1) Conference “The Early History of Planetary systems and habitable planets”, 7-11 August, University of Tartu, Estonia
The meeting targets all related aspects of the subject. A broad range of contributions on formation and early development of planetary systems and particularly the habitable planets is expected, with links to other fields covered by astrobiology.
Scientific sessions:

Formation of protoplanetary disks and planetary systems
Impacts and their role in the evolution of planets
Early history of Earth and other planets
Formation and evolution of planet and satellite atmospheres
Co-evolution of Earth's geosphere and biosphere and the evolution of life
Habitability and factors influencing it
Life in extreme environments and its possible role in the evolution of life on Earth
The quest for habitable extra-solar planets: detection and characterization
New aspects of planetary evolution and habitability

Fees:

The fee (early registration) for participating in the conference is EUR 120. It covers the following items:
º Welcome barbecue on August 7th
º Lunches and dinners on August 8th and 9th
º Conference dinner on August 10th
º Conference materials

Bursaries
A large number of bursaries are available for students and early career scientists (up to 8 years after their
Ph.D) covering meals and accommodation during the entire meeting (evening August 7th, to morning
August 11th). Recipients for the bursaries will be selected by the Scientific Organisation Committee and
informed via email. More information are available on conference web page: www.sisu.ut.ee/eac

REGISTRATION DEADLINE is 29th of June 2017

2) association nationale “les p’tits cueilleurs d’étoiles”
Nous vous contactons pour vous demander votre aide pour soutenir le projet de l’association nationale “les p’tits cueilleurs d’étoiles” (http://lesptitscueilleursdetoiles.fr/) créée en 2016.
L’objectif de cette association est de faire briller les yeux des enfants hospitalisés grâce au monde de l’espace et des étoiles. Depuis un an, Les p’tits cueilleurs d’étoiles sont intervenus dans plusieurs hôpitaux en France. Durant les animations réalisées, les enfants ont pu toucher des météorites, découvrir les différentes planètes du système solaire, se balader sur Mars ou encore découvrir les cratères d’impact à la surface de la Terre et des autres planètes. Pour l'instant, nous proposons surtout des animations en groupes, adaptées aux enfants à partir de 7-8 ans. Mais nous aimerions proposer des animations en chambre pour les plus petits et en habit d'astronaute. Cette expérience a été réalisée dans les hôpitaux partenaires à Paris et dans le Sud-Ouest et a été un véritable moment d’évasion pour les enfants.
Pour mettre en place cette nouvelle animation en particulier à Nantes et à Lille nous avons besoin de vous ! Nous avons donc mis en place une collecte via un financement participatif pour l'achat du matériel nécessaire. L'idée est de vous faire participer à cette aventure en vous demandant une petite aide avec des contributions à partir de 5 euros. Selon le niveau de l'apport, de beaux cadeaux vous attendent avec notamment des météorites, des animations autour de l’astronomie ou des agrandissements de photos de planètes.
Vous pouvez dès à présent participer à notre projet intitulé “Des étoiles dans les hôpitaux” sur ce site qui vous montrera également le détail de ce que nous souhaitons financer :
https://www.kisskissbankbank.com/des-etoiles-dans-les-hopitaux
92 personnes ont déjà participé et il nous reste aujourd'hui 1320 euros à collecter sur 4500 euros. Nous devons atteindre ce seuil avant le 22 Juin. Si ce n'est pas le cas, le projet ne pourra pas se faire et les dons seront entièrement remboursés. Tous les dons même les plus petits sont les bienvenus ! La diffusion de ce projet au plus grand nombre de personnes pourra également beaucoup nous aider.
Par avance merci beaucoup pour votre aide à tous !
Marion Masse & Benoit Langlais

3) Microlensing 22: Auckland, New Zealand, 25 -- 28 January 2018

The next annual microlensing conference will be held in Auckland, New Zealand on January 25th to 28th, 2018. This announcement is so that you can save the dates in your calendar. The first full announcement will follow shortly.
 
This meeting is the 22nd in the series of international conferences on microlensing and will include topics such as:
Planet detection by microlensing from both ground and space,
Latest theoretical and observational advances,
Predictions and proposed answers to current challenges,
Tensions in exoplanetary science and how microlensing can address these.
 
The SOC for Microlensing 22 is
 
Rachel Akeson (Caltech/IPAC)
Valerio Bozza (University of Salerno)
Scott Gaudi (The Ohio State University)
Calen Henderson (Caltech/IPAC)
Jessica Lu (University of California Berkeley)
David Nataf (Johns Hopkins University)
Nick Rattenbury (University of Auckland)
Rachel Street (Las Cumbres Observatory)
Takahiro Sumi (Osaka University)
Andrzej Udalski (Warsaw University)


4)  SELENE symposium 2017, 13th and 14th September, Tokyo
As we informed, we are planning to hold the SELENE symposium 2017,
 13th and 14th September, in Tokyo, Japan.
 
 Now the tentative HP site of the symposium is open.
 
 http://planetb.sci.isas.ac.jp/selenesymp2017/selenesymp2017.html
 (Attention: We changed the URL address. If you were informed
  another address, please change it in your address book.)
 
 The information of the registration and abstract submission will be on
the site by the end of this month, June.
 (We are planning that the registration and submission fee is free.)
 
 We are looking forward to meeting with you in September, a good season,
 in Japan!

