LPIB Issue 163 January 2021

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THE PERSEVERANCE MARS ROVER: NASA’s Next Giant Leap in the Search for Signs of Life Beyond Earth

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From the Desk of Lori Glaze

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LUNAR AND PLANETARY INFORMATION BULLETIN January 2021 Issue 163 FEATURED STORY

About the author: Briony Horgan is an Associate Professor of Planetary Science at Purdue University. She is a Par- ticipating Scientist on NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory rover mission and a Co-Investigator on NASA’s upcoming Mars 2020 rover mission, the first step toward Mars sample return. Her research program uses data from NASA satellites and rovers, along with laboratory and field work back on Earth, to understand the surface processes that have shaped Mars and the Moon. THE PERSEVERANCE MARS ROVER: NASA’s Next Giant Leap in the Search for Signs of Life Beyond Earth

Briony Horgan, Purdue University

On February 18, 2021, the most ambitious Welcome to and orbiters have built a picture of mission to Mars yet will land on Mars: an Earth-like ancient Mars. Three to 4 the aptly named Perseverance rover. Jezero Crater billion years ago, Mars hosted vast river Perseverance will trek through ancient networks as long as the Mississippi, deep lake beds and river channels in Jezero On February 18, Perseverance will enter lakes that contained the building blocks Crater to search for signs of past microbial the martian atmosphere at 21,000 kilo- of life, and hot springs that bubbled with life on Mars preserved in the rocks. Along meters per hour (13,000 miles per hour), potential for life. These watery envi- the way, the rover will collect samples of and seven nerve-wracking minutes later, ronments were able to exist because martian rocks, regolith, and atmosphere. will be gently lowered onto the surface by ancient Mars had a thick atmosphere. These samples will be picked up by a a jetpack and tether combination known However, that atmosphere has been future mission and brought back to Earth, as the Sky Crane. The rover will land in leaking away, leaving the surface where laboratory scientists will scrutinize Jezero Crater, a site that NASA hopes will today cold, dry, and inhospitable. them for signs of life and clues to the provide a window to a time when rain history of Mars for decades to come. fell and rivers flowed on ancient Mars. After five years of debate, Jezero Crater was selected as the site on Mars that is The Perseverance rover on the Mars 2020 Over the past 30 years, a fleet of rovers most likely to preserve signs of life that mission is likely the best chance within our lifetimes for NASA to create a scientific revolution in astrobiology. Decades of Mars exploration have clearly shown that Mars has hosted a variety of environments with conditions suitable for life as we know it, and NASA has made the case that Jezero Crater in particular had the right combination of timing, geologic processes, and water chemistry to preserve signs of ancient microbial life, if it existed.

This means that there is a chance that Perseverance will collect the sample from Mars that answers the question: “Are we alone in the universe?” This question is especially relevant right now. During the coronavirus pandemic, the mission has stayed on track in spite of disruptions Fig. 1. In a clean room at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, engineers observed the first and delays, and we have been reminded driving test for NASA’s Mars 2020 rover on December 17, 2019. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech. that all life is vulnerable and precious.

beautifully preserved deltas; what makes a partial “bathtub ring” of mineral Jezero special is that it also contains deposits right at the elevations where unique mineral deposits. These minerals, the shorelines of an ancient lake might known as carbonates, provide a totally have reached. In a paper earlier this different mechanism for preserving life year, we suggested that these carbon- in an ancient lake in Jezero Crater. ates might have formed along ancient beaches as lake waters evaporated.

