2 Suites by Hilton San Antonio – Riverwalk. Registered students will need to book through this link prior to September 17th to receive the $143/night base rate with breakfast included: Reserve Student Housing. First come, first-served with no exceptions after the block is full.
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EARLY CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFERINGS AT DPS-EPSC MEETING
1. Student Poster Contest (Hybrid) – Open to current undergraduate and graduate students, and those who recently graduated (between Jan 1, 2023 and the meeting). To sign up, send the lead organizer, Lena Noack ([email protected]) an e-mail with the following details: (1) Full Name, (2) Abstract number from the program (e.g., 410.05), and (3) informal verification of student status (e.g., screenshot of listing in university contact page, or similar). Sign up by Sept 15, final poster should be provided by Sept 22.
3. Dependent Care Grants – These are small offsetting funds for dependent care needs for those attending the conference. Still open for applications, more details here:
4. Event: Early Career Networking Reception (In-person) – Monday Oct 2, 5:30-6:00 Central US Time – Open to students and postdocs. More details will be announced on the meeting website closer to the event date (registration NOT required).
5. Event: Professional Development Subcommittee Workshop on Mental Health (Hybrid) – Monday Oct 2, 6:00-7:00 pm Central – Open to all career stages! More details will be announced on the meeting website closer to the event date (registration NOT required).
6. Event: Women in Planetary Science Discussion Hour (Hybrid) – Tuesday Oct 3, 12:15-1:15 pm Central – Open to all. The theme this year will be resilience. See details and register here (pre-registration IS required for a provided lunch): http://bit.ly/DPS_WiPS_2023
7. Event: Early Career Happy Hour Get-together (In-person) – Thursday 5:30-7:00 –Planned to be at a restaurant near the conference center. More details will be announced on the meeting website closer to the event date (registration NOT required).
8. Student hotel room block: To help students find housing at a more affordable rate we’ve obtained a block of rooms at the Home2 Suites by Hilton San Antonio – Riverwalk. Registered students will need to book through the link on the DPS website prior to September 17 th . First come, first-served with no exceptions after the block is full. See details and booking link on the meeting accommodations page:
professional development events contact Kelsi Singer at [email protected].
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DPS-EPSC 2023 ORAL TALK UPLOAD DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 29TH
The DPS-EPSC 2023 meeting on October 1-6 will be here before you know it. Please note on your calendars that the deadline for uploading (https://warpspeedtech.com/aas-dps23) oral talks and lightning poster slides is September 29th. This method of removing the speaker-ready room and planning ahead provides considerable cost savings and helps keep the hybrid format running smoothly.
Please also note that even after you’ve registered that you can go back and add a workshop, excursion, and/or RSVP for the Open Mic Night. A fun bus trip to Texas Hill/Wine Country in historic Fredericksburg nearby is planned for Saturday Oct. 7. See details on the $40 excursion here (https://aas.org/meetings/dps55/excursions). Texas wine country is the second largest in the U.S. next to California with a quality that is sure to surprise you, and the Texas whiskey distillery industry is booming (https://www.visitsanantonio.com/hill-country-wineries-and-tours/). The natural beauty of this picturesque area is worth the trip in itself. See more here (https://youtu.be/aUU9Bd2aH_I).
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MS/PHD POSITIONS FOR FALL 2024
I am community sourcing a list of people who are actively in search of MS/PhD students in planetary science/astrobiology/exoplanets for Fall 2024. If you are such a person, please fill out the following google form:
The final Arecibo Observatory newsletter is now available: AO Newsletter
The Arecibo Observatory ceased science operations on August 14, 2024. In the newsletter, you can find highlights from the planetary radar program, including many recent publications by students, as well as a press release about a recent AO radar analysis of JAXA mission target 3200 Phaethon.
Prof. Ramses Ramirez is seeking a qualified Ph.D. student to join his research team within the UCF Planetary Sciences Group (Department of Physics) in the Fall 2024 semester.
The qualified candidate will work with Prof. Ramirez and develop an original project to simulate the atmospheres of potentially habitable exoplanets or solar system worlds. Theoretical projects involving
climate, atmospheric escape or atmospheric-surface interactions (among others) are encouraged. Some hot topics include atmospheric-magma ocean evolution and the potential (past) habitability of Mars, Venus or Titan.
Programming experience is a must. Highly-motivated individuals with relevant astronomy, planetary science, geoscience, or engineering backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply.
Please note that the cost savings for early registration are not insignificant.
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CALLING FOR DPS MEETING PUBLIC OUTREACH EVENT VOLUNTEERS
DPS will host several public outreach events during the week of the annual meeting. The purpose of these events is to inform and engage the public about thesolar eclipse that will take place on 14 October. You can read about the scheduled events here – https://aas.org/meetings/dps55/public-events.
If you will be in San Antonio during the week of 2-6 October and would like to help out or host activities for the public, please visit https://aas.org/meetings/dps55/volunteer-opportunities to sign up by ** Sep 15 **. We will get in contact. Don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of experience with astronomy outreach. You just need enthusiasm and follow-through (and your own transportation).
