"what galaxies are targets for finding life? is animal life more common than civilizations. could i expect europa to have complex alien like-fish?"
Welcome to the NAI Newsletter! The Newsletter is a compendium of announcements, events, updates, and news items related to the NAI and its research. If you have news items or suggestions you can send them to the editor, Marco Boldt at: Marco.Boldt@nasa.gov.
Newsletter for March 7, 2008
- NAI Director’s Discretionary Fund 2008
- 3/31 Director's Seminar: "Earth's Low Temperature Life: An Analog for Mars and Europa?"
- NASA ROSES Amendment - New Scope to Origins of Solar Systems Includes Search for Intelligent Life
- NASA RFI - Scientist Participant Suborbital Science Pilot Program - Flight Research
- The NAI Selects Postdoctoral Fellows
- Due Date for NASA High End Computing Proposals
- NSF Funding Opportunity: CubeSat-based Science Missions for Space Weather and Atmospheric Research
- ASM's MicrobeWorld Radio Program
- NASA Planetary Science Summer School
- NAI Student Poster Competition at AbSciCon
- Position Available: Post-Doctoral Associate in Mars Science, University of Colorado
NAI Director’s Discretionary Fund 2008
The NAI announces that it is now accepting proposals for the 2008 Director’s Discretionary Fund. Proposals will be accepted through June 1, 2008 and selections will be made by July 1, 2008.
For more information: http://nai.nasa.gov/ddf_2008/
3/31 Director's Seminar: "Earth's Low Temperature Life: An Analog for Mars and Europa?"
Presenters: Jody Deming and James Staley (University of Washington)
Date/Time: Monday, March 31, 2008 11:00 AM Pacific
Abstract:
Earth's solar system harbors many frozen environments that contain liquid water and therefore present a rationale to consider the possibility of microbial life within them. The subsurface realms of Mars and Europa are two such examples. Among the many different types of frozen environments on Earth, sea ice has captured astrobiological attention for its retention of significant liquid water (brine) even as the eutectic of seawater is approached (-55 C), and because liquid water on Mars and Europa is expected to be salty as well. We have each explored this environment as a model system for studying various ecological, physiological and diversity aspects of microbial life at very low temperatures. A critical determinant of many life processes in very cold saline ice appears to be the presence of organic exopolymers which serve multiple functions as they coat a cell, from enhancing cryopreservation to enabling metabolic activity. One psychrophilic or cold-adapted bacterium isolated from Arctic sea ice and brought into pure culture, Psychromonas ingrahamii, has been shown to grow at temperatures of -12 C or lower. The recent sequencing of its genome is providing new information about the properties that help explain the adaptation of life to subzero temperatures.
For more information and participation instructions: http://nai.arc.nasa.gov/seminars/seminar_detail.cfm?ID=119
NASA ROSES Amendment - New Scope to Origins of Solar Systems Includes Search for Intelligent Life
This amendment explicitly includes the search for extrasolar planets that may harbor intelligent life within the scope of the Origins of Solar Systems program.
The first paragraph of Section 1 is amended to state that, “These investigations may involve … the detection and characterization of other planetary systems including those that may harbor intelligent life.” The second paragraph of Section 1 is amended to include the following as one of the categories that Origins of Solar Systems proposals should fall into: “Investigations to identify and characterize signal characteristics and/or observable properties of extrasolar planets which may distinguish planetary systems with intelligent life.”
On or about February 29, 2008, this Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2008" (NNH08ZDA001N) will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select “Solicitations” then “Open Solicitations” then “NNH08ZDA001N”).
Further information about this program element is available from Dr. Zlatan Tsvetanov, Astrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA, Washington, DC 20546; Telephone: (202) 358-0810; E-mail: Zlatan.Tsvetanov@nasa.gov.
NASA RFI - Scientist Participant Suborbital Science Pilot Program - Flight Research
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) recognizes the advancement of the
commercial suborbital spaceflight industry and
requests information on potential human-tended
flight experiments enabled by this capability.
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is in
the formulation phase of a possible new program
to fly government-sponsored payloads and
researchers on commercial suborbital systems with
the intent of advancing SMD’s goals and
objectives. Responses to this RFI (NNH08ZDA004L)
will be used to inform NASA’s program planning.
Background:
Suborbital missions have provided an important
arena for astronomical, terrestrial, and other
areas of space research for over 60 years. They
offer the opportunity to make astronomical and
Earth observations at wavelengths and special
observing geometries not accessible from the
ground; they also offer the opportunity to study
microgravity and other observations related to
the fundamental physics of the space and Earth
sciences. Routine accomplishments range, for
example, from in-situ sampling of atmospheric
regions that neither spacecraft nor aircraft can
reach, to examining physical phenomena (e.g.,
relevant to planetary accretion) in microgravity
conditions that are not attainable on the ground
or available for such long periods in zero-g
aircraft, to testing science instruments before
committing to orbital or interplanetary flight.
The emergence of human suborbital flight for
commercial purposes now offers a natural and
timely opportunity to open a new research venue to the scientific community.
