Category: Study

PhD fellowship funded by the Italian Space Agency

Where: Università G. d’Annunzio – Chieti
Duration: 3 years, including 6 months abroad (Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität
Münster) + 3 months (c/o Italian Space Agency, Rome)
Doctoral program: GEOSCIENCE
Title: “Geological mapping of lunar landing sites and the MATISSE webtool”
Tutor: Lucia Marinangeli lucia.marinangeli@unich.it
Application deadline: 3 December 2024 12:00 pm CET
Colloqium (in person or virtual): 11 December 2024 9:00 am CET
More info: https://www.scuolasuperiore.unich.it/node/7244

OBJECTIVES:
With the ARTEMIS exploration program bringing a new human crew to the lunar surface in 2026 as the first phase for the construction of a permanent human base, preparatory activities for the study of landing sites by combining multi-sensor data of different resolution and scale are fundamental for defining potential in situ resource utilization (ISRU).

With this project we want to propose an integrated approach for data analysis aimed at detailed geological analysis for the definition and valorization of in situ resources for the ISRU through the production of a geological cartography with standardization of the units that allows the definition of guidelines for the characterization of the new landing sites planned in the south pole of the Moon.

Currently, thanks to the availability of better spatial resolution orbital data together with remote spectral data to determine the composition of the surface material, it has been possible to review the geological interpretation of the Apollo landing sites [1-4] providing new details on the stratigraphic evolution of rock units and their correlation with samples brought to Earth. Preliminary work on geological mapping applied to the ISRU [5] highlighted the potential of the Apollo 17 site thanks to the geological diversity and the type of rocks that can allow the successful extraction of hydrogen and methane.
For this reason, the research activities will focus on the Apollo 17 site following the cartographic approach of [1-4] adding both a morphological and stratigraphic study deriving from the photographic repertoire acquired by the astronauts, and the compositional information of the rock samples and soil brought to Earth and available in the NASA Curation Office archive.

Based on the study and the geothematic maps that will be produced, analyzes will be carried out on the potential of the mapped material for the ISRU.
The integrated approach of different types of data (multimission – multisensor – multispectral) for detailed and standardized geological cartography is fundamental for future studies of lunar landing sites. The data will be processed and/or calibrated and then inserted into a GIS system for the analysis and creation of digital maps.
This modus operandi will constitute a model that can be replicated in other sites.

The PhD student will spend 6-months abroad working at the Institut für Planetologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität in Münster (tutor C. van der Bogert) to familiarize with the lunar dataset and cartographic methods. This institute in Münster has a long experience on geological mapping of the Moon.
In the final part of the project the student will work at the ASI-SSDC to upload the produced maps into the MATISSE online tool to make it accessible to the scientific community. MATISSE is the ASI-SSDC webtool dedicated to Solar System exploration missions, capable of showing the results both in classic two-dimensional visualizations, showing the data projected directly onto the three-dimensional shape of the selected target. In particular, this activity will be integrated into the current development of the tool aimed at planetary geology, expanding the possibility of searching for data also on the basis of advanced information available from geological maps.


In summary, the activities to be carried out will be:

  1. bibliographic research and review of available geological maps – 3 months
  2. selection of the areas of interest to analyze in detail, data processing and project preparation in the GIS environment of the study area – 6 months
  3. period abroad to acquire knowledge of lunar geological cartography – 6 months
  4. cartography of the chosen sites – 12 months
  5. definition of guidelines for the classification of geological units and potential values for the ISRU – 3 months
  6. data entry in MATISSE – 3 monthsthesis writing – 3 months

Bibliographic references:
[1] Iqbal W. et al. (2019) Geological mapping and chronology of lunar landing sites: Apollo 11, Icarus,
Volume 333, Pages 528-547
[2] Iqbal W. et al. (2020) Geological mapping and chronology of lunar landing sites: Apollo 12, Icarus,
Volume 352
[3] Iqbal W. et al. (2023) Geological mapping and chronology of lunar landing sites: Apollo 14, Icarus,
Volume 406
[4] Iqbal W. et al. (2024) New geological maps of Apollo 15 and Apollo 17 landing sites, LPSC, #1010
[5] van der Bogert et al. (2021) Science-rich Sites for In Situ Resource Utilization Characterization and Endto-
end Demonstration Missions, Planet. Sci. J., 2 84

UKPF Early Career Meeting (United Kingdom), January 13 2025

We’re pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 18th UKPF Early Career Meeting (ECM), which will be held on Monday, 13 January 2025 at the Martin Wood Lecture Theatre, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford.