Microbes: The Stromatolites can fossilize the microbial colonies that helped form them and even preserve textures of the microbes Fig. 2. Lighter colors represent higher elevation in this Original Beach Bums image of Jezero Crater on Mars, the landing site for themselves. Ancient stromatolites pre- NASA’s Mars 2020 mission. The oval indicates the Orbital spectrometers have shown that serve some of the earliest signs of life on landing ellipse, where the rover will be touching down carbonate is present throughout Jezero Earth, and Perseverance will search for on Mars. The color added to this image helps the crater Crater and in the watershed. On its similar signs of past life along the ancient rim stand out clearly, and makes it easier to spot the shoreline of a lake that dried up billions of years ago. own this is exciting since carbonates beaches of Jezero Crater on Mars. Scientists want to visit this shoreline because it may on Earth most commonly form due to have preserved fossilized microbial life, if any ever interactions between atmospheric carbon formed on Mars. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/ dioxide, rain, and rocks. That means JHU-APL/ESA. Perseverance: that carbonates on Mars might provide answers to important questions like A Robotic might have inhabited Mars billions of “How much rain fell on ancient Mars?” years ago, when microbial life was first Astrobiologist starting on Earth. Satellite images of However, the orbital data also show Jezero show a river leading into the crater that carbonates are particularly con- The payload that each Mars rover has and ending in a large delta, which must centrated around the inside edge of brought to the Red Planet has varied have formed in a long-lived ancient lake. Jezero Crater. The carbonates create depending on the kind of science the

The Muddy Search for Organic Molecules

The delta in Jezero is the first major target for Perseverance’s search for life. When a river flows into a body of water and slows down, the bigger particles like sand tend to drop out right away around the mouth of the river, creating deposits like sandbars. However, the smallest particles like mud and organic molecules tend to travel farther, creating thin layers at the bottom of the lake that can be preserved underneath deltas as they build.

On Earth, these muddy layers are one of the best places to look for concentrated organic molecules derived from life in the watershed and the lake itself. Using orbital data, scientists like Prof. Tim Goudge at the University of Texas–Austin have argued that these thin layers are exposed in the now eroded front of the Fig. 3. This image of Jezero Crater was taken by instruments on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which Jezero delta and could preserve signs regularly takes images of potential landing sites for future missions. Green indicates the presence of carbonates. On ancient Mars, water carved channels and transported sediments to form fans and deltas within lake basins. of ancient life in the lake and beyond. Examination of spectral data acquired from orbit show that some of these sediments have minerals that indicate chemical alteration by water. Here in Jezero Crater delta, sediments contain clays and carbonates. Credit: But other craters on Mars also contain NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU.

evidence of microbial life is extremely difficult. Ultimately, we will need to look at samples from Jezero with advanced instruments on Earth. This is why Perseverance will also collect up to 38 pencil-sized rock cores that will be returned to Earth by a series of missions in the late 2020s.

