PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 5, Number 58 (December 25, 2011) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Melissa Lane Co-Editors: Susan Benecchi, Mark V. Sykes Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. [NASA] Physicist and Former Astronaut John Grunsfeld to Head NASA Science Directorate 2. CPS 9th International School of Planetary Sciences 3. The 9th European Geosciences Union General Assembly 4. RADAR Session at 34th International Geological Congress 5. [NASA] Postdoctoral Fellowships 6. Annotated Listing of Astronomy Apps for Phones and Tablets Published in Astronomy Education Review 7. Postdoctoral Position Available - Washington University 8. [NASA] Strategic Astrophysics Technology Revised Text 9. [NASA] Due Date Delayed for Lunar Advanced Science and Exploration Research (LASER) Program 10. [NASA] Small Bodies Assessment Group Meeting Reminder, Jan 17-18 11. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions o---------------------------------------------------------------------o 1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1 PHYSICIST AND FORMER ASTRONAUT JOHN GRUNSFELD TO HEAD NASA SCIENCE DIRECTORATE NASA has named physicist and former astronaut John Grunsfeld as the new associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at the agency's headquarters in Washington. Grunsfeld will take the reins of the office effective Jan. 4, 2012. He succeeds Ed Weiler, who retired from NASA on Sept. 30. Grunsfeld currently serves as the deputy director of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, which manages the science program for the Hubble Space Telescope and is a partner in the forthcoming James Webb Space Telescope. His background includes research in high energy astrophysics, cosmic ray physics and in the field of exoplanet studies with specific interest in future astronomical instrumentation. "It is an honor and a privilege to be offered the opportunity to lead NASA's Science Mission Directorate during this exciting time in the agency's history," Grunsfeld said. "Science at NASA is all about exploring the endless frontier of the Earth and space. I look forward to working with the NASA team to help enable new discoveries in our quest to understand our home planet and unravel the mysteries of the universe." For Grunsfeld's NASA astronaut biography, visit: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/grunsfel.html [Edited for length.] 2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2 CPS 9TH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PLANETARY SCIENCES Registration is now open for the upcoming school. Objective and Scope: The objective of the school is to promote education and research in planetary sciences for highly motivated graduate students and young researchers by providing them with an opportunity to interact with leading scientists in a specific field. Note that the term "Planetary Sciences" is used in a broader sense to include astronomy, astrophysics, astrochemistry, astrobiology, astromineralogy, geosciences, space science, cosmology, and other related fields. The topic of the coming school: Across the Earth into Exoplanets The first circular and the detailed information are now available at the CPS website: https://www.cps-jp.org/~pschool/pub/2012-06-24/index.html Date: 24-29 June 2012 Venue: Seapal Suma, a casual seaside resort located in the west part of Kobe, Japan IMPORTANT DATES: All deadline times are 23:59 Japanese Standard Time, UTC+9 07 February 2012 Travel Grant Application Deadline 15 February 2012 Registration Application Deadline 15 February 2012 Abstract Submission Deadline 29 February 2012 Result Notification 3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3 THE 9TH EUROPEAN GEOSCIENCES UNION GENERAL ASSEMBLY The 9th European Geosciences Union General Assembly will take place in Vienna on 22-27 April 2012. We very strongly encourage you to submit an abstract for an oral and/or a poster presentation to the PS2.4 Session on Mars Science & Exploration, where results of ongoing and future European and international missions to Mars will be presented and discussed. Thank you for your consideration. Detailed information on the programme and meeting organization can be found on the EGU meeting website: http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2012/sessionprogramme/PS We would like to inform you that abstract submission is now open and the deadline is on 17 January 2012. [Edited for length.] 4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4 RADAR SESSION AT 34TH INTERNATIONAL GEOLOGICAL CONGRESS Please consider submitting an abstract for the session on RADAR in Planetary Exploration, to be held at the 34th International Geological Congress in Bribane, Australia, 5-10 August 2012. There are also a couple of planetary-related field trips. http://www.34igc.org/ GPR and SAR radars contribute to our knowledge of the distribution of ice on Earth and Mars, and of the geology of outer solar system planetary bodies, such as Titan. This symposium welcomes contributions in all areas of radar technology applied to the remote observation of solar system objects. We hope to see you in Brisbane, Roberto Orosei Istituto di Fisica dello Spazio Interplanetario Jani Radebaugh Brigham Young University 5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5 [NASA] POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers scientists and engineers unique opportunities to conduct research at NASA Centers. Each NPP fellowship opportunity is designed to advance NASA research in a specific project related to space science, earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, lunar science, or astrobiology. Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in hand before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. U. S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and foreign nationals eligible for J-1 status as a Research Scholar may apply. An H-1B Visa status is not acceptable because the NPP is not an employment program. Stipends for Postdoctoral Fellows start at $50,000 per year, with moderate supplements for high cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Funds are available for relocation expenses, up to a specified limit, and health insurance is available through the program. Fellows also receive $8,000 per appointment year to support travel to conferences, meetings, and other activities that directly support their research. Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1. For further information and to apply, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions may be submitted by e-mail to nasapostdoc@orau.org 6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6 ANNOTATED LISTING OF ASTRONOMY APPS FOR PHONES AND TABLETS PUBLISHED IN ASTRONOMY EDUCATION REVIEW An annotated overview of 98 astronomy applications for smart phones and tablets has been published in the on-line journal "Astronomy Education Review." Compiled by Andrew Fraknoi (Foothill College), the list features a brief description and a direct URL for each app. You can access the article free of charge at: http://aer.aas.org/resource/1/aerscz/v10/i1/p010302_s1 The listing includes a variety of apps for displaying and explaining the sky above you (some using the GPS function in your device); a series of astronomical clocks, calculators, and calendars; sky catalogs and observing planners; planet atlases and globes; citizens science tools and image displays; a directory of astronomy clubs in the U.S.; and even a graphic simulator for making galaxies collide. A number of the apps are free, and others cost just a dollar or two. A brief list of articles featuring astronomy app reviews is also included. Astronomy Education Review is on-line journal about astronomy education and outreach, published by the American Astronomical Society, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this fall. You can find it at: http://aer.aas.org 7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7 POSTDOCTORAL POSITION AVAILABLE - WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Washington University in Saint Louis invites applications for their new Steve Fossett Postdoctoral Fellowship. The Department seeks outstanding candidates who will strengthen and complement existing areas of study, including both terrestrial and planetary geology, geochemistry, and geophysics. Candidates will be encouraged to collaborate directly with Faculty and students within the Department, and will be invited to lead a seminar in their area of expertise. Ideal candidates will have trans- disciplinary interests, and will interact scientifically with a broad spectrum of the Department's members. This competitive postdoc is awarded for a one-year period, which may be extended to a second year. Applicants should contact a potential Faculty sponsor to discuss additional arrangements. Applications will be considered until the position is filled, but priority will be given to those received before January 15, 2012. For further information: http://eps.wustl.edu/Fossett_Fellowship 8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8 [NASA] STRATEGIC ASTROPHYSICS TECHNOLOGY REVISED TEXT This amendment presents revised text including new priorities for technology investment for Physics of the Cosmos Missions and a new point of contact for Technology Development for the Cosmic Origins, in addition to many other small changes to the text. The due date for Notices of Intent and proposals remain unchanged at January 27, 2012, and March 23, 2012, respectively. This Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement NNH11ZDA001N will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then "NNH11ZDA001N"). Further information is available from: Dr. Douglas Hudgins (202) 358-0988 Douglas.M.Hudgins@nasa.gov [Edited for length.] 9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9 [NASA] DUE DATE DELAYED FOR LUNAR ADVANCED SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION RESEARCH (LASER) PROGRAM This amendment delays the proposal due date for the Lunar Advanced Science and Exploration Research (LASER) Program. This will better align the selection timeframe for LASER with the availability of new fiscal year funds. The new due date for proposals been changed to March 1, 2012. This Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement NNH11ZDA001N will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then "NNH11ZDA001N"). RSS feed at: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/ roses-2011 Questions concerning LASER may be addressed to: Robert A. Fogel (202) 358-2289 rfogel@nasa.gov [Edited for length.] 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 [NASA] SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP MEETING REMINDER, JAN 17-18 This is to remind you that the sixth meeting of the NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group be held on January 17-18, 2012, in Washington DC, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Accommodation information is now available at: http://icpi.nasaprs.com/sbag6 Please register at the above site by clicking on the registration button on the uppermost right of the page. The deadline for sleeping room reservations at the group rate is January 6. Nominal agenda topics include (not in order): - Report on the status of HEOMD/SMD small bodies activity (Lindley Johnson) - Discussion of the Small Bodies Science Institute White Paper (go to: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/documents/ and send comments to sykes@psi.edu) - Results from the Dawn mission at Vesta and plans for Ceres (Chris Russell) - Overview of the OSIRIS Rex mission (TBD) - Roadmap update (TBD) - Strategic Knowledge Gap Special Action Team activity in support of HEOMD (Mike Wargo) - Prioritizing technology investments (TBD) - More topics TBD Information about participating by Webex is forthcoming. On behalf of the SBAG Steering Committee, I wish everyone a happy holidays. Mark Sykes 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html June 10-15, 2012 The Origins of Stars and Planetary Systems http://origins.physics.mcmaster.ca/oi_planets/ Hamilton, Canada June 24-29, 2012 Across the Earth into Exoplanets https://www.cps-jp.org/~pschool/pub/2012-06-24/index.html Kobe, Japan [Editor Note: If there is a planetary-related meeting, conference or workshop of which you think your colleagues should be aware, please send the date, title, URL and location to pen_editor at psi.edu.] *********************************************************************** * The Planetary Exploration Newsletter is issued approximately weekly. * Current and back issues are available at http://planetarynews.org * * To subscribe, go to http://planetarynews.org/pen_subscribe.html, or * send a request to pen_editor at psi.edu * * To unsubscribe, send an email to pen_editor at psi.edu * * Please send all replies and submissions to pen_editor at psi.edu. * Announcements and other messages should be brief with links to URLs * for extended information, including detailed descriptions for job * announcements. 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