The Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) is responsible for soliciting and coordinating community input into the development and execution of NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP). It serves as a community-based, interdisciplinary forum for soliciting and coordinating community analysis and input in support of the Exoplanet Exploration Program objectives and of their implications for architecture planning and activity prioritization and for future exploration. It provides findings of analyses to the NASA Astrophysics Division Director.

Executive Committee:

ExoPAG activities and meetings are organized through an Executive Committee, selected by NASA HQ through a Dear Colleague letter. Appointments are made annually to replace members rotating off; the normal term is 3 years. If you are interested in serving on the Executive Committee, please contact the ExoPAG Executive Secretary at NASA HQ (Hannah Jang-Condell, Deputy Exoplanet Exploration Program Scientist).

New Executive Committee members for 2023: Ian Crossfield, Kate Follette, Natalie Hinkel, Samson Johnson, Malena Rice, and Lily Zhao.


ExoPAG News and Announcements (March 7, 2024)

  1. Announcement: The 30th Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group Meeting
  2. NN-EXPLORE Proposals for 2024B (Deadline April 1, 2024)
  3. ExoExplorer Science Series: Alex Polanski (U Kansas) & Lili Alderson (U Bristol) (March 8, 2024, 2pm-3pm EST/11am-12pm PST)
  4. Habitable Worlds Observatory: START/TAG Meeting (March 11-13, 2024) and Slides & Recordings from HWO Splinter Session at AAS243
  5. Space Science Week & Meeting of the Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (CAA) (March 18-20, 2024)
  6. Astrophysics Advisory Committee (APAC) Meeting (March 20-21, 2024)
  7. UV Science and Instrumentation Workshop: On the Way to the NASA Habitable Worlds Observatory and Beyond (May 7-9, 2024; Registration Deadline March 25, 2024)
  8. Notice of Upcoming Call for Community Input into the TESS Extended Mission Planning
  9. NASA Planetary Science Division Status Update on Efforts in Response to the Planetary Data Ecosystem Independent Review Board (PDE IRB) Final Report
  10. SEEC Symposium: Pathways to Characterizing Non-Transiting Planets (April 15-19, 2024, GSFC; Registration Deadline March 15, 2024)
  11. UVEX (UltraViolet EXplorer) Selected as NASA's Next Astrophysics Medium-Class Explorer Mission
  12. NASA Cosmic Pathfinders Program
  13. 7th ICE-CSIC Summer School: Multiwavelength Approach to Exoplanetary Systems (July 2-11, 2024, Barcelona; Registration Deadline April 15, 2024)
+ more

1. Announcement: The 30th Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group Meeting

The Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group is organizing its 30th meeting on May 5th, 2024 in Providence, RI as a splinter session of AbSciCon at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

The ExoPAG 30 meeting will focus on the search for life in the Solar System and beyond and include presentations from various Program Analysis Groups and cross divisional research networks. The overarching goal will be to identify science gaps that span multiple divisions and opportunities for collaborative progress. An interactive business meeting will also be held.”

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exopag30/exopag30-overview/


2. NN-EXPLORE Proposals for 2024B (Deadline April 1, 2024)

The NASA-NSF Exoplanet Observational Research Program (NN-EXPLORE) announces the 2024B call for proposals. 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. Every semester, this program makes approximately 40 nights of telescope time available on the WIYN telescope, 300 hours on the MINERVA-Australis observatory, and 300 hours on the SMARTS-1.5m telescope, for observations with the CHIRON instrument. More information is available in the NOIRLab 2024B call for proposals, Section 3.5 (https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/proposals/call-for-proposals). If applying, please make sure to select the NN-EXPLORE TAC.


3. ExoExplorer Science Series: Alex Polanski (U Kansas) & Lili Alderson (U Bristol) (March 8, 2024, 2pm-3pm EST/11am-12pm PST)

"Hi all-

The ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series presents talks by cohort members Alex Polanski (U Kansas) & Lili Alderson (U Bristol) on Friday March 8, 2024, from 11 AM - 12 PM Pacific / 2 PM - 3 PM Eastern.

"Exploring Exoplanetary Systems with the TESS-Keck Survey"
Alex Polanski (U Kansas)
&
"Observing Atmospheres Across the Radius Valley"
Lili Alderson (U Bristol)

For abstracts and connection information, visit: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/497/exoexplorer-science-series-alex-polanski-u-kansas-lili-alderson-u-bristol/

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

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

To sign up to receive announcements about ExoExplorers, visit: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exoexplorers/exoexplorers-announcements/

Please share this talk announcement at your local institution!

