ExoPAG News and Announcements - Archive

ExoPAG News and Announcements (March 17, 2023)

ExoPAG 28 Meeting Will Take Place At 55th DPS Meeting in San Antonio in October 2023
ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series (Anjali Piette & Pa Chia Thao; March 17, 2023; 2-3pm ET, 11am-12pm PT)
2023 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Hybrid Workshop (July 24-28, 2023; Travel Support Applications and Letters due March 23, 2023)
Program Scientist Positions in NASA’s Planetary Science Division (Application deadline April 28, 2023)
NOIRLab Call for Proposals for Semester 2023B, including NN-EXPLORE Proposals Invited for the WIYN 3.5m, the CTIO 1.5m with CHIRON, and MINERVA-Australis (Deadline March 31, 2023)
Call for Proposals for the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (Deadline April 3, 2023)

1. ExoPAG 28 Meeting Will Take Place At 55th DPS Meeting in San Antonio in October 2023

The ExoPAG Executive Committee has decided to schedule the next ExoPAG meeting (ExoPAG 28) at the 55th Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) Meeting.

The 55th DPS Meeting will take place October 1-6, 2023 at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio.

The exact date and venue for ExoPAG 28 is still TBD, but will likely take place immediately before, during, or shortly after the DPS Meeting. As usual, the ExoPAG meeting will be hybrid.

2. ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series (Anjali Piette & Pa Chia Thao; March 17, 2023; 2-3pm ET, 11am-12pm PT)

"Hi all-

The ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series presents talks by cohort members Anjali Piette (Carnegie EPL) & Pa Chia Thao (U of North Carolina Chapel Hill) on March 17, 2023, from 11 AM - 12 PM Pacific / 2 PM - 3 PM Eastern.

Speaker: Anjali Piette (Carnegie EPL)
Title: The Observability of Low-Density Lava World Atmospheres: A Window into Super-Earth Interior Compositions

Speaker: Pa Chia Thao (U of North Carolina Chapel Hill)
Title: Hazy with a Chance of Star Spots: Constraining the Atmosphere of the Young Planet, K2-33b

Meeting link: https://jpl.webex.com/jpl/j.php?MTID=mfef6ccd479c846a38d9db0920ec38a5c
Meeting number: 2763 643 6746
Password: 4EWa6DPPv37

For more information about the ExoExplorers program, please visit our website here:
https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exoexplorers/exoexplorers-welcome/

And future talks here:
https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exoexplorers/exoexplorers-events/

Please share this talk announcement at your local institution!

This the way,
Rob Zellem, on behalf of the ExoExplorer Organizing Committee"

3. 2023 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Hybrid Workshop (July 24-28, 2023; Travel Support Applications and Letters due March 23, 2023)

2023 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Hybrid Workshop
Characterizing Exoplanet Atmospheres: The Next Twenty Years
July 24-28, 2023
Hosted by The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA

*** Important Note: Deadline for Travel Support Applications is coming up soon (March 23, 2023) and in-person slots for the Sagan Workshop are filling fast ***

From NExScI:

"We are pleased to announce that in-person and online registration to attend the 2023 Sagan Summer Workshop is now available! The workshop will take place online and on the Caltech campus in Pasadena, CA from July 24-28, 2023. There is no registration fee for the workshop.

The 2023 Sagan Workshop will be followed by an optional half-day workshop on EXCALIBUR, a new tool for comparative planetology. You can indicate your interest in the EXCALIBUR workshop as part of the registration process.

In-person attendees can apply for limited financial assistance to cover local costs. Each application must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation. Travel support applications and letters are due by March 23 and awards will be announced by April 14.

The registration, financial support application, and recommendation letter submission site are all available on the main workshop website."

Sagan Workshop (July 24-28, 2023):
website: https://nexsci.caltech.edu/workshop/2023/
registration: https://nexsci.caltech.edu/workshop/2023/index.shtml#reg

EXoplanet CALIbration and Bayesian Unified Retrieval (EXCALIBUR) workshop
Saturday morning, July 29, 2023 on the Caltech campus
https://nexsci.caltech.edu/workshop/2023/excalibur.shtml

Questions? Sagan_Workshop@ipac.caltech.edu

4. Program Scientist Positions in NASA’s Planetary Science Division (Application deadline April 28, 2023)

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate has an immediate need for one or more scientists with expertise in planetary science to serve as Program Scientists in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. NASA Program Scientists tackle a wide variety of challenges including: developing, operating, and maintaining Research & Analysis grants programs, serving as the Headquarters scientific lead for one or more Planetary Science missions, and helping implement and communicate the Planetary Science Division’s strategic goals. Program scientists can have substantial influence on strategic planning and can help shape the long-term scientific direction of missions and programs that they oversee.

Positions are available from June 2023, though the start date is flexible. For IPA/Detail positions, applicants should email a curriculum vitae and cover letter as a single PDF file by April 28, 2023 to Stephen.A.Rinehart@nasa.gov.

For more information see https://science.nasa.gov/about-us/job-opportunities.

5. NOIRLab Call for Proposals for Semester 2023B, including NN-EXPLORE Proposals Invited for the WIYN 3.5m, the CTIO 1.5m with CHIRON, and MINERVA-Australis (Deadline March 31, 2023)

NOIRLab Proposal Call:
https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/proposals/call-for-proposals/

NN-EXPLORE Proposals Invited for the WIYN 3.5m, the CTIO 1.5m with CHIRON, and MINERVA-Australis in 2023B:
https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/proposals/nn-explore/

"Dear Colleague:
This is a reminder that the NSF’s NOIRLab has issued a Call for Proposals (CfP) for Semester 2023B, with proposals due by 31 MARCH 2023 at 11:59pm Mountain Standard Time (MST). The 2023B CfP can be found at https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/proposals/call-for-proposals/

Please read the CfP23B carefully, as some observatories or facilities continue to have their observing protocols and procedures impacted by COVID-19. Also, the impact on road access to the Kitt Peak summit caused by the Contreras wildfire may continue.

The Dual Anonymous Review Process (DARP) for all observing proposals submitted to NOIRLab (including proposals submitted for time on the Gemini telescopes and Survey proposals) continues in Semester 2023B. This process requires that the abstract, science justification, and experimental and technical design sections in all observing proposals (as well as Data Management and Data Release sections in Surveys) must be anonymized. In the second stage of the process, additional non-anonymized information relevant to the proposal will be revealed to the review panel in order to obtain a final ranking.

Detailed anonymization instructions for PIs can be found at https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/proposals/anonymization-instructions , while a document of FAQ can also be found at https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/proposals/faq.pdf .

Time requests for 2023B may be made for Gemini North and South, as well as Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (including SOAR and SMARTS), and Kitt Peak National Observatory on the WIYN 3.5m. Time is also available on the automated global telescope network of Las Cumbres Observatory (LCOGT), as well as the CHARA interferometer, the Keck I and Keck II telescopes, and the Magellan I (Baade) and Magellan II (Clay) telescopes. Nights are also available on the Subaru telescope through a time-exchange agreement with Gemini.

We point out a few highlights:

5 nights in total are available on the Magellan I & II (Baade and Clay) telescopes in 2023B
the NN-EXPLORE program, which offers time on the WIYN 3.5m telescope (approximately 35 nights), the CTIO/SMARTS 1.5m telescope with the CHIRON precision radial-velocity spectrometer (300 hours), as well as 300 hours on the precision radial-velocity spectrometer at the MINERVA-Australis exoplanet observatory, operated by the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), in Queensland, Australia.

NN-EXPLORE Proposals: https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/proposals/nn-explore/

nights continue to be available on the Keck telescopes, with 2 nights on Keck I and 3 nights on Keck II.
CHARA has 45 nights available in Semester 2023B.
AEON time is available on SOAR, Gemini, and LCO.

Questions about the proposal form or the proposal process may be directed to proposal-help@noirlab.edu.

Gemini related questions may be sent to proposal-help@noirlab.edu or through the Gemini Helpdesk at: http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/helpdesk/submit-general-helpdesk-request "

Note: On February 27, NN-EXPLORE hosted an information session describing the instruments available within the program, as well as their performance. Presentations from that informational session are available at: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/NNExplore/nn-explore-2023B-info/

6. Call for Proposals for the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (Deadline April 3, 2023)

2023B NASA IRTF Call for Proposals

The call for NASA Infrared Telescope Facility semester 2023B observing proposals has been released. Proposal Deadline for Semester 2023B (August 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024) is Monday, April 3, 2023, 5PM Hawaii Standard Time. Available instruments are listed at:http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/instruments/. Remote observing is offered from any location with broadband Internet access for any project that utilizes IRTF facility instruments. See http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/observing/computer/ for information about IRTF Computer and Remote Observing Information. Please see the announcement for available instruments and for further information. Please review the information and use our Online Application Form at: http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/observing/applicationForms.php.

Released: March 1, 2023
Proposal Due: April 3, 2023
Other Documents: IRTF Home Page http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/
Questions may be directed to Miranda Hawarden-Ogata (hawarden@hawaii.edu)

ExoPAG News and Announcements (March 6, 2023)

Towards Starlight Suppression for the Habitable Worlds Observatory Workshop (August 8-10, 2023; Pasadena, hybrid)
Spring APAC Meeting (March 29-30, 2023; Virtual)
NOIRLab Call for Proposals for Semester 2023B, including NN-EXPLORE Proposals Invited for the WIYN 3.5m, the CTIO 1.5m with CHIRON, and MINERVA-Australis (Deadline March 31, 2023)
Call for Proposals for the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (Deadline April 3, 2023)
PRIMA Science Community Workshop (March 21-22, 2023)

+ more

1. Towards Starlight Suppression for the Habitable Worlds Observatory Workshop (August 8-10, 2023; Pasadena, hybrid)

Towards Starlight Suppression for the Habitable Worlds Observatory
Hybrid workshop to be held on the Caltech campus in Pasadena, CA with remote attendance capability
August 8-10, 2023
Chairs: Brendan Crill (NASA ExEP) and Laura Coyle (Ball Aerospace)

Description:

NASA has begun planning for an ambitious program to develop the Habitable Worlds Observatory – the first in a panchromatic suite of observatories recommended by the Astro2020 Decadal Survey. The high-level science goals of the mission are to directly image ~25 potentially Earth-like planets and spectroscopically characterize them for signs of life, as well as perform exquisite general astrophysics. This observatory will leverage key technologies from NASA's last two flagships - the segmented primary mirror architecture of JWST and an internal coronagraph from the Roman Space Telescope. It is also intended to be serviceable, paving the way towards a multi-decade lifetime with new instruments to take advantage of future discoveries and technologies.

