ExoPAG News and Announcements - Archive

ExoPAG News and Announcements (September 13, 2023)

Exoplanet Explorers (ExoExplorers) Seminar Series: Call for ExoGuides and ExoExplorers (Applications due October 12, 2023)
NOIRLab Call for Proposals for Semester 2024A, including NN-EXPLORE Proposals Invited for the WIYN 3.5m and MINERVA-Australis (Deadline October 2, 2023)
ExoPAG 28: Agenda Posted (October 1, 2023, San Antonio & hybrid)
ExoPAG SAG 23: Workshop on The Impact of Exo-Zodiacal Dust on Exoplanet Direct Imaging Surveys (September 15, 2023; Baltimore & hybrid)
Exoplanets 5 (June 16-22, 2024, Leiden; Registration opens September 18, 2023)

1. Exoplanet Explorers (ExoExplorers) Seminar Series: Call for ExoGuides and ExoExplorers (Applications due October 12, 2023)

The Exoplanet Explorers (ExoExplorers) Seminar Series is soliciting both US and International “ExoGuides” and “ExoExplorers” for our 4th cohort which will run January-June 2024! Both ExoGuide nominations and ExoExplorer applications are due Thursday, October 12th at 6 PM PDT.

Read on below for additional information and nomination/application details for each call:

(1) Call for ExoGuide nominations

As an ExoGuide, we ask that you participate in a single, 2-hour meeting with the cohort (~30-minute seminar and ~90-min informal discussion) that speaks to your experiences as a scientist or engineer. The ExoExplorer organizers are eager to showcase broad, diverse perspectives and therefore encourage you to highlight any topic(s) you think may be of interest to the ExoExplorers.

ExoGuides should be faculty, staff, or equivalent career stage. We welcome both exoplanet and exoplanet-adjacent scientists and engineers (e.g., disks, stars, instrumentation) from any institution (US and international). Nominations should be submitted via this form.

by 6pm Pacific time on October 12th. Self-nominations are welcome. The organizers will review nominations and reach out to potential ExoGuides in mid-November. A complete nomination submitted by the deadline will be considered by the Organizing and Steering Committees for three (3) years (i.e. for this year's cohort, next year's cohort, and the year after that). You are welcome to reapply after those three years.

A copy of this call can be found on the ExoExplorers website:

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exoexplorers/exoexplorers-exoguide-call/

(2) Call for ExoExplorer applications

The ExoExplorers program, sponsored by NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program Office and the ExoPAG Executive Committee, will focus on the professional development of ~10 graduate student and/or postdoc researchers (“ExoExplorers”) at US and international¹ institutions. Each member of the cohort will be featured in a webinar that will be live-streamed to the exoplanet community, helping to increase their visibility within the field. The cohort will also learn from the experiences of established exoplanet researchers and engineers in the field (“ExoGuides”) via a combination of tailored presentations and small group discussions.

Members of this cohort, which will run from January 2024 to June 2024, will each give one 30-minute presentation on their research to the broader exoplanet community. Each of the ExoExplorers will receive $1,000 for the purchase of one presentation of their research results, presented as a part of the Science Series.

In addition, the ExoExplorers will be invited to participate in:

Weekly interactions between members of the cohort
Monthly informal group discussions with prominent scientists (“ExoGuides”) in the fields of exoplanet science and engineering
One-on-one meetings with two to five researchers requested by the ExoExplorer, facilitated by the Organizing Committee
Two to four professional development events on topics to be decided by the cohort, such as proposal writing, establishing inclusive collaborations, career building, and public speaking
The development and/or execution of cohort-driven activities pertaining to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) and/or exoplanet science and engineering
Mentorship opportunities with the organizers of the ExoExplorers program.

The activities described above will largely be shaped by the unique interests and needs of the cohort. Therefore, we seek applicants who are actively seeking to enrich and enhance their exoplanet science and DEIA² in the broader exoplanet community via engaging with each other, as well as with the ExoGuides and the ExoExplorer program organizers.

Candidates will be evaluated on the following three criteria:

Your research and how it supports the broad themes outlined in the ExEP Science Gap List (and related exoplanet topics);
Cohort activities you wish to lead / engage in, and goals related to the activities described above, with specific examples;
How you would leverage your ExoExplorers experience to become leaders in exoplanet science and to increase DEIA2 in the broader exoplanet community.

The application will consist of the candidate’s CV and a 700-1000 word essay that addresses the three criteria. A candidate’s application will be evaluated based on how they address these three prompts. Competitive applicants would substantively address all of the above areas. Further application instructions can be found on the ExoExplorer page, linked below.

Applications are due Thursday, October 12th, 2023 at 6 PM PDT.

For more information about the ExoExplorers program, including a copy of this call and application instructions, please see our website.

And if you have questions on either call, please see our FAQ page.

-- The ExoExplorer steering and organizing committees

¹ NASA places restrictions on interactions with several countries: Iran, Syria, North Korea, and China. If you are a citizen of one of these countries or are currently affiliated with an institution in one of these countries, please see our FAQ page for additional details/restrictions on applying.

² For examples of how NASA defines DEIA, please see the NASA inclusion plan resources for researchers and this NASA policy statement on DEIA for NASA’s Workforce and Workplaces. For some examples of existing NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) DEIA efforts, please see the SMD Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility page.

2. NOIRLab Call for Proposals for Semester 2024A, including NN-EXPLORE Proposals Invited for the WIYN 3.5m and MINERVA-Australis (Deadline October 2, 2023)

NN-EXPLORE Proposals Invited for the WIYN 3.5m and MINERVA-Australis in 2024A

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

NN-EXPLORE 2024A Informational Session: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/NNExplore/nn-explore-2024A-info/

The NASA-NSF Exoplanet Observational Research (NN-EXPLORE) program seeks to advance the understanding of exoplanets and exoplanetary systems in areas of mutual interest to NASA and NSF. Every semester, this program makes approximately 40 nights of telescope time available on the WIYN telescope, and 300 hours (equivalent to 30 nights) on the MINERVA-Australis observatory.

NN-EXPLORE solicits observing proposals targeted to general exoplanet-related research, with emphasis on supporting observations for NASA missions, including but not limited to Kepler, K2, TESS, HST, and JWST. The scope of the NN-EXPLORE Program includes observations to:

Confirm or validate exoplanet candidates
Characterize known exoplanets and exoplanetary systems
Characterize the (exozodiacal) dust environments of exoplanet-hosting or potentially-exoplanet-hosting stars
Explore the formation, evolution, and diversity of exoplanetary systems

Stellar observations to characterize stellar properties and search for background eclipsing binaries fall within the scope of the NN-EXPLORE Program, provided that the relevance of the proposed work to the exoplanet-research focus of the Program is clearly established.

NN-EXPLORE proposals will be evaluated by a special Time Allocation Committee (TAC). The same TAC will evaluate WIYN and MINERVA-Australis proposals.

For further information see Section 3.5 of the proposal call: https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/proposals/call-for-proposals

At the time of writing, NN-EXPLORE time on the SMARTS 1.5-m will NOT be available in 2024A.

Presentation slides from the NN-EXPLORE 2024A Informational Session that was held August 9, 2023 are now posted at: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/NNExplore/nn-explore-2024A-info/

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

3. ExoPAG 28: Agenda Posted (October 1, 2023, San Antonio & hybrid)

The 28th Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group Meeting (ExoPAG 28)

The Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group is organizing its 28th meeting on October 1st, 2023. This event will be held at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter and will be offered in both in-person and hybrid formats.

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/461/exopag-28/

The draft agenda has been posted at the website. Please register at the website if you plan to attend either in person or virtually.

The ExoPAG28 meeting will be an integral part of the 2023 Division for Planetary Sciences splinter sessions. It will include a community forum on science topics related to exoplanet and solar system synergies with the goal of strengthening the connections between the astronomy and planetary science communities. A status of the Exoplanet Program, review of urgent questions from the Planetary and Astrobiology decadal surveys, and an interactive business meeting will also be held.

The exoplanet community is invited to send proposed findings and/or suggestions to the ExoPAG Executive Committee for review prior to the meeting via these anonymous online forms:

Findings:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjAUiemQTbgjnMAtMnqlawJtBM_hs8DsQtfu5KE2G5mHa02w/viewform

Suggestions:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeToJmgMF6CZREHP693BghljMKMF8MOhVs3A2d7j2j1zkummA/viewform

4. ExoPAG SAG 23: Workshop on The Impact of Exo-Zodiacal Dust on Exoplanet Direct Imaging Surveys (September 15, 2023; Baltimore & hybrid)

Workshop on The Impact of Exo-Zodiacal Dust on Exoplanet Direct Imaging Surveys
Friday, September 15, 2023 (hybrid)
Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)
3700 San Martin Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218

The ExoPAG SAG 23 comprises interdisciplinary scientists, who study dust throughout the Solar System and Galaxy. Its aim is to review the gaps in our current knowledge of exo-zodiacal dust, particularly focussing on how this dust could impact future exoplanet-imaging efforts. The intent is to identify areas of exozodi and debris-disk science that should be prioritized in the coming years.

This workshop will bring together both SAG 23 members and researchers in the community. Its aims are to showcase the progress of the SAG efforts so far, and to get community input into its future direction. The meeting will be held without any registration fee and immediately following The First Year of JWST Science Conference at STScI.

If you plan to attend the meeting, in person or online, please fill out the form at: https://forms.gle/Tw11Rf8G6ZqUHWcZ8

The registration will be open until Aug 1 for in-person participants. The registration will remain open for remote participants after Aug 1.

If you would like to give a presentation on a subject relevant to the SAG (either as a talk or poster), then please add a short title with a 150-200 word abstract when filling out the registration form. Please note that the meeting will be very time-limited and we cannot guarantee individual presentations from all the participants.

For more information about this workshop, please visit the following website: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/475/workshop-on-the-impact-of-exo-zodiacal-dust-on-exoplanet-direct-imaging-surveys/

For more information about SAG 23, please visit our website: https://sites.google.com/view/sag23-exozodiacaldust/home

Questions? yasuhiro.hasegawa@jpl.nasa.gov

5. Exoplanets 5 (June 16-22, 2024, Leiden)

"Dear colleagues,

We are happy to announce that the Exoplanets 5 website is now live: https://exoplanets5.org

Registration will open September 18

The Exoplanets Conference Series (Davos 2016; Cambridge 2018, Heidelberg 2020, Las Vegas 2022) has developed into one of the most important and largest meetings in the field, with 750 participants expected in Leiden. The conference will cover all aspects of exoplanet science, from detection methods and demographics to planet interiors and atmospheric characterization, from planet formation and evolution, to star-planet interactions and exoplanet instrumentation. There will be special attention to the newest and most exciting JWST results.

Leiden is a charming university town, in the heart of western Europe, well connected by rail and Amsterdam airport. The conference will take place in de Stadsgehoorzaal, in the middle of Leiden’s historic center with its many 17th-century canals and cobblestone streets. Since meetings like these have a large impact on the environment, we encourage everyone to look at combining your visit with other meetings, work visits, or holidays. We will have an action-packed week of presentations, in addition to a very exciting list of invited keynote speakers. Equally important, there will be plenty of time to meet and interact with all your colleagues of our global exoplanet community. Do not forget the Welcome Reception on Sunday, and the Big Exoplanets 5 Solar-Solstice Party™ in the Botanic Gardens on Thursday night!

We hope to welcome you in Leiden in June 2024.
Ignas Snellen,
On behalf of the SOC and the Netherlands exoplanet community"

ExoPAG News and Announcements (August 18, 2023)

ExoPAG 28 (October 1, 2023, San Antonio & hybrid)
Call for Proposals to Use NASA Keck Time for the 2024A Observing Semester (Proposal deadline September 14, 2023)
Workshop on The Impact of Exo-Zodiacal Dust on Exoplanet Direct Imaging Surveys (September 15, 2023; Baltimore & hybrid)
Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory Guest Investigator - Cycle 20 (Deadline September 28, 2023)
JWST Cycle 3 Call for Proposals (Deadline October 25, 2023)
NASA Astrobiology Town Hall (September 8, 2023, 1pm-4pm EDT/10am-1pm PDT)
Habitability: The Astrophysical, Atmospheric, and Geophysical Implications (May 21 – June 14, 2024, Garching, Germany; Application Deadline: September 23, 2023)

+ more

1. ExoPAG 28 (October 1, 2023, San Antonio & hybrid)

The 28th Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group Meeting (ExoPAG 28)
October 1, 2023
San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter (hybrid)
https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/461/exopag-28/

Please register at the website if you plan to attend either in person or virtually.

The exoplanet community is invited to send proposed findings and/or suggestions to the ExoPAG Executive Committee for review prior to the meeting via these anonymous online forms:

The agenda will be posted in the near future at the ExoPAG 28 website: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/461/exopag-28/

2. Call for Proposals to Use NASA Keck Time for the 2024A Observing Semester (Proposal deadline September 14, 2023)

Call for Proposals to Use NASA Keck Time for the 2024A Observing Semester
https://nexsci.caltech.edu/missions/KeckSolicitation/
Solicitation Title: 2024A NASA Keck Call for Proposals
Fiscal Year: 2023
Released: 07/20/2023

General Observing, Mission Support, and Key Strategic Mission Support Proposal Due Date: 09/14/2023

Key Strategic Mission Support (KSMS) Notice of Intent Due Date: 08/16/2023

Notice of Intent not required for General Observer and Mission Support proposals.

Announcement Document: 2024A NASA Keck Call for Proposals: https://nexsci.caltech.edu/missions/KeckSolicitation/

Other Documents: Keck Instrument Availability (available in mid-August for 2024A): https://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/observing/instavail.html

The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute is soliciting proposals to use NASA’s portion of time on the two 10m Keck Telescopes for the 2024A observing semester (February 1 - July 31, 2024).