 
Best regards,
Junichi Haruyama

P.S. I am privately planning a field trip to some lava tubes (and a hot
spring, perhaps) around Mt. Fuji.
 It may cost 5000 - 10000 JPY/ person for a bus charter. If you have
 interests, I appreciate your advanced contact to me.

5) Africa Initiative for Planetary and Space Sciences - Call for endorsement

Dear colleagues,
This week EOS has published a call to endorse the Africa Initiative for Planetary and Space Sciences by myself and a group of 26 co-authors, and I would like to personally invite you to support the current efforts of groups of planetary and space scientists in Africa.

We are looking for collaborators who are willing to be involved in the next stages of this initiative. Therefore, please consider the call if :

- you are an African student who is interested in gaining a research experience (MSc or PhD) in Planetary or Space Sciences (PSS).

- you are a young or senior researcher with expertise in PSS and you are interested in giving lectures in Africa, in outreach activities or in co-supervising African students in PSS topics.

- you are an Africa-based researcher who is willing to start, develop or strengthen a PSS activity in your laboratory

- you are interested in participating in a large pan-African network of PSS scientists

- you are willing to be a sponsor or partner of this project, either personally or as an institution.

Once you have signed the call here, you will receive regular information about the development of the initiative and related opportunities for collaborative research with African partners, education and capacity building.

David Baratoux

6) Proposition de thèse en planétologie sur Titan - Univ. de Reims

Contact : Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser. et Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.

Résumé du sujet:
Titan, la plus grosse lune de la planète géante Saturne, possède une atmosphère dense
d'azote et de méthane. Irradiée par le soleil, l’atmosphère produit une chimie organique
complexe et des aérosols. A basse altitude un cycle du méthane, comparable à celui de
l'eau sur terre, est à l’oeuvre. Cependant, les détails de ce cycle sont très mal connus.
Des mers d’hydrocarbures sculptent les paysages des régions polaires et produisent une
surface complexe. La mission Cassini-Huygens a exploré le système de Saturne, et donc
Titan, depuis 13 ans et l’interprétation peut prendre encore des années ou même des
décennies. Ce projet vise à poursuivre le travail d’analyse des données issues de Cassini-
Huygens qui seront toutes publiques, et donc disponibles, pendant la thèse. Dans
l’équipe, une forte expertise, internationalement reconnue (collaboration avec le Jet
Propulsion Laboratory de Pasadena, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, récentes
publications dans Nature Astronomy) est présente concernant l'analyse des observations
de Titan et les processus physiques en jeu. L’objectif de ce projet est de continuer la
caractérisation des propriétés physiques de Titan (brume, nuages, surface,...) en utilisant
et améliorant les modèles existant, et, ce faisant, déterminer la nature de la surface qui
est masquée par l’atmosphère. Ensuite, nous utiliserons des modèles de thermochimie et
d’écoulement de cryolave de la surface de Titan (modèles disponibles au laboratoire)
pour comprendre et expliquer ces résultats. Titan a un important potentiel pré-biotique et
pourrait être le prototype d’objets similaires qu’on découvrira peut être dans le futur
parmi les exoplanètes.

Profil de l'étudiant(e)
L'étudiant(e) retenu(e) devra avoir une solide formation en physique générale (validée par exemple par
un diplôme d'ingénieur ou une Agrégation), les Masters plus spécialisés (astrophysique, planétologie,
télédetection, climat/météorologie) seront très appréciés. Sur le plan technique l'étudiant(e) devra
connaître un langage de programmation compilé et avoir des bonnes compétences concernant un
langage interprété. Une bonne maîtride l'anglais est requise.

Financement
Cette thèse sera financé complètement, sous réserve de sélection (réponse le 13 juillet 2017), par la
région Grand-Est et de l'URCA.


7) AGU, la Nouvelle Orléans du 11 au 15 Décembre 2017.

    -session 22639: Accretion, Differentiation and Early Planetary Evolution

The early planetary evolution is punctuated by major events such as accretion and core formation. These involve a variety of physical and chemical processes interacting over a very large range of scales in space and time. Understanding these earliest stages is fundamental in order to constrain the subsequent billions of years of thermo-chemical evolution of terrestrial bodies. Due to vigorous internal dynamics and to their size, the largest terrestrial objects have undergone one or several episodes of global melting, which complicates the reconstruction of their early histories. However, smaller objects may have retained frozen traces of their early evolution, thus providing a unique opportunity to test model predictions against observations. We welcome contributions from fluid dynamics, geochemistry, astrophysics, mineral physics, geology and petrology that address the early formation and evolution of planetary objects ranging from meteorites to Earth-sized planets.
     -session V035 « Volatiles in terrestrial planets: their role and signatures in differentiation, volcanic, magmatic, and atmospheric processes »
«Volatile components play a critical role in magma generation, ascent, and eruption. Their origin and behavior during planetary differentiation and evolution are also key when addressing physical and chemical processes occurring in planetary interiors (e.g. oxidation state, core formation, mantle dynamics…), atmosphere formation, and the habitability of planets. This session offers an opportunity to gather experts studying diverse aspects of volatile behavior, including solubility, speciation, degassing, partitioning, structural incorporation, diffusion, phase equilibrium, their terrestrial and planetary elemental and isotopic abundances. Contributions may include, but are not limited to: 1) major and trace volatile elements (C, H, F, Cl, S, N…) geochemistry, 2) noble gases; 3) experimental studies on phase equilibrium and physical properties, such as solubility, diffusivity, and elemental partitioning of volatiles 4) role of volatile degassing on the chemistry of atmospheres, and 5) computational studies such as molecular dynamics simulations, ab initio calculations or thermodynamic modeling of volatile-bearing systems».

