PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 10 (March 4, 2012) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Susan Benecchi Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Melissa Lane Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Congressional Hearing on NASA Budget This Week 2. Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer Exozodi Key Science Team Proposal Call 3. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 4. Job Opportunity: Postdoctoral Position at UCLA 5. Job Opportunity: Postdoc Position at SwRI 6. Planetary Geophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship 7. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 8. Exploration Telerobotics Symposium 9. [NASA] Call for Abstract Deadline: March 4, 2012 10. [NASA] PDS: Mars Exploration Rovers Data Release 31 11. [NASA] PDS: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 20 12. OPAG Meeting, March 29-30, 2012 in St. Louis 13. 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 CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON NASA BUDGET THIS WEEK On Wednesday, March 7, Congress will hold two hearings bearing on the NASA budget, including the severe cuts to planetary exploration proposed by the Administration. Committee: The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subject: Priorities, Plans, and Progress of the Nation's Space Program Time: 10 AM EST Location: Russell Senate Office Building, Room 253 Witnesses: Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator; Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Hayden Planetarium Director Webcast Link: http://commerce.senate.gov/public/ To contact the committee: Phone (202) 224-0411, FAX (202) 228-0303 Committee: The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Subject: An Overview of the NASA Budget for Fiscal Year 2013 Time: 2 PM EST Location: Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2318 Witness: Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator Webcast Link: http://science.house.gov/hearing/full-committee-hearing -overview-nasa-fy13-budget To contact the committee: By web http://science.house.gov/contact-us/email-us Email scitech@mail.house.gov Phone (202) 225-6371 Note from the Editors: These committees and our community greatly benefit from your input to them, directly or through your Representative and Senators. 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 LARGE BINOCULAR TELESCOPE INTERFEROMETER EXOZODI KEY SCIENCE TEAM PROPOSAL CALL NASA solicits proposals to become members of the Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer (LBTI) Exozodi Key Science Team (LBTI-ST). The LBTI-ST will work under the leadership of the LBTI Principal Investigator (Dr. Phil Hinz, University of Arizona) in order to most effectively execute the exo-zodi key science program. LBTI-ST members will participate in science deliberations, target selection, LBTI observations, data processing and analysis, follow-up observations, and publication in peer-reviewed journals. Proposals from participants are due April 27, 2012. Results of the selection will be announced in early June 2012. Additional information may be obtained from Dr. Rafael Millan-Gabet, NASA-LBTI Project Scientist, at lbti_nexsci@ipac.caltech.edu. For detailed information about this proposal call please refer to: http://nexsci.caltech.edu/missions/LBTI/cfp_keysci.shtml 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 NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers scientists and engineers unique opportunities to conduct research at NASA Centers. Each NPP fellowship opportunity is designed to advance NASA research in a specific project related to space science, earth science, aeronautics, exploration systems, lunar science, astrobiology, or astrophysics. Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in hand before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. U. S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and foreign nationals eligible for J-1 status as a Research Scholar may apply. Stipends start at $50,000 per year, with supplements for high cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Financial assistance is available for relocation and health insurance, and $8,000 per year is provided for professional travel. Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1. For further information and to apply, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions may be submitted by e-mail to nasapostdoc@orau.org 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 JOB OPPORTUNITY: POSTDOCTORAL POSITION AT UCLA The Department of Earth and Space Sciences at UCLA invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the field of planetary science. The postdoc will be expected to participate in the analysis of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment observations of the Moon, and produce a set of improved mapped data products. See: http://diviner.ucla.edu for more information. Applicants with a background in planetary surfaces, remote sensing, computer science, large datasets, parallel computing, fortran, and unix are encouraged to apply. The initial appointment is a full-time 1-year appointment beginning as early as April, 2012 with an expectation of continuation depending on progress and availability of funding. Applicants should send a CV with a list of publications, addresses and e-mail addresses of at least 2 references, and a one page summary of current research to Professor David A. Paige - dap@moon.ucla.edu. The University of California is an Equal-Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer 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 JOB OPPORTUNITY: POSTDOC POSITION AT SWRI The Lyman Alpha Mapping Project (LAMP) on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission is seeking a postdoctoral planetary scientist to join our team's investigations of a variety of lunar science questions using far-UV observations of the lunar surface. Topics of study include characterization of permanently shaded regions at the lunar poles, mapping of surface water frost and hydrates, and identifying regional space weathering effects. The far-UV map and spectra analyses to be performed include comparisons with other LRO and lunar datasets for detailed surveys of regions of interest. Applicants having experience with imaging and/or spectroscopy from space-based observations, and a background in scientific analysis and publication of lunar geology and/or volatiles topics are encouraged to apply. This is a 1 year limited term position at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, TX, with extension dependent on availability of funding. Visit: http://www.swri.edu/HR/JobListing.asp and enter Job Code 15-01040 to apply now. For additional inquiries contact Dr. Kurt Retherford at kretherford@swri.edu. 