In this RFI, NASA is soliciting ideas and
comments from the science and research
communities on potential human-tended suborbital
investigations that support NASA’s science goals.
With input from responses to this RFI, NASA
intends to (i) consider acquiring commercial
suborbital seats and flights for NASA-funded
researchers to conduct human-tended suborbital
investigations and (ii) consider a NASA Research
Announcement (e.g., via an amendment to Research
Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES)
2008) to solicit proposals for human-tended
suborbital investigations that address any of
SMD’s research disciplines (Astrophysics, Earth
Science, Heliophysics, and Planetary Science).
For an overview of SMD research focus areas,
refer to The Science Plan for NASA’s Science
Mission Directorate (2007-2016), available at
http://science.hq.nasa.gov/strategy/.
It is NASA’s current intent to evaluate a formal
solicitation for suborbital spaceflight services
in early 2009, which would lead to a pilot
program of suborbital flight operations in 2010-2011.
Material in an RFI response is confidential,
nonbinding on the respondent, and will be used by
NASA for information and planning purposes only.
This RFI is not to be construed as a commitment
by the Government nor will the Government pay for
information solicited. No proposals will be
awarded funding as a result of this RFI.
Instructions for Response:
The response to this RFI will be in the form of a
PDF document that is uploaded through NASA's
NSPIRES system. The response should not exceed
three pages in length. NASA is soliciting
information that might be used by NASA to
facilitate planning for science utilization of
the ISS. Material in a RFI response is
confidential, nonbinding on the respondent, and
will be used by NASA for information and planning
purposes only. This RFI is not to be construed as
a commitment by the Government nor will the
Government pay for information solicited. No
proposals will be awarded funding as a result of this RFI.
The complete RFI including background, requested
information, and instructions for responding may
be found at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select
"Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then
"Request for Information (NNH08ZDA004L):
Scientist Participant Suborbital Science Pilot Program – Flight Research ").
Responses to this RFI must be submitted no later than March 28, 2008.
Companion RFI:
NASA is also releasing a companion RFI, Scientist
Participant Suborbital Science Pilot Program –
Service Providers (NNH08ZDA003L). In the Service
Providers RFI, SMD is requesting technical and
programmatic input that will be valuable to NASA
to (i) evaluate procuring flight services and
(ii) aid potential science investigators in
scoping and designing possible future suborbital
investigations. The complete service provider
RFI including background, requested information,
and instructions for responding may be found at
http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select
"Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then
"Request for Information (NNH08ZDA003L):
Scientist Participant Suborbital Science Pilot Program – Service Providers")
For further information on the Scientist
Participant Suborbital Science pilot program,
please contact Dr. Daniel D. Durda, Science
Mission Directorate, NASA, Washington, DC 20546;
email at daniel.d.durda@nasa.gov. For further
information on NASA’s Science programs and
programmatic matters, please contact Dr. Paul
Hertz, Science Mission Directorate, NASA,
Washington, DC 20546; email at paul.hertz@nasa.gov.
The NAI Selects Postdoctoral Fellows
The NAI is very pleased to announce the selection of three NAI Fellows, who will receive awards through the NASA Postdoctoral Program.
The three Fellows are:
Daiki Horikawa, Advisor: Lynn Rothschild, NAI’s SETI Institute Team, Tolerance of tardigrades to extremes: Implications for the existence of multicellular organisms in extraterrestrial environments.
Olivia Mason, Advisor: Jim Cowen, NAI’s University of Hawaii Team, Phylogenetic and functional diversity of microorganisms associated with crustal fluids
Steven Mielke, Advisor Nancy Kiang, NAI’s VPL – University of Washington Team, Molecular-Environmental Limits of Terrestrial Photosynthesis: Implications for Extrasolar Biosignatures
We welcome the new Fellows to the NAI.
The deadline for the next NAI opportunity for NPP Fellowships is July 1, 2008.
For additional information about the program see http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc .
Due Date for NASA High End Computing Proposals
The NASA High-End Computing (HEC) Program is considering awards of computing time to Principal Investigators with projects supported by NASA's Science Mission Directorate. Only the PIs of currently funded SMD research projects are eligible to propose. Requests must be submitted at https://ebooks.reisys.com/gsfc/nccs/submission/index.jsp?solId=27 by March 20, 2008, for May 1, 2008 awards.
For additional information about requesting computing time on NASA HEC resources go to http://www.hec.nasa.gov.
Questions may be addressed to
Dr. Tsengdar Lee, Scientific Computing Portfolio Manager
NASA Science Mission Directorate,
Phone: 202-358-0860,
Email:Tsengdar.J.Lee@nasa.gov.
NSF Funding Opportunity: CubeSat-based Science Missions for Space Weather and Atmospheric Research
Full Proposal Deadline Date: May 28, 2008
Lack of essential observations from space is currently a major limiting factor in space weather research. Recent advances in sensor and spacecraft technologies make it feasible to obtain key measurements from low-cost, small satellite missions. A particularly promising aspect of this development is the prospect for obtaining multi-point observations in space that are critical for addressing many outstanding problems in space science. Space-based measurements from small satellites also have great potential to advance discovery and understanding in other areas of atmospheric sciences. To take full advantage of these developments, NSF is soliciting research proposals centered on small satellite missions.