    -session 29233: The Dynamic Moon: Insights From Apollo Through the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
Session Description:

The Moon has been a witness plate for planetary processes at 1 AU since its formation. Recent analyses using samples from Apollo missions, as well as data from a host of lunar orbital missions, both new and old, provides a fresh view into the processes that shape the Moon over timescales ranging from millions of years to contemporary changes we observe today. This session will highlight the diversity of current research that is revealing the dynamic history of Earth’s partner in space: topics including the importance of lunar volatiles, the Moon’s complicated geologic history shaped by volcanism and impact bombardment, and the ways in which the Moon’s uppermost surface is still evolving, all with profound implications for our understanding of other planetary bodies.
The deadline for all submissions is Wednesday, 2 August 23:59 EDT.


8) Young Astronomer School on the Scientific Exploitation of the Gaia Data - Paris (FIAP, Paris 14ème), 26 February - 2 March 2018
The Doctoral School of Astronomy and Astrophysics of Paris and the Observatoire de Paris are organizing an international school for PhD and post-doctoral students on the scientific exploitation of the Gaia data and the study of the stellar populations of our Galaxy. The school will propose lectures given by internationally recognized experts in the study of the formation and evolution of the Milky Way and will be accompanied by hands-on sessions. The school will allow the participants to master the knowledge and tools allowing them to manipulate and to explore the Gaia catalog and to derive properties necessary for the analysis of stellar populations, such as the age of stars, their orbits in the Galaxy, etc.

The application deadline is November 30, 2017, but the attendance is limited to 40-50 students and candidates are therefore  strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

More information available at:  https://gaiaschool.wixsite.com/gaia-school2018


9) James Webb Space Telescope:  Upcoming Events

We would like to draw your attention to the upcoming JWST events for the Planetary Science Community:
   a) JWST proposal workshops

    Sept 17-22: EPSC (Riga, Latvia) – proposed

   b) ESAC 2017 JWST WORKSHOP: Mastering the Science Instruments and the Observing Modes of JWST

    European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC), 4 - 6 October, 2017. http://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/jwst-2017-esac

    c) JWST proposal workshop and JWST Townhall

    Oct 15-20: DPS (Provo, UT) – proposed

    d) Solar System Workshop (Baltimore, MD)

    Nov 13-15: JWST

     https://jwst.stsci.edu/news-events/events/events-area/stsci-events-listing-container/planning-solar-system-observations-with-jwst---stsci-venue?mwc=4

    e) JWST Solar System Workshop (ESTEC: Noordwijk, Netherlands)

    Dec 13-15:     https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/jwst-ssws-2017/home

1) Obituary: Mike A'Hearn
Mike A’Hearn passed away on May 29, at the age of 76. Astronomy professor at the University of Maryland College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, he was a world-class expert of the physics of comets. He was also the principal investigator for NASA's EPOXI mission. In 2008, he received the Gerard P. Kuiper Prize of DPS.
His competence and his kindness will be missed by the small body community, including in  PNP.


2) 2 Post-Doc opportunities in Exoplanets with SKA, University of Aveiro, Portugal

The Physics Department of the University of Aveiro, Portugal, invites applications for two 3-year Post-Doc positions under the portuguese participation in the SKA. Please forward these job opportunities to someone who might be interested:

Protoplanetary disks and planet formation with SKA

http://eas.unige.ch/jobs.jsp?type=job&id=809

Star-planet interactions with SKA

http://eas.unige.ch/jobs.jsp?type=job&id=808


3) Post-Doc (2+1 years) on Proplyds at U.Tokyo

The astrophysics group at School of Arts & Science, University of Tokyo invites
applications for a postdoctoral position, to work with Prof. Takeru SUZUKI
on theoretical studies of protoplanetary disks (PPDs).
The position is funded by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the MEXT
of Japan, 17H01105 (PI: Takeru SUZUKI), and is initially 2 years, with the
possibility of extension of 1 year.

The project aims to develop a theoretical framework of the evolution of gas
and solid (from dust to protoplanets) during a long-time evolution of PPDs
with taking into account magnetically driven disk winds.
Researchers with an experience background in any area of theoretical or
computational astrophysics are invited to apply,
but we are particularly interested in applicants with a strong background
in one (or more than one) of the following areas.
(i) theoretical and/or computational (magneto)hydrodynamics
(ii) particle-based (N-body) simulations
(iii) radiative processes

Please contact Takeru Suzuki (stakeru_at_ea.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp) for details.
http://ea.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/astro/Members/stakeru/english/research_eng.html

Applicants must possess (or be near completion of) a relevant PhD.
Applications should include CV (including the list of publications and talks)
and a brief research statement (2 pages max) describing past work and future
interest.
Please create a single pdf file with the name ``YourName.pdf'' that includes
all the above documents, and upload the file via
http://ea.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/astro/Members/stakeru/application
In addition, please have 2 letters of recommendation sent to
stakeru_at_ea.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp, with applicant's name in the subject,
before the July 10th deadline.