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 PLANETARY GEOPHYSICS POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP The Universities Space Research Association's Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), in Houston Texas, invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in planetary geophysics. The successful candidate will work with Dr. Walter Kiefer on a NASA- funded project studying the nature of mantle convection on Mars and its effects on the thermal evolution and volcanic history of the planet. The candidate will also have the opportunity to conduct research in planetary geophysics of his or her own choosing. The position requires a Ph.D. in Planetary Science or Geophysics with experience in computer programming and numerical modeling methods, particularly finite elements. Experience with parallel computing in a Linux environment will be an asset. The position will be offered for an initial period of two years with a possible extension to a maximum of three years. Applicants should send a letter of interest, a curriculum vita listing relevant publications, a brief (maximum three pages) statement of research interests, and a list of three references to resume@lpi.usra.edu. Review of candidates will begin on March 15, 2012, with a hiring decision as soon as possible thereafter. Further information about LPI can be found at: www.lpi.usra.edu USRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 PLANETARY GEOMORPHOLOGY IMAGE OF THE MONTH The March 'Image of the Month' is now available at the IAG's Planetary Geomorphology web page: http://www.psi.edu/pgwg/images/Mar12Image.html This Month's topic is on "Latitudinal-dependent surface runoff on Titan" Image and caption contributed by Mirjam Langhans, Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale e Fisica Cosmica - INAF, Roma, Italy Past images and captions are available at: http://www.psi.edu/pgwg/images/index.html Mary Bourke Coordinator of the IAG Working Group on Planetary Geomorphology 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 EXPLORATION TELEROBOTICS SYMPOSIUM The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center will be holding an "Exploration Telerobotics Symposium" which will consider the use of robotic telepresence, ideally from astronauts at locations close to an exploration site, in putting human cognition, awareness, and dexterity at those sites to achieve science and development. These locations might include Earth-Moon Lagrange points or lunar orbit for lunar surface opportunities, the vicinity of a NEO for asteroid exploration, or Mars orbit for Mars surface activity. The symposium will be held on May 2-3, and will include senior members of the science, robotics (both space and terrestrial), and human space flight community. While attendance is limited beyond invited participants, interest from the greater community is herein welcomed. See: http://telerobotics.gsfc.nasa.gov/ for a more complete description of the symposium and registration information. There is no registration fee, though $60 will be collected at check-in for meals and refreshments. Foreign nationals are strongly encouraged to register within the next week. 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] CALL FOR ABSTRACT DEADLINE: MARCH 4, 2012 Call for Abstracts 63rd International Astronautical Congress (IAC) Naples, Italy October 1-5, 2012 The IAC is organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL). NASA invites graduate students to submit abstracts (less than 400 words) to participate in the 63rd International Astronautical Congress. Abstracts must be submitted to NASA and to the IAF. The selected NASA sponsored students are required to also be selected by the IAF. The full abstract must be submitted electronically in the prescribed format no later than 11:59 PM ET on March 4, 2012. You must be a full-time graduate student attending an accredited U.S. university or college and U.S. citizen. Please submit a copy of your 2012 school transcript and a document verifying your citizenship to abstract@nasaprs.com by March 4, 2012. To submit your abstract visit: https://iac.nasaprs.com IAC website: http://www.iac2012.org/ Call for Abstracts: http://www.iafastro.org/docs/2012/iac/IAC2012_CallForPapers.pdf Deadlines Abstract Submission closes February 29, 2012 (14:00 CET) Paper Submission closes September 12, 2012 (14:00 CET) Presentation Submission closes September 26, 2012 (14:00 CET) Point of contact at NASA is Carolyn Knowles, carolyn.knowles-1@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] PDS: MARS EXPLORATION ROVERS DATA RELEASE 31 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce Release 30 of Mars Exploration Rover data. This release includes primarily data from Sols 2611 through 2700 and includes data only from Opportunity, MER1/B. It includes data from the following instruments: APXS, HAZCAM, NAVCAM, MI, PANCAM, Rover Motion Counter and SPICE. There are no Atmospheric Opacity, Mini-TES, Moessbauer, Radio Science or Rock Abrasion Tool data in this release. To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20120228.html The following special services are provided for accessing MER data: MER Analyst's Notebook: http://an.rsl.wustl.edu/mer/ Planetary Image Atlas: http://pds-imaging.jpl.nasa.gov/search/mer/ 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 [NASA] PDS: MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA RELEASE 20 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce a new delivery of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) data for the following instruments: CRISM, CTX, HiRISE, MARCI, MCS, RSS, SHARAD and SPICE. In general, MRO Release 20 includes data collected between May 9, 2011 and August 8, 2011. HiRISE data were collected between October 26, 2011 and January 27, 2012 (Orbits 24,600-25,799). To access the above data, please visit: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20120301.html To access the latest PDS Data Releases, please visit: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-Release.html 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 OPAG MEETING, MARCH 29-30, 2012 IN ST. LOUIS The Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) will meet 29-30 March at the Renaissance Grand St. Louis Hotel, in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. Information regarding hotel and other logistics can be found at: http://icpi.nasaprs.com/opag Potential attendees are kindly asked to go to this website, and click on the invitation link and RSVP for attendance (this will assist our meeting planners). Please note that the hotel room block closes this Wednesday, 7 March 2012. This OPAG meeting will be critical for the future of Outer Planet science. It will focus on the recently released FY13 NASA budget for Planetary Science, reports from the Europa Science Definition team on the 3 Europa options, and a report from our European colleagues on JUICE (Laplace). In addition, we will hear progress reports on ASRG development, the proposed TiME Discovery mission, the increased potential for solar-powered missions to the Outer Solar System, and discuss opportunities for balloon-based astronomy, among other important matters. The meeting is planned for 1.5 days. A detailed agenda will be posted shortly at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/opag/ Bill McKinnon, OPAG Chair 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS May 2-3, 2012 Exploration Telerobotics Symposium http://telerobotics.gsfc.nasa.gov/ Greenbelt, MD June 4-7, 2012 Third Joint Meeting of the Space Resources Roundtable and the Planetary & Terrestrial Mining Sciences Symposium http://www.isruinfo.com Golden, CO September 10-12, 2012 The Mantle of Mars: Insights from Theory, Geophysics, High-Pressure Studies, and Meteorites http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/marsmantle2012/ Houston, TX Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html [Editor Note: If there is a planetary-related meeting, conference or workshop of which 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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