The UKPF ECM is designed to bring together early career researchers from across the UK for a day of networking and knowledge sharing. This event provides a supportive environment for early career scientists to present their research to peers and receive constructive feedback, offering valuable preparation for larger, international conferences. Presentations will include both talks and posters, showcasing the diversity of work taking place in planetary science. We welcome contributions from all aspects of planetary science, including but not limited to; planetary surfaces, atmospheres and magnetospheres, habitability & astrobiology, meteorites, planets and their moons.

Date: 13 January 2025
Location: Martin Wood Lecture Theatre, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU
Cost: Completely free!
Registration Link: Register Here
Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday, 6 December 2024 (23:59)
Abstract Submission: Abstracts should be uploaded via the registration form. Please use the UKPF2025 abstract template as a guide.

Attendees are encouraged to join in person, but virtual attendance will also be offered for those unable to travel.

For enquiries regarding accessibility, registration or abstract submission, please contact us at ukpf2025@physics.ox.ac.uk or duncan.lyster@physics.ox.ac.uk. For more information please check out our website: https://www.ukpf.org.uk/ukpf-early-career-meeting.html

Planet Mars VI workshops in Les Houches (France), March 30 – April 4 2025

Planet Mars VI will be the sixth edition of a series of workshops which has taken place at the Les Houches School of Physics (French Alps) since 2003. These workshops are organized to bring together senior scientists, junior scientists, postdocs and PhD students in order to optimize the analysis and interpretation of space data, and to prepare the community for the best exploitation of forthcoming missions. Leading Mars scientists in the interpretation of data and modelling will present their views on key topics, from the deep interior to the ionosphere of Mars, as well as Phobos science.

> The deadline for registration is November 29, 2024 <
Workshop information can be found >>here<<

Please note the number of spaces is limited to 70, and early career researchers are especially encouraged to attend.

Online public outreach event: ‘Exoplanets and the Ariel Mission – Searching for signatures of life on strange worlds’ on October 31st

The Centre for Planetary Sciences at UCL/Birkbeck is delighted to announce the next event in their free ‘Adventures in Planetary Science’ public engagement series ‘Exoplanets and the Ariel Mission – Searching for signatures of life on strange worlds’, taking place on Thursday 31st October, from 5:30pm GMT. This will be a virtual event held online with Zoom.

It is estimated that our own Milky Way Galaxy is home to at least 100 billion planets and, with over 5700 detected over the past few decades, these strange new worlds orbiting other stars have become an important and fascinating area of scientific study.  Join to hear from exoplanet and astrobiology experts about how we explore these alien planets and what they could reveal about the search for life beyond Earth. Since it’s Halloween, they’ll be sharing some details of the many “horrifyingly inhospitable” exoplanets discovered so far!  You can also dive a little deeper into the bewitching world of exoplanets by putting your questions to the panel during the Q&A following the talks.

The event will feature talks from Professor Giovanna Tinetti (UCL, Head of Astrophysics Group and Ariel Mission Science Lead), Dr Andrew Rushby (Birkbeck, Lecturer in Astrobiology and co-host of the ExoCast podcast), Alex Thompson (UCL, PhD researcher in exoplanets and founder of the Orbyts STAR programme) and Dr Gordon Yip (UCL, post doctoral researcher in exoplanets and machine learning techniques, Lead of the Ariel Data Challenge). Dr Catherine Regan (West Virginia University, post-doctoral researcher in planetary science and recent winner of the IoP Jocelyn Bell Burnell medal for exceptional early-career contributions to physics by a female physicist) will be the host for the evening.

Don’t miss out! Register for your free tickets on Eventbrite now:  https://CPS-exoplanets.eventbrite.co.uk

For further information about the event please see the event webpage.

Only 2 days left to register!