In addition to General Observer and Mission Support proposals, this semester also includes a call for Key Strategic Mission Support (KSMS) proposals. KSMS proposals directly support the science goals and requirements of NASA missions and are not just larger versions of general science programs.

KSMS projects may support past, present, and/or future NASA-led missions or missions with significant NASA partnerships. Highest priority will be given to operating missions or missions approaching launch, with lower priority given to past missions (e.g., Kepler, WISE) or more distant future missions (e.g., Habitable Worlds Observatory). Required but non-binding Notices of Intent to submit a KSMS proposal are due by August 16.

The opportunity to propose as a Principal Investigator for NASA time on the Keck Telescopes is open to all U.S.-based astronomers. Investigators from institutions outside of the U.S. may participate as Co-Investigators on proposals for NASA Keck time.

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 in the following discipline areas: (1) investigations in support of EXOPLANET EXPLORATION science goals and missions; (2) investigations of our own SOLAR SYSTEM; (3) investigations in support of COSMIC ORIGINS science goals and missions; and (4) investigations in support of PHYSICS OF THE COSMOS science goals and missions. Direct mission support proposals in any of these scientific areas are also encouraged.

Website: http://nexsci.caltech.edu/missions/KeckSolicitation/index.shtml
Contact: KeckCFP@ipac.caltech.edu

3. Workshop on The Impact of Exo-Zodiacal Dust on Exoplanet Direct Imaging Surveys (September 15, 2023; Baltimore & hybrid)

Workshop on The Impact of Exo-Zodiacal Dust on Exoplanet Direct Imaging Surveys
Friday, September 15, 2023 (hybrid)
Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)
3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218

If you plan to attend the meeting, in person or online, please fill out the form at: https://forms.gle/Tw11Rf8G6ZqUHWcZ8

The registration will be open until Aug 1 for in-person participants.
The registration will remain open for remote participants after Aug 1.

For more information about SAG 23, please visit our website: https://sites.google.com/view/sag23-exozodiacaldust/home

Questions? yasuhiro.hasegawa@jpl.nasa.gov

4. Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory Guest Investigator - Cycle 20 (Deadline September 28, 2023)

https://swift.gsfc.nasa.gov/proposals/swiftgi.html

5. JWST Cycle 3 Call for Proposals (Deadline October 25, 2023)

6. NASA Astrobiology Town Hall (September 8, 2023, 1pm-4pm EDT/10am-1pm PDT)

The NASA Astrobiology Program is hosting a live Town Hall to share some exciting updates and take your questions about astrobiology at NASA HQ, the Research Coordination Networks, and future Mars missions!

Visit the Town Hall event page (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfqFBkuVXBM) to setup a notification for the live broadcast, and be sure to subscribe to the NASA Astrobiology YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@nasaastrobiology) for future updates and exciting astrobiology content.

NASA ASTROBIOLOGY TOWN HALL:

https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/events/astrobiology-town-hall/

The Astrobiology Town Hall will be held September 8, 2023, from 1:00 to 4:00pm Eastern time. The meeting will be divided into three main topics:

Updates from the NASA Astrobiology Program
Updates from the NASA Research Coordination Networks
Updates on Astrobiology-Relevant Future Mars Missions & Planning

Please check the NASA Astrobiology website (https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/events/astrobiology-town-hall/) for updates and a link to the detailed agenda when it becomes available.

Have questions for the NASA Astrobiology Program?

Use the YouTube Live chat feature to ask them, and we will cover as many questions as possible during the Q&A periods. If you would like to submit a question ahead of time, or if you missed the live broadcast, please submit it by email to hq-astrobiology@mail.nasa.gov.

7. Habitability: The Astrophysical, Atmospheric, and Geophysical Implications (May 21 – June 14, 2024, Garching, Germany; Application Deadline: September 23, 2023)

Habitability: The Astrophysical, Atmospheric, and Geophysical Implications
May 21 – June 14, 2024
MIAPbP, Garching, Germany

Dear Colleagues,

It gives us the greatest pleasure to announce the 2024 planetary habitability program at the Munich Institute for Astro-, Particle, and Bio-Physics (MIAPbP). This four-week residential workshop aims to bring together scientists from all areas related to planetary habitability including stellar astrophysics, planetary science, planetary dynamics, atmospheric science, geology, and geophysics to discuss fundamental questions regarding the formation, characterization, and detection of habitable planets.

The main goal of the program is to facilitate interactions among participants and create an environment that would enable new collaborations and initiatives. The structure of the program is informal. Every participant will be given an office space and resources necessary to carry out research. While the focus is on interactions and collaborations, there will be daily gathering for discussing specific topics, presenting new results, and brain storming. There will also be ample time for independent research. For more details, please see the program website at https://www.munich-iapbp.de/habitability

To attend, please apply using the program website. The program is open to scientists of all geographic areas and of all career levels including junior and early-career researchers, as well as advanced graduate students. We strongly encourage applications by female scientists, and scientists from minorities and underrepresented groups.

Financial support is available at the rate of EUR 80 per day for accommodation and local expenses. Additional financial support for attendees with family and children, and for graduate students is also available. Please see the details at https://www.munich-iapbp.de/for-visitors/financial-support

The application deadline is September 24, 2023. When applying, please note that MIAPbP requires attendance for at least two weeks (10 working days).

Please share this announcement with your colleagues, students and postdocs, and encourage them to apply.

We look forward to receiving your applications.
Nikolaos Georgakarakos, Nader Haghighipour, Dimitri Veras, Rolf-Peter Kudritzki

Special note regarding participation of scientists from Russia:
Regretfully, due to the current regulations by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, MIAPbP is unable to admit scientists from Russia as well as the nationals of other countries who are currently working in Russia or are employed by the Russian Federation. However, due to the temporary nature of the ban, we strongly encourage these scientists to submit applications before the deadline so that we can consider their participation should the ban be lifted prior to the start of the program.

ExoPAG News and Announcements (July 21, 2023)

ExoPAG 28 (October 1, 2023, San Antonio & hybrid)
ExoPAG SIG2 Exoplanet Demographics: New Co-chairs + Invitation to Join and Collaborate! (Next meeting August 9, 2023, 1:00pm EDT/10:00am PDT)
NN-EXPLORE Fall Informational Session (August 9, 2023, 4-5pm PDT/7-8pm EDT)
Starlight Suppression Workshop Introductory Talks (July 25, August 1 & 4, 2023)
Call for Proposals to Use NASA Keck Time for the 2024A Observing Semester (Key Strategic Mission Support (DSMS) Notice of Intent deadline 8/16/2023; Proposal deadline September 14, 2023)
Applications to Host the Next Exoclimes Conference in 2025 (Deadline November 17, 2023)

+ more

1. ExoPAG 28 (October 1, 2023, San Antonio & hybrid)

The 28th Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group Meeting (ExoPAG 28)

The Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group is organizing its 28th meeting on October 1st, 2023. This event will be held at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter and will be offered in both in-person and hybrid formats.

The exoplanet community is invited to send proposed findings and/or suggestions to the ExoPAG Executive Committee for review prior to the meeting via these anonymous online forms:

Findings:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjAUiemQTbgjnMAtMnqlawJtBM_hs8DsQtfu5KE2G5mHa02w/viewform

Suggestions:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeToJmgMF6CZREHP693BghljMKMF8MOhVs3A2d7j2j1zkummA/viewform

2. ExoPAG SIG2 Exoplanet Demographics: New Co-chairs + Invitation to Join and Collaborate! (Next meeting August 9, 2023, 1:00pm EDT/10:00am PDT)

"We would like to announce the appointment of two new co-chairs for SIG2, Dr. Rachel Fernandes and Dr. Samson Johnson, and advertise the always-open invitation to join SIG2 on Exoplanet Demographics.

As we build a roadmap forward, we would appreciate your feedback and ideas for collaboration fronts including:

A report on Eta-Earth considerations for the Habitable Worlds Observatory
Exploring exoplanet demographics opportunities with the Roman Space Telescope
Synthesizing demographics across multiple detection techniques
We would also love to hear any new ideas that you have!

Recruiting New SIG2 Members:
We believe that collaboration and diversity are key to advancing scientific understanding. As such, we would like to invite scientists at any career stage, including graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, staff scientists, etc., who work in exoplanet demographics (and related fields) to join SIG2. Whether you are an early-career scientist, an established researcher, or a data expert, your expertise is valuable to us. Furthermore, in order to create a safe space for ideas and collaborations, we are currently working on a code of conduct for SIG2 and would love to hear any input you may have.

Forming a Steering Committee:
We are also looking for motivated individuals to join the SIG2 steering committee and advise the new co-chairs. This committee will work closely with the co-chairs to steer SIG2's activities, provide valuable input, and play a pivotal role in shaping the group’s future direction. Please reach out to the ExoPAG Executive Committee if this opportunity interests you.

If you are interested in joining SIG2 or know someone who would be a great addition to our team, please reach out to Jennifer Gregory at jgregory@jpl.nasa.gov. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, August 9th at 10 am PT/1 pm ET, and we would be delighted to have you on board!

We would especially like to thank Dr. Jessie Christiansen and Dr. Michael Meyer for all their work as they step down from being the co-chairs for SIG2.

We look forward to collaborating with you via SIG2,
Rachel Fernandes and Samson Johnson"

3. NN-EXPLORE Fall Informational Session (August 9, 2023, 4-5pm PDT/7-8pm EDT)

"For the observing season from February to July 2024, NASA and NSF are making available to the astronomical community about 100 nights of telescope time, exclusively for exoplanet research. To describe this opportunity, the NASA-NSF Exoplanet Observational Research (NN-EXPLORE) program will host an informational session on August 9th, 2023, 4:00-5:00pm PDT/7:00-8:00pm EDT at https://jpl.webex.com/meet/ardila.

NN-EXPLORE opportunities (https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/NNExplore/) 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).

This session will be useful to observational astronomers interested in exoplanet research who are affiliated or have collaborators in US institutions. 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. Note that the deadline for observing proposals is early September 2023.

If you have any questions, please contact the NN-EXPLORE manager: David R. Ardila (david.r.ardila@jpl.nasa.gov)."

4. Starlight Suppression Workshop Introductory Talks (July 25, August 1 & 4, 2023)

In the lead-up to the August 8-10, 2023 Starlight Suppression Workshop, we will be offering a few online introductory talks that might be helpful for new members in the field as well as future engineers and scientists supporting NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory. These will be recorded for later viewing.

Terrestrial Exoplanets 101 (Giada Arney, NASA/GSFC): July 25, 2023 9am Pacific time
Coronagraphy 101 (Jeremy Kasdin, Princeton): August 1, 2023 10am Pacific time
Starshades 101 (Jeremy Kasdin, Princeton; Stuart Shaklan, JPL): August 4, 2023 9am Pacific time

See the ExEP Technology Colloquium Webpage for more details: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/technology/tech_colloquium/

Please register here for the Starlight Suppression Workshop: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/457/towards-starlight-suppression-for-the-habitable-worlds-observatory-workshop/

5. Call for Proposals to Use NASA Keck Time for the 2024A Observing Semester (Key Strategic Mission Support (DSMS) Notice of Intent deadline 8/16/2023; Proposal deadline September 14, 2023)

https://nexsci.caltech.edu/missions/KeckSolicitation/

Call for Proposals to Use NASA Keck Time for the 2024A Observing Semester

Solicitation Title: 2024A NASA Keck Call for Proposals
Fiscal Year: 2023
Released: 07/20/2023

General Observing, Mission Support, and Key Strategic Mission Support Proposal Due Date: 09/14/2023
Key Strategic Mission Support (KSMS) Notice of Intent Due Date: 08/16/2023
Notice of Intent not required for General Observer and Mission Support proposals.
Announcement Document: 2024A NASA Keck Call for Proposals: https://nexsci.caltech.edu/missions/KeckSolicitation/
Other Documents: Keck Instrument Availability (available in mid-August for 2024A):https://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/observing/instavail.html

The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute is soliciting proposals to use NASA’s portion of time on the two 10m Keck Telescopes for the 2024A observing semester (February 1 - July 31, 2024).

Website: http://nexsci.caltech.edu/missions/KeckSolicitation/index.shtml

Contact: KeckCFP@ipac.caltech.edu

6. Applications to Host the Next Exoclimes Conference in 2025 (Deadline November 17, 2023)

"Dear Exoplanet Community,

The Exoclimes Steering Committee (Hannah Wakeford, Caroline Morley, Ray Pierrehumbert, and David Sing) are welcoming applications to host the next Exoclimes conference in 2025; with a preference for North American locations with flexibility on timing/season. Exoclimes is a conference series devoted to understanding the climates and evolution of exoplanets. Exoclimes is normally a week-long conference with morning and evening sessions and plenty of time in the day for extended discussions and events. We expect conference attendance to be capped at 200 attendees, with all events and accommodation held on the same site to better facilitate discussion and collaboration.

This year Exoclimes VI was held at the University of Exeter (back where it began in 2010), and in addition to the conference we hosted the first Exoclimes Summer School (ExoSLAM). This was held for 3 days prior to the conference for 50 ECRs to become familiar with climate topics and get to know their international cohort in the field. To minimize the carbon footprint of our attendees and maximise the reach of ERC members of the community we also facilitated Exoclimes Connect which put ECRs in touch with various University departments in the UK who would be open to people visiting and giving presentations while they were in the UK. Each of these additional programs were a great success for our ECRs and Exoclimes. We would be open to discussing the possibility of running the Summer School or any other aspects of Exoclimes VI with the proposed host.

To find out more information about Exoclimes VI and the associated events please head to https://exoclimes.org/index.html

If you would like to apply to host Exoclimes VII at your institution/location in 2025 (season optional) please send a 1-page document detailing the proposed venue (conference facilities, accommodation, etc.), lead/core organisers at that location, rough costing, and your vision for Exoclimes VII, to hannah.wakeford@bristol.ac.uk by November 17th 2023.