This the way,

Rob Zellem, on behalf of the ExoExplorer Organizing Committee"


4. Habitable Worlds Observatory: START/TAG Meeting (March 11-13, 2024) and Slides & Recordings from HWO Splinter Session at AAS243

The START (Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team) and TAG (Technical Assessment Group) will hold their next in-person meeting on March 11-13 in Pasadena. Due to space limitations, in person attendance is restricted to START members, TAG members, and community Working Group (WG) co-chairs. Subgroup (SG) co-chairs and members of the community are invited to join the meeting via WebEx. The meeting agenda and WebEx link will be posted on - or linked to - from the meeting section of the GOMAP website: https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/habitable-worlds-observatory/meetings/

During the meeting, discussion will occur on the HWO_Community slack workspace: https://join.slack.com/t/hwocommunityworkspace/shared_invite/zt-2dw5oilo4-DYxm9Q47pUCRO9GgpTbPJA

The slides and recordings from the HWO splinter session at the January 2024 meeting in New Orleans are now posted on the HWO website at: https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/habitable-worlds-observatory/hwo-aas-splinter-2024/

To subscribe to the HWO-news mailing list, follow these steps:

  • Send an email to hwo-news-join@lists.nasa.gov
  • You do not have to put anything in the subject line or the body.
  • You will receive an email requiring you to confirm your email address.
  • Follow the instructions in the email to confirm.

5. Space Science Week & Meeting of the Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (CAA) (March 18-20, 2024)

Space Science Week is a joint meeting of the discipline committees of the Space Studies Board of the U.S. National Academies, in collaboration with the Board on Physics and Astronomy and the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board. Space Science Week 2024 will be held on March 18-22, 2024, at the NAS Building, 2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC, with meetings to discuss advances and challenges in space and Earth science and exploration.

https://www.nationalacademies.org/event/03-18-2024/space-science-week-2024

The Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (CAA) will meet in hybrid format between March 18-20, 2024, with plenary sessions on March 19 and a keynote public science lecture on March 20. The Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics will be holding open sessions on March 18 and March 20.

https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/committee-on-astronomy-and-astrophysics

The meeting details and agenda are posted at: https://www.nationalacademies.org/event/41757_03-2024_committee-on-astronomy-and-astrophysics-space-science-week-spring-2024

The agenda includes an update from NASA Astrophysics by Director Dr. Mark Clampin on March 18, 2024 at 10:30am, followed by Q&A at 11:30am.


6. Astrophysics Advisory Committee (APAC) Meeting (March 20-21, 2024)


7. UV Science and Instrumentation Workshop: On the Way to the NASA Habitable Worlds Observatory and Beyond (May 7-9, 2024; Registration Deadline March 25, 2024)

UV Science and Instrumentation Workshop:
On the Way to the NASA Habitable Worlds Observatory and Beyond
May 7-9, 2024
von Karman Auditorium, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (& Virtual)
Pasadena, CA
https://science.jpl.nasa.gov/workshops/uv/

Please register for the UV Science and Instrumentation Workshop at: https://science.jpl.nasa.gov/workshops/uv/registration/

The optimal number of attendees for this Workshop is 100-120 people. Although there is no fee for attending, for planning purposes, you must complete this Registration Form by Monday, March 25, 2024.

Please email UVWorkshop@jpl.nasa.gov with any questions.


8. Notice of Upcoming Call for Community Input into the TESS Extended Mission Planning

NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission will be inviting the astronomy community's input on science cases that should be prioritized in future extended missions. The format requested will be short 1-2 paragraph science pitches. The draft call for community input can be viewed at: https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/tess/docs/DRAFT_TESS_call_for_science_pitches.pdf

The final text for the call is anticipated to be released before May 1, 2024, and the deadline submissions is anticipated to be June 14, 2024.

TESS science spans many areas of astrophysics and solar system science. As such, researchers from around the world, across all career stages, positions, and types of institutions are encouraged to submit their ideas. Please contact tesshelp@bigbang.gsfc.nasa.gov with any questions.