To achieve the ambitious goal of directly observing habitable planets with high-contrast imaging, the starlight suppression capability of the Habitable Worlds Observatory will have to achieve contrast performance exceeding all that have come before. This will require significant advances both in coronagraphy and telescope stability. To inform future architecture trades, and the engineers and scientists who will conduct them, we will need a comprehensive survey of key technologies and approaches for combining them in an ultra-stable architecture. These will include the technologies identified in the LUVOIR and HabEx reports, and the advancements since those reports were published, as well as new/emerging technologies.

To bring the community to a common foundation of knowledge in preparation for architecture trades, NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program is planning a hybrid workshop on August 8-10, 2023 at the Caltech campus in Pasadena, CA entitled:

Towards Starlight Suppression for the Habitable Worlds Observatory

The purpose of this workshop is to:

Discuss current best understanding of required starlight suppression performance levels
Present the best performances to-date of key technologies and approaches (lab demonstrations, modeling, hardware)
Discuss the suppression/stability trade space for the observatory and the coronagraph (note: this will not include performing trades, only mapping out the space).
Discuss remaining technical gaps and potential future efforts for maturation/risk reduction

This workshop will be open to all and will provide a valuable foundation for those interested in contributing to the Habitable Worlds Observatory, from students new to the field to experts with decades of experience. In keeping with NASA and the community’s commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA), those with diverse and/or under-represented backgrounds are especially encouraged to attend. To maintain accessibility of the material to a broad audience, no level of previous knowledge is expected beyond basic operations of an IR/O/UV telescope.

The organizing committee will be soliciting summary talks from experts in relevant areas and provide ample time for open debate and discussion. The purpose is to gain common understanding of the current state of potential technologies and where advancement is needed. At the completion of the workshop, attendees will be knowledgeable in the technical basis of coronagraph performance needs, current capabilities, and remaining gaps/risks as well as the overall coronagraph-observatory stability trade space.

Stay tuned for more information. In the meantime, please feel free to indicate interest and sign up to receive future announcements by contacting Jennifer Gregory at jgregory@jpl.nasa.gov.

Brendan Crill (NASA ExEP) and Laura Coyle (Ball Aerospace) on behalf of the Workshop organizing committees

Scientific Organizing Committee:
Nick Siegler (NASA ExEP), Michael McElwain (NASA GSFC), Laura Coyle (Ball Aerospace), Brendan Crill (NASA ExEP), Chris Stark (NASA GSFC), Garreth Ruane (JPL), Roser Juanola Parramon (NASA GSFC), John Ziemer (JPL), Laurent Pueyo (STScI), Dimitri Mawet (Caltech), Rus Belikov (NASA ARC), Lee Feinberg (NASA GSFC), Alison Nordt (Lockheed Martin)

Local Organizing Committee:
Jennifer Gregory (NASA ExEP), Nick Siegler (NASA ExEP), Brendan Crill (NASA ExEP), Dimitri Mawet (Caltech)

2. Spring APAC Meeting (March 29-30, 2023; Virtual)

The spring Astrophysics Advisory Committee (APAC) has been scheduled for March 29th and 30th, 2023.

The agenda is posted at: https://science.nasa.gov/science-pink/s3fs-public/atoms/files/APAC%20Agenda%20March%202023%20Draftv3.pdf

https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/nac/science-advisory-committees/apac

3. NOIRLab Call for Proposals for Semester 2023B, including NN-EXPLORE Proposals Invited for the WIYN 3.5m, the CTIO 1.5m with CHIRON, and MINERVA-Australis (Deadline March 31, 2023)

NOIRLab Proposal Call:
https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/proposals/call-for-proposals/

NN-EXPLORE Proposals Invited for the WIYN 3.5m, the CTIO 1.5m with CHIRON, and MINERVA-Australis in 2023B:
https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/proposals/nn-explore/

"Dear Colleague:

This is a reminder that the NSF’s NOIRLab has issued a Call for Proposals (CfP) for Semester 2023B, with proposals due by 31 MARCH 2023 at 11:59pm Mountain Standard Time (MST). The 2023B CfP can be found at: https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/proposals/call-for-proposals/

We point out a few highlights:

5 nights in total are available on the Magellan I & II (Baade and Clay) telescopes in 2023B
the NN-EXPLORE program, which offers time on the WIYN 3.5m telescope (approximately 35 nights), the CTIO/SMARTS 1.5m telescope with the CHIRON precision radial-velocity spectrometer (300 hours), as well as 300 hours on the precision radial-velocity spectrometer at the MINERVA-Australis exoplanet observatory, operated by the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), in Queensland, Australia.

NN-EXPLORE Proposals: https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/proposals/nn-explore/

nights continue to be available on the Keck telescopes, with 2 nights on Keck I and 3 nights on Keck II.
CHARA has 45 nights available in Semester 2023B.
AEON time is available on SOAR, Gemini, and LCO.

Questions about the proposal form or the proposal process may be directed to proposal-help@noirlab.edu.

Gemini related questions may be sent to proposal-help@noirlab.edu or through the Gemini Helpdesk at: http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/helpdesk/submit-general-helpdesk-request "

Note: On February 27, NN-EXPLORE hosted an information session describing the instruments available within the program, as well as their performance. Presentations from that informational session will be made available in the coming days at: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/NNExplore/nn-explore-2023B-info/

4. Call for Proposals for the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (Deadline April 3, 2023)

2023B NASA IRTF Call for Proposals

The call for NASA Infrared Telescope Facility semester 2023B observing proposals has been released. Proposal Deadline for Semester 2023B (August 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024) is Monday, April 3, 2023, 5PM Hawaii Standard Time. Available instruments are listed at:http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/instruments/. Remote observing is offered from any location with broadband Internet access for any project that utilizes IRTF facility instruments. See http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/observing/computer/ for information about IRTF Computer and Remote Observing Information. Please see the announcement for available instruments and for further information. Please review the information and use our Online Application Form at: http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/observing/applicationForms.php.

Released: March 1, 2023
Proposal Due: April 3, 2023
Other Documents: IRTF Home Page http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/
Questions may be directed to Miranda Hawarden-Ogata (hawarden@hawaii.edu)

5. PRIMA Science Community Workshop (March 21-22, 2023)

"Dear Colleagues:

We are pleased to announce the Second PRIMA Community Workshop on Tuesday-Wednesday, March 21-22, 2023. It will be held virtually, 11am-3pm Eastern Time, 16-20h CET, both days.

PRIMA is a concept for a space telescope mission in the far infrared (25-260 µm), to be submitted later this year to the NASA Announcement of Opportunity for an Astrophysics Probe Explorer (APEX) mission. In overall observing time allocation, PRIMA will be primarily a General Observer mission, and we welcome all astronomers interested in science enabled by far-infrared observations to participate.

We invite you to join us! You will have an opportunity to present your science case by showing a couple of slides in a breakout session. Following the workshop, we invite you to expand it into a brief (2-3 pages) contribution with a due date in June. Your contribution, and others from the community, will be assembled into a PRIMA Science Book to be published on astro-ph arXiv in the fall, with authorship credit for each science case. The goal is to highlight the rich diversity of research topics that the PRIMA GO Program will enable.

Detailed information and a link for registration are available on the Workshop page on the PRIMA website. Be sure to register to receive the Zoom connection information and further details. If you can’t attend the Workshop but would like to contribute to the Science Book, please register anyway to receive these details.

For the PRIMA Development Team and Science Team,
Steve Unwin

Dr. Stephen C. Unwin
Principal Scientist, Project Systems Engineering and Formulation Section 312
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mail Stop 301-170S, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109
stephen.c.unwin at jpl.nasa.gov Work 818-354-5066 Cell 818-667-2972"

ExoPAG News and Announcements (February 25, 2023)

NN-EXPLORE 2023B Informational Session (*MONDAY* February 27, 2023; 5-6pm EST / 2-3pm PST)
NASA ExEP Mission Star List for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (2023) and Community Webinar (*WEDNESDAY* March 1, 2023; 2-3pm EST / 11am-12pm PST)
2023B NASA Keck Call for Proposals (deadline March 16, 2023)

+ more

1. NN-EXPLORE Informational Session for 2023B Observing Proposals (February 27, 2023; 5-6pm EST / 2-3pm PST)

From NN-EXPLORE Manager David Ardila:

"NN-EXPLORE Informational Session:

In preparation for the upcoming NOIRLab request for 2023B observing proposals, the NASA-NSF Exoplanet Observational Research (NN-EXPLORE - https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/NNExplore/) program will host a remote informational session on observing opportunities available to the US community. This session will be useful to observational astronomers interested in exoplanet research and associated with US institutions.

NN-EXPLORE opportunities include access to the NEID high resolution spectrometer at the WIYN telescope in Kitt Peak, High Resolution Speckle imaging at WIYN, Gemini-North and Gemini-South, and access to radial velocity facilities in the Southern Hemisphere (SMARTS-1.5m/CHIRON and MINERVA-Australis).

The session will describe the resources available to users preparing proposals, the performance of the instruments, and types of observations that benefit most of these instruments.

The session will take place Monday, February 27th, 2023, 2-3 pm (PST) at https://jpl.webex.com/meet/ardila. If you have any questions, please contact the NN-EXPLORE manager: David R. Ardila (david.r.ardila@jpl.nasa.gov)."

Agenda:

The NN-EXPLORE Program	David Ardila (JPL) / 10 min
High Resolution Imaging	Steve Howell (Ames Research Center) / 10 min
The NEID spectrometer	Sarah Logsdon (NOIRLab) / 10 min
The SMARTS/CHIRON spectrometer	Todd Henry (RECONS) / 10 min
The MINERVA-Australis spectrometer	Rob Wittenmyer (USQ Australia) / 10 min
Additional Discussion	All / 10 min

For more information see: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/NNExplore/nn-explore-2023B-info/

2. NASA ExEP Mission Star List for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (2023) and Community Webinar (March 1, 2023; 2-3pm EST / 11am-12pm PST)

The document "NASA ExEP Mission Star List for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (2023)" is now posted at: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/internal_resources/2645_NASA_ExEP_Target_List_HWO_Documentation_2023.pdf

The accompanying Excel table of the stars and stellar parameters is posted at: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/internal_resources/2646_NASA_ExEP_Target_List_HWO_Table.xlsx

A community webinar discussing the NASA ExEP Mission Star List for the Habitable Worlds Observatory will be held Wednesday, March 1, 2023 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm EST / 11:00am to 12:00pm PST via webex: https://jpl.webex.com/meet/mamajek

For further information, contact Eric Mamajek (mamajek@jpl.nasa.gov) or Karl Stapelfeldt (karl.r.stapelfeldt@jpl.nasa.gov).