We're happy to schedule a meeting with some of the steering committee members to discuss proposed venues and answer questions prior to the due date. To support the organization of Exoclimes VII and associated events members of the steering committee will be available to serve on the SOC and as advisors when requested.

We look forward to hearing from you.
All the best,
The Exoclimes Steering Committee"

ExoPAG News and Announcements (July 13, 2023)

ExoPAG SAG 23: Workshop on The Impact of Exo-Zodiacal Dust on Exoplanet Direct Imaging Surveys (September 15, 2023, STScI/Baltimore & hybrid; Registration Deadline August 1, 2023)
ExoPAG SAG 24 (NEW): Exploring the Complementary Science Value of Starshade Observations (Application deadline: August 4, 2023)
2024A NASA Keck Call for Proposals (KSMS non-binding NOI deadline: August 16, 2023; Proposal deadline: September 14, 2023)
NASA APAC June 2023 Meeting Slides Including ExoPAG Presentation
ROSES-2023 Amendment 32: D.16 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science Final Text and Due Dates (Mandatory NOIs due March 29, 2024; Proposals due April 26, 2024)
ROSES-2022 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science Proposals Selected

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1. ExoPAG SAG 23: Workshop on The Impact of Exo-Zodiacal Dust on Exoplanet Direct Imaging Surveys (September 15, 2023, STScI/Baltimore & hybrid; Registration Deadline August 1, 2023)

Workshop on The Impact of Exo-Zodiacal Dust on Exoplanet Direct Imaging Surveys
Friday, September 15, 2023 (hybrid)
Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)
3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218

The ExoPAG SAG 23 comprises interdisciplinary scientists, who study dust throughout the Solar System and Galaxy. Its aim is to review the gaps in our current knowledge of exo-zodiacal dust, particularly focusing on how this dust could impact future exoplanet-imaging efforts. The intent is to identify areas of exozodi and debris-disk science that should be prioritized in the coming years.

If you plan to attend the meeting, in person or online, please fill out the form at: https://forms.gle/Tw11Rf8G6ZqUHWcZ8

The registration will be open until August 1, 2023.

For more information about SAG 23, please visit our website: https://sites.google.com/view/sag23-exozodiacaldust/home

Questions? yasuhiro.hasegawa@jpl.nasa.gov

2. ExoPAG SAG 24 (NEW): Exploring the Complementary Science Value of Starshade Observations (Application deadline: August 4, 2023)

SAG 24: Exploring the Complementary Science Value of Starshade Observations

Motivation: With the initiation of the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), we must identify the key measurements needed to establish exoEarth habitable conditions. The SAG motivation is to elucidate the unique and critical science Starshade enables, complementary to the coronagraph, for the characterization of exoEarths and exoplanetary systems in general. This includes a UV capability, simultaneous broad-band spectral coverage, and high throughput.

Goals: This SAG aims to bring together an interdisciplinary team of scientists who study exoplanet characterization in order to: consolidate knowledge; review the current gaps in knowledge; and flesh out areas of Starshade science that are unique and complementary to the coronagraph and should be prioritized in the coming years. The goals that could be addressed by this SAG are as follows:

Assess the scientific value of having access to the following observational capabilities:
- Broad (~100%) instantaneous spectral bandwidth
- Unrestricted outer working angle
- Low resolution UV spectroscopy down to <= 250nm, with the ability to search for the “ozone cutoff”
- High throughput observations
Estimate the exoplanet detection/characterization yield of a notional starshade covering 250 nm to 2 um, and to be used in conjunction with a visible-only HWO coronagraph
Identify methods for the critical or complementary role of Starshade for exoplanet characterization, incl: determining the rocky nature of any planet found by the HWO; determining the bulk composition of rocky planet atmospheres; characterizing biosignature gases on potentially habitable rocky planets.
Simulate end-to-end starshade spectral cubes of images including exozodi, and perform atmospheric spectral retrieval on the simulated images, to support Goal 3.
Starshade point design to support Goals 2-4.

The SAG has now been recommended by the Astrophysics Advisory Committee and formally approved by the NASA Astrophysics Division Director. The SAG co-leads are therefore now ready to solicit SAG membership from the broad astronomy and aerospace engineering communities.

In alignment with NASA’s core value of inclusion, the SAG will be committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all participants, and will invite candidates from all backgrounds to contribute fully, including in SAG-wide leadership roles. Applications to the SAG are easy and quick, and we encourage applications from community members at all career stages.

If interested, please fill out the form at this website ( https://tinyurl.com/StarshadeSAG ) by August 4, 2023. Questions may be addressed to the ExoPAG EC Chair (Ilaria Pascucci: pascucci@arizona.edu) and the SAG co-Chairs Sara Seager: seager@mit.edu and Stuart Shaklan: stuart.b.shaklan@jpl.nasa.gov)

3. 2024A NASA Keck Call for Proposals (KSMS non-binding NOI deadline: August 16, 2023; Proposal deadline: September 14, 2023)

From Dr. Dawn M. Gelino, NASA Exoplanet Science Institute:

"2024A NASA Keck Call for Proposals

The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute is soliciting proposals to use NASA’s portion of time on the two 10m Keck Telescopes for the 2024A observing semester (February 1 - July 31, 2024). This semester also includes a call for Key Strategic Mission Support (KSMS) proposals. KSMS proposals directly support the science goals and requirements of NASA missions and are not just larger versions of general science programs.

KSMS projects may support past, present, and/or future NASA-led missions or missions with significant NASA partnerships. Highest priority will be given to operating missions or missions approaching launch, with lower priority given to past missions (e.g., Kepler, WISE) or more distant future missions (e.g. HWO). Required but non-binding Notices of Intent to submit a KSMS proposal are due by August 16.

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

The 2024A NASA Keck Call for Proposals will be available by July 20, 2023.

Key Dates in 2023:

July 20: 2024A Call for Proposals available
August 16: Deadline to submit a non-binding Notice of Intent to submit a KSMS proposal • September 14: all proposals due to NExScI

Download/Website: http://nexsci.caltech.edu/missions/KeckSolicitation/index.shtml
Contact: KeckCFP@ipac.caltech.edu"

4. NASA APAC June 2023 Meeting Slides Including ExoPAG Presentation

Documents from the NASA Astrophysics Advisory Committee (APAC) June 27-28, 2023 meeting can be found at:
https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/nac/science-advisory-committees/apac

Slides from the presentation on the ExoPAG report to the APAC by ExoPAG chair Ilaria Pascucci can be found at:
https://science.nasa.gov/science-pink/s3fs-public/atoms/files/Pascucci_ExoPAG_APAC_June_2023.pdf

5. ROSES-23 Amendment 32: D.16 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science Final Text and Due Dates (Mandatory NOIs due March 29, 2024; Proposals due April 26, 2024)

ROSES-23 Amendment 32: D.16 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science Final Text and Due Dates

The Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science (ADSPS, D.16) program supports research in areas related to the recommendations from the National Academy of Science and Engineering report, "Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s" (https://www.nap.edu/catalog/26141/pathways-to-discovery-in-astronomy-and-astrophysics-for-the-2020s) for 1) a large Infrared/Optical/Ultraviolet space mission to search for biosignatures from nearby exoplanets and to perform transformative astrophysics investigations, 2) a large Far Infrared mission, and 3) a large X-ray mission. Research proposals to ADSPS should describe how scientific progress in the areas being investigated will either reduce the design and development risk for one or more of these future large missions or help to define the requirements such missions must meet to enable transformative discoveries.

ROSES-2023 Amendment 32 releases final text and due dates for D.16 ADSPS. Mandatory NOIs are due March 29, 2024, and proposals are due April 26, 2024.

On or about July 7, 2023, this Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2023" (NNH23ZDA001N) will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2023 and will appear on SARA's ROSES blog at :https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/roses-2023/

Questions concerning D.16 ADSPS may be directed to Doris Daou at Doris.Daou@nasa.gov.

ROSES-2023: D.16 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science (NNH23ZDA001N-ADSPS): https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId={A621FB7D-1D57-40F9-FE89-70107E303940}

6. ROSES-2022 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science Proposals Selected

ROSES-2022: Abstracts of proposals selected for funding by the Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science Program (NNH22ZDA001N-ADSPS):
https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument/cmdocumentid=950731/solicitationId=%7B916A49FB-D88F-3C76-5B06-6148E6748FE7%7D/viewSolicitationDocument=1/ADSPS22%20Abstracts.pdf

Using community inputs from both the April and October 2022 Precursor Science Workshops, the Chief Scientists from the Cosmic Origins, Exoplanet Exploration, and Physics of the Cosmos Programs distilled a set of science gaps that would help define/refine important parameters for Astro 2020's three recommended future great observatories. This set was reviewed and edited by the Astrophysics Division at NASA HQ, producing a precursor science gap list here:
https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/astro2020-precursor-sci-workshop2/ROSES_GAPS.pdf

9 precursor science proposals were selected for funding from the ROSES 2022 D.16 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science call, including several related to exoplanet science:

Bryson, Stephen/NASA Ames Research Center
Obtaining Better Constraints on Eta-Earth By Reprocessing Kepler Data to Generate a More Complete and Reliable Exoplanet Catalog
Dressing, Courtney/University of California, Berkeley
A Pathway to Planet Properties
Ertel,Steve/University Of Arizona
Securing revolutionary exozodi research with VLTI/NOTT
Krissansen-Totton, Joshua/University Of Washington, Seattle
Determining the Habitable Worlds Observatory capabilities needed to corroborate oxygen biosignatures
Turnbull, Margaret/SETI Institute
Quantifying Spectroscopic Performance Requirements for Detecting Biosignatures with a Habitable Worlds Observatory
Wilson, David/University Of Colorado, Boulder
Stellar X-ray and Ultraviolet characterization of the Habitable Worlds Observatory habitable planet target sample
MacGregor, Meredith/University Of Colorado, Boulder
Unraveling the Disk - Sensitivity, spectral and spatial resolution requirements for accurate determinations of disk masses
Lopez Rodriguez, Enrique/Stanford University
Revealing The Physics Of Galactic Outflows Using Far-Infrared Polarimetric Capabilities
ZuHone, John/Smithsonian Institution/Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Defining Science Requirements for Galaxy Formation and Evolution Across the UV and X-ray Wavebands with Synthetic Observations

ExoPAG News and Announcements (June 30, 2023)

Updated ExEP Science Gap List 2023
REMINDER: 2023 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Hybrid Workshop (July 24-28, 2023)
REMINDER: Accepting Virtual Poster Abstracts for “Towards Starlight Suppression for the Habitable Worlds Observatory Workshop” (August 8-10, 2023; Pasadena, hybrid)
Call for Community Input on Strategic Priorities for Exoplanet Science with JWST and HST (White Paper Deadline September 8, 2023; Town Hall dates: July 12, 19, 31)

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1. Updated ExEP Science Gap List 2023

From ExEP Program Chief Scientists Karl Stapelfeldt & Eric Mamajek:

“The ExEP Science Gap List (SGL) identifies science investigations that would advance NASA's exoplanet exploration goals, including the definition of future missions and maximizing the science return of missions currently operating. A new 2023 version of the SGL has been prepared by the ExEP Program Scientists and is now available for download at the link below. We thank the many members of the community and the ExoPAG Executive Committee for their thoughtful inputs which helped improve this document over the prior version.

ExEP Program Science page (home to latest ExEP Science Plan documents): https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/science-overview/

ExEP Science Gap List 2023 (Release date June 20, 2023; "Revision G"): https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/internal_resources/2749/ExEP_Science_Gap_List_2023_Final.pdf

Summary of changes from 2022:

Updates to the 14 science gaps from the 2022 document
Changed long table format to more readable non-tabular format similar to what was used for the "Precursor Science Gaps for the 2022 ROSES Proposal Call"
Updated "Appendix of Common Acronyms for NASA ExEP" and added section on "Adopted Exoplanet Terms"
Two additional science gaps have been added:
- SCI-15: Quantify and mitigate the impacts of stellar contamination on transmission spectroscopy for measuring the composition of exoplanet atmospheres
- SCI-16: Complete the inventory of remotely observable exoplanet biosignatures and their false positives

2. REMINDER: 2023 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Hybrid Workshop (July 24-28, 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
https://nexsci.caltech.edu/workshop/2023/
Registration: https://nexsci.caltech.edu/workshop/2023/index.shtml#reg

Observations of an exoplanet's atmosphere provide the best hope for distinguishing the makeup of its outer layers, and the only hope for understanding the interplay between formation, natal composition, chemical and disequilibrium processes, and dynamics & circulation. The field is entering a revolution in our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres thanks to measurements from the ground, from space, and particularly from the new JWST – the superlative facility for exoplanet studies. In the longer term, such observations will also be essential for seeking signs of biosignature gasses in nearby exoplanets using future, next-generation observatories. This year's workshop will cover theoretical modeling, interpretation, and observations of exoplanets using a variety of telescopes, techniques, and hands-on exercises, presented by leading experts in the field. The Sagan Summer Workshops are aimed at advanced undergraduates, grad students, and postdocs, however all are welcome to attend. There is no registration fee for these workshops. Attendees will also participate in hands-on tutorials and have the chance to meet in smaller groups with our speakers.

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

3. REMINDER: Accepting Virtual Poster Abstracts for “Towards Starlight Suppression for the Habitable Worlds Observatory Workshop” (August 8-10, 2023; Pasadena, hybrid)

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

The workshop program consists of invited summary talks, but we are also accepting contributed Virtual Posters to showcase during the workshop. Early career scientists and engineers are encouraged to contribute. Please see instructions on the event website here, as well as more detailed information on the workshop: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/457/towards-starlight-suppression-for-the-habitable-worlds-observatory-workshop/

4. Call for Community Input on Strategic Priorities for Exoplanet Science with JWST and HST (White Paper Deadline September 8, 2023; Town Hall dates: July 12, 19, 31)

"Dear colleagues,
The Working Group on Strategic Exoplanet Initiatives with HST and JWST is soliciting community input on how HST and JWST observations can best be leveraged to investigate exoplanet systems. More information about our working group can be found in our charter.