9. NASA Planetary Science Division Status Update on Efforts in Response to the Planetary Data Ecosystem Independent Review Board (PDE IRB) Final Report

In the fall of 2020, the NASA Planetary Science Division chartered the Planetary Data Ecosystem Independent Review Board (PDE IRB) to conduct a wholistic review of the PDE, which is defined as the ad hoc connected framework of activities and products that are built upon and support the data collected by planetary space missions and research programs, which primarily are NASA funded. The PDE IRB delivered its final report in April 2021.

The Planetary Science Division has performed an internal evaluation of actions and efforts in support of addressing the findings and recommendations in the PDE IRB final report. A summary of efforts towards developing a more connected and effective PDE is documented in a status report (see below links). This report describes efforts that have been completed from April 2021 to September 2023.

This status report can be viewed at: https://science.nasa.gov/planetary-science/data/pde-irb/

Direct link: https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/psd-pde-irb-response-v1-20240228.pdf

Comments and feedback on this document are welcome and encouraged. Please email the NASA Headquarters PDE Team with any comments, additional information, or corrections at hq-pde@mail.nasa.gov.


10. SEEC Symposium: Pathways to Characterizing Non-Transiting Planets (April 15-19, 2024, GSFC; Registration Deadline March 15, 2024)

Registration for the SEEC Symposium: Pathways to Characterizing Non-Transiting Planets is available here. Online Registration will be closed March 15, 2024.

https://seec.gsfc.nasa.gov/News_and_Events/SEEC_Symposium_2024.html

Travel and accommodation to attend the SEEC symposium is updated. Please follow this link to reserve your room at a negotiated rate. https://app.certain.com/profile/form/index.cfm?CFID=609782c8-563b-494c-880b-7ec4b3432d30&CFTOKEN=0&jsessionid=9DA237308FD7BEBBCB875116FBBB1110&PKformID=0x3395909abcd


11. UVEX (UltraViolet EXplorer) Selected as NASA's Next Astrophysics Medium-Class Explorer Mission


12. NASA Cosmic Pathfinders Program

"Dear Colleagues,

The newly formed Cosmic Pathfinders Program has been created by Dr. Ronald Gamble (NASA GSFC Astrophysics Science Division, Cosmic Origins Program Office) and co-lead by a council of student/early-career leaders to address the needs of students in the field of astrophysics and space sciences. Cosmic Pathfinders is a student-focused program of online events and in-person gatherings that provides an interface to NASA astrophysics. It is motivated by an immediate need to develop the next generation of the STEM workforce in space-related fields. The program includes an ongoing series of virtual colloquia, called Cosmic Chatter, that addresses astrophysics research and professional development topics.

Current student leadership includes:

  • Amethyst Barnes (NASA GSFC/CRESST-II Post-Bac, Roman/STScI)
  • Jordan Forman (NASA GSFC/CRESST-II Post-Bac, FERMI)
  • Gokul Srinivasaragavan (Doctoral Candidate, UMCP Department of Astronomy)
  • Isiah Holt (NASA Pathways Intern & Doctoral Candidate, UMCP Department of Astronomy)

Furthermore, a unique aspect to the activities of the program will be technical hack-a-thons that offer participants the opportunity to learn relevant tools and techniques for analyzing NASA mission & archival datasets. Finally, the program sponsors in-person sessions at professional society meetings and opportunities for engagement with the NASA astrophysics community.

  • Promote Open Dialogue: The program facilitates discussions on prominent challenges that students face in today's STEM professional landscape.
  • Nurture Professional Growth: The program will access key topics pertaining to issues surrounding Imposter Syndrome, Career Navigation, Conference Participation, Cultural Inclusivity, and Accessibility. The program addresses intersectionality of these topics with scientific and mathematical skills and other professional scientific skills.
  • Broaden Horizons: The program creates exposure and opportunities for students to develop relationships with professionals from a range of space science disciplines in academia, government, and private industry.

Members of the program who are at the same university may self-organize into university chapters. Such groups further galvanize the engagement of students with NASA astrophysics. Chapters are modeled after similar campus organizations such as the Society of Physics Students. They present a unique opportunity for students to connect with a national network of astronomers, astrophysicists, and space scientists, and foster a sense of belonging within the larger scientific community.

Interested students, early-careers in STEM, and professionals can interface and join the dedicated LinkedIn group here to further connect with other members of the program: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12899523/

Follow the link for more information about the program: https://cor.gsfc.nasa.gov/copag/program/cosmic-pathfinders.php

Reach out to the program Director Dr. Ronald Gamble (ronald.s.gamble@nasa.gov) for further inquiries or questions."