3. 2023B NASA Keck Call for Proposals (deadline March 16, 2023)

2023B Call for Proposals for NASA-Allocated Observing Time on the Keck Telescopes
Proposals are due Thursday, March 16, 2023 by 4pm PDT)

Call for proposals:
https://nexsci.caltech.edu/missions/KeckSolicitation/gen-info.shtml

The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute is soliciting proposals to use NASA's portion of time on the Keck Telescopes for the 2023B observing semester (August 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024). Proposals are due by Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 4 pm Pacific.

NASA intends the use of the Keck telescopes to be highly strategic in support of on-going space missions and/or high priority, long-term science goals. Proposals are sought to support science goals and missions in all of the following discipline areas:

Our Own Solar System
Exoplanet Exploration
Physics of the Cosmos
Cosmic Origins
Mission Support Proposals in any of these areas are also encouraged

Please read the Call for Proposals for complete information, semester highlights, and application guidelines. Important information on instrument availability can be found at https://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/observing/instavail.html.

The opportunity to propose as a Principal Investigator for NASA time on the Keck Telescopes is open to all U.S.-based astronomers (i.e. who have their principal affiliation at a U.S. institution). Investigators from institutions outside of the U.S. may participate as Co-Investigators.

Questions: KeckCFP@ipac.caltech.edu

Note: Keck Planet Finder (KPF) will be available for regular use throughout the 2023B semester. We anticipate quarter night requests for KPF observations throughout the semester and encourage all other Keck I PIs to consider proposing for 0.75 time allocations if this is feasible for their target visibility.
https://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/realpublic/inst/kpf/

Note: Daylight Saving Time Starts for Pacific Time Zone March 12, 2023 (PST -> PDT).
Proposal deadline is 4pm PDT March 16, 2023. PDT is UTC-7h.

ExoPAG News and Announcements (February 15, 2023)

Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) (NOTE: Deadline Extended to February 17, 2023)
2023B NASA Keck Call for Proposals (deadline March 16, 2023)
ExoExplorer Science Series: Armaan Goyal (Indiana U) & Alison Duck (Ohio State) (February 17, 2023; 2pm EST/11am PST)
AAS241 Splinter Session on Starlight Suppression Technologies for the Habitable Worlds Observatory Slides and Session Recording Posted
Release of Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES)-2023
2nd Annual Penn State SETI Symposium (June 19-22, 2023; Penn State University Park; Deadline for breakout session proposals and talk abstracts: March 31, 2023; Poster abstract deadlne June 4, 2023)
AbGradCon2023 (May 22-25, 2023; La Jolla CA; Application deadline March 15, 2023)
Use of Light Coherence for High-Contrast Exoplanet Imaging with Ground-Based Telescopes (June 21-23, 2023; Meudon, France; Registration deadline April 1, 2023)

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1) Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) (NOTE: Deadline Extended to February 17, 2023)

"To: Astrophysics and Planetary Science Community
From: Astrophysics Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
Date: November 10, 2022
Subject: Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG)

Dear Colleagues:

The Astrophysics Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate is pleased to issue this open call for nominations to serve on the Executive Committee (EC) of NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG). In the coming months, NASA anticipates making four new appointments to the ExoPAG EC, replacing four current members of the committee who have reached the end of their appointments. New appointments will start in the Spring of 2023 and will be for a period of three years.

The ExoPAG is an open, interdisciplinary forum that provides a conduit for community input into NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP, http://exoplanets.nasa.gov), and for conducting analyses in support of ExEP science objectives and their implications for planning and prioritization of Program activities. The ExoPAG is led by a Chairperson drawn from the membership of the Astrophysics Advisory Committee (APAC), and a volunteer Executive Committee, whose membership is chosen to reflect the broad range of scientific disciplines and interests represented in the field of exoplanet exploration. Together, the ExoPAG Chair and Executive Committee are responsible for capturing and organizing community input, overseeing ExoPAG analyses, reporting ExoPAG findings and inputs to the Astrophysics Division Director, and keeping the scientific community apprised of ongoing activities and opportunities within NASA’s ExEP. Detailed information about the structure and function of the ExoPAG, including the current and past membership of the EC, can be found at http://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exopag.

Nominations for the ExoPAG EC should be submitted via email to the address: hannah.jang-condell@nasa.gov). Nominations must include both a cover letter and a one-page CV summarizing the nominee’s relevant background. The cover letter should provide a description of the nominee’s area of expertise, qualifications for service, and anticipated contributions to the ExoPAG Executive Committee. Nominations will only be accepted for scientists who reside at a U.S. institution for the period of the service. There are no citizenship restrictions. Nominations from individuals at academic institutions—university, college, or non-NASA research laboratory—are strongly encouraged. Self-nominations are welcome. The deadline for nominations is February 17, 2023 [NEW DATE], with announcement of selections anticipated in April 2023. Selections will be announced by the ExoPAG mailing list (http://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/announcementList).

We look forward to working with all of our stakeholders to develop a robust and compelling Exoplanet Exploration Program.

Sincerely,

Dr. Hannah Jang-Condell, NASA Headquarters

Deputy Exoplanet Exploration Program Scientist, ExoPAG Executive Secretary"

2) 2023B NASA Keck Call for Proposals (deadline March 16, 2023)

2023B Call for Proposals for NASA-Allocated Observing Time on the Keck Telescopes
Proposals are due Thursday, March 16, 2023 by 4pm PDT

Call for proposals:

https://nexsci.caltech.edu/missions/KeckSolicitation/gen-info.shtml

Our Own Solar System
Exoplanet Exploration
Physics of the Cosmos
Cosmic Origins
Mission Support Proposals in any of these areas are also encouraged

Questions: KeckCFP@ipac.caltech.edu

https://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/realpublic/inst/kpf/

3) ExoExplorer Science Series: Armaan Goyal (Indiana U) & Alison Duck (Ohio State) (February 17, 2023; 2pm EST/11am PST)

"Hi all-

The ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series presents talks by cohort members Armaan Goyal (Indiana U) & Alison Duck (Ohio State) on February 17, 2023, from 11 AM - 12 PM Pacific / 2 PM - 3 PM Eastern.

Speaker: Armaan Goyal (Indiana U)
Title: The Interplay of Mean Motion Resonance and Peas-in-a-Pod Architectures

Abstract: Planets orbiting the same star tend to display a striking degree of uniformity in their size, mass, and orbital spacing, exhibiting a “peas-in-a-pod” phenomenon that serves to place invaluable constraints on the formation of multiple-planet systems. In this talk, I shall discuss a pair of statistical analyses that probe the relationship between mean motion resonance (MMR) and the emergence of these peas-in-a-pod architectures. Recent demonstrations of planetary mass uniformity have largely been limited to systems that exhibit strong transit-timing variations (TTVs), and are thus near MMR. Accordingly, I shall present in the first half of this talk a novel demonstration of mass uniformity for a sample of planetary systems entirely devoid of TTVs, suggesting that peas-in-a-pod architectures indeed persist for non-resonant systems as well. While this result may seem to imply that the emergence of peas-in-a-pod architectures occurs agnostically with regard to resonance, the question still remains if the degree of the associated planetary uniformity differs between near-resonant and non-resonant configurations. I shall thus present in the second half of this talk a direct comparison of size uniformity between the two modes, finding that near-resonant planetary configurations display enhanced size uniformity compared to their non-resonant counterparts, both across entire systems and within the same planetary system. These results are broadly consistent with a variety of formation paradigms for multiple-planet systems, though further investigation is necessary to ascertain whether the respective evolutionary channels for non-resonant and near-resonant configurations comprise a singular process or are themselves wholly distinct.

Speaker: Alison Duck (Ohio State)
Title: Reanalyzing KELT-15b: An Exploration of Systematic Errors in Transiting Planets and Their Host Stars

Abstract: Transiting planet systems offer the best opportunity to measure the masses and radii of a large sample of planets and their host stars. However, relative photometry and radial velocity measurements alone only constrain the density of the host star. Thus, there is a one-parameter degeneracy in the mass and radius of the host star, and by extension the planet. Several theoretical, semi-empirical, and nearly empirical methods have been used to break this degeneracy and independently measure the mass and radius of the host star and planets(s). We focus our analysis on modelling KELT-15b, a fairly typical hot Jupiter, using each of these methods implemented in EXOFASTv2. As we approach an era of few percent precisions on some of these properties, it is critical to assess whether these different methods are providing accuracies that are of the same order, or better than, the stated statistical precisions. We investigate the differences in the planet parameter estimates inferred when using the Torres empirical relations, YY isochrones, MIST isochrones, and a nearly-direct empirical measurement of the radius of the host star using its spectral energy distribution, effective temperature, and Gaia parallax.
Meeting link: https://jpl.webex.com/jpl/j.php?MTID=mfef6ccd479c846a38d9db0920ec38a5c
Meeting number: 2763 643 6746
Password: 4EWa6DPPv37

For more information about the ExoExplorers program, please visit our website here:

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exoexplorers/exoexplorers-welcome/

And future talks here:

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exoexplorers/exoexplorers-events/

Please share this talk announcement at your local institution!

This the way,

Rob Zellem, on behalf of the ExoExplorer Organizing Committee"

4) AAS241 Splinter Session on Starlight Suppression Technologies for the Habitable Worlds Observatory Slides and Session Recording Posted

From Brendan Crill:

"At the Janaury 2023 AAS in Seattle, a splinter session chaired by Rus Belikov (NASA/ARC) and Brendan Crill (ExEP) discussed the current status and future potential of different coronagraph technologies (including wavefront control), starshade technologies, and architectures for the Astro2020-recommended Habitable Worlds Observatory Flagship.