We encourage input by completing this short, on-line survey and/or in the form of short white paper contributions submitted to STScI by Friday, September 8, 2023. Information on the activities of the working group, including links to the survey and white paper submission, can be found here. The latter site includes a list of FAQs and an email to submit your own questions to the working group. We will also be holding three Town Hall meetings in July 12, 19 and 31 to advertise our community engagement opportunities; the last meeting is reserved for early career researchers. Further details can be found on the website https://sites.google.com/view/exoplanet-strategy-wg.

The working group is expected to develop preliminary recommendations based on the received input in the (northern) fall of 2023, with final recommendations in early 2024.

Thank you,
The Working Group on Strategic Exoplanet Initiatives with HST and JWST:
Seth Redfield, Natasha Batalha, Bjorn Benneke, Beth Biller, Nestor Espinoza, Kevin France, Quinn Konpacky, Laura Kreidberg, Emily Rauscher, David Sing"

Strategic Exoplanet Initiatives with HST and JWST: Exoplanet Strategy Working Group https://sites.google.com/view/exoplanet-strategy-wg

FAQ: https://sites.google.com/view/exoplanet-strategy-wg/faq

Town Hall Dates:
Town Hall #1: July 12, 2023 (2pm EDT / 11am PDT / 7pm BST / 8pm CEST / 3am JST)
Town Hall #2: July 19, 2023 (9am EDT / 6am PDT / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST / 10pm JST)
Early Career Town Hall: July 31, 2023 (9am EDT / 6am PDT / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST / 10pm JST)
https://sites.google.com/view/exoplanet-strategy-wg/townhalls

ExoPAG News and Announcements (June 15, 2023)

ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series - Talks by Jack Lubin (UC Irvine) & Isabella Trierweiler (UCLA) (June 16, 2023, 2pm-3pm EDT/11am-12pm PDT)
TESS Mission Update Meeting (June 22, 2023, MIT and Virtual)
REMINDER: 2023 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Hybrid Workshop (July 24-28, 2023)
Now Accepting Virtual Poster Abstracts for “Towards Starlight Suppression for the Habitable Worlds Observatory Workshop” (August 8-10, 2023; Pasadena, hybrid)
Astrophysics Advisory Committee (APAC) Meeting (June 27-28, 2023)

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1. ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series - Talks by Jack Lubin (UC Irvine) & Isabella Trierweiler (UCLA) (June 16, 2023, 2pm-3pm EDT/11am-12pm PDT)

From Rob Zellem:

The ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series presents talks by cohort members Jack Lubin (UC Irvine) & Isabella Trierweiler (UCLA) on June 16, 2023, from 11 AM - 12 PM Pacific / 2 PM - 3 PM Eastern.

Speaker: Jack Lubin (UC Irvine)
Title: Exploring New Dimensions through Time/Frequency Analysis of RV Datasets with Lia

Abstract: One of the most pressing challenges in the new era of Extreme Precision Radial Velocity (EPRV) instruments is to disentangle signals induced by stellar activity from planetary signals. With small exception, planetary signals are distinct from activity signals in that they have a constant frequency, phase, and amplitude. Meanwhile, activity signals may come and go, growing and decaying over a characteristic lifetime, and returning again with possible phase and frequency shifts. Here, we present an approach exploiting this feature: we decompose the RV signal on a basis of apodized sinusoidal functions. Bayesian methods are precise and interpretable but computationally expensive. Periodograms are fast and provide statistics, but are prone to aliasing because they search one signal at a time. Here, we introduce the L1 Apodized Periodogram, L1A or Lia (pronounced like the name, “Leah”). This new software uses an L1 minimization approach, allowing to search for several signals at the same time with a moderate computational cost, to identify and characterize both the periodicity and decay lifetime of signals in a dataset. With a new way to look into our RV data sets, we can gain new insights and better understand the astrophysical origin of signals.

Speaker: Isabella Trierweiler (UCLA)
Title: Mapping Exoplanet Compositions Using Polluted White Dwarfs

Abstract: A persistent question in exoplanet characterization is whether exoplanetary systems form from similar compositional building blocks to our own. Polluted white dwarf stars offer a unique way to address this question as they provide measurements of the bulk compositions of exoplanetary material. These stars show evidence of recent accretion of rocky bodies in the form of metal lines in their spectra, which tell us about the relative elemental abundances of the accreted material. In this talk I will share a statistical analysis of the rocks polluting white dwarfs and compare their compositions to Solar System rocks, such as chondrites, bulk Earth, and crust. In this study, I find that the majority of the extrasolar rocks are consistent with the composition of chondrites, a result that is supported by the compositions of stars in the solar neighborhood.

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

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

2. TESS Mission Update Meeting (June 22, 2023, MIT and Virtual)

TESS Mission Update Meeting - June 2023
Dates: June 22-23, Thursday-Friday, 2023
Location: MIT Building 6, Eastman Laboratories building, Room 120 (6-120)

For more information including agenda, remote connection link, travel information, etc.: https://space.mit.edu/home/shporer/TESS%20Mission%20Update%20Meeting%20June2023.pdf

If you plan to attend the meeting, in person or online, please fill out the form at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfH1lUhypbT1GMYW5bVVc_DPecdscFCy1yfyhQh-fykvcoSyQ/viewform

Contact: Avi Shporer: shporer@mit.edu

3. REMINDER: 2023 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Hybrid Workshop (July 24-28, 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
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. Now Accepting Virtual Poster Abstracts for “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
August 8-10, 2023
Chairs: Brendan Crill (NASA ExEP) and Laura Coyle (Ball Aerospace)

The workshop program consists of invited summary talks, but we are also accepting contributed Virtual Posters to showcase during the workshop. Early career scientists and engineers are encouraged to contribute. Please see instructions on the event website, as well as more detailed information on the workshop:

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/457/towards-starlight-suppression-for-the-habitable-worlds-observatory-workshop/

5. Astrophysics Advisory Committee (APAC) Meeting (June 27-28, 2023)

The next meeting of the Astrophysics Advisory Committee (APAC) will be held June 27-28, 2023.

The federal register notice with connection information is at: https://science.nasa.gov/science-red/s3fs-public/atoms/files/Published%20APAC%20FRN%20-%20June%2027-28%202023.pdf

The agenda for the meeting includes the following topics:

Astrophysics Division Update
Updates on Specific Astrophysics Missions
Discussion of Reports from the Program Analysis Groups

The agenda and Program Analysis Group presentations will be posted on the Astrophysics Advisory Committee web page: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/nac/science-advisory-committees/apac

ExoPAG News and Announcements (June 2, 2023)

Welcome New ExoPAG Executive Committee Members
REMINDER: Dear Colleague Letter to Solicit Nominations for participation in the Great Observatory Maturation Program (GOMAP) Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START) for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) Mission (Self-nomination Deadline: June 5, 2023, 11:59PM EDT)
Exoplanet Science Metrics for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (Splinter Session at AAS 242, June 6, 2023, 2:00-3:30pm MDT = 4:00-5:30pm EDT = 1:00-2:30pm PDT, Albuquerque, NM and virtual)
Yield Modeling Tools for Direct Imaging of Exoplanets Hybrid Workshop (Splinter Session at AAS 242, June 8, 2023, 9:00am-11am and 12:30-3:00pm MT, Albuquerque, NM)
REMINDER: Solicitations Open for Coronagraph Designs to be Included in the ExEP Coronagraph Design Survey for Habitable Worlds Observatory (Deadline June 9, 2023)
Second Announcement: Towards Starlight Suppression for the Habitable Worlds Observatory Workshop (August 8-10, 2023; Pasadena, hybrid)
CfAO Adaptive Optics Summer School (August 14-18, 2023, Santa Cruz CA; Registration Now Open; Registration Deadline July 31, 2023)
NASA Goddard SEEC Symposium: Pathways to Characterizing Non-Transiting Planets (April 15-19, 2024, GSFC, Greenbelt MD)

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1. Welcome New ExoPAG Executive Committee Members

"Dear All,

We are very pleased to announce the new members of the ExoPAG Executive Committee (EC) for 2023:

Ian Crossfield (The University of Kansas)
Kate Follette (Amherst College)
Natalie Hinkel (Southwest Research Institute
Samson Johnson (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
Malena Rice (Yale University)
Lily Zhao (Flatiron Institute)

They bring new expertise and diverse perspectives to the ExoPAG Executive Committee. Please join me in welcoming Ian, Kate, Natalie, Samson, Malena, and Lily. We are grateful that they have accepted the invitation to join the EC and contribute for their three-year terms.

We are also grateful for the significant contributions of departing Executive Committee members:

Natasha Batalha (NASA Ames)
Jacob Bean (The University of Chicago)
John Debes (Space Telescope Science Institute)
Laura Schaefer (Stanford University)
Michael Meyer (University of Michigan)
John Wisniewski (The University of Oklahoma)

Please join me in thanking them for their service over the years.

Sincerely,
Hannah Jang-Condell
ExoPAG Executive Secretary at NASA HQ
Deputy Exoplanet Exploration Program Scientist"

2. REMINDER: Dear Colleague Letter to Solicit Nominations for participation in the Great Observatory Maturation Program (GOMAP) Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START) for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) Mission (Self-nomination Deadline: June 5, 2023, 11:59PM EDT)

The Great Observatory Maturation Program (GOMAP) will focus on several key early activities to ensure flagships, starting with HWO, are developed on a predictable cost and schedule while minimizing risks of overruns. GOMAP’s coordinated activities will ensure the scope of HWO is clearly defined, will advance the technologies that will enable HWO’s ability to deliver on that scope, and will begin to plan additional long-lead activities. A few sets of groups are currently being formed to help guide these activities including: a Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START) and a series of Technology Development Roadmap Working Groups. We are currently soliciting self-nominations for the START and will accept nominations until June 5, 2023. Details on the START and the self-nomination process are contained in a Dear Colleague Letter and a Terms of Reference for the START, which can be found below.

Dear Colleague Letter to Solicit Nominations for Participation in the HWO START:
https://science.nasa.gov/science-pink/s3fs-public/atoms/files/DCL-GOMAP%20HWO%20START-FY23-signed.pdf

Terms of Reference (TOR) for the NASA Astrophysics Division Great Observatory Maturation Program (GOMAP) Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START) For the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO):
https://science.nasa.gov/science-pink/s3fs-public/atoms/files/TOR-HWO-START-Final-FY23-signed.pdf

Great Observatory Maturation Program (GOMAP):
https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/gomap

Questions may be addressed to Julie Crooke (Julie.A.Crooke@nasa.gov)

UPDATE: slides from the GOMAP START Virtual Town Hall held May 5, 2023 are now posted at:
https://science.nasa.gov/science-red/s3fs-public/atoms/files/GOMAP_START_TownHall_Final.pdf

3. Exoplanet Science Metrics for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (Splinter Session at AAS 242, June 6, 2023, 2:00-3:30pm MDT = 4:00-5:30pm EDT = 1:00-2:30pm PDT, Albuquerque, NM and virtual)

Exoplanet Science Metrics for the Habitable Worlds Observatory:
A Splinter Session Discussion at the AAS Summer Meeting
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
2:00-3:30 PM MDT = 4:00-5:30 PM EDT = 1:00-2:30 PM PDT
in person in the Albuquerque Convention Center Rooms 19/21 and online at:
https://jpl.webex.com/jpl/j.php?MTID=mc18447bea887dca49a2346ce06812d42

The Astro2020 Decadal Survey recommended that NASA begin the maturation process for its next large astrophysics mission, now known as the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). In the coming years, this process will consider various instrument and telescope configurations for HWO and weigh their cost, performance, and technical readiness. A way to compare the performance of these options is to use science metrics, agreed-upon figures of merit that quantify how well each design option achieves the mission science goals. HWO's namesake observing program will be a high-contrast imaging survey to detect and spectrally characterize rocky exoplanets in the habitable zones of nearby stars. What specific metrics for that survey should be used, in tandem with other metrics for general astrophysics performance, to guide the maturation of HWO toward a final design?

We take up this question in this Splinter Session Discussion. The agenda will be split roughly equally into three topic areas:

An overview of science metrics in general; HWO's exoplanet metrics inheritance from the Decadal, HabEx, and LUVOIR studies; and the path forward for defining HWO's exoplanet metrics
We will hear from several members of an interim working group now considering HWO exoplanet metrics, who will offer their ideas and concerns on this topic
We will provide an open forum for in-person and virtual attendees to contribute their ideas to the discussion

Representatives from NASA HQ will be available to answer programmatic questions.

Please join us as we open the HWO exoplanet science metrics discussion!

-Karl Stapelfeldt (karl.r.stapelfeldt@jpl.nasa.gov)

Join from the meeting link: https://jpl.webex.com/jpl/j.php?MTID=mc18447bea887dca49a2346ce06812d42
Join by meeting number (access code): 2761 756 6151
Meeting password: exep
Join by phone
+1-510-210-8882 USA Toll
Join from a video system or application
Dial 27617566151@jpl.webex.com
You can also dial 207.182.190.20 and enter your meeting number.

4. Yield Modeling Tools for Direct Imaging of Exoplanets Hybrid Workshop (Splinter Session at AAS 242, June 8, 2023, 9:00am-11:00am and 12:30-3:00pm MT, Albuquerque, NM)

Yield Modeling Tools for Direct Imaging of Exoplanets
Hybrid Workshop
as a splinter session of the 242nd Meeting of the AAS in Albuquerque, NM
June 8, 2023
9:00am-11:00am and 12:30-3:00pm MDT
Chairs: Rhonda Morgan (NASA ExEP) and Dmitry Savransky (Cornell University)

Description:
NASA has responded to the recommendations of the astrophysics decadal survey by establishing the Great Observatories Maturation Program (GOMAP) to reduce risk for the Habitable Worlds Observatory and lay the groundwork for future great observatories. A key element of this maturation will be the evaluation of the impact of design options on science outcomes – and specifically, science yield modeling.