4) SKA project: sign up for interest
Des manifestations d’intérêts continuent aujourd’hui à parvenir du monde académique et industriel à la Coordination SKA-France. Le projet SKA est, de manière croissante, reconnu pour son très fort impact potentiel au plan scientifique, technologique et industriel.
Comme annoncé dans la dernière parution du bulletin SKA-France, nous invitons ainsi les membres de la communauté française à manifester leur intérêt pour le projet SKA et pour le développement de sa préparation en France en remplissant le formulaire à la page web:

artemix.obspm.fr/le-projet-ska-m-interesse/
La liste des signataires sera intégrée en annexe du Livre Blanc SKA français, dont la publication est attendue à l’automne 2017.

Il est indispensable de montrer l'impact attendu du projet SKA pour la France en estimant le nombre des scientifiques et ingénieurs convaincus de son intérêt. Nous savons que c’est une part importante de la communauté et votre participation à cette manifestation d'intérêt le démontrera.
Bien cordialement,

Chiara Ferrari - Coordinatrice SKA-France.


5) Conference "Geoscience for understanding habitability in the solar system and beyond", Azores, 25–29 September 2017

I would like to announce the
European Geosciences Union Galileo conference

Geoscience for understanding habitability in the solar system and beyond

Furnas, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal, 25–29 September 2017

This conference will deal with fundamental issues of planetary habitability, i.e. the environmental conditions capable of sustaining life, and how interactions between the interior of a planet or a moon and its atmosphere and surface (including hydrosphere and biosphere) affect the habitability of the celestial body. It aims to bring together scientists from all disciplines related to the field in order to discuss the se  issues.

Bursaries are available, for students and early career scientists, preferably for those giving oral and poster presentations. Deadline for registration and abstract submission is 15 June 2017.

The conference will be held at the Hotel Terra Nostra Garden****. The hotel is a newly renovated Art Deco hotel with a very good restaurant and a large, famous botanical garden with a thermal pool.  The area is geothermally active with hot springs, solfatares and a very nice crater lake. The João Paulo Airport with frequent direct flights to the European mainland and America is located only 45 km from the venue.

Please consult the website http://www.egu-galileo.eu/gc2-habitability/ for further information.

Best regards,

Wolf Geppert

Prof. Dr. Wolf Dietrich Geppert
Director of the Stockholm University Astrobiology Centre

1) 51st ESLAB Symposium, ‘Extreme Habitable Worlds’, Estec, 4-8th December 2017
This interdisciplinary Symposium will focus on key areas regarding extreme habitability on Earth, in the solar system and throughout the universe.

Major themes to be presented on and discussed may include:

- Venus, Earth, and Mars — the first 500 million years.
- Planetary processes and habitability: accretion, evolution, impacts and ingredients.
- Evolution of habitability and settings for origins of life on Earth.
- Extreme surface and subsurface habitats on Earth.
- Life support systems in extreme places and in orbit (human spaceflight).
- Making the Moon habitable.
- Mars past, current, and future habitability.
- Asteroids and small bodies.
- Outer solar system: Sub-surface habitability at the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn.
- Effects of space weather and astrophysical hazards.
- Planetary protection and measuring extreme biomarkers.
- Stellar, interstellar and interplanetary ingredients for extreme habitability.
- Engineering of travel to and exploration of Extreme Habitable Worlds.
- Finding and characterising habitable exoplanets: Proxima Centauri, Trappist-1 and beyond.
- Galactic and extragalactic habitability.
- Education, outreach, societal, philosophical & artistic views on ‘Extreme Habitable Worlds’.

Please find further details, including key dates and logistical information, on the website:

http://esaconferencebureau.com/2017-events/eslab2017

Registration and abstract submission are scheduled to open on 16th May. We look forward to your participation.

Scientific Organising Committee: B. Foing (chair) , M. Drinkwater, M.
Guainazzi, A. Heras, K. Isaak, A. Kolodziejczyk, O. Korablev (COSPAR), D.
Koschny, C. Lasseur, P. Lecomte, M. Paganini, E. Sefton-Nash, H. Svedhem, D.
Titov, J. Vago, O. Witasse, J. Zender

Local Organising Committee: E. Sefton-Nash (co-chair), B. Foing (co-chair),
M. Riemens, C. Avdellidou

2) Lunar resources ESA research fellowship
An exciting research fellowship opportunity with ESA working on the science and technology of lunar resources.

http://www.esa.int/content/download/376683/16919349/file/RF-ESTEC(2017)002.pdf


3)  PhD-student on tidal-induced dynamics of shallow oceans, ROYAL NIOZ YERSEKE (NL) AND TU DELFT (NL), Deadline 1 June
There is a vacancy for a PhD-student on tidal-induced dynamics of shallow ocean:

More at:

http://en.academicpositions.nl/ad/nioz-royal-netherlands-institute-for-sea-research/2017/phd-effects-of-tidal-induced-fluid-dynamics-for-the-moons-of-jupiter-and-saturn/99855

Deadline 1 June

Contact: Bert Vermeersen    Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.

4) postdoc position in planet formation - Lund, Sweden

The successful applicant will work within the PLANETESYS project that was recently funded by the European Research Council (PI: Anders Johansen). The overarching goal of the project is the development and exploitation of an N-body code to simulate the formation of planets, including  growth by accretion of pebbles, planetesimals and gas. The project also  concerns the chemical composition of planets and the delivery of life-essential molecules to habitable planets.

Researchers with an experience background in any area of theoretical or computational astrophysics or astrochemistry are invited to apply.