Subscribe to the Cosmic Pathfinders Program News and Announcements Email List at: https://cor.gsfc.nasa.gov/copag/program/cosmic-pathfinders/cosmic-pathfinders-email-list.php


13. 7th ICE-CSIC Summer School: Multiwavelength Approach to Exoplanetary Systems (July 2-11, 2024, Barcelona; Registration Deadline April 15, 2024)

7th ICE-CSIC Summer School
Multiwavelength approach to exoplanetary systems
2 - 11 July 2024
Institute of Space Sciences (ICE, CSIC)
Campus UAB - Bellaterra
Barcelona (Spain)
Web: https://indico.ice.csic.es/event/35/

We are happy to announce the 7th ICE-CSIC Summer School that will take place from 2nd to 11th July 2024. This year’s theme is “Multiwavelength approach to exoplanetary systems."

The programme of the 2024 ICE-CSIC Summer School is focused on exoplanet detection and characterisation, as well as the study of exoplanetary interaction with their host star. Lectures and hands-on sessions will be devoted to the understanding of the basics of detection methods, and on how each of them can provide insights into the characterisation of the properties of exoplanets, and the composition of their atmospheres, as well as the understanding of the stellar hosts including state-of-the art machine learning techniques. Besides, lectures on star-planet interactions, the role of magnetic fields, and planetary radio emission, a topic that recently gained interest in the community, will also be imparted.

Lectures will be imparted by ICE-CSIC researchers and also experts in the exoplanet field from institutions abroad.

The School will be limited to 50 Master and Doctoral students. Applications by early career postdocs are also welcomed. Accommodation will be offered for a limited number of participants. Additional details can be found at the the 7th Summer School webpage: https://indico.ice.csic.es/event/35/

Important dates:

  • Registration will be open from 20 February 2024 until 15 April 2024: https://indico.ice.csic.es/event/35/registrations/25/
  • Late registrations, only without financial support (accommodation and/or reduced fee), will be open until 15 June 2024, upon availability.
  • The school will run from 2 July 2024 to 11 July 2024.

We apologize if you received this announcement several times. Please, feel free to forward this email to anyone interested. In case of doubt, please contact: summerschool2024@ice.csic.es

Best regards,
7th ICE-CSIC Summer School SOC & LOC


ExoPAG News and Announcements (February 15, 2024)

  1. 2024B NASA Keck Call for Proposals (Proposals due March 14, 2024)
  2. ExoExplorer Science Series: Fuda Nguyen (U. Arizona) & Garrett Levine (Yale) (February 16, 2024, 2pm-3pm EST/11am-12pm PST)
  3. 2024 Sagan Workshop Registration and Financial Aid Application Now Available (July 22-26, 2024, Pasadena CA; Travel Support Deadline March 21, 2024)
  4. NASA ROSES: Release of Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES)-2024
  5. NASA ROSES: Updated Precursor Science Gap List for ROSES-23 D.16 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science
  6. NASA ROSES: Change to ROSES-2024 Astrophysics Data Analysis Program (ADAP)
  7. Cross-PAG Time-Domain and MultiMessenger (TDAMM) SIG Meeting (March 1, 2024; 2pm EST/11am PST)
  8. TESS Science Conference III (July 29-August 2, 2024; Cambridge MA; Abstract deadline April 12, 2024)
  9. Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) Meeting (June 12-13, 2024; Ithaca NY/Virtual)
+ more

1. 2024B NASA Keck Call for Proposals (Proposals due March 14, 2024)

The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute is soliciting proposals to use NASA's portion of time on the Keck Telescopes for the 2024B observing semester (August 1, 2024 - January 31, 2025). Proposals are due by Thursday, March 14, 2024 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: https://nexsci.caltech.edu/missions/KeckSolicitation/gen-info.shtml

for complete information, semester highlights, and application guidelines. Important information on instrument availability for 2024B can be found here: 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


2. ExoExplorer Science Series: Fuda Nguyen (U. Arizona) & Garrett Levine (Yale) (February 16, 2024, 2pm-3pm EST/11am-12pm PST)

"Hi all-

The ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series presents talks by cohort members Fuda Nguyen (U. Arizona) & Garrett Levine (Yale) on Friday February 16, 2024, from 11 AM - 12 PM Pacific / 2 PM - 3 PM Eastern.