If you missed the splinter session, or if you’d like to go back and review the slides or session recording, please see https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/411/starlight-suppression-technologies-for-the-habitable-worlds-observatory-flagship/ “

5) Release of Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES)-2023

NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) announces the release of its annual omnibus solicitation for basic and applied research, Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES) 2023 as NNH23ZDA001N on or about February 14, 2023, at http://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2023

ROSES is an omnibus solicitation, with many individual program elements, each with its own due dates and topics. Table 2 and Table 3 of this NRA, which will be posted at https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2023table2 and https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2023table3, respectively, provide proposal due dates and hypertext links to descriptions of the solicited program elements in the Appendices of this NRA. Together, these program elements cover the wide range of basic and applied supporting research and technology in space and Earth sciences supported by SMD.

The ROSES NRA is written to allow program elements to issue grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers, depending on the nature of the work proposed, the proposing organization, and/or program requirements. However, all extramural awards deriving from ROSES will be federal assistance awards, and most program elements of ROSES specify grants. Unless specifically permitted by a particular program element, ROSES will not result in contracts because it would not be appropriate for the nature of the work solicited. Except for China (see Section III.c of the ROSES Summary of Solicitation), organizations of every type, domestic and foreign, Government and private, for profit and not-for-profit, may submit proposals without restriction on teaming arrangements. Note that it is NASA policy that all research involving non-U.S. organizations will be conducted on the basis of no exchange of funds.

Awards range from under $100K per year for focused, limited efforts (e.g., data analysis) to more than $1M per year for extensive activities (e.g., development of hardware for science experiments and/or flight). Periods of performance are typically three years, but some programs may allow up to five years and others specify shorter periods.

The funds available and the anticipated number of awards are given in each program element and range from less than one to several million dollars, which allows for selection from a few to as many as several dozen proposals.

Electronic submission of proposals is required by the respective due dates for each program element and must be submitted by an authorized official of the proposing organization. Electronic proposals may be submitted via the NASA proposal data system NSPIRES or via Grants.gov.

Every organization that intends to submit a proposal in response to ROSES-2023 must be registered with NSPIRES; organizations that intend to submit proposals via Grants.gov must be registered with Grants.gov, in addition to being registered with NSPIRES. Such registration must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) (AOR) who will submit the electronic proposal. All proposal team members must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of the submission system, so we may perform automatic organizational conflict of interest checking of reviewers. Potential proposers and proposing organizations are urged to access the system(s) well in advance of the proposal due date(s) of interest to familiarize themselves with its structure and to enter the requested information.

Notices of intent to propose and Step-1 Proposals will be due starting in March 28, 2023, and Full (Step-2) Proposals will be due no earlier than May 16, 2023, see Table 2 and Table 3.

Potential proposers are strongly encouraged to read Section I(d) of the ROSES Summary of Solicitation that lists Significant Changes from Recent ROSES.

To learn of the addition of new program elements and all amendments to this NRA, proposers may:

Subscribe to the SMD mailing lists (by logging in at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ and checking the appropriate boxes under "Account Management" and "Email Subscriptions");
Get automatic updates of due dates using the ROSES-2023 due date Google calendar. Instructions will be available shortly after release at https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/library-and-useful-links (link from the words due date calendar); and
and checking the ROSES-2023 Blog at https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/roses-2023/

Frequently asked questions about ROSES-2023 will be posted at http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/faqs/ shortly after release.

Questions concerning the individual program elements in ROSES should be directed to the point(s) of contact in the Summary Table of Key Information at the end of the program element and at http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/program-officers-list/.

Subject matter experts are encouraged to sign up to be a volunteer reviewer at https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/volunteer-review-panels

Questions concerning general ROSES-2023 policies and procedures may be directed to Max Bernstein, Lead for Research, Science Mission Directorate, at sara@nasa.gov.

Note on F.3 Exoplanets Research Program (XRP):

Step-1 deadline: 3/28/2023
Step-2 deadline: 6/1/2023
https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId={28326AE2-8D23-44F8-1B19-560BC2867140}&path=&method=init

6) 2nd Annual Penn State SETI Symposium (June 19-22, 2023; Penn State University Park; Deadline for breakout session proposals and talk abstracts: March 31, 2023; Poster abstract deadlne June 4, 2023)

Penn State SETI Symposium
June 19 – 22, 2023 | Penn State University Park
Presented by the Penn State Extraterrestrial Intelligence Center
https://sites.psu.edu/setisymposium2023/

The second annual SETI Symposium, Presented by the Penn State Extraterrestrial Intelligence Center, will be hosted at the Penn Stater Hotel and Convention Center on June 19 – 23, 2023.

The breakout session proposal and talk/poster abstract submission form is now open here. Breakout session proposals and talk abstracts will be accepted through March 31. Poster abstracts will be accepted through June 4.

7) AbGradCon2023 (May 22-25, 2023; La Jolla CA; Application deadline March 15, 2023)

AbGradCon2023
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
May 22nd-25th, 2023, La Jolla CA
https://www.abgradcon.org/

The Astrobiology Graduate Conference is dedicated to early-career scientists who study the complex and diverse topics that the astrobiology field encompasses. The goal of AbGradCon, organized entirely by graduate students, is to promote the scientific research of young astrobiologists, while promoting collaboration, practical training, and camaraderie. This conference has been an integral part of the astrobiology community for nearly two decades by providing a setting for graduate students and postdocs where small group discussions, presentations, and social activities promote long-term professional relationships. In essence, AbGradCon seeks to create a more interdisciplinary and inclusive astrobiology community, foster collaboration, and provide practical training for young scientists. AbGradCon2023 will mark the 20th anniversary of this unparalleled conference that has continued to grow in interest and participation since its inception.

Applications open: February 10, 2023
Application deadline: March 15, 2023
Decision letters: April 1, 2023
Final release of program information and travel reminders: April 15, 2023
AbGradCon2023: May 22-25, 2023

8) Use of Light Coherence for High-Contrast Exoplanet Imaging with Ground-Based Telescopes (June 21-23, 2023; Meudon, France; Registration deadline April 1, 2023)

"Dear colleagues,

This is the second announcement for the workshop “Use of light coherence for high-contrast exoplanet imaging with ground-based telescopes” from 21-23 June 2023 at the Paris Observatory in Meudon, France

Registration deadline: April 1st, 2023
Abstract submission deadline: March 1st, 2023 (preference given to early career scientists)
Fees : none

If you pre-registered, please confirm your participation by modifying your registration by April 1st 2023.

Website : https://exoplanet-cdi.sciencesconf.org/

Contact : exoplanet-cdi@sciencesconf.org

WORKSHOP RATIONALE:

Coherent Differential Imaging (CDI; disentangling starlight and other light by making use of the difference in coherence for exoplanetary system science) has now expanded in interest across many research groups over the world, but has yet to be regularly implemented in instrument operations. The CDI community is therefore at a point where a broader workshop is needed to discuss how the community should proceed with such integration, and also to expand the reach of CDI to the broader exoplanet imaging community.

In this workshop, by gathering a large range of CDI experts and students, we aim to address topics such as:

What are the current CDI techniques and what are their limitations?
Why and when should we use CDI in the current context of other differential imaging techniques (ADI/RDI/SDI/etc)?
How to combine CDI with ADI, SDI, and/or RDI?
What are the needs to use CDI on current instruments? Are the needs similar for all different CDI methods?
What should we do to enable CDI on the next generation of telescopes and instruments?

This three day workshop will be largely discussion based: https://exoplanet-cdi.sciencesconf.org/program

One half a day will be devoted to invited talks reviewing the following CDI methods:

Temporal Modulation: Axel Potier, JPL
Spatial modulation: William Thompson, U. Victoria
AO Telemetry: Barnaby Norris, U. Sydney
Temporal analysis: Sarah Steiger, U. Santa Barbara

Another half a day will be devoted to short oral presentations from students and young researchers.

The other two days will be devoted to discussions and hands-on/breakout group activities.

We welcome participation from students to whom lodging support will be provided.

On behalf of the organizing committee,
Raphael Galicher (raphael.galicher@obspm.fr)
Pierre Baudoz (Pierre.Baudoz@obspm.fr)
Sebastiaan Haffert (shaffert@arizona.edu)
Benjamin Gerard (gerard3@llnl.gov)"

ExoPAG News and Announcements (February 9, 2023)

Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) (NOTE: Deadline Extended to February 17, 2023)
NASA ExEP Mission Star List for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (2023) and Community Webinar (March 1, 2023)
TESS General Investigator Cycle 6 Proposals (Due April 14, 2023)
PI Launchpad: Developing Your First Flight Mission Proposal (Applications due April 14, 2023; Workshop Dates July 24-27, 2023; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor)
First UVEX Community Workshop: Synergies and New Opportunities (March 13-15, 2023; Caltech, Pasadena, CA)
Sun-as-a-Star Workshop: Exploring Solar Variability with Disk-Integrated Spectra (March 13-17, 2023; Flatiron Institute, New York City)
2023 Gordon Research Conference on Origins of Solar Systems: Chemical and Dynamical Constraints on Planet Formation (June 10-16, 2023; Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA)
Emerging Researchers in Exoplanet Science Symposium 2023 (June 19-20, 2023; Yale University, New Haven, CT)
2023 Exoplanet Summer Program at the Other Worlds Laboratory (July 10-28, 2023; UC Santa Cruz)

+ more

1) Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) (NOTE: Deadline Extended to February 17, 2023)

"To: Astrophysics and Planetary Science Community

From: Astrophysics Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters

Date: November 10, 2022

Subject: Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG)

Dear Colleagues:

Nominations for the ExoPAG EC should be submitted via email to the address: hannah.jang-condell@nasa.gov. Nominations must include both a cover letter and a one-page CV summarizing the nominee’s relevant background. The cover letter should provide a description of the nominee’s area of expertise, qualifications for service, and anticipated contributions to the ExoPAG Executive Committee. Nominations will only be accepted for scientists who reside at a U.S. institution for the period of the service. There are no citizenship restrictions. Nominations from individuals at academic institutions—university, college, or non-NASA research laboratory—are strongly encouraged. Self-nominations are welcome. The deadline for nominations is February 17, 2023 [NOTE: NEW DATE], with announcement of selections anticipated in April 2023. Selections will be announced by the ExoPAG mailing list (http://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/announcementList).

We look forward to working with all of our stakeholders to develop a robust and compelling Exoplanet Exploration Program.