Paving the Way for Future Mars Exploration

Perseverance will have many new capabilities that will transform how we explore Mars. The rover carries Ingenuity, a small helicopter that will be the first aircraft to fly on another planet. Because Mars’ atmosphere today is so thin — only 1% of Earth’s — Ingenuity has to be extremely lightweight [1.8 kilograms (4 pounds)] with very large blades [1.2 meters (4 feet) tip-to-tip] to get off the ground. Ingenuity will take Fig. 4. You may not be able to travel to Jezero Crater on Mars, but you can visit the next best thing: Lake Salda, images of the distant landscape and Turkey. Although it is located a world away, Lake Salda has mineralogy and geology similar to the dry martian help us scout the rover’s traverse; future lakebed. Credit: NASA Earth Observatory. Mars missions could adopt this model of rovers and aircraft working in tandem. mission aimed to achieve. Spirit and Perseverance will look a lot like Opportunity were robotic field geolo- Curiosity — the two rovers share the same Looking even further ahead, Perseverance gists, searching for signs of past water chassis and landing system. However, will help prepare for future human by looking at the surfaces of rocks with Perseverance has received a major missions to Mars. One of the many a hand lens and mineral identification overhaul under the hood in order to not challenges for astronauts will be the instruments. Curiosity is a roving geology only search for possible biosignatures but packing list for a two-year roundtrip laboratory analyzing the habitability to also place them in fine-scale context. journey, which includes air, water, and of these ancient watery environments Perseverance packs two Raman spectrom- rocket fuel to get home. If these resources by grinding up rock samples to search eters, SuperCam and SHERLOC, which could be harvested on Mars, human for trace amounts of organic molecules. use lasers to stimulate emission from missions would be much more feasible. Perseverance is a robotic astrobiologist rock surfaces. SuperCam will be able to The MOXIE instrument on Perseverance searching for signs of ancient microbial detect organic molecules life, also known as biosignatures, which in rocks from meters away, requires a totally new set of instruments. along with their chemistry and mineralogy, while Convincing microbial biosignatures are SHERLOC and the elemen- tricky to nail down. For example, the tal mapper PIXL will be able presence of organic molecules isn’t to map organic molecules, enough on its own, as they can also be compositions, and rock produced by processes other than life. textures at the scale of a Instead, concentrated organic mole- grain of salt. Perseverance cules must be present in a context that also carries powerful set suggests they were emplaced by life, of cameras (Mastcam-Z), Fig. 5. In this illustration, NASA’s Mars 2020 rover uses its drill to core a such as in mineralized layers that might a ground-penetrating rock sample on Mars. Scheduled to launch in July 2020, the Mars 2020 have once been a microbial mat. These radar (RIMFAX), and rover represents the first leg of humanity’s first round trip to another pla- types of detections are even better if a three-dimensional net. The rover will collect and store rock and soil samples on the planet’s they’re in concert with other potential weather station (MEDA). surface that future missions will retrieve and return to Earth. NASA and the European Space Agency are solidifying concepts for a Mars sample biosignatures, such as microbial textures, return mission. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech. mineral deposits, or isotopic signatures. However, finding definitive

Fig. 6. This image is a still taken from a flyover video of Jezero Crater produced from NASA images taken from orbit. The blue circle indicates the area the rover will likely land. The arcing hills in the center, about 488 meters (1600 feet) high, are at the rim of Jezero Crater. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

will test a process for creating oxygen No matter which exact path we choose, exciting geological wonderland. from Mars’ carbon dioxide atmosphere. we know that it will include a detailed In the future, similar instruments could investigation of the bottommost layers Jezero Crater is nestled within the outer be sent ahead of astronauts, so that of the delta to search for biosignatures rings of the Isidis Basin, a massive breathable air and liquid oxygen rocket in ancient mudstones. Perseverance 1500-kilometer-diameter (932-mile-diam- propellant are waiting when they arrive. will then travel across dry riverbeds eter) impact crater that was created by the on top of the delta to the edge of the last planetesimal-sized body to hit Mars crater, to search ancient shorelines around 3.9 billion years ago. This impact Planning for the for signs of stromatolites and other dug up and flung out the depths of the biosignatures in the carbonates. crust and maybe even the upper mantle Long Drive of Mars, and created extensive hydrother- After this first trek, which should be about mal systems that could have supported Since Jezero was selected as the landing 15 kilometers (9 miles) long and take life for long after the impact itself. site two years ago, the Perseverance about 1.5 Mars years (3 Earth years), science team has been poring over all the the rover will deposit an initial cache of After exploring Jezero Crater, previous research on the crater, ana- samples in a safe location that a future Perseverance will climb up onto the rim lyzing all the data collected by NASA rover can access. At this point, the mission of Jezero and out onto the plains beyond, satellites and coming up with strategies will have fulfilled all the key goals that known as Nili Planum. This area has been for what the rover will do once we land. NASA has set, but that won’t be the eroded by wind and rivers to expose end of Perseverance’s Mars journey. Isidis ejecta, including massive blocks of Perseverance will land either on the crust thrown up to 1000 kilometers (631 delta or on the crater floor and then miles). Some of these blocks appear to spend a month or so checking out and Up and Out of be made of layers, perhaps preserving testing all the instruments and the sam- river, lake, or ocean sediments from a pling system. The rover will then drop Jezero Crater time before the Isidis impact. These most the helicopter off to conduct a series ancient materials might trap remnants of of flight tests lasting another month. Another compelling property of Jezero the now-defunct magnetic field on Mars, During this time, the science team will Crater that helped lead to its selection helping us understand how Mars formed be working hard to collect as much data as the landing site for Mars 2020 is that and how the interior cooled down. as possible to decide a path forward. the terrain just outside of the crater is an entirely different and nearly equally But what is most exciting about Nili

the dark material on the crater floor, with a cratering age of around 2.2 “ By laying the groundwork billion years, will provide this sample.