The position is initially time-limited to two years, but can be extended to three or four years, based on work progress.

Part of the research can consist of own, independent projects. Please contact Anders Johansen (Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.) for details.

Applications should be submitted electronically - please follow this link:

http://www.astro.lu.se/vacancies/

The deadline is 9 June 2017.


5) Summer School SPEC-ATMOS -  "Spectroscopy and Atmosphere: Measurements and Models", Ile d'Oleron, 11-16 june 2017
We are pleased to announce the following the International Summer School SPEC-ATMOS -  "Spectroscopy and Atmosphere: Measurements and Models"


SPEC-ATMOS is a 1-week program dedicated to outstanding and enthousiastic Master-PhD students and young researchers who want to acquire an interdisciplinary scientific culture from leading scientists.

The SPEC-ATMOS school will take place from June 11th to June 16th 2017 at "La Vieille Perrotine", in Saint Pierre d'Oléron on the west coast of France.

The International Summer School has a clearly defined and unique profile that will provide you with interdisciplinary education (lectures, tutorials, conferences) in the following fields:

Spectroscopy: intensities, line frequencies, line profile, IR techniques
Atmospheric Physics: radiative transfer, inversion, thermodynamics, dynamics, space missions, simultaneous chemistry, cloud/aerosols retrievals
Chemistry: kinetics, laser techniques, simulation chambers
Chemical Atmospheric Models: dynamical models, chemical modeling
see the web site for registration :
http://lpc2e.cnrs-orleans.fr/~specatmos


6) workshop: The Transneptunian Solar System, 26-29 March 2018, Coimbra Portugal

Topics to be discussed in plenary sessions
- physical properties of the bodies in the Transneptunian Region,
- large members of the Kuiper Belt: Pluto & others,
- binaries & multiple systems,
- relationships with other populations (Centaurs, planetary Trojans, comets, inner Oort Cloud objects,
- Planet IX and related objects – dynamical effects indicators, properties,
- formation & evolution – origin, planetesimals, multiples, dynamical & collisional evolution, physical processing,
- extrasolar KBO populations – structure & properties,
- prospects for KBO research.
Scientific Organizing Committee: Antonella Barucci, Hermann Boehnhardt, Michael Brown, Julio Fernandez, Will Grundy, Olivier Hainaut, Wing Ip, David Jewitt, Alessandro Morbidelli, Thomas Müller, Keith Noll, Nuno Peixinho, Dina Prialnik, Junichi Watanabe, Leslie Young

Webpage: http://www2.mps.mpg.de/services/coimbra/


7) Gordon conference "Origin of Solar Systems", June 18-23, 2017 Mount Holyoke

places still available!

The Gordon Conference on Origins of Solar Systems brings together a diverse group of scientists to discuss research at the frontier of understanding how planets and planetary systems form. Particular topics of discussion include the following: how planetary building blocks are assembled and whether volatiles implanted during early phases survive inside their interior, exploring the fate of volatiles supplied to a young terrestrial planet during the epoch of impacts and core formation, and how the architecture of a solar system influences planetary assembly and volatile supply. Within this framework we will also discuss the growing knowledge of the exoplanet inventory with emphasis on what they might tell us about their formation and subsequent evolution

Chair: Edwin A. Bergin Vice Chair: Larry R. Nittler

Complete program and online application are available at:
http://www.grc.org/programs.aspx?id=12346


8) Hayabusa Sample Analysis Opportunity
Dear Colleagues,

It's my great pleasure to let you know that ISAS/JAXA has issued the new international announcement of opportunity for Hayabusa-returned sample analysis.

Everybody who intends to gain a new insight in planetary science via Hayabusa sample analysis is welcome to submit a proposal in response to the new AO.

Please find the details of the new AO, including the guidebook for proposers, the list of previously accepted proposals, and the sample catalog that describes the properties of the samples available at the following website:

http://hayabusaao.isas.jaxa.jp/5th/

Proposals are accepted any time. It will take around a month for the selection process.

We are looking forward to accepting exciting proposals from you!

Sincerely,

Toru Yada

Astromaterial Science Research Group (ASRG), ISAS, JAXA


9) reminder: Workshop on Jupiter Trojan Asteroid Exploration in Berlin on June 2nd 2017

A one-day workshop will be held to discuss the key science items and enabling
instruments for the missions to land on a primitive body beyond the snow line
of the solar system, with the special focus on the future Jupiter Trojan
asteroids
rendezvous and landing mission empowered by solar-sail technology.
The Solar Power Sail (SPS) mission is under PhaseA1 study by JAXA in
collaboration
with DLR and CNES. The outcome of the study is useful not only to enhance
the SPS
mission but also to trigger collaboration in any future rendezvous and
landing
missions to primitive bodies where dedicated cosmo-chemistry oriented
measurements
will be the key. Anyone who is interested in the promising topic is
welcome and
should attend this workshop.


Main Topics:
-Science of Jupiter Trojan asteroids and the key subjects for the SPS mission
-Status of the Solar Power Sail mission and its current strawman payloads
-Proposals for lander instruments
-Proposals for mothership instruments

Venue and dates:
-Venue: Institute for Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR) in
Berlin
-Dates: 02 June 2017

 

1) NBIA Summer School on Astrophysical Plasmas – from Planets to Galaxies

We are pleased to announce this year's NBIA Summer School on “Astrophysical Plasmas – from Planets to Galaxies”.