To support the advancement of our yield modeling capabilities, and to inform the community of our current capabilities, NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program is planning a hybrid workshop on June 8, 2023, as a splinter session of the 242nd AAS meeting in Albuquerque, NM entitled:

Yield Modeling Tools for Direct Imaging of Exoplanets

The purpose of this workshop is to:

Bring together the vibrant communities of scientists, mission and instrument designers and yield modelers to share their expertise
Introduce fundamental concepts in exoplanet imaging yield modeling
Present state of the art yield modeling tools available for use today and provide basic instruction in their use
Discuss gaps in yield modeling approaches and potential future efforts to close them

This workshop will be open to all and will provide a valuable foundation for those interested in yield modeling, from students new to the field to experts with decades of experience. In keeping with NASA’s and the community’s commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA), those with diverse 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. The workshop will include resources for anyone wishing to learn more about various elements of yield modeling and will include live working sessions where participants will try out the current generation of modeling codes and learn how these can contribute to their own work.

The organizing committee has solicited short talks from early career researchers in relevant areas and provide ample time for open discussion and working sessions. A series of brief pre-recorded talks on the fundamental concepts of yield modeling will be available on the workshop page a week before the workshop. After finishing the workshop, attendees will be knowledgeable in the technical basis of science yield modeling for exoplanet imaging missions, and will have a grasp of what remains to be done in support of GOMAP.

The SOC is pleased to announce the selection of three early career speakers for the workshop:

Felix A. Dannert (10 mins): “Yield prediction for space-based nulling interferometry”
Samantha Hasler (10 mins): “Reducing Detection Confusion in Directly Imaged Multi-Planet Systems”
Margaret Bruna, (10 mins): “Orbit Retrieval of Directly Imaged Exoplanets: When and How to Look”

The agenda and Webex link can be found on the workshop page. Please feel free to indicate interest and sign up to receive future announcements by filling out the form at the Workshop page: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/456/exoplanet-yield-modeling-tools-workshop/

Rhonda Morgan (NASA ExEP) and Dmitry Savransky (Cornell University) on behalf of the Workshop organizing committees

Scientific Organizing Committee:
Rhonda Morgan (NASA ExEP), Dmitry Savransky (Cornell University), Jesse Christiansen (NASA Exoplanet Science Institute), Eric Mamajek (NASA ExEP), Dan Sirbu (NASA ARC), Chris Stark (NASA GSFC), Ty Robinson (University of Arizona)

Local Organizing Committee:
Rhonda Morgan (NASA ExEP), Mario Damiano (NASA JPL), Ray Lemus (NASA ExEP), Michael Turmon (NASA JPL)

5. Solicitations Open for Coronagraph Designs to be Included in the ExEP Coronagraph Design Survey for Habitable Worlds Observatory (Deadline June 9, 2023)

"Dear Colleague,

On behalf of NASA’s Exoplanets Exploration Program for the future Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), the Coronagraph Design Survey (CDS) working group is compiling a list of existing coronagraph designs as part of a fact-finding survey that will inform future design teams. As such, the CDS is now reaching out to the broader exoplanets community requesting for any coronagraph ideas, designs, or technologies for inclusion in the CDS. If interested, please fill out this quad chart (https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/internal_resources/2726/) and send to co-leads Christopher.c.stark@nasa.gov and Ruslan.belikov@nasa.gov by June 9, 2023 (earlier submissions are appreciated). A completed quad chart will be added later for reference.

A fully fleshed out design is not required at this stage, only the high-level information requested on the quad chart template. Over the next ~ 3-4 months, the CDS working group will work with you to obtain additional details as needed. Examples of information we will ultimately need are: a standard file package for exoplanet yield calculations, aberration sensitivity curves, more detailed information about maturity and feasibility to TRL 5, etc.

The CDS is a fact-finding activity. It will not down-select or make any recommendations in this regard. Key metrics of all designs will be evaluated, and all information will be incorporated into a final report that will document the gathered information. For more details, see the CDS summary (https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/internal_resources/2717/).

We look forward to your submissions, as well as to working with you to better understand the exciting designs and technologies our community has been producing!

Please feel free to forward this invitation widely to any other interested parties.

Best regards,
Rus Belikov and Chris Stark for the CDS working group"

6. Second Announcement: 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
August 8-10, 2023
Chairs: Brendan Crill (NASA ExEP) and Laura Coyle (Ball Aerospace)

This is a second announcement of the Starlight Suppression workshop. Registration (free) is now open!

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. The purpose of the workshop 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.

For further information about the workshop goals, the registration link, a draft block agenda, venue and lodging information, and more, please see our website here:
https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/457/towards-starlight-suppression-for-the-habitable-worlds-observatory-workshop/

Direct link to the Registration Form.

7. CfAO Adaptive Optics Summer School (August 14-18, 2023, Santa Cruz CA; Registration Now Open; Registration Deadline July 31, 2023)

CfAO Summer School on Adaptive Optics 2023
August 14th – August 18th, 2023
The University of California, Santa Cruz
Registration Deadline July 31st, 2023 (Registration is now open!)

Held at the University of California, Santa Cruz, this workshop provides professional instruction in the field of Adaptive Optics by speakers renowned for their contributions to this interdisciplinary field. The summer school is appropriate for scientists, engineers, researchers, and technicians at the graduate level and above; this workshop combines lectures and hands-on, facilitated laboratory activities with working adaptive optics systems. Participants will also have an opportunity to give a poster presentation on their research. For more information, please visit: https://www.ucobservatories.org/uco-highlights/cfao-summer-school-on-adaptive-optics-2023/

8. NASA Goddard SEEC Symposium: Pathways to Characterizing Non-Transiting Planets (April 15-19, 2024, GSFC, Greenbelt MD)

From Ravi Kopparapu:

"Pathways to Characterizing Non-Transiting Planets

We would like to announce that the NASA Goddard SEEC symposium will be held tentatively on April 15 – 19, 2024 at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Maryland, USA. It will be hosted by the GSFC Sellers Exoplanet Environments Collaboration (SEEC) and co-supported by the University of Maryland College Park Department of Astronomy.

General Description:

Recent exoplanet surveys from the ground have discovered myriad nearby systems that are non-transiting. Currently, the number of known non-transiting systems dominate by a factor of two compared to transiting ones within 20 pc, and by a factor of 9x within 10 pc. It is expected that the number of detected non-transiting planets will continue to grow in the coming years with more high-precision radial velocity surveys, next-generation direct imaging capabilities, Gaia astrometry, and the launch of flagship space missions like the Roman Space Telescope. This interdisciplinary symposium will focus on exploring pathways to characterize non-transiting planets - in particular, the regions of planetary parameter space that are not well represented in transiting planet characterization studies. The goal will be to engage communities working with ground- and space-based observational methods as well as contextualizing theoretical models to prepare for the characterization of these planets in the next decade.

Focus Topics:

Observations of Nearby Non-Transiting Planets: Phase Curves, Radial Velocity, Astrometry, Direct Imaging
Demographics of Non-Transiting Planet Population: Microlensing, Radial Velocity, Astrometry
Characterization: Planetary Parameters, Atmospheres, and System Architectures Using Space-based and Ground-based Approaches
Theory and Modeling of Non-Transiting Planets
Science Priorities, Technology Gaps, Instruments and Missions"

SEEC: https://seec.gsfc.nasa.gov/
University of Maryland College Park Department of Astronomy: https://www.astro.umd.edu/

ExoPAG News and Announcements (May 10, 2023)

Solicitations Open for Coronagraph Designs to be Included in the ExEP Coronagraph Design Survey (Deadline June 9, 2023)
ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series: Michelle Kunimoto and Junellie González Quiles (May 12, 2023, 2pm-3pm EDT/11am-12pm PDT)
Exoplanet Exploration Technology Colloquium Series: Towards Institutional Diversity: One Company’s Journey (May 24, 2023; 12pm EDT/9am PDT)
REMINDER: New Science Analysis Group (SAG) on “Exploring the Complementary Science Value of Starshade Observations” (Call for Participation by May 16, 2023)
REMINDER: Dear Colleague Letter to Solicit Nominations for participation in the Great Observatory Maturation Program (GOMAP) Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START) for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) Mission (Self-nomination Deadline: June 5, 2023, 11:59PM EDT)
Astrophysics Probe Announcement of Opportunity Community Announcement: May 2023 Schedule Update
Astronomy and Astrophysics Committee Laboratory Astrophysics Task Force Survey

+ more

1. Solicitations Open for Coronagraph Designs to be Included in the ExEP Coronagraph Design Survey (Deadline June 9, 2023)

"Dear Colleague,

We look forward to your submissions, as well as to working with you to better understand the exciting designs and technologies our community has been producing!

Please feel free to forward this invitation widely to any other interested parties.

Best regards,
Rus Belikov and Chris Stark for the CDS working group"

2. ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series: Michelle Kunimoto and Junellie González Quiles (May 12, 2023, 2pm-3pm EDT/11am-12pm PDT)

The ExoExplorer Science Series presents talks by cohort members Michelle Kunimoto (MIT) & Junellie González Quiles (Johns Hopkins) on May 12, 2023, from 11 AM - 12 PM Pacific / 2 PM - 3 PM Eastern.

“Diamonds in the Rough: Finding Thousands of New Planet Candidates Around Faint Stars”
Speaker: Michelle Kunimoto (MIT)

Abstract: The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite mission (TESS) enables the discovery of exoplanets around tens of millions of stars by regularly recording its entire field of view in Full Frame Images (FFIs). However, current TESS planet searches require significant manual inspection efforts to identify planets among transit-like detections, which limits their scope to small subsets of this stellar sample. I will present an ongoing search for transiting exoplanets around all ~20 million stars brighter than T = 13.5 mag that have been observed in TESS FFIs, made possible by the development of a near-fully automated vetting pipeline to efficiently distinguish planets from false positives. This search has uncovered ~2700 TESS Objects of Interest (TOIs), most of which are giant, close-in exoplanets around faint stars not explored by other searches. I will highlight some particularly exciting discoveries, including rare types of exoplanets and intriguing targets for atmospheric characterization. The automated vetting pipeline developed for this project, as well as the new candidates discovered in this ongoing search, will allow TESS to significantly improve the statistical power of demographic studies in the future.

“Carbon Cycling on the TRAPPIST-1 Planets”
Speaker: Junellie González Quiles (Johns Hopkins)

Abstract: The TRAPPIST-1 planets have become prime targets for studying the habitability of planets around M-dwarf stars. Modeling geochemical cycles in these planets can provide insight on their evolution and their potential for habitability. Through planet formation and long-term tectonic evolution, there is an exchange of volatiles between the interior and the atmosphere of rocky planets. We model the combined deep water and carbonate-silicate cycles to trace the production of different gas species including hydrogen, water, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. We also aim to study how exoplanet interior structure and material properties, like oxygen fugacity, influence the atmosphere of these planets. These outgassing models can help us understand the evolution of the atmospheric composition and its effect on planetary climate. We present the results from our models, which include the atmospheric abundances as well as the surface and mantle temperatures of exoplanets TRAPPIST-1 d, e and f.

Description
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/

3. Exoplanet Exploration Technology Colloquium Series: Towards Institutional Diversity: One Company’s Journey (May 24, 2023; 12pm EDT/9am PDT)

The Exoplanet Exploration Technology Colloquium series presents:

“Towards Institutional Diversity: One Company’s Journey”
Speakers: Sarah Lipscy and Stephen Rock (Ball Aerospace)
Date/time: Wednesday May 24, 2023, 9am Pacific Time
Location: Webex (email Brendan Crill, colloquium organizer at bcrill@jpl.nasa.gov for link)

The 2020 Decadal Survey in Astronomy and Astrophysics (Astro2020) recommended that NASA develop a program to enable a new series of Great Observatories, the first of which will be the Habitable Worlds Observatory. Realizing these ambitious missions will require a large, talented, and diverse workforce, institutions need to be intentional in efforts that attract and retain talent. These strategies are critical to the success of these multi-decadal efforts. In recognition of the need to build and sustain this workforce, Astro2020 also placed the state of the profession front and center in its report. The report recognized that diversity is a driver of innovation and recommended that barriers to participation be removed. In synergy with the report, many technical institutions have recently also recognized the essential need for diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and many have attempted major changes to support this need. For example, NASA has adopted inclusion as a core value and has developed a policy statement (https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/2022_administrator_policy_statement_on_deia_at_nasa_tagged.pdf) to support it, further adding the importance of “accessibility” to DEI.

Ball Aerospace is another institution that is committed to diversity & inclusion and has shown that intentionality can indeed create progress. They have set out on a corporate journey to recruit, inspire, and retain a more diverse workforce. One example of their successes lies in their focus in increasing female representation in technical leadership roles.

We are pleased to depart from our normally technical topics to announce a colloquium with a talk by Ball Aerospace Director of Civil Space Business Development, Sarah Lipscy, and Ball Aerospace Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Stephen Rock, that will describe strategies they have undertaken to implement DEI within their organization. Come learn ideas for best practices and lessons that we can potentially implement at our own institutions.

About the ExEP Technology Colloquium series: The intention of these web seminars is to provide a forum for sharing key technology advances and results that enable or enhance the direct imaging and characterization of exoplanets. Topics may include recent coronagraph and starshade demonstration results, advances in detector technology, deformable mirrors, LOWFS/C, telescope stability, polarization, RV, starshade tutorials, etc. Our target audience is the engineers and scientists working on technology for future exoplanet space missions, but all are welcome to attend. The presentation slides will be publicly archived so that they can be viewed at later dates.