for sample return with NASA Takes the Next Perseverance, NASA is tak- Giant Leap for Life By laying the groundwork for sample return with Perseverance, NASA is ing the next giant leap in taking the next giant leap in its exploration of Mars. The rocks collected by Perseverance may be our only shot in the its exploration of Mars” foreseeable future to search for signs of Planum is that is gives Perseverance yet crater floor beyond the delta, which is life with samples from another planet. This another shot at searching for signs of mostly covered by a dark bedrock unit mission, therefore, is not just “go big or life, but in environments totally different with sinuous margins. This unit might go home” — it is “go big and go home.” from the lakes and beaches of Jezero be a lava flow or some other type of Crater, such as ancient hydrothermal volcanic deposit, and if so, this is an Acknowledgments. This article systems and deep aquifers in the crust. extremely important place to collect a first appeared in short form in The One of the challenges of searching for sample to send back to Earth. One of Conversation on July 29, 2020, origi- life on ancient Mars is that while we the big outstanding questions about nally co-written with Prof. Melissa Rice know that the surface was habitable, we Mars is, “Just how old are the rocks?” at Western Washington University. don’t know for how long or what exact conditions prevailed. It’s possible that On Earth, we date rocks using isotopes, the subsurface of Mars may have been but we’ve only managed to do this for a more clement place for life for lon- one place on Mars: Curiosity used its ger than the surface. Perseverance will mass spectrometer to determine that use its suite of instruments to search for at least some of the grains in the lake biosignatures in the ancient crust of Nili sediments there are over 4 billion years Planum, most likely trapped in minerals old. But for most of Mars, we don’t have deposited by water in fractures and veins that kind of data, so instead we use the that were once deep underground. density of impact craters on the surface to get an idea of the age of that surface. After driving more than 45 kilometers The idea is simple — because asteroid (28 miles) and operating for more than 6 and comet impacts are random, the more Earth years on the surface, Perseverance craters on a surface, the older it must be. will deposit a final cache of samples on Nili Planum, including duplicates of all However, turning the number of craters the critical samples collected in Jezero. into an age is extremely difficult and NASA has already certified a landing imprecise. Right now, the only method site for future Mars sample return missions we have to link crater densities to specific on Nili Planum, so if Perseverance can ages is by comparing rocks collected make it that far and deposit that final, on the Moon by Apollo astronauts to complete cache of samples, that will the number of craters at those sites. But be the cache that is returned to Earth. we don’t know how well this relationship holds for Mars — for example, we don’t know if Mars was hit by the same Timing is Everything number of objects over time. So to really figure out how old everything is on Perseverance will have work to do Mars, we need a sample of dateable beyond just searching for biosignatures. material from a surface with a clear Our first big campaign might be on the cratering age. In Jezero, we hope that PERSEVERANCE

Cover photo: An illustration of NASA’s Perseverance rover landing safely on Mars. Hundreds of critical events must execute perfectly and exactly on time for the rover to land safely on February 18, 2021. Credit: NASA/JPL- Caltech.