The event will be hosted by the Niels Bohr International Academy at The Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen from August 28 to September 1st 2017.

The school website can be found at nbia.nbi.ku.dk/nbia-school-2017 Registration is now open and it will be closed on May 15th 2017.

The school will cover basic theoretical and computational aspects of astrophysical fluids and plasmas. The three application areas covered, (i) protoplanetary disks, (ii) interstellar medium, and (iii) galaxy evolution and feedback, are all interconnected and part of the same multi-scale star/gas life cycle. This makes the school relevant for students working on any of these three fields, and at the same time, creates a broader context for their individual research.
With kind regards,
T. Haugbølle, M. Pessah & O. Gressel


2) 51st ESLAB symposium at ESTEC 4-8 Dec 2017  " Extreme Habitable worlds"

Please find herewith the first announcement for ESLAB Symposium 2017 "Extreme
Habitable worlds" to take place at ESTEC on 4-8 Dec 2017.

The ESLAB Symposium 2017 will convene researchers from all over the world who
work on interdisciplinary aspects in the fields of extreme habitability on
Earth, the solar system and throughout the universe. They will report on
research findings and plan future endeavours. Contributions are planned as
keynote (invited) talks, oral and poster presentations, interactive
presentations and debates. The theme for ESLAB  2017 is "Extreme Habitable
Worlds". The symposium will address topics such as:

Venus, Earth, and Mars —the first 500 million years
Planetary habitability processes: accretion, evolution, impacts, ingredients
Evolution of habitability and settings for origins of  life at Earth
Earth extreme habitats: natural (surface and subsurface), artificial and
sustainable
Life support systems in Earth extreme places and in orbit, human spaceflight
Making the Moon habitable
Mars past, current , and future habitability
Asteroids and small bodies habitats
Outer solar system: Sub-surface Habitability at icy moons of Jupiter and
Saturn
Effects of space weather and Astrophysical hazards
Planetary protection and measuring extreme biomarkers
Stellar, interstellar and interplanetary ingredients for extreme habitability
Engineering of travel to and exploration of Extreme Habitable Worlds
Finding and Characterising Habitable Exoplanets: Proxima Centauri, Trappist1
and beyond
Galactic and Extragalactic Habitability
Education, outreach, societal, philosophical & artistic views on "Extreme
Habitable Worlds"

http://esaconferencebureau.com/2017-events/eslab2017/

Key Dates & Deadlines
March 31          1st Announcement. Themes and committees published.
May 16            2nd Announcement. Abstract submission and early
registration open.
July 13           Abstract deadline.
September 26      3rd Announcement. Communication of SOC decisions to
presenters.
October 24  Program published. Early registration closes. Late registration
begins.
November    Final logistics and arrangements.
December 4-8      51st ESLAB Symposium: ‘Extreme Habitable Worlds’

Scientific Organising Committee: B. Foing (chair) , M. Drinkwater, M.
Guainazzi, A. Heras, K. Isaak, A. Kolodziejczyk, O. Korablev (COSPAR), D.
Koschny, C. Lasseur, P. Lecomte, M. Paganini, E. Sefton-Nash, H. Svedhem, D.
Titov, J. Vago, O. Witasse, J. Zender

Local Organising Committee: E. Sefton-Nash (co-chair), B. Foing (co-chair),
M. Riemens, C. Avdellidou , R. Rudawska

Institutional support: ESA, ESTEC, ESA Science Support Office, COSPAR, ILEWG

3) OPTICON Instrumentation School, Copenhagen 3-12 July 2017

The first OPTICON Instrumentation school will take place in Copenhagen July 3-12, 2017. This school has a theme 'Observing the Transient Sky', and during it the students will carry out a 'Phase A' study of an instrument under supervision of an experienced tutor. The instrument can be either for finding new transient sources, or characterising them.

This school is meant for both astronomers and engineers at almost any level (from MSc students to young postdocs). The first half of the school comprises morning lectures and afternoon group sessions with hands-on instrument planning. The lectures include, among other topics, transient sky science, systems engineering, optical design, optomechanics, and detectors. The second half of the school is dedicated to group work, with students presenting  their instrument ideas at the end of the school.

The local costs (accommodation and lunches) are covered by OPTICON, and some travel support is also available (and needs to be applied for on the application form).

More information on the school:
http://opticon-schools.nbi.ku.dk/other-schools/instrumentation-school/
Application form:
http://opticon-schools.nbi.ku.dk/how-to-apply/

The deadline for applications is Friday 21st April, and applicants will be notified about the selection in early May.


4) Livre Blanc SKA français

Suite à l'annonce du mois de Janvier 2017, le travail d'organisation du Livre Blanc SKA français a bien avancé. Le plan de sa structure est disponible à la page web:

https://ska-france.oca.eu/fr/evenements/livre-blanc-ska-fr/129-instructions-pour-la-redaction-du-livre-blanc-ska

suivi par les instructions pour les auteurs résumées à la fin de ce message. Les collègues qui n'ont pas encore signalé leur éventuel intérêt à participer au livre blanc pourront contacter la coordination SKA-France (https://ska-france.oca.eu/fr/contact) avant le 15 Avril 2017 pour demander de participer à des sections déjà identifiées ou pour en proposer des autres.