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/technology/tech_colloquium/

4. REMINDER: New Science Analysis Group (SAG) on “Exploring the Complementary Science Value of Starshade Observations” (Call for Participation by May 16, 2023)

"Dear ExoPAG Community,

The ExoPAG EC recently reviewed a draft proposal for the creation of a possible new Study Analysis Group (SAG) on “Exploring the Complementary Science Value of Starshade Observations” in the context of HWO. The goal of the SAG is to elucidate the unique and critical science Starshade enables, complementary to the coronagraph, for the direct characterization of exoEarths and exoplanetary systems in general. In particular, the SAG shall assess the scientific value of having access to a broad (~100%) instantaneous spectral bandwidth, an unrestricted outer working angle, low resolution UV spectroscopy down to <~ 250nm—with the ability to search for the “ozone cutoff”—and high throughput direct observations of exoplanetary systems.

The draft terms of reference for the proposed SAG is located at https://forms.gle/cD2ZV2j6e1udQwuH8 The ExoPAG EC is looking for expressions of interest from the exoplanet community to serve as part of the leadership team for this SAG. In the near term, that team will finalize the SAG terms of reference and submit them to the Astrophysics Division for approval. If they are approved, the leadership team will then organize this community effort, oversee its execution, and be responsible for making sure that a final report is submitted. Anyone interested in participating in this leadership effort or in joining the SAG in the hope it is approved should fill out this Google Form (https://forms.gle/cD2ZV2j6e1udQwuH8) by May 16, 2023. After approval of the SAG, another call will be issued for community participation.

Best wishes,
Bertrand Mennesson (on behalf of the ExoPAG EC), Sara Seager and Scott Gaudi"

5. REMINDER: Dear Colleague Letter to Solicit Nominations for participation in the Great Observatory Maturation Program (GOMAP) Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START) for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) Mission (Self-nomination Deadline: June 5, 2023, 11:59PM EDT)

The Great Observatory Maturation Program (GOMAP) will focus on several key early activities to ensure flagships, starting with HWO, are developed on a predictable cost and schedule while minimizing risks of overruns. GOMAP’s coordinated activities will ensure the scope of HWO is clearly defined, will advance the technologies that will enable HWO’s ability to deliver on that scope, and will begin to plan additional long-lead activities. A few sets of groups are currently being formed to help guide these activities including: a Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START) and a series of Technology Development Roadmap Working Groups. We are currently soliciting self-nominations for the START, and will accept nominations until June 5, 2023. Details on the START and the self-nomination process are contained in a Dear Colleague Letter and a Terms of Reference for the START, which can be found below.

Dear Colleague Letter to Solicit Nominations for Participation in the HWO START: https://science.nasa.gov/science-pink/s3fs-public/atoms/files/DCL-GOMAP%20HWO%20START-FY23-signed.pdf

Terms of Reference (TOR) for the NASA Astrophysics Division Great Observatory Maturation Program (GOMAP) Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START) For the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO): https://science.nasa.gov/science-pink/s3fs-public/atoms/files/TOR-HWO-START-Final-FY23-signed.pdf

Great Observatory Maturation Program (GOMAP) website: https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/gomap

Questions may be addressed to Julie Crooke (Julie.A.Crooke@nasa.gov)

[NOTE: Previous announcements about the START were sent via ExoPAGannounce email list 4/14 and 5/1.]

6. Astrophysics Probe Announcement of Opportunity Community Announcement: May 2023 Schedule Update

The NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) has released a third Community Announcement via www.SAM.gov notice ID NNH22ZDA008L concerning its intention to solicit investigations for the Astrophysics Probe Program.

As announced at the March 29-30, 2023, NASA Astrophysics Advisory Committee meeting, the planned Astrophysics Probe Announcement of Opportunity (AO) proposal submission date and the length of the competitive Phase A are changing in order to provide more time for proposal preparation and to provide for a longer Phase A duration. Presentations with this information are available at https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/nac/science-advisory-committees/apac entitled “NASA Astrophysics Update” and “Astrophysics Explorers Update.” In addition, the schedule now includes an indication of the general timing for submission of the Mandatory Notice of Intent to Propose. All other information contained in the second Community Announcement, available from the “Community Announcements” section of the Astrophysics Probe Acquisition websitehttps://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/2023APPROBE/, remains unchanged. Please also see the Q&As posted at the same website for additional information.

The schedule for the forthcoming AO is intended to be:

Release of this third notice: May 10, 2023
Release of draft AO: August 16, 2022
Release of final AO: July 2023 (target)
Preproposal conference: ~ 3 weeks after final AO release
Mandatory Notice of Intent to Propose Deadline: AO Release + 6 weeks
Proposals due: NET mid-November 2023
Selection for competitive Phase A studies: Mid 2024 (target)
Concept study reports due: Mid 2025 (target)
Down-selection: Late 2025 (target)

The Final Astrophysics Probe AO may contain provisions that differ substantially from this special notice, in which case the provisions in the AO will take precedence. To find the full draft AO text, visit http://nspires.nasaprs.com/, select “Solicitations” at the top of the page and search on “NNH22ZDA015J” or use this direct link https://go.nasa.gov/Hertz15. However, proposers must read carefully the Final Astrophysics Probe AO when it is released on NSPIRES.

NASA has not approved the issuance of the Final Astrophysics Probe AO, and this community announcement does not obligate NASA to issue the AO and solicit proposals. Any costs incurred by prospective investigators in preparing submissions in response to this announcement or the Draft Astrophysics Probe AO are incurred completely at the submitter's own risk.

The Science Office for Mission Assessment (SOMA) will post further information, as it becomes available, athttps://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/2023APPROBE/. Questions and feedback on the policies in this special notice may be addressed by email with “Astrophysics Probe” in the subject header to Dr. Patricia Knezek, Astrophysics Probe Program Lead Scientist, Astrophysics Division, patricia.m.knezek@nasa.gov.

Questions and feedback will be acknowledged, and responses to inquiries will be posted at the Questions and Answers (Q&A) location on the Astrophysics Probe Acquisition website. Anonymity of persons or institutions submitting questions will be preserved.

7. Astronomy and Astrophysics Committee Laboratory Astrophysics Task Force Survey

"The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have requested that the Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (AAAC) establish a task force to address the following 2020 Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics (Astro2020) Recommendation on laboratory astrophysics:

'NASA and the National Science Foundation should (1) convene a broad panel of experts to identify the needs for supporting laboratory data to interpret the results from the new generation of astronomical observatories, (2) identify the national resources that can be brought to bear to satisfy those needs, and (3) consider new approaches or programs for building the requisite databases.'

You can learn more about the AAAC Task force on the NSF webpage of the task force (https://www.nsf.gov/mps/ast/aaac/labastro.jsp). The definition of laboratory astrophysics is broad, encompassing laboratory measurements, theoretical calculations, and database development/management aimed at supporting interpretation of astronomical observations and/or astrophysical modeling.

As members of the task force, our initial objective is to survey the current state of laboratory astrophysics in the United States, drawing from the wide range of available materials (e.g., decadal survey reports, white papers, community workshop reports, etc.), and to assess resources that currently support laboratory astrophysics, including grant programs, databases, facilities, and infrastructure. We are seeking community input from researchers at universities, national laboratories, and research institutes to gather information about institutional resources and support for laboratory astrophysics. To assist our efforts in providing a comprehensive assessment of the state of the field, we request that you please respond to the following survey, which should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Link to survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAq68LnH1k_I9MD-qENyQ_kKj3d8mxSt79McSef6fFwrBfFA/viewform

Your input will help us make informed recommendations to the AAAC about the critical needs in laboratory astrophysics and the best way to support the field moving forward.

We are contacting you specifically because we believe you may have especially useful insights and information beyond what we may receive from our more general appeals to the community at large. We would especially appreciate your participation, and we thank you for your time.

If you have questions about the task force, please reach out to us at one of the addresses below.

On behalf of the AAAC Laboratory Astrophysics Taskforce,
Kyle Crabtree, University of California, Davis, kncrabtree@ucdavis.edu
Iouli Gordon, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, IGordon@cfa.harvard.edu
Stuart Loch, Auburn University, lochstu@auburn.edu
Lucy Ziurys, Chair, University of Arizona, lziurys@arizona.edu"

Charge letter to AAAC Laboratory Astrophysics Taskforce: https://www.nsf.gov/mps/ast/aaac/labastro/labastro_chargeletter.pdf

ExoPAG News and Announcements (May 1, 2023)

New Science Analysis Group (SAG) on “Exploring the Complementary Science Value of Starshade Observations” (Call for Participation by May 16, 2023)
Habitable Worlds Observatory Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team and Virtual Town Hall (Virtual Town Hall May 5, 2023, 11:30am-12:30pm ET; HWO START Nomination Deadline June 5, 2023)
Extreme Precision Radial Velocity (EPRV) 5 Conference: Presentations
Reminder: ExoPAG 28 Meeting Will Take Place At 55th DPS Meeting in San Antonio in October 2023

+ more

1. New Science Analysis Group (SAG) on “Exploring the Complementary Science Value of Starshade Observations” (Call for Participation by May 16, 2023)

"Dear ExoPAG Community,

The draft terms of reference for the proposed SAG is located at https://forms.gle/cD2ZV2j6e1udQwuH8 The ExoPAG EC is looking for expressions of interest from the exoplanet community to serve as part of the leadership team for this SAG. In the near term, that team will finalize the SAG terms of reference and submit them to the Astrophysics Division for approval. If they are approved, the leadership team will then organize this community effort, oversee its execution, and be responsible for making sure that a final report is submitted. Anyone interested in participating in this leadership effort or in joining the SAG in the hope it is approved should fill out this Google Form (https://forms.gle/cD2ZV2j6e1udQwuH8) by May 16. After approval of the SAG, another call will be issued for community participation.

Best wishes,
Bertrand Mennesson (on behalf of the ExoPAG EC), Sara Seager and Scott Gaudi"

2. Habitable Worlds Observatory Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team and Virtual Town Hall (Virtual Town Hall May 5, 2023 11:30am-12:30pm ET; HWO START Nomination Deadline June 5, 2023)

Habitable Worlds Observatory Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team and Virtual Town Hall

Dear Colleagues,

NASA is creating a Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START) to determine the science scope and needed observatory capabilities for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). HWO was prioritized by the 2020 Astrophysics Decadal Survey and is slated to be the NASA Astrophysics flagship mission that will follow the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. HWO will directly image and characterize exoplanets and conduct a wide range of groundbreaking astrophysics observations in the ultraviolet-visible-near infrared wavelength range. The Dear Colleague Letter and detailed Terms of Reference can be found on the NASA Astrophysics Great Observatories Maturation Program (GOMAP) webpage at https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/gomap

We are soliciting self-nominations for people to serve on the START. We want START to be composed of people from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives, and encourage scientists, engineers, and technologists with terminal degrees in their field to self-nominate.

For more information on the START self-nomination process, please see the Dear Colleague Letter (https://science.nasa.gov/science-red/s3fs-public/atoms/files/DCL-GOMAP%20HWO%20START-FY23-signed.pdf). For more information on the duties of START and its relationship to other activities please see the Terms of Reference for the NASA Astrophysics HWO START (https://science.nasa.gov/science-red/s3fs-public/atoms/files/TOR-HWO-START-Final-FY23-signed.pdf).

NASA will host a Virtual Town Hall meeting on Friday, May 5, 2023, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Eastern Time) to answer questions from the community. Users with Microsoft Teams can connect to the town hall meeting or follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/HWOSTART. Users without Teams can follow the link and choose the join with their browser.

Meeting ID: 284 516 069 792
Passcode: oCEbCt

Download Teams: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app

Please also check the GOMAP website at https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/gomap for additional information.

Questions may be addressed to Julie.A.Crooke@nasa.gov

Thank you in advance for your interest in this exciting future project!

Sincerely,
Mark Clampin
Director, Astrophysics Division
NASA

3. Extreme Precision Radial Velocity (EPRV) 5 Conference: Presentations

Recordings from all of the talks and splinter sessions from last month’s EPRV 5 conference are now available via a dedicated EPRV Conferences YouTube Channel. PDF versions of many of the posters presented at the conference are also available on the Posters & Pops page of the conference website.

EPRV 5: https://conference.ipac.caltech.edu/eprv5/
EPRV 5 Posters and POPs: https://conference.ipac.caltech.edu/eprv5/page/16
@EPRVConferences Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EPRVConferences

4. Reminder: 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.

ExoPAG News and Announcements (April 14, 2023)

Habitable Worlds Observatory Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team and Virtual Town Hall (Virtual Town Hall May 5, 2023, 11:30am-12:30pm ET; HWO START Nomination Deadline June 5, 2023)
Starlight Suppression State-of-the-art Lab Demonstration Summary
ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series: Clarissa Do O (UC San Diego) and Evelyn MacDonald (U Toronto) (April 21, 2023; 2pm-3pm EDT/11am-12pm PDT)
Yield Modeling Tools for Direct Imaging of Exoplanets Hybrid Workshop (Splinter Session at AAS 242, June 8, 2023, Albuquerque, NM)
Call for Community Input into the Definition of the Roman Space Telescope’s Core Community Surveys: White Paper Submissions (Deadline June 16, 2023)
Save the Date: Science with Habitable Worlds Observatory and Beyond (July 10-15, 2023)

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1. Habitable Worlds Observatory Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team and Virtual Town Hall (Virtual Town Hall May 5, 2023 11:30am-12:30pm ET; HWO START Nomination Deadline June 5, 2023)

Habitable Worlds Observatory
Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START)
and Virtual Town Hall

“Dear Colleagues,

NASA is creating a Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START) to determine the science scope and needed observatory capabilities for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). HWO was prioritized by the 2020 Astrophysics Decadal Survey and is slated to be the NASA Astrophysics flagship mission that will follow the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. HWO will directly image and characterize exoplanets and conduct a wide range of groundbreaking astrophysics observations in the ultraviolet-visible-near infrared wavelength range. The Dear Colleague Letter and detailed Terms of Reference can be found on the NASA Astrophysics Great Observatories Maturation Program (GOMAP) webpage at: https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/gomap

For more information on the START self-nomination process, please see the Dear Colleague Letter. For more information on the duties of START and its relationship to other activities please see the Terms of Reference for the NASA Astrophysics HWO START.