Sincerely,

Dr. Hannah Jang-Condell, NASA Headquarters

Deputy Exoplanet Exploration Program Scientist, ExoPAG Executive Secretary"

2) NASA ExEP Mission Star List for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (2023) and Community Webinar (March 1, 2023)

Abstract:

The Astro 2020 Decadal Survey “Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s” has recommended that “after a successful mission and technology maturation program, NASA should embark on a program to realize a mission to search for biosignatures from a robust number of about ~25 habitable zone planets and to be a transformative facility for general astrophysics,” and prescribing that the high-contrast direct imaging mission would have “a target off-axis inscribed diameter of approximately 6 meters.” The Decadal Survey assumed an exo-Earth frequency of ~25%, requiring that approximately 100 cumulative habitable zones of nearby stars should be surveyed. Surveying the nearby bright stars, and taking into account inputs from the LUVOIR and HabEx mission studies (but without being overly prescriptive in the required starlight suppression technology orrequirements), we compile a list of ~160 stars whose exo-Earths would be the most accessible for a systematic imaging survey of habitable zones with a 6-m-class space telescope in terms of angular separation, planet brightness in reflected light, and planet-star brightness ratio. We compile this star list to motivate observations and analysis to help inform observatory design (mission-enabling “precursor science”) and enhance the science return of the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) survey for exo-Earths (mission-enhancing “preparatory science”). It is anticipated that this list of target stars and their properties will be updated periodically by theNASA Exoplanet Exploration Program.

The accompanying Excel table of the stars and stellar parameters is posted at: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/internal_resources/2646_NASA_ExEP_Target_List_HWO_Table.xlsx

A community webinar discussing the NASA ExEP Mission Star List for the Habitable Worlds Observatory will be held Wednesday, March 1, 2023 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm Eastern / 11:00am to 12:00pm Pacific. https://jpl.webex.com/meet/mamajek

For further information, contact Eric Mamajek (mamajek@jpl.nasa.gov) or Karl Stapelfeldt (karl.r.stapelfeldt@jpl.nasa.gov).

3) TESS General Investigator Cycle 6 Proposals (Due April 14, 2023)

The TESS General Investigator (GI) program is intended to enable the community to participate in science investigations using TESS. The program enables teams to propose the collection of new 2-minute and 20-second cadence targets and provides funding to selected US investigators to analyze 2-minute and 20-second cadence and full-frame image (FFI) data, which now has a cadence of 200 seconds.

The next opportunity is TESS Cycle 6, which begins observations in September 2023 and ends in October 2024, covering observing sectors 70 - 83. TESS Cycle 6 proposals are solicited for targets in the Northern Ecliptic Hemisphere and in fields along the ecliptic plane.

Proposals for observations in TESS Cycle 6 are due on April 14th 2023 by 4:30pm ET. These proposals contain science justifications and target lists but do not require a detailed budget.

For more information see: https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/tess/proposing-investigations.html

4) PI Launchpad: Developing Your First Flight Mission Proposal (Applications due April 14, 2023; Workshop Dates July 24-27, 2023; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor)

The PI Launchpad: From Science Idea to NASA Mission

Important Dates:

Pre-application Information Session: February 24, 2023
Applications due on NSPIRES: April 14, 2023
Applicants notified of status: May 30, 2023 (target)
Workshop dates: July 24-27, 2023

Workshop Description:

Are you thinking about developing your first flight mission proposal in the next few years but have no idea where to start? If you are a researcher in any NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) discipline who wants to take your career to the next level but have not yet held a leadership position on mission proposals or large science teams, this is the workshop for you.

The University of Michigan, in collaboration with the University of Arizona, Ames Research Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC and the Heising-Simons Foundation, will host the PI Launchpad to guide participants through ways to turn their science question into a mission concept. Participants will go step-by-step through the process of developing a science case, defining requirements, building a team, securing partnerships, and obtaining support from the home institution. Participants will also have time for networking and personal reflection as they mature their mission concepts.

We are interested in broadening the pool of potential NASA space mission PIs. People with potentially intersecting marginalized identities are strongly encouraged to apply. There is no cost to attend the workshop. We will select between 35-40 participants from the pool of applicants.

Please visit https://go.nasa.gov/ApplyPILP23 to apply and watch https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/pi-launchpad for new announcements.

Please email questions to hq-smd-piworkshop@mail.nasa.gov

5) First UVEX Community Workshop: Synergies and New Opportunities (March 13-15, 2023; Caltech)

The Ultraviolet Explorer (UVEX) is one of two missions select by NASA to conduct a mission concept study. UVEX is a wide-field FUV and NUV imager with a powerful broadband UV spectroscopic capability. Caltech is hosting the “First UVEX Community Workshop: Synergies and New Opportunities” in Pasadena, CA on March 13-15, 2023. The goal of the workshop is to offer the community a detailed introduction to the UVEX proposed capabilities, as well as the science opportunities with the data archive. Session topics will include: gravitational wave astronomy; UVEX science in the Galactic plane; UV emission from galaxies, especially low mass low metallicity galaxies; UV observations of exoplanet atmospheres; time domain astronomy; and synergies with other facilities. For more information on registration and the conference agenda go to: https://uvex2023.caltech.edu.

6) Sun-as-a-Star Workshop: Exploring Solar Variability with Disk-Integrated Spectra (March 13-17, 2023; Flatiron Institute/New York City)

Sun-as-a-Star Workshop:
Exploring Solar Variability with Disk-Integrated Spectra
March 13-17, 2023 / Flatiron Institute / New York City
https://sunasastar.flatironinstitute.org/

In recent years, disk-integrated high-resolution solar spectra with broad optical wavelength coverage have become available in large quantities from ground-based spectrographs such as NEID, EXPRES, HARPS-N, PEPSI, and others. These high-fidelity Sun-as-a-star spectra give us a detailed view of how thousands of spectral lines vary on timescales from minutes to years. The primary motivation for gathering these data sets is to understand how stellar variability in Sun-like stars impacts the detection of exoplanets. Along the way, however, we stand to learn more about the Sun itself.

This workshop aims to bring together experts in heliophysics, stellar astrophysics, and exoplanetary observations to explore the scientific uses of Sun-as-a-star spectra. What can we learn about the Sun’s physical processes from convection to magnetic surface features? What synergies exist with other Solar observations? What work has already been done with these spectra and how does it fit into the broader landscape of research questions in solar and stellar physics? How, in turn, can current heliophysics research inform future work in radial velocity exoplanet searches?

This interdisciplinary gathering will focus on identifying opportunities for new cross-field collaborations and cross-pollination of ideas. To this end, the event will include unstructured time for breakout sessions, hacking, and interactive tutorials, as well as traditional presentations.

For further information, see https://sunasastar.flatironinstitute.org/

7) 2023 Gordon Research Conference on Origins of Solar Systems: Chemical and Dynamical Constraints on Planet Formation (June 10-16, 2023; Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA)

We welcome you to attend the 2023 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on the Origins of Solar Systems and its associated Gordon Research Seminar, to be held June 10-16, 2023 at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, USA.

This meeting aims to advance the frontiers of planet-formation science by bringing together diverse research communities from cosmochemistry, planetary science, and astrophysics to address planet formation.

The meeting has two parts. The week starts with the Seminar aimed at early career students and researchers to present their work, discuss cutting edge ideas and data, as well as to build collaborative relationships with their peers. The main Conference provides time for everyone to engage with presentations of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizes time for discussion after each talk and for posters, and fosters informal interactions among scientists of all career stages.

More information and application/registration are on the conference and seminar websites:

Financial support for participants is available, thanks to support from GRC, NASA, and NAASC. Preference in funding will be given to early career researchers and those from undergraduate, minority-serving, and small institutions. Please first apply to attend the meeting (no payment is required to apply), and then, if needed, apply for funding with this online form (https://forms.gle/4kMmhw6j5gkT8xSs9) by March 5, 2023.

8) Emerging Researchers in Exoplanet Science Symposium 2023 (June 19-20, 2023; Yale University, New Haven)

We are pleased to announce the sixth Emerging Researchers in Exoplanet Science Symposium (ERES), to be held June 19-20, 2023.

https://exoemma.my.canva.site/eres2023

ERES is aimed at early career scientists (graduate student, postdoc, advanced undergraduate) working in all branches of exoplanetary science and related disciplines. Its purpose is to give these emerging researchers the opportunity to present their research to an interested audience, to provide opportunities to network with peers, and to enhance collaborations within the exoplanet community.

ERES has been held annually on a rotating basis between partner institutions since 2015. Current partners include Cornell, Penn State, Princeton, and Yale.

Registration will be open from February 1-February 28, 2023. You may apply to attend as a participant or presenter of a talk or poster.

Feel free to email eresorganizers@gmail.com with any questions.

9) 2023 Exoplanet Summer Program at the Other Worlds Laboratory (July 10-28, 2023; UC Santa Cruz)

"The Other Worlds Laboratory (OWL) at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) announces the fifth Exoplanet Summer Program (ESP), from July 10-28, 2023. Within the program we wish to foster new and existing research collaborations by outstanding visitors, with stays of 1 to 3 weeks.

https://owl.ucsc.edu/summer/

Program: The purpose of the program is to allow visitors to generate new ideas, nurture existing research projects and collaborations, and foster new ones. There is no theme or focus area -- in this fast-moving exoplanets field we want the participants to drive the discussion and work on areas they feel is most pressing and exciting. The ESP program is modest in terms of planned activities, besides a daily coffee and a seminar with active discussion. It is not a conference, and is mostly unstructured. It is a workshop to imagine and make progress on new ideas. Participants can expect access to shared offices on campus, discussion common areas, and of course immersion in Santa Cruz’s natural beauty.

Eligibility: Faculty, researchers, postdocs, and PhD students at any level are invited to apply. We expect to fully reimburse travel and Santa Cruz expenses for postdocs and graduate student participants. We are particularly interested in supporting researchers from backgrounds and from regions of the world that are underrepresented in exoplanetary sciences today.

Apply: Applications will be accepted from Feb 15 - March 10, via a google form (yet to be posted) at https://owl.ucsc.edu/summer/

Application will include a 2-page PDF that clearly covers the following areas:

The science that you would like to accomplish while in Santa Cruz, the proposed dates of your stay, and the science connections that you see with faculty, researchers, or students within the OWL.
Please also include a CV of up to 2 pages, for each applicant.
Graduate students should also arrange for a brief supporting letter from their PhD advisor.

The current roster of planetary investigators and research at UC Santa Cruz can be found at http://owl.ucsc.edu/. We particularly welcome joint applications by small groups wishing to work together on projects. All application materials should be e-mailed toowlsummer2023@gmail.com.