Bien cordialement,

Chiara Ferrari – Coordinatrice SKA-France

Instructions pour les auteurs:

Le nombre maximum de pages par contribution est indiqué à côté de chaque contribution (typiquement 2 pages maximum), ainsi que la liste des auteurs
Il est conseillé de mettre une figure par article
Les articles devront décrire, le cas échéant, les travaux en cours avec les instruments précurseurs et pathfinders de SKA
Les spécifications de SKA sont disponibles aux pages web suivantes :
Baseline Design Document (http://skatelescope.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/SKA-TEL-SKO-0000308_SKA1_System_Baseline_v2_DescriptionRev01-part-1-signed.pdf)
SKA1 Science Requirements (http://skatelescope.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/SKA-TEL-SKO-0000007_SKA1_Level_0_Science_RequirementsRev02-part-1-signed.pdf)
Il est recommandé que les articles précisent ce qu’on pourra atteindre avec SKA1, avec une ouverture sur SKA2 si souhaité
Un courte description (<=3 lignes) est demandée pour chaque auteur, qui inclut, le cas échéant, l’implication dans des projets précurseurs de SKA, les SKA Science Working Groups, les consortia techniques, …
La date limite pour l’envoi des contributions aux responsables des chapitres est fixée au 15 mai 2017
Nous demandons aux auteurs d’utiliser la macro latex fournie
La liste des contributeurs sera présentée par ordre alphabétique au dessous du titre de chaque thématique
Une page wiki dédiée est mise en place pour l'organisation du travail. Les détails seront envoyés aux auteurs

5) annonce Atelier Expérimentation et Instrumentation, 17 au 19 octobre 201, Brest

Le prochain Atelier Expérimentation et Instrumentation (AEI), regroupant techniciens, ingénieurs et chercheurs, impliqués au niveau national dans la recherche expérimentale et instrumentale dans les domaines de l’océan, de l’atmosphère, de la cryosphère, des surfaces et interfaces continentales, des domaines de l’écologie et de l’environnement se tiendra du 17 au 19 octobre 2017 sur le Campus IFREMER à Brest.
Le site pour déposer un résumé et s'inscrire est ouvert ici : https://aei-2017.sciencesconf.org/  

Nous encourageons l'ensemble des personnels concernés à venir prendre part à cet événement favorisant les échanges d'expertise et d'expérience entre chercheurs, ingénieurs et techniciens développant des manipulations expérimentales et de l'instrumentation dans les domaines de l’océan, de l’atmosphère, de la cryosphère et des surfaces et interfaces continentales, des domaines de l’écologie et de l’environnement.

Le CNRS-INSU, l’IFREMER, Météo-France et le SHOM apportant leur aide financière, il n'y aura pas de frais d'inscription.

La date limite de dépôt des résumés est fixée au 31 juillet 2017.


Christian Tamburini & Jérôme Chappellaz (boîte "instrumentation" de la CSOA), Pierre Kern (DAT CNRS-INSU), pour le comité d'organisation et le comité scientifique de l'AEI 2017)


6) LUVOIR/POLLUX instrument. Solar system science working group.

In the frame of the LUVOIR telescope (https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/luvoir/), next generation of UV telescope, the POLLUX instrument will be a very high resolution spectropolarimeter in the UV from 90 to 400 nm (R ~120 000). Coralie Neiner (LESIA) and Jean Claude Bouret (LAM) are PI of this instrument.

The science case of this telescope and of the POLLUX instrument is large with several WG (8). Coralie and Jean Claude asked me to lead the WG solar system.

If you are interested in participating to the definition of the science case for this instrument or if you have question on the instrument, please contact me.

We will organise a teleconference at the beginning of May to organise the work. The objective is to built a quasi complete science case for October.

With best regards

Mathieu Barthélemy


7) Open Recruitment: 2017 JAXA/ISAS International Top Young Fellow

JAXA is seeking talented, energetic and highly motivated employees to join the ITYF team.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) International Top Young Fellowship (ITYF) was established as a new fellowship program in 2009 with the purpose of inviting world’s top-level young researchers to work at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Sciences (ISAS)/JAXA. ITYF fellows are expected to contribute to the following activities in ISAS/JAXA in addition to producing outstanding academic achievements in their areas of specialization.

 * Active interaction with researchers inside and/or outside ISAS to
   create new academic trends.
 * Active participation or initiative in planning new space science
   mission projects.
 * Active participation in developing research networks of ISAS and the
   related foreign institutes.
 * We also expect positive impact of ITYF fellow's activities on ISAS
   researchers and students

Eligibility: Applicants must have a Ph.D. or Doctoral degree in Natural Sciences or Engineering or equivalent or higher ability, and must have degrees earned within less than 8 years from the hire date (those expected to earn their degrees by the hire date are eligible to apply).

Application Web Page: http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/researchers/ityf/
Application Deadline: No later than 17:00 PM (Japan time) on Wednesday, May 31, 2017

General inquiries:
E-mail address:Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
Secretariat
JAXA International Top Young Fellowship Steering Committee
ISAS/JAXA


8) The 2nd Rencontres du Vietnam on Exoplanetary Science, February 25 - March 2, 2018, Quy Nhon (Vietnam)

http://rencontresduvietnam.org/conferences/2018/exoplanetary_science

Exoplanetology has experienced extraordinary developments, and is now a mature and particularly dynamic research field of astrophysics. The various detection technics such as radial velocities, transit, microlensing, direct imaging, timing or astrometry, provided thousands of planet detections. The characterization of these systems also enhances, and now reaches the details of the orbital parameters or the physics and chemistry of planetary atmospheres.