NASA will host a Virtual Town Hall meeting on Friday, May 5, 2023, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Eastern Time) to answer questions from the community. To connect to the town hall meeting, users with Microsoft Teams click here or follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/HWOSTART. Users without Teams can follow the link and choose the join with their browser.

Meeting ID: 284 516 069 792

Passcode: oCEbCt

Download Teams: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app

Please also check the GOMAP website at https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/gomap for additional information.

Questions may be addressed to Julie.A.Crooke@nasa.gov

Thank you in advance for your interest in this exciting future project!

Sincerely,
Mark Clampin
Director, Astrophysics Division
NASA”

2. Starlight Suppression State-of-the-art Lab Demonstration Summary

Following on from the Starlight Suppression splinter session at last January’s AAS (slides and talk videos are posted here: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/411/starlight-suppression-technologies-for-the-habitable-worlds-observatory-flagship/ )

and in anticipation of the Starlight Suppression Workshop planned for August 8-10, 2023, the Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP) has collected the state-of-the-art in published lab coronagraph and starshade demonstrations working towards the performance goals of the future Habitable Worlds Observatory. The slide package with this information is publicly available to all on the ExEP website at: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/internal_resources/2664/

We intend to maintain the slide package as a living document and will update it when new results become public. Please send any proposed additions to Brendan Crill, ExEP Deputy Program Chief Technologist

3. ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series: Clarissa Do O (UC San Diego) and Evelyn MacDonald (U Toronto) (April 21, 2023; 2pm-3pm EDT/11am-12pm PDT)

"Hi all-

The ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series presents talks by cohort members Clarissa Do O (UC San Diego) and Evelyn MacDonald (U Toronto) on April 21, 2023, from 11 AM - 12 PM Pacific / 2 PM - 3 PM Eastern.

Speaker: Clarissa Do O (UC San Diego)

Title: Constraining the Formation of Directly Imaged Exoplanets By Upgrading the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI)’s Wavefront Sensor

Abstract: The Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) is a high contrast imaging instrument designed to directly detect and characterize young, Jupiter-mass exoplanets. After six years of operation at Gemini South in Chile, the instrument is being upgraded and relocated to Gemini North in Hawaii as GPI 2.0. GPI helped establish that Jovian-mass planets have a higher occurrence rate at smaller separations (~1-10 AU), and their formation pathways are still not completely understood. These questions motivate several sub-system upgrades to obtain deeper contrasts particularly at small inner working angles. One of GPI 2.0’s upgrades will be on its adaptive optics system, by replacing the current Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (WFS) with a pyramid WFS and a custom EMCCD. Electron multiplying CCDs (EMCCDs) are detectors capable of counting single photon events at high speed and high sensitivity. The upgraded ultra low-noise wavefront sensor is expected to give the adaptive optics (AO) system the capability to achieve high Strehl ratios on stars two magnitudes fainter than the current limit. GPI 2.0 is expected to go on-sky in late 2025. Here I will present on GPI 2.0’s science goals, its adaptive optics upgrades and the latest timeline for operations and current status.

Speaker: Evelyn MacDonald (U Toronto)

Title: Ambiguities in transit spectra of habitable zone rocky planets due to unknown surface conditions

Abstract: JWST will produce transit spectra of several habitable zone rocky planets orbiting M-dwarfs in the coming years. To provide context for interpreting observations, I use a 3D climate model combined with a radiative transfer model to generate synthetic transit spectra for a synchronously rotating rocky planet over a large parameter space of possible climates. Since it will be difficult to constrain a planet’s surface conditions empirically, I systematically vary the planet’s land cover and atmosphere mass in order to characterize the climate uncertainties associated with these parameters. These variations result in a large range of possible climate states featuring significant differences in surface temperature and humidity. I will show that planets in different climate regimes can have similar transit spectra, which means that it will likely be difficult to measure a given planet’s liquid water inventory or the size of its temperate region using transit spectroscopy. Land cover and atmosphere mass are therefore important sources of climate uncertainty to account for when interpreting JWST spectra.

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: 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. Yield Modeling Tools for Direct Imaging of Exoplanets Hybrid Workshop (Splinter Session at AAS 242, June 8, 2023, Albuquerque, NM)

Yield Modeling Tools for Direct Imaging of Exoplanets
Hybrid workshop as a splinter session of the 242nd Meeting of the AAS in Albuquerque, NM
June 8, 2023
Chairs: Rhonda Morgan (NASA ExEP) and Dmitry Savransky (Cornell University)

Description:

NASA has responded to the recommendations of the astrophysics decadal survey by establishing the Great Observatories Maturation Program (GOMAP) to reduce risk for the Habitable Worlds Observatory and lay the groundwork for future great observatories. A key element of this maturation will be the evaluation of the impact of design options on science outcomes – and specifically, science yield modeling.

Yield Modeling Tools for Direct Imaging of Exoplanets

The purpose of this workshop is to:

Bring together the vibrant communities of scientists, mission and instrument designers and yield modelers to share their expertise
Introduce fundamental concepts in exoplanet imaging yield modeling
Present state of the art yield modeling tools available for use today and provide basic instruction in their use
Discuss gaps in yield modeling approaches and potential future efforts to close them

This workshop will be open to all and will provide a valuable foundation for those interested in yield modeling, from students new to the field to experts with decades of experience. In keeping with NASA’s and the community’s commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA), those with diverse 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. The workshop will include resources for anyone wishing to learn more about various elements of yield modeling, and will include live working sessions where participants will try out the current generation of modeling codes and learn how these can contribute to their own work.

The organizing committee has solicited short talks from early career researchers in relevant areas and provide ample time for open discussion and working sessions. After finishing the workshop, attendees will be knowledgeable in the technical basis of science yield modeling for exoplanet imaging missions, and will have a grasp of what remains to be done in support of GOMAP.

Stay tuned for more information, and meanwhile, please feel free to indicate interest and sign up to receive future announcements by filling out the form at the Workshop page: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/456/exoplanet-yield-modeling-tools-workshop/

Rhonda Morgan (NASA ExEP) and Dmitry Savransky (Cornell University) on behalf of the Workshop organizing committees

Scientific Organizing Committee:

Rhonda Morgan (NASA ExEP), Dmitry Savransky (Cornell University), Jesse Christiansen (NASA Exoplanet Science Institute), Eric Mamajek (NASA ExEP), Dan Sirbu (NASA ARC), Chris Stark (NASA GSFC), Ty Robinson (University of Arizona)

Local Organizing Committee:

Rhonda Morgan (NASA ExEP), Mario Damiano (NASA JPL), Ray Lemus (NASA ExEP), Michael Turmon (NASA JPL)"

5. Call for Community Input into the Definition of the Roman Space Telescope’s Core Community Surveys: White Paper Submissions (Deadline June 16, 2023)

This announces the opening of white paper submissions, describing the observational strategies necessary to enable your desired science investigations with Roman’s Core Community Surveys. White papers are due by June 16, 2023. The white papers will be an important component of the input to the committees charged with defining the Core Community Surveys.

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 to 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. This whitepaper call is the second part of a two-part request, focusing onscience drivers and the requirements they place on the design of the Core Community Surveys. The call for technically focused white papers, describing what observing strategies are needed for a given science investigation, is now open, with white papers due by June 16, 2023. The first avenue, submission of a short, one to two paragraph 'science pitch' (including a questionnaire), resulted in more than 100 submissions. Previous submission of a science pitch is not required for submission of a white paper.

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.

For full details on this Request for Information, as well as information on joining upcoming virtual question and answer sessions related to the white paper call, to be held in the last week of April and first week of May, please visit: https://roman.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/ccs_community_input.html

A detailed description of the purpose of, and requested content for, white papers can be found at: https://roman.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/ccs_white_papers.html

If you have questions about the whitepapers or the submission process, please send email to both help@stsci.edu and roman-help@ipac.caltech.edu, with the subject line: “Roman question about community input for core survey definition.”

6. Save the Date: Science with Habitable Worlds Observatory and Beyond (July 10-15, 2023)

"Join us this summer for an exciting workshop to discuss the science and technology of the Habitable Worlds Observatory! This meeting will bring together leaders in science, technology, and public policy to discuss the revolutionary aims of HWO and the other New Great Observatories recommended by Astro2020. This fully hybrid meeting will also feature a “tech day” for a deep dive into the necessary technologies and an evening celebration of the first year of JWST science.

Further details, registration, and an opportunity for proposing contributed talks will be forthcoming.

See you this Summer in Baltimore!

SOC:

Giada Arney (NASA GSFC), Vanessa Bailey (JPL), Richard Cartwright (SETI Institute), Jessie Christensen (Caltech/IPAC), Megan Donahue (Michigan State), Chris Evans (STScI/ESA), Rob Kennicutt (Arizona/Texas A&M), Bruce Macintosh (UC Observatories), Meredith MacGregor (CU-Boulder), Stephan McCandliss (JHU), Neill Reid (STScI), Jason Tumlinson (STScI/JHU)"

ExoPAG News and Announcements (March 28, 2023)

Science Mission Directorate Budget Community Town Hall - Question and Answer Session (April 6, 2023; 1pm-2pm EDT / 10am-11am PDT)
Strategic Exoplanet Initiatives with HST and JWST
Announcement of Arcus Community Science Meeting (May 4-5, 2023; Abstract deadline April 7, 2023)
TESS GI Cycle 6 Proposals (due April 14, 2023)

+ more

1. Science Mission Directorate Budget Community Town Hall - Question and Answer Session (April 6, 2023; 1pm-2pm EDT / 10am-11am PDT)

Science Mission Directorate Budget Community Town Hall
Question and Answer Session
Title: SMD Budget Community Town Hall
Date: April 6, 2023
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET
Location: WebEx

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate will hold a follow-on community town hall question and answer session focused on the FY24 budget with Associate Administrator for Science Nicky Fox and her leadership team at 1:00 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, April 6. Participants are invited to submit their questions below and/or vote up questions already posted. Members of SMD, the science community, academia, the media, and the public are invited to participate by joining the WebEx link below.

https://nasaenterprise.webex.com/nasaenterprise/j.php?MTID=mb888ef7807f69dc43c7f2b1f11526d32

If prompted, please use event number 2760 969 9860, followed by event password eU4mTzJ6Q@2 (38468956 from phones)

Participants are invited to submit their questions and/or vote up questions already posted athttps://nasa.cnf.io/sessions/pdsd/#!/dashboard

Users must provide their first and last name and organization and can submit their own questions or vote up questions submitted by others. The meeting leaders will try to answer as many of the submitted questions as possible.

No presentation materials for this particular town hall, but a recording will be available later that day at: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/virtual-townhall

If you are unable to join the WebEx, we will be live streaming the town hall to YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@NASAScience/streams

2. Strategic Exoplanet Initiatives with HST and JWST

From Neill Reid (STScI)

https://outerspace.stsci.edu/display/HPR/Strategic+Exoplanet+Initiatives+with+HST+and+JWST

"Context:

Exoplanet science was highlighted as a key science area for the 2020s in the Astro2020 Decadal Survey. HST and JWST provide unique technical capabilities that enable precision investigations of planet formation, structure and evolution. HST has a two decade heritage of probing the chemical composition of exoplanet atmospheres through transit spectroscopy; JWST has only recently started observations, and it is already clear that its sensitivity at near- and mid-infrared wavelengths opens up new opportunities for transit spectroscopy of low-mass exoplanets and high-resolution coronagraphic imaging and spectra of resolved giant planets. These investigations will lay the foundations for the future flagship missions highlighted by the 2020 Decadal Survey, particularly the Habitable Worlds Observatory.

Charter:

The Space Telescope Science Institute’s Interim Director, Nancy Levenson, has decided to constitute a Working Group to provide advice and recommendations on how HST and JWST observations can best be leveraged to investigate exoplanet systems.

The Exoplanet Strategy WG is charged with providing guidance on optimal strategies for maximizing the scientific return from HST and JWST spectroscopic and imaging observations of planetary systems. In particular, the Advisory Committee should address the following tasks:

Solicit input from the community on key science areas that should be prioritized for HST or JWST observations;
Identify science themes that should be prioritized for future HST and JWST General Observer programs and/or Archival analyses, including potential HST multi-cycle programs;
Provide advice on the optimal timing for substantive follow-up observations and suggest mechanisms for enabling those observations;
Comment on the appropriate scale of resources likely required to support those programs;
Develop a specific concept for a large-scale Director’s Discretionary exoplanet program to start implementation by JWST Cycle 3.

By forming this Working Group, STScI aims to ensure that many voices are heard in the formulation of the appropriate priorities for exoplanet science with HST and JWST. Our goal is to maximize the science return and legacy value of the observations and the resultant data products. An open request for input by the astronomical community will be issued by STScI to support the Working Group's efforts. In defining the science case for a DD program, the Working Group should take into account both the archival research value of the planned observations, the coordination of these observations with other observatories, and benefits from other community contributions including theoretical and numerical investigations.

The Working Group will comprise 8-10 members of the astronomical community selected by the STScI in consultation with the HST and JWST user committees. The Chair of the Working Group will organize the meetings of the Working Group, and STScI will provide logistical (travel, meeting, telecon, etc) support as needed. We expect that the Working Group will have at least one face-to-face meeting, supplemented by regular telecons and email exchanges.

The Working Group = chair is Seth Redfield (Wesleyan) and the members are:

Natasha Batalha, Ames; Bjorn Benneke, Montreal; Beth Biller, ROE; Nestor Espinoza, STScI; Kevin France, Colorado; Quinn Konpacky, UCSD; Laura Kreidberg, MPIA; Emily Rauscher, Michigan; and David Sing, JHU

The committee will summarize their conclusions in a report to the Director and presentations to the STUC and the JSTUC. Interim recommendations will be presented in the Fall of 2023, with the final report due by January 2024.