Information: UC Santa Cruz has a campus vaccination requirement for COVID-19. Currently, indoor masking is strongly recommended at UCSC. Organized group activities will either outside or will be in a large lecture hall, for ample social distancing. We will make future appropriate COVID-related safety decisions based on the state of pandemic in July 2023.

On-campus housing is available for OWL Summer visitors. Please contact OWL administrative assistant Jennifer Roszell-Kreisman by e-mail at owlsummer2023@gmail.com, with additional questions about the OWL program. Additional information will also be available once the google form is posted.

Best wishes,

Jonathan Fortney, OWL Director"

ExoPAG News and Announcements (February 1, 2023)

Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) (NOTE: Deadline Extended to February 17, 2023)
Presentations Posted Online for ExoPAG 27 and NASA Town Hall at AAS241
Brave New Worlds II: Understanding the Planets of Other Stars (Lake Como, Italy; June 12-16, 2023)
Upcoming Deadlines for Exoplanet Conferences & Workshops

+ more

1) Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) (NOTE: Deadline Extended to February 17, 2023)

Dear Colleagues:

Nominations for the ExoPAG EC should be submitted via email to the address: hannah.jang-condell@nasa.gov. Nominations must include both a cover letter and a one-page CV summarizing the nominee’s relevant background. The cover letter should provide a description of the nominee’s area of expertise, qualifications for service, and anticipated contributions to the ExoPAG Executive Committee. Nominations will only be accepted for scientists who reside at a U.S. institution for the period of the service. There are no citizenship restrictions. Nominations from individuals at academic institutions—university, college, or non-NASA research laboratory—are strongly encouraged. Self-nominations are welcome. The deadline for nominations is February 17, 2023 [NEW DATE], with announcement of selections anticipated in April 2023. Selections will be announced by the ExoPAG mailing list (http://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/announcementList).

We look forward to working with all of our stakeholders to develop a robust and compelling Exoplanet Exploration Program.

Sincerely,

Dr. Hannah Jang-Condell, NASA Headquarters

Deputy Exoplanet Exploration Program Scientist, ExoPAG Executive Secretary"

2) Presentations Posted Online for ExoPAG 27 and NASA Town Hall at AAS241

Presentations are posted online for:

ExoPAG 27 (January 7-8, 2023):
https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/388/exopag-27/
NASA Town Hall at 241st AAS Meeting (January 9, 2023) - Paul Hertz & Mark Clampin:
https://science.nasa.gov/science-red/s3fs-public/atoms/files/AAS_Jan2023_final_online.pdf

3) Brave New Worlds II: Understanding the Planets of Other Stars (Lake Como, Italy; June 12-16, 2023)

"Dear colleagues,

this year the Lake Como School of Advanced Studies will focus on exoplanetary science. The school is directed to MSc, PhD students and young postdocs who are interested in widening their knowledge in the field of exoplanets. Lecturers will report on theoretical, observational and experimental aspects of the research, reviewing the latest achievements in the field. The program includes:

Ahmed Al-Refaie (UCL) – Numerical models to interpret exoplanetary data
Beth Biller (University of Edinburgh) – Imaging extrasolar worlds
Masahiro Ikoma (NAOJ) – How do planets form and evolve?
Pierre Olivier Lagage (CEA) – Exoplanets with the James Webb Space Telescope
Malena Rice (MIT/Yale) – Orbital architectures of planetary systems
Giusi Micela (INAF – Osservatorio di Palermo) – The stellar environment
Jonathan Tennyson (UCL) – Molecular spectroscopy for exoplanets
Giovanna Tinetti (UCL) – Decoding the light of planets in our galaxy
Angelos Tsiaras (INAF – Osservatorio di Arcetri) – Analysis of exoplanetary data: a hands-on approach
Ingo Waldmann (UCL) – Artificial Intelligence and exoplanets

Participants can submit an abstract if they wish to present a poster or a short talk about their research. More information is available at:

https://gatr2023.lakecomoschool.org/

Student application deadline is March 20, 2023"

4) Upcoming Deadlines for Exoplanet Conferences & Workshops

First EMAC Workshop on Open-Access Exoplanet Modeling & Analysis Tools
Feb 7-9, 2023, virtual
https://emac.gsfc.nasa.gov/workshop/
Registration for this virtual workshop is open until the start of the workshop.
Accepting talk abstracts until Feb 1.
PLANET-ESLAB-2023 Understanding planets in the solar system and beyond
March 20-24, 2023, ESA-ESTEC, Netherlands
https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/planet-eslab-2023
Jan 26: Registration open
Mar 30: Poster abstract submission deadline
Mar 10: Poster submission deadline
Mar 16: Onsite and online registration close
The Fifth Workshop on Extremely Precise Radial Velocities (EPRV 5)
March 27-30, 2023, Santa Barbara, CA
https://conference.ipac.caltech.edu/eprv5/
Feb 16: Hotel reservation deadline for special rate
Feb 17: Early registration and poster abstract submission deadlines
Mar 10: Deadline for applying to host EPRV6
Protostars and Planets VII
April 10-15, 2023, Kyoto
http://ppvii.org/schedule/index.html
Application for poster presentation and payment of registration fee open since Nov 4.
Feb 15: End of early-bird payment and poster abstract
Apr 5: End of late payment
Oxygen in Planetary Biospheres
https://greenbankobservatory.org/science/meetings-and-workshops/oxygen-in-planetary-biospheres/
May 5-7, 2023, Green Bank, WV
Feb 1: Registration form to request to participate
STScI's Annual Spring Symposium: Planetary Systems and the Origins of Life in the Era of JWST
May 16-19, 2023, Baltimore, MD
https://www.stsci.edu/contents/events/stsci/2023/may/planetary-systems-and-the-origins-of-life-in-the-era-of-jwst
Feb 10: Abstract submission deadline for talks and posters
Mar 6: Registration opens
Apr 14: Registration closes
May 15: Introductory workshop for early career scientists
AAS242
https://aas.org/meetings/aas242
June 4-8, 2023, Albuquerque, NM
Feb 5: Proposal deadline for Town Hall, Workshop, Special Session, Meeting-in-a-meeting
Origins of Solar Systems Gordon Research Conference
https://www.grc.org/origins-of-solar-systems-conference/2023/
June 11-16, 2023, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA
May 14: application deadline (apply early as meetings often oversubscribed)
Second Annual SETI Symposium
https://sites.psu.edu/setisymposium2023/
June 19-22, 2023, Penn State University Park, PA
Registration expected to open Feburary 2023
ExoClimes VI (June 26-30, 2023) & ExoSLAM Summer School (June 22-24, 2023)
https://exoclimes.org/
University of Exeter, UK
Feb 20: Application/pre-registration deadline
Towards Other Earths III: The Planet-Star Connection
http://www.iastro.pt/research/conferences/toe3-2023/
July 17-21, 2023, Porto, Portugal
Feb 17: Pre-registration

ExoPAG News and Announcements (January 19, 2023)

Announcing the Third Cohort of the Exoplanet Explorers Program and New ExoGuides - First ExoExoplorers Presentations January 20, 2023 (2-3pm EST/11am-12pm PST)
ExoPAG 27 Presentations, Acronym List, Opportunities for Research and Involvement Related to Exoplanets, and Feedback Survey
Update on Provisional ExEP Target Star List for Habitable Worlds Observatory
Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) (Deadline February 3, 2023)
Call for Community Input into the Definition of the Roman Space Telescope’s Core Community Surveys (Virtual Information Sessions January 20 and 25, 2023)
Senior Scientist for Astrobiology: New Job Posting
Time Domain and Multi-Messenger Astrophysics Workshop White Paper Released
Biennial European Astrobiology Conference (BEACON) (May 8-12, 2023, La Palma Island, Canary Islands, Spain; Abstract Deadline January 31, 2023)
4th Advanced School of Exoplanetary Science (First Announcement; May 22-26, 2023, Vietri sul Mare (Salerno), Italy)

+ more

1) Announcing the Third Cohort of the Exoplanet Explorers Program and New ExoGuides - First ExoExoplorers Presentations January 20, 2023 (2-3pm EST/11am-12pm PST)

The ExoPAG is pleased to announce the third cohort of the Exoplanet Explorers Program (https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exoexplorers/exoexplorers/) and a new set of ExoGuides (https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exoexplorers/exoexplorers-exoguides/)

The Exoplanet Explorers (ExoExplorers) Science Series, sponsored by the ExoPAG Executive Committee and by NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program, aims to enable the professional development of a cohort of graduate students and postdocs (“ExoExplorers”) in exoplanet research. Each member of the cohort will have the opportunity to give a live webinar presentation on their research to the exoplanet community and interact with established exoplanet researchers in the field (our “ExoGuides”) via a combination of tailored presentations and small group discussions. The first cohort is running through June 2023 and consists of 12 early career scientists.

ExoExplorer science presentations will be live and open to the entire exoplanet community. The first set of ExoExplorer talks will take place this Friday, January 20th, from 11-12 PM Pacific / 2-3 PM Eastern and will feature:

Ell Bogat [Univ. of Maryland]
“Probing the Outskirts of M Dwarf Planetary Systems with a JWST Cycle 1 Direct-Imaging Survey of Nearby Young M Stars”
&
Sean McCloat [Univ. of North Dakota]
“Modeling the Architecture and Composition of Exoplanetary Systems from Pebble Accretion”

Connection information will be available on our website and via our mailing list, which you can sign up for on the website: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exoexplorers/

Future Talks will take place on the dates below, always from 11a-12p Pacific time:

Feb 17th : Armaan Goyal [Indiana University] & Alison Duck [The Ohio State University]
March 17th : Anjali Piette [Carnegie Earth & Planets Laboratory] & Pa Chia Thao [University of North Carolina Chapel Hill]
April 21st : Evelyn MacDonald [University of Toronto] & Clarissa Do O [UC San Diego]
May 12th : Michelle Kunimoto [Massachusetts Institute of Technology] & Junellie González Quiles [Johns Hopkins University]
June 16th : Jack Lubin [UC Irvine] & Isabella Trierweiler [UCLA]

2) ExoPAG 27 Presentations, Acronym List, Opportunities for Research and Involvement Related to Exoplanets, and Feedback Survey

Presentations from ExoPAG 27 are being posted as they become available at:
https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/388/exopag-27/

Acronym reference list:
https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/internal_resources/2609/

Opportunities for research and involvement related to Exoplanets:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aLQQaoCCyRAViz9j-6GvNkfJObd5LWza-I9EMmFjaLQ/

Feedback survey: https://forms.gle/798qj8sEX83wvTPVA
For those that attended ExoPAG 27 in-person or remotely, the Executive Committee would like your feedback on your experience during the meeting.