"Latitude-dependent Atmospheric Waves and Long-period Modulations in Luhman 16 B from the Longest Lightcurve of an Extrasolar World"
Fuda Nguyen (U. Arizona)

&

"Atmospheric Outflow Variability of Extrasolar Planets"
Garrett Levine (Yale)

The talk and call-in info is below and a calendar invite (and poster) is attached as well.

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 is the way,

Rob Zellem, on behalf of the ExoExplorer Organizing Committee"

Abstracts and connection information: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/495/exoexplorer-science-series-fuda-nguyen-u-arizona-garrett-levine-yale/


3. 2024 Sagan Workshop Registration and Financial Aid Application Now Available (July 22-26, 2024, Pasadena CA; Travel Support Deadline March 21, 2024)

2024 Sagan Summer Workshop
Advances in Direct Imaging: From Young Jupiters to Habitable Earths
July 22-26, 2024
Hosted by The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute,
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
https://nexsci.caltech.edu/workshop/2024/

We are pleased to announce that in-person and online registration to attend the 2024 Sagan Summer Workshop is now available! The topic for this years workshop is Advances in Direct Imaging: From Young Jupiters to Habitable Earths

The workshop will take place online and on the Caltech campus in Pasadena, CA from July 22-26, 2024. There is no registration fee for the workshop.

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 21, 2024 and awards will be announced by April 12, 2024.

The registration, financial support application, and recommendation letter submission site are all available on the main workshop website: https://nexsci.caltech.edu/workshop/2024/

Questions? sagan_workshop@ipac.caltech.edu


4. Release of Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES)-2024

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) 2024 as NNH24ZDA001N on or about February 14, 2024, at http://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2024

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/ROSES2024table2 andhttps://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2024table3, 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.

ROSES NRA may result in grants, cooperative agreements, and inter- or intra-agency transfers, depending on the nature of the work proposed, the proposing organization, and/or program requirements. At the time of release of ROSES, we anticipate that all awards to non-governmental organizations 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.

Unless otherwise noted, 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-2024 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 27, 2024, and Full (Step-2) Proposals will be due no earlier than May 14, 2024, see Table 2 and Table 3.

Potential proposers are strongly encouraged to read Section I(d) of the ROSES Summary of Solicitation and ROSES-24 FAQ#1 that list significant changes prior ROSES.

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

  1. 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");
  2. Get automatic updates of due dates using the ROSES-2024 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
  3. checking this ROSES-2024 Blog at https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/solicitations/roses-2024/

Frequently asked questions about ROSES-2024 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-2024 policies and procedures may be directed to Max Bernstein, Lead for Research, Science Mission Directorate, at sara@nasa.gov.


5. Updated Precursor Science Gap Worksheet for ROSES-23 D.16 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science

Science gaps worksheet posted on NSPIRES page for ROSES-23 D.16 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science

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.

The science gaps worksheet resulting from the Precursor Science Workshops and the community surveys has been posted under other documents on the NSPIRES page for D.16 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science and Section 1.2 of the text has been updated accordingly. New text is in bold and deleted text is struck through. The due dates remain unchanged: Mandatory NOIs are due March 29, 2024, and proposals are due April 26, 2024.

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

D.16 Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science: https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId=%7bA621FB7D-1D57-40F9-FE89-70107E303940%7d&path=&method=init

Updated Science Gap Worksheet: https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument/cmdocumentid=983933/solicitationId=%7BA621FB7D-1D57-40F9-FE89-70107E303940%7D/viewSolicitationDocument=1/D.16%20ADSPS%20GAP_list_collated_2024.pdf


6. NASA ROSES: Change to ROSES-2024 Astrophysics Data Analysis Program (ADAP)

Change to ADAP

The Astrophysics Data Analysis Program (ADAP) provides support for investigations whose focus is on the analysis of archival data from NASA space astrophysics missions. Starting new in 2024, in lieu of a detailed budget, only a single page budget justification is requested, and no NSPIRES-based budget is required. Proposals instead identify the cost cap as either small (<$125,000/year), medium (<$200,000/year), or large (>$200,000/year). We hope that this change reduces the effort required to assemble an ADAP proposal, especially for first-time investigators or those at smaller institutions. For any questions about this change or the ADAP program overall, please contact the ADAP Program Officer Joshua Pepper at joshua.a.pepper@nasa.gov.