The 2nd Rencontres du Vietnam on Exoplanetary Science will offer over five days a fruitful meeting of observers involved in various ground- and space-based programs with modelers and theoreticians, in order to raise news observations and new models to improve our comprehension and knowledges of exoplanets, their formation, their evolution. It will expand exchanges, interactions, and collaborations between scientists from different parts of the world. The conference will consist of plenary sessions for oral presentations, including review talks and contributions on more specialized topics, as well as posters. The conference will be preceded by a two-day international school for students involved in those topics, with instructors and teachers chosen among the conference participants.

Important dates:
- April 7th, 2017: first announcement of the conference
- June 30th, 2017: announcement of invited speakers
- December 1st, 2017: deadline for abstract submissions and financial support applications
- February 1st, 2018: deadline for registrations

Scientific Organisation Committee:
- Eiji Akiyama (National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Japan)
- Michael Albrow (University of Canterbury, New Zealand)
- Isabelle Baraffe (University of Exeter, United Kingdom)
- Andrew Collier-Cameron (University of St Andrews, United Kingdom)
- Rodrigo Díaz (Buenos Aires University, Argentina)
- René Doyon (Université de Montréal, Canada)
- Diana Dragomir (MIT Kavli Institute, USA)
- Roger Ferlet (Institut d'astrophysique de Paris, France)
- Guillaume Hébrard (Institut d'astrophysique de Paris, France), chair
- Tobias C. Hinse (Korea Astronomy & Space Science Institute, Korea)
- Jacques Laskar (Observatoire de Paris, France)
- Alain Lecavelier des Étangs (Institut d'astrophysique de Paris, France)
- Doug Lin (University of California, USA)
- Jack Lissauer (NASA Ames Research Center, USA)
- Michel Mayor (Geneva, Switzerland)
- Rosemary Mardling (Monash University, Australia)
- Claire Moutou (Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, USA)
- Norio Narita (National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Japan)
- Heike Rauer (Institute for Planetary Research, Germany)
- Sujan Sengupta (Indian Institute of Astrophysics, India)
- Feng Tian (Tsinghua University, Beijing, China)
- Jean Tran Thanh Van (ICISE, Vietnam)

9) First Announcement: Enabling Transiting ExoPlanet Observations with JWST, July 10-12, 2017

The Space Telescope Science Institute will be hosting a workshop titled “Enabling Transiting Exoplanet Observations with JWST” on July 10-12, 2017.

This workshop will provide a forum for the exoplanet community to learn about and discuss planning JWST observations to characterize transiting exoplanets.  Talks will inform potential users about science opportunities and tools for observation planning.  Data challenges will introduce the community to planned data products and identify key tools and resources for further data reduction and interpretation.  With a Cycle 1 proposal deadline in early 2018, this workshop will serve as an important opportunity for the transiting exoplanet community to begin building high-quality JWST observing programs.

Poster abstracts should be submitted to https://goo.gl/forms/o6PTuWjjzHwshsqE2.  The submission period begins April 1, 2017 and closes May 17, 2017.  You will be notified by May 31st if your abstract has been accepted for presentation.

Registration is now open.  The registration fee is $165.00 to attend the workshop.  For more information regarding this workshop, please visit http://www.cvent.com/d/n5q7nc.

Confirmed Invited Speakers

Jacob Bean, UChicago, Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
Jonathan Fortney, UC Santa Cruz, Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
Theodora Karalidi, Steward Observatory, Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
Eliza Kempton, Grinnell College, Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
Michael Line, ASU, Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
David Sing, University of Exeter, Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
 
Scientific Organizing Committee
Nikole Lewis (Space Telescope Science Institute)
Kevin Stevenson (Space Telescope Science Institute)
Sarah Kendrew (Space Telescope Science Institute)
Jonathan Fraine (Space Telescope Science Institute)
Joanna Barstow (University College London)
Drake Deming (University of Maryland)
Michael Gillon (Université de Liège)
Eliza Kempton (Grinnell College)
Mercedes Lopez-Morales (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)
Stanimir Metchev (University of Western Ontario)


10) Wilhelm und Else Heraeus-Seminar on: Prebiotic Molecules in Space and Origins of Life on Earth, Bad Honnef, March 19-23, 2018

Motivation
How life originates is one of the outstanding questions of humankind. Different scientific communities, from astrophysicists to planetary scientists, from geochemists to biophysicists, all share the common aim of understanding how life on Earth originated and if life exists elsewhere in the Universe. Despite these common goals, it has been difficult to join forces and focus on the ‘big picture’, as different background and terminology often hinder fruitful interdisciplinary collaborations. In this conference, we plan to bring together astrochemists working on the production of prebiotic molecules in space and their delivery to planet forming regions, Solar System scientists working on the chemical composition of the most pristine material such as comets and primitive meteorites, the exoplanetary atmosphere community, geochemists working on the primitive Earth and its conditions to host life, biophysicists working on the very first steps that assembled prebiotic molecules into the macromolecules used by terrestrial life. We believe that fostering communication and interaction among the various groups is a pre-requisite to succeed in our quest on the origins of life.

Please visit our web page at: https://events.mpe.mpg.de/origins2018 and register (note that the number of participants is limited).

Looking forward to seeing you at Bad Honnef in March 2018.

Best wishes,

Paola Caselli
on behalf of the Organizing team: Dieter Braun, Cecilia Ceccarelli and Pascale Ehrenfreund