The overarching goal of the program is to support the development, construction, launch, operation, and data analysis of small satellite science missions to advance space weather and atmospheric research. Equally important, it will provide essential opportunities to train the next generation of experimental space scientists and aerospace engineers.
To facilitate launch of the satellites as secondary payloads on existing missions, the focus of the program is on CubeSat-based satellites. Launch of the satellites will be through the standardized CubeSat deployment system, the Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD). Launch of the P-PODS will be as auxiliary payloads on DOD, NASA, or commercial launches. This will be arranged directly by NSF and is not part of this solicitation. Beginning in 2009, NSF expects to launch two to four P-PODs every year, accommodating at least as many (three to six) individual satellite missions. This solicitation covers proposals for science missions to include satellite development, construction, testing and operation as well as data distribution and scientific analysis.
For more information: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503172
Recently Published Research from the NAI
Star's Magnetic Field Observed Changing Direction
Researchers from NAI's University of Hawai'i Team used ground-based telescopes to observe the magnetic field of the planet hosting star tau Bootis, and found that its overall polarity has reversed direction since their observation one year prior. They report their findings in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. This is the first time that a global magnetic polarity switch is observed in a star other than the Sun.
Astrobiology EPO, Undergrads, Grads, Postdocs
ASM's MicrobeWorld Radio Program
This could be your 90 seconds of fame! NAI is forming a partnership with the American Society of Microbiology's MicrobeWorld radio program, http://www.microbeworld.org, and we're looking for NAI scientists to be subjects of these short segments. They are broadcast on numerous radio stations across the country in the style of NPR's "Earth and Sky" series, and are also are available as podcasts (downloads are in the hundreds of thousands per year). If you're interested, please contact NAI's E/PO Coordinator, Daniella Scalice, daniella.m.scalice@nasa.gov.
NASA Planetary Science Summer School
NASA is accepting applications from science and engineering post-docs, recent PhDs, and doctoral students for its 20th Annual Planetary Science Summer School, which will hold two separate sessions this summer (21-25 July and 4-8 August) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.
During the program, student teams will carry out the equivalent of an early mission concept study, prepare a proposal authorization review presentation, present it to a review board, and receive feedback. At the end of the week, students will have a clearer understanding of the life cycle of a space mission; relationships between mission design, cost, and schedule; and the tradeoffs necessary to stay within cost and schedule while preserving the quality of science.
Applications are due 1 May 2008. Partial financial support is available for a limited number of individuals. Further information is available at http://pscischool.jpl.nasa.gov.
NAI Student Poster Competition at AbSciCon
Calling all students who are presenting posters at AbSciCon 2008! You're invited to enter your poster in the NAI Student Poster Competition. First prize is $1500, Second prize is $1000, and Third prize is $500! The DEADLINE TO ENTER IS MONDAY, MARCH 17TH. Judges will be recruited from the astrobiology community, and winners will be announced at the start of the afternoon plenary session on Thursday, April 17th. Information on eligibility requirements and online registration can be found here: http://nai.nasa.gov/postercompetition/. NAI is pleased to be continuing this astrobiology community event! Contact Daniella Scalice at NAI Central with questions: daniella.m.scalice@nasa.gov
Position Available: Post-Doctoral Associate in Mars Science, University of Colorado
The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher in the area of Mars geology, starting summer 2008. Researchers in the disciplines of geology/geomorphology, geochemistry, geophysics, hydrology, or astrobiology that study the history of water on the Red Planet are encouraged to apply.
Potential applicants are welcome to contact Brian Hynek (hynek@lasp.colorado.edu) for additional information and to discuss research interests. Send a curriculum vitae, up to 3 articles that are published or in submission, a brief research proposal (up to 2 pages), and the names and contact information of three references.
Applications for this position will be accepted until the position is filled. Submit application materials via e-mail to: HRADS@lasp.colorado.edu or mail to LASP, University of Colorado at Boulder, 392 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0392. In your correspondence, please include the code PDAM0208.
All final applicants being considered for employment are subject to a background investigation including a criminal history check and if necessary, motor vehicle histories check. The University of Colorado at Boulder is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.
3nd meeting of the Enceladus Focus Group
The 3rd meeting of the Enceladus Focus Group will be held the day before AbSciCon 2008, which will be held near NASA Ames Research Center at the Santa Clara Convention Center Tuesday-Thursday April 15-17, 2008.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the physical properties and astrobiological potential of Enceladus, and future mission concepts.
Starting time: 9:30 am PDT, Monday 14 April 2008
Location: TBD but will be at the Santa Clara Convention Center, or nearby.
If you are planning to come, email cpenceladus@ciclops.org and let Carolyn Porco know.
For more information: https://encfg.ciclops.org/
First IAA Symposium on Searching for Life Signatures
The first IAA Symposium on Searching for Life Signatures will be held in Paris, France, September 22-26, 2008.
The deadline for the submission of abstracts has been extended to March 20, 2008.
For more information: http://iaaweb.org/content/view/295/434/