NASA ROSES 2024 D.2 Astrophysics Data Analysis (NNH24ZDA001N-ADAP): https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId={3C497801-DB33-9F39-7636-1208E074A711}&path=&method=init


7. Cross-PAG Time-Domain and MultiMessenger (TDAMM) SIG Meeting (March 1, 2024; 2pm EST/11am PST)

The first virtual meeting of the Cross-PAG Time-Domain and MultiMessenger (TDAMM) SIG will be on Friday March 1, 2024 at 2pm EST. We will begin our ~monthly virtual series with a discussion on the specific TDAMM recommendations to NASA from Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s with a relevant individual from the Decadal. This will be followed with a broader discussion on this topic as well as the goals of TDAMM SIG in general. The specific details for this meeting and those in the future will be announced over the TDAMM SIG mailing list, which you can sign up for at this address https://pcos.gsfc.nasa.gov/sigs/tdamm-sig/tdamm-sig-email-list.php.


8. TESS Science Conference III (July 29-August 2, 2024; Cambridge MA; Abstract deadline April 12, 2024)

"Hi all,

The TESS Science conference III (TSC3; tsc.mit.edu) will take place on July 29 - August 2nd, 2024, at the Kresge Auditorium on MIT campus (Cambridge, MA, USA). TSC3 will focus on all aspects of the TESS mission, including the wide range of science done with TESS data and the increasing number of data analysis techniques developed by the TESS community.

Abstract submission for both talks and posters is now open. We welcome submissions from all institutions and career stages. Abstract submission deadline: April 12, 2024. Abstract submission form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdix7o0Na-yAmvzeSpK5F3_yqNapHDnxvud_ApjA528WR15zw/viewform

We are also seeking proposals for parallel sessions, which can focus on any aspect of the mission. Parallel Session proposal deadline:March 15, 2024. Form for TSC3 parallel session proposals: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQ0Ky0TKCcf_o2OJffVjjMpiP8CgpKhWW7kEaOQ1F93mVz4g/viewform

Anyone who might require financial support to attend the conference can apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKt_p4lSTSq-Rxs8EyNCBYrNR3ouB0z58kQepu5s2A9MwnsA/viewform

Note that funding for financial support is expected to be limited and we do not expect to be able to provide funding for all applicants. Financial support request deadline: March 29, 2024.

Please distribute this message to your local and professional communities.

For any questions: tsc3@mit.edu.

Avi Shporer,

On behalf of the SOC and LOC"


9. Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) Meeting (June 12-13, 2024; Ithaca NY/Virtual)

Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) Meeting
June 12–13, 2024
Ithaca, NY/Virtual
https://www.lpi.usra.edu/opag/meetings/jun2024/

The next OPAG meeting is scheduled for June 12–13, 2024, in Ithaca, New York at the Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science (CCAPS). The meeting will include opportunities for virtual participation. More information will be posted on the website soon.

Meeting Portal Updates: We have modified the meeting portal to follow best practices that support inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. We encourage you to log into the meeting portal to update your profile information. From the meeting portal home page, click Edit Profile.


ExoPAG News and Announcements (February 2, 2024)

  1. REMINDER: Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG; Nomination Deadline MOVED TO February 9, 2024)
  2. SAVE THE DATE: ExoPAG 30 (May 5, 2024; Providence, RI @ AbSciCon)
  3. Announcing the Fourth Cohort of the Exoplanet Explorers Program and New ExoGuides - First ExoExplorers Presentations February 16th, 2024 (2-3pm EST/11am-12pm PST)
  4. ExoPAG 29 Presentations Posted
  5. 2024 Exoplanet Summer Program at the Other Worlds Laboratory (July 8-26, 2024; UC Santa Cruz)
+ more

1. REMINDER: Call for Nominations to the Executive Committee of the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG; Nomination Deadline MOVED TO February 9, 2024)

To: Astrophysics and Planetary Science Community
From: Astrophysics Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
Date: November 1, 2023
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 several new appointments to the ExoPAG EC, replacing three current members of the committee who have reached the end of their appointments. New appointments will start in the Spring of 2024 and will be for a period of three years.

NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP, https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/) is the NASA program office that serves as the focal point for exoplanet science and technology, and devises strategies to help NASA achieve its goals in the area of exoplanet science. The ExoPAG is an open, interdisciplinary forum that provides a way for the scientific community to give input to ExEP, and for conducting analyses in support of ExEP science objectives and their implications for planning and prioritization of Program activities, including providing community input to the Great Observatory Mission and Technology Maturation Program (GOMAP) for the future Habitable Worlds Observatory. The ExoPAG is led by a Chair who also serves on NASA’s Astrophysics Advisory Committee (APAC). The Chair works with a volunteer Executive Committee, whose membership is chosen to reflect the broad range of scientific disciplines and interests represented in the exoplanet field. 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 ExEP. Detailed information about the structure and function of the ExoPAG, including the current and past membership of the EC, can be found at https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/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, commitment to NASA’s core value of inclusion, 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 has been moved to February 9, 2024, with announcement of selections anticipated in Spring of 2024. Selections will be announced by the ExoPAG mailing list (https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/announcementList).

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


2. SAVE THE DATE: ExoPAG 30 (May 5, 2024; Providence, RI @ AbSciCon)

The next ExoPAG meeting (ExoPAG 30) will be held as a splinter session at AbSciCon (https://www.agu.org/abscicon) in Providence, RI - tentatively set for May 5, 2024.


3. Announcing the Fourth Cohort of the Exoplanet Explorers Program and New ExoGuides - First ExoExplorers Presentations February 16th, 2024 (2-3pm EST/11am-12pm PST)

The ExoPAG is pleased to announce the fourth 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.

ExoExplorer science presentations will be live and open to the entire exoplanet community. The first set of ExoExplorer talks will take place this Friday, February 16th, from 11-12 PM Pacific / 2-3 PM Eastern and will feature:

Fuda Nguyen [University of Arizona LPL]
“Latitude-dependent Atmospheric Waves and Long-period Modulations in Luhman 16 B from the Longest Lightcurve of an Extrasolar World”

&

Garrett Levine [Yale University]
“Atmospheric Outflow Variability of Extrasolar Planets”

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:

March 8 : Lili Alderson [University of Bristol] & Alex Polanski [University of Kansas]

April 12 : Daniel Yahalomi [Columbia University] & James Mang [UT Austin]

May 17 : Michaela Leung [UC Riverside] & Galen Bergsten [University of Arizona LPL]

June 14 : Zahra Ahmed [Stanford University] & Maria Vincent [University of Hawaii at Manoa]


4. ExoPAG 29 Presentations Posted

Presentations from ExoPAG 29 held January 6-7, 2024 in New Orleans are posted at: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exopag29/exopag29-program/. Most presentations are already posted however a few additional ones will be posted later.


5. 2024 Exoplanet Summer Program at the Other Worlds Laboratory (July 8-26, 2024; UC Santa Cruz)

The Other Worlds Laboratory (OWL) at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) announces the sixth Exoplanet Summer Program (ESP), from July 8-26, 2024. 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. Travel, housing, and food expenses can be reimbursed for some participants, with a focus on early career researchers. 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 1 - March 1, via a google form at https://owl.ucsc.edu/summer/.

Applicants should upload a single PDF that includes:

  • A 2-page (max) description of 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.
  • A CV of up to 2 pages.
  • Graduate students should also include a brief supporting letter from their PhD advisor acknowledging that they are aware that the student is applying to the program.

The current roster of planetary investigators and research at UC Santa Cruz can be found at https://owl.ucsc.edu/. We particularly welcome joint applications by small groups wishing to work together on projects, although each individual person should apply.

Information: UC Santa Cruz has a campus vaccination requirement for COVID-19. Organized group activities will either outside or will be in a large lecture hall, for ample social distancing, as needed. We will make future appropriate COVID-related safety decisions based on the state of COVID in July 2024.

On-campus housing is available for OWL Summer visitors. Please contact OWL by e-mail at owlsummer2024@gmail.com, with additional questions about the OWL program. Additional information will also be available online once the google form is posted.

Best wishes,

Jonathan Fortney, OWL Director


ExoPAG News and Announcements - Archive


NExSS

The Nexus for Exoplanet System Science (NExSS) is a research coordination network whose role is to form a cohesive community of exoplanet researchers that transcends disciplines and funding stovepipes. It is led by teams funded by NASA Research & Analysis Programs from the Astrophysics, Planetary Science, Heliophysics and Earth Science Divisions that conduct interdisciplinary exoplanet research. NExSS helps lead or facilitate white papers, workshops, conferences, science and communications working groups, and other community activities that support exoplanet research.

ExoPAG overview top image - PIA23002 K2-138 6 Planets Artwork