This Friday 12th of July will be the last day to complete your registration for

As a reminder, please note that your registration is only complete once the registration fee has been paid. Payment details will be sent after you fill out the form.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow early-careers, gain valuable insights, and participate in stimulating discussions ⭐

Secure your spot today and enjoy both professional growth and unforgettable fun in these amazing cities!

2 deadlines coming up this week!

And in order to make that easier for you, we’ve decided to combine them both on the same day:
Sunday 30th of June

  • Abstract submission deadline (yep, we’ve extended it!) for AbGradEPEC’24 held in Berlin (Germany) just before EPSC 2024 – September 8th

When writing your abstract, remember to use this template and please note that the main text (the body of the abstract) should not exceed 200 words. When you’re done, simply send it to abgrade (at) eana-net (.) eu

You can find details on the themes and event-specific instructions in the respective webpage (you will also find the link to start your registration, if you haven’t already seen it!)

Don´t miss out on the opportunity to present your work, we all want to hear about it!

Early Career Workshop: Microsatellites and their use in planetary and astrobiology research (Tartu, Estonia, 24-31 August 2024)

To plan missions involving such small satellites successfully, intensive interaction and cooperation between scientists and space technologists are necessary, which is still lacking in some potential key applications. The workshop school aims to:

  • Highlight the possible potential of microsatellites in exploring different targets like the Moon, small bodies and outer satellites
  • Foster the interaction between space researchers and technologists
  • Allow participants to start the design and planning of new space missions
  • Contribute to the training of a new generation of space researchers

The work on the mission designs will continue after the workshop, thus ensuring a long-term impact.

The European Astrobiology Institute, Univeristy of Tartu and Stockholm University Astrobiology Centre will function as co-organisers of the workshop.

The event is open to applicants from all nationalities. Nevertheless, recommendation letters for visa applications are only issued for participants selected by the organisers.

PLEASE NOTE: A limited number of bursaries for students and early career scientists (up to 8 years from their first PhD in a related field) from EAI institutions (see a list here) will be available. We are also working to get some funding for students and early career scientists from the US. Participants from EAI Institutions selected by the EAI for bursaries will be offered free lunches, excursions, farewell dinner and accommodation in a shared 2-bedded room at Raatuse Hostel from 23 August (arrival) to 1 September 2024 (departure), but have to fund their travel on their own. There is no special application for the bursaries, just send in your application form and tell us in the e-mail. Participants selected for the bursaries will be notified immediately after the application deadline (in good time after the registration deadline).

All information is found on the on the >>website<<

Registrations open for The RED Astrobiology Introductory Virtual School – June 10th-14th

Rencontres Exobiologiques pour Doctorants  (RED / Astrobiology Introductory Course) is a Training School about the “Basics in Astrobiology”.

This school aims to offer interdisciplinary training in astrobiology to students and young researchers with a master’s degree in astronomy, planetology, geology, chemistry, biology, or history and philosophy of science. If you are a master’s student, preparing a thesis, or are an early career scientist with a subject related to astrobiology, this training school is for you! 

Its aim is to offer interdisciplinary training in astrobiology to students and young scientists with a Master’s degree in astronomy, planetology, geology, chemistry, biology, or the history and philosophy of science.

From June 10th to 14th 2024, you are invited to participate in the Virtual RED Astrobiology School. This virtual school is based on the lectures from the “in-person” school held in Le Teich (France) in March 2024. Registering for the school will offer you the opportunity to listen to the lessons filmed on-site (given in English), interact directly with the lecturers, ask questions, and engage in conversations with other participants from all over the world!

Participants who watch the whole lecture series and succeed in short quizzes about it will receive a certificate of attendance. Live animations and Q&A sessions will be organized at CEST (UTC + 2), but you can watch the lectures and replays of the Q&A session at your convenience in your time zone.

>> Registrations are open <<

Discover the program and the speakers of this session on the school website

Summer School “Dust to DNA” in Copenhagen (Denmark)

A one-week course, aimed at PhD students, that covers the journey from interstellar dust to habitable planets and the conditions for life

Interdisciplinary lectures and hands-on sessions using perspectives from astronomy, cosmochemistry, geology, and astrobiology, within the framework of exoplanet systems and the potential for life to emerge

When: 19-23 August 2024
Where: Globe Institute at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark)

Click here for more information. 

>> Registration deadline: 31st May 2024 <<