The primary STScI contacts for the Advisory Committee will be Neill Reid (Associate Director for Science), Tom Brown (HST Mission Office Head) and Massimo Stiavelli (JWST Mission Office Head), or their designates. All three will be ex officio members of the Advisory Committee."

3. Announcement of Arcus Community Science Meeting (May 4-5, 2023; Abstract deadline April 7, 2023)

"Dear Colleagues-

Please join us May 4-5, 2023 for the Arcus Probe Community Science Meeting. Arcus is planning to get high-resolution X-ray and FUV spectra of a significant fraction of the stars on the HWO target list as part of its baseline observing program, and it will also support a vibrant and broad GO science program that we hope will be of interest to the ExoPAG community. To enable the widest possible attendance, it will be an online-only format each day between the hours of 11a-2p, Eastern | 10a-1p Central | 9a-12 noon Mountain | 8a-11a Pacific. This meeting will introduce Arcus and its capabilities, as well as present the baseline and potential general observer programs.

Arcus will be submitted to NASA's 2023 Astrophysics Probe Explorer announcement of opportunity. It features two instruments: an X-ray grating spectrometer (10-60 A at R=3500, with zero-order from ~0.2-10 keV) and an FUV grating spectrometer (950-1580 A with R=21,000). The simultaneous combination of these instruments will yield unprecedented spectral sensitivity to address some of the highest priority science questions posed by Astro2020. A response time of 4 hours to targets of opportunity will offer revolutionary insight into the physics at work in the most energetic transient phenomena in the Universe.

Arcus's baseline science mission will focus on how feedback processes drive structure formation and evolution from stellar scales out to the intergalactic filaments of the cosmic web. The capabilities of the mission will also ensure that it is an invaluable resource for the entire astrophysics community and a critical component of the panchromatic landscape of the 2030s. We want your input, and are particularly interested in hearing from early career researchers and those with multi-wavelength/multi-messenger science interests.

There is no cost to attend the meeting, though registration is required. To register and to learn more about the Arcus Probe mission, please visit http://www.arcusxray.org/meetings.html. Abstract submission will close on April 7. We hope to see you May 4-5!

-Randall Smith (PI) and Laura Brenneman (Deputy PI), for the Arcus team"

4. TESS GI Cycle 6 Proposals (Due April 14, 2023)

"Propose to TESS GI Cycle 6 to obtain mission targets and research funding!

TESS Cycle 6 Proposals are short (4-6 page) proposals to obtain mission targets (high cadence TPFs and corrected light curves) and/or research funding from the NASA TESS mission. Grants fund research with Cycle 6 data, including Full Frame Image data. They can also be used enable ground-based observing programs that support TESS data analysis or interpretation. Small grants provide up to $70k, large grants provide up to $250k to successful PIs from US institutions. Mini proposals are also solicited, which are for mission targets without requesting funding.

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. The solicitation for proposals can be read here and you can submit a proposal to TESS through the ARK RPS system. Instructions on how to submit a proposal through ARK RPS can be found at https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/ark/tess/help.html. Detailed information to help with preparing a proposal is also available at the proposal page: https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/tess/proposing-investigations.html.

Observations associated with TESS GI Cycle 6 will be executed from September 2023 until October 2024, covering observing sectors 70-83 (https://tess.mit.edu/tess-year-6-observations/). Proposals are solicited for targets in Northern Ecliptic Hemisphere fields and in fields along on the ecliptic plane.

To build target lists for proposals we encourage users to use either the TESS-point Python tool, or for greater accessibility to use the TESS-point Web Tool available on the TESS GI website. Both of these tools have been updated to include pointings for Cycle 6. To use the TESS-point Python tool, users should download the most up to date version (v0.8.0) either from GitHub or via pip. To use the TESS-point Web Tool, users can input coordinates, target names, or via uploading a CSV file of targets. For any questions about these tools, please reach out to the TESS General Investigator office at tesshelp@bigbang.gsfc.nasa.gov."

ExoPAG News and Announcements (March 21, 2023)

Science Mission Directorate Budget Community Town Hall (March 23, 2023, 10:30am-11:30am EDT / 7:30am-8:30am PDT)
Yield Modeling Tools for Direct Imaging of Exoplanets Hybrid Workshop (Splinter Session at AAS 242, June 8, 2023, Albuquerque, NM)
ROSES-22 Amendment 91: D.16 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science Proposal Due Date Delayed to March 28, 2023
Save The Date for ESA's CHEOPS AO-4 (Anticipated Proposal Submission Date: May 25, 2023)
Penn State SETI Symposium Registration Open (June 19-22, 2023; State College PA)

+ more

1. Science Mission Directorate Budget Community Town Hall (March 23, 2023, 10:30am-11:30am EDT / 7:30am-8:30am PDT)

Science Mission Directorate Budget Community Town Hall March 23
Title: SMD Budget Community Town Hall
Date: March 23, 2023
Time: 10:30 am – 11:30 am ET
Location: WebEx/MIC 3A

Description: NASA’s Science Mission Directorate will hold a community town hall meeting focused on the FY24 budget with Associate Administrator for Science Nicky Fox and her leadership team at 10:30 a.m. Eastern on Thursday, March 23, 2023. Participants are invited to submit their questions below and/or vote up questions already posted. Members of SMD, the science community, academia, the media, and the public are invited to participate by joining the WebEx link. https://nasaenterprise.webex.com/nasaenterprise/j.php?MTID=mee912102e19aa0c0a9f54038e96fd527

If prompted, please use event number 2763 004 7071, followed by event password drKUTwB*293 (37588920 from phones).

Participants are invited to submit their questions and/or vote up questions already posted. https://nasa.cnf.io/sessions/pdsd/#!/dashboard

Presentation materials will be available for download and a recording will be available later that day at: https://science.nasa.gov

If you are unable to join the WebEx, we will be live streaming the town hall to YouTube at @NASAScience.

2. Yield Modeling Tools for Direct Imaging of Exoplanets Hybrid Workshop (Splinter Session at AAS 242, June 8, 2023, Albuquerque, NM)

Yield Modeling Tools for Direct Imaging of Exoplanets
Hybrid workshop as a splinter session of the 242nd Meeting of the AAS in Albuquerque, NM
June 8, 2023 (TBC)
Chairs: Rhonda Morgan (NASA ExEP) and Dmitry Savransky (Cornell University)

Description:

To support the advancement of our yield modeling capabilities, and to inform the community of our current capabilities, NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program is planning a hybrid workshop on June 8, 2023 (TBC), as a splinter session of the 242nd AAS meeting in Albuquerque, NM entitled:

Yield Modeling Tools for Direct Imaging of Exoplanets

The purpose of this workshop is to:

Bring together the vibrant communities of scientists, mission and instrument designers and yield modelers to share their expertise
Introduce fundamental concepts in exoplanet imaging yield modeling
Present state of the art yield modeling tools available for use today and provide basic instruction in their use
Discuss gaps in yield modeling approaches and potential future efforts to close them

The organizing committee will solicit short talks from early career researchers in relevant areas and provide ample time for open discussion and working sessions. After finishing the workshop, attendees will be knowledgeable in the technical basis of science yield modeling for exoplanet imaging missions and will have a grasp of what remains to be done in support of GOMAP.

The SOC solicits short talks from early career researchers on topics relating to yield modeling, such as research that was contributed to yield tools or performed using yield tools, or that supports any of the fundamental concepts or inputs, such as exozodiacal light modeling and exoplanet demographics. Early career researchers with diverse or under-represented backgrounds are especially encouraged to submit abstracts. Three talks will be selected to present for ten minutes each and corresponding travel funds will be provided. Please submit abstracts of 500 words or less by April 10, 2023 to exoyield@jpl.nasa.gov. Selections will be announced by April 24th, 2023. Stay tuned for more information, and meanwhile, please feel free to indicate interest and sign up to receive future announcements by filling out the form at the Workshop page: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/456/exoplanet-yield-modeling-tools-workshop/

Rhonda Morgan (NASA ExEP) and Dmitry Savransky (Cornell University) on behalf of the Workshop organizing committees

Scientific Organizing Committee:

Rhonda Morgan (NASA ExEP)
Dmitry Savransky (Cornell University)
Jesse Christiansen (NASA Exoplanet Science Institute)
Eric Mamajek (NASA ExEP)
Dan Sirbu (NASA ARC)
Chris Stark (NASA GSFC)
Ty Robinson (University of Arizona)

Local Organizing Committee:

Rhonda Morgan (NASA ExEP)
Mario Damiano (NASA JPL)
Ray Lemus (NASA ExEP)
Michael Turmon (NASA JPL)"

3. ROSES-22 Amendment 91: D.16 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science Proposal Due Date Delayed to March 28, 2023

The emphasis of D.16 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science (ADSPS) is on science investigations that will reduce future Great Observatory mission risk and inform mission designs and trades when those activities begin. All three Great Observatory concepts identified in the Astro2020 Decadal Survey Report are in the scope of this activity. The precursor science investigations solicited by this program element may include, but are not limited to, theoretical and computational studies, laboratory astrophysics investigations, archival research, and observational investigations.

ROSES-2022 Amendment 91 delays the proposal due date for this program element to March 28, 2023. Only those who submitted a Notice of Intent by January 20, 2023, are eligible to submit a proposal.

On or about March 21, 2023, this Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2022" (NNH22ZDA001N) will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2022 and will appear on SARA's ROSES blog at: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/roses-2022/

D.16 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science (ADSPS):

Questions concerning D.16 ADSPS may be directed to Doris Daou at Doris.Daou@nasa.gov."

https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId=%7b916A49FB-D88F-3C76-5B06-6148E6748FE7%7d&path=&method=init

4. Save The Date for ESA's CHEOPS AO-4 (Anticipated Proposal Submission Date: May 25, 2023)

"Dear colleagues,

Save The Date for ESA's CHEOPS AO-4

The European Space Agency's (ESA's) Characterising Exoplanets Satellite (CHEOPS) foresees a 4th Call for Announcements of Opportunity (AO-4) for the submission of proposals to the Guest Observers (GO) Programme, with an expected opening on 4 April 2023 (12:00 CET) and closing on 25 May 2023 (12:00 CET). The observing cycle is expected to run from 25 Sep 2023 until 31 Sep 2024 and thus mark the beginning of CHEOPS' first mission extension, which was recently approved by ESA's Science Programme Committee.

Importantly, the CHEOPS AO-4 Call is foreseen to come with several novelties to further enhance the community access and GO experience:

only 50 reserved targets, with all the rest being open to the entire community
double anonymous peer-review of proposals
up to 30% science observing time dedicated to the GO Programme

CHEOPS offers the GO observers space-based ultra-high precision photometry for the observation of exoplanet transits, eclipses, occultations, phase-curves, and more. Science cases may range from exoplanets to exomoons, ring structures, stellar activity, trans-Neptunian objects, and beyond. The timely overlap of several space- and ground-based missions can provide opportunities for synergies with NASA/ESA/CSA JWST, NASA/ESA HST, NASA TESS, ESO ground-based facilities, and more.

Find out more about this opportunity via https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/cheops-guest-observers-programme or contact "cheops-support [at] cosmos.esa.int".

What is CHEOPS?

ESA's CHEOPS is the first space mission designed for searching for exoplanetary transits and occultations on bright stars already known to host planets by performing ultrahigh precision photometry.

CHEOPS is an ESA mission implemented in partnership with Switzerland, through the Swiss Space Office (SSO). The University of Bern leads a consortium of 11 ESA Member States contributing to the mission and represented in the CHEOPS Science Team. ESA is the mission architect responsible for overall mission definition and procurement of the spacecraft and launch.

ESA is also responsible for the early operations phase executed by the spacecraft contractor, Airbus Defence and Space–Spain (ASE). In addition, ESA is responsible for running the CHEOPS Guest Observers (GO) Programme, a competitive and peer-reviewed process, through which the science community can apply for 30% of science observations time during the first extended mission (20% during the nominal mission).

The science instrument is led by the University of Bern, with important contributions from Austria, Belgium, Germany and Italy. Other contributions to the science instrument, in the form of hardware or science operations, are provided by Hungary, France, Portugal, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. CHEOPS was launched from Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on 18 December 2019 on a Soyuz rocket operated by Arianespace. Following a successful in-orbit commissioning of the spacecraft, responsibility for operations was taken over by the CHEOPS Mission Consortium, with the Mission Operations Centre under the responsibility of INTA, Spain, and the Science Operations Centre led by the University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Find out more about the mission on https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/cheops or contact "cheops-support [at] cosmos.esa.int".

Best
Max
Dr. Maximilian N. Günther
CHEOPS Project Scientist & Mission Representative
European Space Agency (ESA)
European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC)"

5. Penn State SETI Symposium Registration Open (June 19-22, 2023; State College PA)

The Penn State Extraterrestrial Intelligence Center is excited to announce that registration is now open for the Penn State SETI Symposium this summer: https://web.cvent.com/event/63548d17-006b-46a5-94a0-7bc8582e384b/summary

This year’s Penn State SETI Symposium will be held June 19-22, 2023 in State College, PA. In-person registration is $450, and limited virtual participation is $100. Limited travel funding is available; please submit an abstract and/or request at the Google form below to be considered.

As a reminder, we encourage the community to suggest breakout (parallel) sessions to take advantage of the collected talent at the symposium. These sessions may span multiple days and could include workshops or tutorials.

Talk abstracts, breakout session proposals, and funding requests may be submitted here through April 2nd: https://forms.gle/ktkNX6MEw7piZFfx6.

Poster abstracts will be accepted through June 4. Regular registration will be open until June 4, with late registration available through the start of the event. As a reminder, attendees may host multiple posters, and we encourage posters on job opportunities, REU programs, and other events of interest to the community.

More information is available on our website: https://sites.psu.edu/setisymposium2023/

Hope to see you here in State College this summer!
Macy Huston, on behalf of the Penn State SETI Symposium organizing committees

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)

+ more

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)

+ 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:

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.

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/.