3) Update on Provisional ExEP Target Star List for Habitable Worlds Observatory

From Eric Mamajek & Karl Stapelfeldt (program chief scientists, NASA ExEP):

The ExEP Science Office presented an update at ExoPAG 27 (https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/internal_resources/2610_Jan7_1000_Mamajek.pdf) that included slides discussing the creation of an ExEP list of nearby, high priority target stars amenable to surveys of their habitable zones for temperate rocky exoplanets with a 6-meter-class IR/O/UV space telescope (Habitable Worlds Observatory).

The motivation for creating this provisional list of target stars is to motivate precursor and preparatory research for the Habitable Worlds Observatory. The list is, of course, very provisional. It consists of a sample ~160 nearby, bright stars within 24 parsecs, split into three quality tiers. The stars have spectral types F/G/K/M, and are all either single or binaries with separations greater than 3" (so far as known). Resolved binaries of separation <3" and known unresolved spectroscopic binaries were omitted from this preliminary list. The list factors in the brightness, planet-star brightness ratios, and angular separations of fiducial exo-Earths.

The stars range in spectral type between F1V and M2V, with approximate magnitude and distance limits by spectral class of: 66 F-type stars (Vmag<6.0, d<23.3pc), 55 G-type stars (Vmag<6.4, d<20.5pc), 40 K-type stars (Vmag<7.0, d<12.8pc), and 3 M-type stars (Vmag<7.5, d<4.0 pc). The vast majority are main sequence dwarf stars, with only a handful of evolved stars with log(g) between ~3.7 and 4.0. The current list includes no giants, and no stars more luminous than ~6 solar luminosities.

The table of target stars and the supporting document describing the catalog will be posted on the ExEP science site in the coming days (https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/science-overview/), but its long-term home will be on a NExScI website (link will be distributed via ExoPAG list when available, probably by the end of January). It is anticipated that the target list and table will be updated periodically as further information is added from community observations/analysis and evolution of the Habitable Worlds Observatory concept.

Before the document and table are posted, they are available upon request from Eric Mamajek (mamajek@jpl.nasa.gov).

4) Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) (Deadline February 3, 2023)

Dear Colleagues:

Nominations for the ExoPAG EC should be submitted via email to the address: hannah.jang-condell@nasa.gov. Nominations must include both a cover letter and a one-page CV summarizing the nominee’s relevant background. The cover letter should provide a description of the nominee’s area of expertise, qualifications for service, and anticipated contributions to the ExoPAG Executive Committee. Nominations will only be accepted for scientists who reside at a U.S. institution for the period of the service. There are no citizenship restrictions. Nominations from individuals at academic institutions—university, college, or non-NASA research laboratory—are strongly encouraged. Self-nominations are welcome. The deadline for nominations is February 3, 2023, with announcement of selections anticipated in April 2023. Selections will be announced by the ExoPAG mailing list (http://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/announcementList).

We look forward to working with all of our stakeholders to develop a robust and compelling Exoplanet Exploration Program.

Sincerely,

Dr. Hannah Jang-Condell, NASA Headquarters

Deputy Exoplanet Exploration Program Scientist, ExoPAG Executive Secretary"

5) Call for Community Input into the Definition of the Roman Space Telescope’s Core Community Surveys (Virtual Information Sessions January 20 and 25, 2023)

"The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, NASA's next flagship observatory, is planned for launch in late 2026. The Roman Mission requests the astronomical community's input for the purpose of initiating the community-led definition of the Roman Space Telescope's Core Community Surveys. Combined, these surveys are anticipated to use the majority of the observing time during Roman’s first five years. The cosmology and exoplanet science requirements for these surveys leave significant parameter space available to define the observational strategies (filters, depth, cadence, etc.) in a way that will enable a broad range of other astrophysical investigations. We are offering two avenues for members of the community to provide information on science drivers and the requirements they place on the design of the Core Community Surveys: a short, one to two paragraph 'science pitch' (including a questionnaire) requested by Feb 17, 2023, and/or submission of a more technical-focused white paper, to be due in late spring, 2023.

All members of the community are encouraged to submit their science investigation ideas. The Roman Mission wants to hear from scientists worldwide across all career stages, positions, and types of institutions. All input will be passed to the committees that will be formed of community members and tasked with defining the Core Community Surveys.

The Roman Mission will be holding several Information and Q&A sessions, including two fully virtual sessions, on January 20th (11 am EST) and January 25th (4 pm EST), and an in-person AAS Splinter Session on Wednesday January 11, at 2:00 PM. All sessions will present the same information.

For full details on this Request for Information, as well as details on the information sessions, please visit:

https://roman.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/ccs_community_input.html

For specific questions related to a submission, email both help@stsci.edu and roman-help@ipac.caltech.edu, with the subject line: “Roman question about community input for core survey definition.”

FAQ: Does this apply to me?

The Core Community Surveys will be defined by the astronomical community and will include a High Latitude Wide Area survey, a High Latitude Time Domain survey, and a Galactic Bulge Time Domain survey. The data from the Core Community Surveys will enable a host of general astrophysical investigations in addition to addressing the Roman Mission's science objectives related to cosmology and exoplanet demographics.

As one specific example, in order to meet Roman's dark energy goals, a requirement on the design of the imaging component of the High Latitude Wide Area Survey is to enable precision measurements of the shapes of hundreds of millions of galaxies. This leaves open significant parameter space for the survey data to be relevant for other science areas. Depending on the choice of filters, the data may be more (or less) useful for studies of galaxy evolution. Depending on the chosen balance of area versus depth, there may be more (or less) opportunity for discovering new celestial objects that are rare per unit area. Moreover, all of these choices may affect how useful the survey data are for studies of more nearby objects, such as those belonging to the Milky Way halo or solar system. There will be many other such trades to consider, for all three Core Community Surveys.

The preceding example lists only a small subset of the science investigations that could be enabled by Roman’s survey data. By receiving input from the community on as wide a range of science use cases as possible, the committees tasked with defining each of the Core Community Surveys will be able to better understand what trade studies to conduct, and identify what additional community input is needed, in order to design surveys that best meet the needs of the entire astronomical community."

6) Senior Scientist for Astrobiology: New Job Posting

"Due to an unforeseen issue with LinkedIn, the previously announced job posting for a Senior Scientist for Astrobiology (see below) was automatically closed and had to be reposted using a new link.

Please see the new LinkedIn job announcement link below for additional information about the position and details on how to apply:

New LinkedIn Job Announcement Link: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3431704255/
Position Title: Senior Scientist for Astrobiology
Location: NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
Salary range: $172,100 – $195,000
Appointment duration: Up to 6 years
Application Deadline: 1/31/2023

Let me know if there are any questions. Thanks.
Leo Gomez (He/him/his)
Administrative Officer
Science Mission Directorate | Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters
300 Hidden Figures Way SW, Washington D.C. 20546
Mobile: 202-578-4488 | Email: leopoldo.gomez@nasa.gov”

7) Time Domain and Multi-Messenger Astrophysics Workshop White Paper Released

The Time Domain and Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (TDAMM) Workshop (https://pcos.gsfc.nasa.gov/TDAMM/) was held 22-24 August 2022 in Annapolis, MD and online. The Scientific Organizing Committee has written and delivered to Headquarters a White Paper (https://pcos.gsfc.nasa.gov/TDAMM/docs/TDAMM_Report.pdf) based on the presentations and discussions there, and incorporated feedback from the participants. The White Paper summarizes the scientific opportunities and programmatic issues that emerged from the workshop discussions were presented during the PhysPAG Splinter Session (https://pcos.gsfc.nasa.gov/physpag/meetings/AAS_Jan2023/) at the AAS meeting on 9 January 2023, 9-11am Pacific time.

8) Biennial European Astrobiology Conference (BEACON) (May 8-12, 2023, La Palma Island, Canary Islands, Spain; Abstract Deadline January 31, 2023)

Biennial European Astrobiology Conference (BEACON)
May 8-12, 2023
Place: Fuencaliente, La Palma
More information: https://europeanastrobiology.eu/beacon/

The Biennial European Astrobiology Conference (BEACON) brings scientists and experts in the Astrobiology field from Europe and beyond. BEACON will take place at the La Palma & Teneguía Princess Hotel on La Palma Island from May, 8th to 12th 2023.

BEACON topics will be:

Evolution and Traces of Early Life and Life under Extreme Condition
Tracing Life and Identifying Habitable Environments
Formation and Evolution of Planetary Systems and Detection of Habitable Worlds
Biosignatures and the Detection of Life beyond Earth
Impacts and their Role in the Evolution of Planets, Moons and Life
The Pathway to Complexity: From Simple Molecules to First Life
Historical, Philosophical, Societal and Ethical Issues in Astrobiology
Protoplanetary Disks and their Physical and Chemical Processes
Planetary Environments and Habitability

La Palma offers a multitude of relevant research infrastructures (telescopes) and locations (active volcanoes, recent lava fields, Mars-analogue landscapes, etc.). We will also visit many of these sites.

Abstract submission deadline: 31st, Jan 2023.

Conference organised by the European Astrobiology Institute.

9) 4th Advanced School of Exoplanetary Science (First Announcement; May 22-26, 2023, Vietri sul Mare (Salerno), Italy)

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT of the 4th Advanced School on Exoplanetary Science

Astrophysics of Transiting Exoplanets
22 - 26 May 2023
Lloyd's Baia Hotel<
Vietri sul Mare (Salerno), Italy
Web: https://ases4.web.roma2.infn.it/
Contact: ases4@roma2.infn.it

Registration opens January 9, 2023 and closes April 3, 2023.

"The Advanced School on Exoplanetary Science - taking place close to the enchanting Amalfi Coast - is aimed at providing a comprehensive, state-of-the-art picture of the rich variety of relevant aspects of the fast-developing, highly interdisciplinary field of exoplanet research (both from an observational and theoretical viewpoint). The School is addressed to graduate students and young post-doctoral researchers, and offers the fascinating possibility to interact with world-class experts engaged in different areas of the astrophysics of planetary systems. The 4th edition of the School will be focused on the Astrophysics of Transiting Exoplanet Systems, covering both the theoretical and observational perspectives.

In particular, the following key topics will be covered:

The history and frontier of transiting exoplanets demographics (methodology and results), as a means for improved understanding of their formation and evolution;
Successes as well as astrophysical and methodological challenges in the determination of accurate and precise transiting exoplanet masses and radii;
Multi-transiting systems as tools for improving our knowledge of the origin and evolution of close-in, compact, high-multiplicity planetary systems;
Theoretical mechanisms and observations of atmospheric escape from highly irradiated transiting planets, as probes of their physical evolution;
Atmospheric characterization of transiting exoplanets (via transmission and emission spectroscopy), in the wake of the first results from the James Webb Space Telescope.

Organizing Committee:

K. Biazzo (INAF - Rome Astronomical Observatory)
V. Bozza (University of Salerno)
L. Mancini (University of Rome "Tor Vergata")
A. Sozzetti (INAF - Turin Astrophysical Observatory)

Confirmed School Lecturers:

Statistics of Transiting Exoplanets: Prof. Courtney Dressing,
University of California at Berkeley, USA
Accurate radii and masses: Dr. Aldo Bonomo,
INAF - Turin Astrophysical Observatory, Italy
Multi-transiting systems: Prof. Eric Ford,
Pennsylvania State University, USA
Transiting exoplanet atmospheres: Prof. Laura Kreidberg,
Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Germany
Atmospheric escape: Dr. James Owen
Imperial College London, UK

Fee:

The registration fee is 350 Euro and includes a conference kit, coffee breaks, social dinner and full access to the video recordings of the lectures. A limited number of grants, covering the registration fee, will be available for selected participants. Justified requests for economic support (addressed via email to the Organizing Committee) will haveto be accompanied by the submission of a Curriculum Vitae (deadline: March 15, 2023).

Registration and abstract submission:

Registration will open on January 9, 2023 and close on April 3, 2023.

There is a limited number of time slots for brief seminars of participants to present their own research. Title/Abstract submission is possible at any later moment after registration by sending an email to the Organizing Committee (deadline: April 15, 2023).

All participants are allowed and encouraged to bring a poster.

Important dates:

9th January 2023: First Announcement, Registration opens
1st March 2023: Second and Final Announcement
15th March 2023: Deadline for grant weaver request
3rd April 2023: Registration Deadline
15th April 2023: Oral contribution Deadline
1st May 2023: Final School program
22nd-26th May 2023: The School

For further information please refer to the Conference website or send an email to the Organizing Committee:

K. Biazzo: katia.biazzo@inaf.it
V. Bozza: valboz@sa.infn.it
L. Mancini: lmancini@roma2.infn.it
A. Sozzetti: alessandro.sozzetti@inaf.it
Contact: ases4@roma2.infn.it - facebook.com/ases2023 -
twitter.com/ases2023 - #ases4

We are very much looking forward to seeing you in Vietri sul Mare next May 2023!

Best regards,

Alessandro/Katia/Luigi/Valerio"

ExoPAG News and Announcements (January 5, 2023)

ExoPAG 27 at AAS241 (January 7-8, 2023, Seattle and virtual)
Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) (Deadline February 3, 2023; see attached PDF letter)
Progress in Technology for Exoplanet Missions: An Appendix to the NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program Technology Plan
Exoplanets @ AAS241 Flyer (see attached PDF)
AAS241 Splinter Session: Starlight Suppression Technologies for IR/O/UV Flagship (January 10, 2023; 9am-11am PST; hybrid)
Request for Input on the Elimination of Proprietary Periods (by January 6, 2023)
Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite Participating Scientists

+ more

1) ExoPAG 27 at AAS241 (January 7-8, 2023, Seattle and virtual)

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/388/exopag-27/
Agenda: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/system/events/agendas/388_ExoPAG_27_Agenda_-_Final.pdf
Further details will be sent to the ExoPAG list by Jennifer Gregory (ExEP).

Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) (Deadline February 3, 2023)

"
To: Astrophysics and Planetary Science Community
From: Astrophysics Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
Date: November 10, 2022
Subject: Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG)

Dear Colleagues:

The ExoPAG is an open, interdisciplinary forum that provides a conduit for community input into NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP,http://exoplanets.nasa.gov), and for conducting analyses in support of ExEP science objectives and their implications for planning and prioritization of Program activities. The ExoPAG is led by a Chairperson drawn from the membership of the Astrophysics Advisory Committee (APAC), and a volunteer Executive Committee, whose membership is chosen to reflect the broad range of scientific disciplines and interests represented in the field of exoplanet exploration. Together, the ExoPAG Chair and Executive Committee are responsible for capturing and organizing community input, overseeing ExoPAG analyses, reporting ExoPAG findings and inputs to the Astrophysics Division Director, and keeping the scientific community apprised of ongoing activities and opportunities within NASA’s ExEP. Detailed information about the structure and function of the ExoPAG, including the current and past membership of the EC, can be found at http://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exopag.

Nominations for the ExoPAG EC should be submitted via email to the address: hannah.jang-condell@nasa.gov. Nominations must include both a cover letter and a one-page CV summarizing the nominee’s relevant background. The cover letter should provide a description of the nominee’s area of expertise, qualifications for service, and anticipated contributions to the ExoPAG Executive Committee. Nominations will only be accepted for scientists who reside at a U.S. institution for the period of the service. There are no citizenship restrictions. Nominations from individuals at academic institutions—university, college, or non-NASA research laboratory—are strongly encouraged. Self-nominations are welcome. The deadline for nominations is February 3, 2023, with announcement of selections anticipated in April 2023. Selections will be announced by the ExoPAG mailing list (http://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/announcementList).

We look forward to working with all of our stakeholders to develop a robust and compelling Exoplanet Exploration Program.

Sincerely,
Dr. Hannah Jang-Condell, NASA Headquarters
Deputy Exoplanet Exploration Program Scientist, ExoPAG Executive Secretary
"

3) Progress in Technology for Exoplanet Missions: An Appendix to the NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program Technology Plan

From Brendan Crill, Deputy Program Chief Technologist, NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program:

"The Exoplanet Exploration Program technology team is pleased to announce the release of a document titled “Progress in Technology for Exoplanet Missions” which is now posted on the ExEP website:

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/internal_resources/2595/

The document provides a detailed description of the Technology Gaps tracked by ExEP, and describes ongoing efforts and near term plans to close those gaps. It is meant to be a resource for Strategic Astrophysics Technology (SAT) and APRA proposers and the larger community of scientists and technologists who are working on advancing technologies for the future Habitable Worlds Observatory."

4) Exoplanets @ AAS241 Flyer (see attached PDF)

Many thanks to Karl Stapelfeldt for preparing a 2-page flyer summarizing many of the exoplanet-related events at AAS241 in Seattle (see attached PDF).

5) AAS241 Splinter Session: Starlight Suppression Technologies for IR/O/UV Flagship (January 10, 2023; 9am-11am PST; hybrid)

Starlight Suppression Technologies for the IR/O/UV Flagship
AAS241 splinter session (hybrid; location and remote link tbd)
Jan 10, 2023; 9am – 11am
Chairs: Ruslan Belikov, Brendan Crill

Description:

NASA is about to embark on an ambitious program to develop an “IR/O/UV” (infrared/optical/ultraviolet) flagship mission to directly image ~25 potentially Earth-like planets and spectroscopically characterize them for signs of life, as recommended by the Astro2020 decadal survey. In addition, Astro2020 recommended a new approach for flagship formulation, which involves increasing the scope and depth of early, pre-phase A trades and technology maturation, as part of the new Great Observatories Maturation Program (GOMAP).

A critical capability of the IR/O/UV mission is starlight suppression. To inform future architecture trades, we will need to survey a wide range of technologies, from the relatively mature such as the ones described in the LUVOIR and HabEx reports, to the relatively new and emerging ones, which may lead to breakthrough performance. The purpose of this splinter session is to discuss the current status and future potential of different coronagraph technologies (including wavefront control), starshade technologies, and architectures.

Agenda:

0. Rus Belikov (5 mins): brief introduction / goals of session

1. Bruce Macintosh (15 mins): Decadal Survey science goals and the IR/O/UV Flagship.

2. Chris Stark (15 mins): Interdependence between mission requirements and science requirements

3. Rhonda Morgan (15 mins): Starlight suppression technologies from LUVOIR and HabEx reports

4. Bertrand Mennesson (15 mins): Advances of established starlight suppression technologies in the years since LUVOIR and HabEx.

5. Olivier Guyon (15 mins): Emerging technologies and their potential.

6. Pin Chen (10 mins): New initiatives: Coronagraph Survey, Coronagraph Roadmap, and DM Roadmap, etc.

7. Q&A and discussion (25 mins + 5 min buffer)

6) Request for Input on the Elimination of Proprietary Periods (by January 6, 2023)

One topic of discussion at the ExoPAG Business Meeting Sunday Jan. 8 will be changes to NASA's exclusive access period (EAP) policy. Specifically, NASA intends to eliminate EAPs (proprietary periods) for JWST and future missions. The ExoPAG EC is soliciting feedback from the community prior to the meeting for a summary presentation before opening the floor to discussion. Any feedback submitted will be anonymized if brought up at the ExoPAG business meeting. Please send feedback to Jason Wright (astrowright@gmail.com) by Friday January 6, 2023.

7) Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite Participating Scientists

ULTRASAT is a near-ultraviolet imaging satellite with a wide field of view and a planned 2025 launch. It is an international partnership led by Israel (Israeli Space Agency & Weizmann Institute of Science) in partnership with the United States (NASA + Vera Rubin Observatory) and Germany (DESY). A proposal call for ULTRASAT Participating Scientists from the United States has just been released as NASA ROSES 2022 amendment D.19 (https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId=%7b063C8CB1-C733-F34C-45B9-2C13AD0CA483%7d&path=&method=init). ULTRASAT will provide high cadence observations and rapid target-of-opportunity response, providing a powerful capability for time-domain and multimessenger astrophysics (TDAMM), and will have scientific applications from solar system studies to cosmology, as described at https://www.weizmann.ac.il/ultrasat/.

All are invited to attend the hybrid splinter session, “Introducing ULTRASAT”, which will be held on January 11th 2023, 9:30-11:30 PST, in conjunction with the 241st American Astronomical Society meeting. In-person AAS participants can join us in room 401 of the Seattle Convention Center. Remote participation instructions will be posted under “Related Sessions” at https://pcos.gsfc.nasa.gov/physpag/meetings/AAS_Jan2023/.