ONWARD AND UPWARD IN 2021

Lori S. Glaze Director, NASA’s Planetary Science Division, January 2021

It’s hard to believe that we have now been growth that we continue to “meet” in what- living in a “COVID world” for almost a ever ways we can. whole year, but just like the turnover of any year, I have taken some time to reflect Of course, by the time LPSC happens in on the challenges we faced in 2020 and March, the first major Planetary Science highlights for the coming year. Division (PSD) event of 2021 will already hazardous terrain to be detected and have occurred, with Mars 2020/ avoided autonomously during the descent At the beginning of the pandemic I wrote Perseverance Rover landing in Jezero through the atmosphere. I encourage about how difficult 2020 would be without Crater on February 18! Perseverance will everyone to watch this great video to get a our usual calendar of conferences, meet- explore the geologic and astrobiolog- sense of what the whole EDL sequence will ings, and in-person interactions. I am so ical history of Jezero Crater — seeking look like! thankful for the clear and decisive action signs of past microbial life and studying the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) lead- Mars’ habitability. Perseverance will A true PSD 2020 highlight was the OSIRIS- ership took last year to cancel the Lunar answer important questions about where, REx touch-and-go (TAG) sample collection and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) and how, life can form, and will help event on October 20. The fact that the at such short notice. At the time it was prepare for future human missions to the sample head touched down on Bennu’s disappointing, but with our 2020 hindsight, planet, for example, by testing oxygen surface less than 1 m from the targeted it was undoubtedly the correct call. I am production from the martian atmosphere. spot in Nightingale Crater is truly astound- also grateful that LPI again made an early Perseverance will also cache soil and rock ing. For me, it was absolutely thrilling to decision to hold LPSC in 2021 as a virtual core samples on the surface so they are be at the Lockheed Martin facilities in conference. Although we are suffering ready for the Mars sample return mission Colorado on the day of TAG. The event from virtual “meeting fatigue” at this point later this decade. But before the science could not have gone smoother and this is a in the pandemic, it is vital for us to continue can begin, Perseverance must land safely. testament to the entire OSIRIS-REx team’s holding these gatherings online. I know Like Curiosity, the entry, descent, and hard work over many years. Indeed, the LPI is exploring innovative approaches landing (EDL) implementation for Mars TAG sampling was so successful that we to make LPSC as engaging and useful as 2020 will include a parachute, descent believe we collected far more than the possible, and to mitigate fatigue in the best vehicle, and “skycrane maneuver.” We will required 60 grams of material — so much possible ways. Ultimately, it is essential for also be using the new and sophisticated that the precious cargo was escaping our community’s strength and sustained Terrain-Relative Navigation, which allows to space. We thus decided to stow the

sample safely in the sample return capsule the Lucy mission will help us investigate the (Q-PACE) is scheduled to launch onboard slightly ahead of schedule. This process early history of our solar system. Lucy will Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne in mid-January, went well, and OSIRIS-REx is currently be the first mission to explore the so-called and the Lunar Polar Hydrogen Mapper back orbiting Bennu. The spacecraft will Trojan asteroids — remnants of the solar (LunaH Map) will launch with Artemis I in start its journey back to Earth this spring, system building blocks captured along late 2021. I am really excited to see what when it will be aligned for the most fuel-ef- Jupiter’s orbital path. The launch window new science can be done from these small, ficient return; it is due to land back “home” for Lucy will open in October, and the innovative platforms. in September 2023. I cannot wait to see nominal mission will last for 12 years. In what mysteries the samples will allow us to that time, Lucy will make seven flybys of Despite 2021 starting as 2020 ended — in reveal! several asteroids, with the first Trojan visit the midst of this pandemic — I’m incredibly scheduled for August 2027. Mark your grateful for these events we have to look We are also eagerly awaiting the 2021 calendars now! forward to over the next several months. launches of several PSD missions. The They inspire me, not only with the promise launch window for the Double Asteroid The fall will also see the first two of amazing new data for understanding Redirection Test (DART), which will launch Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) our solar system, but even more so by the onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, opens missions land on the Moon — representing incredible teams of people who continue this summer on July 31. This will be the the first U.S. robotic lunar landings in more to persevere through the incredible chal- first mission from the Planetary Defense than 50 years. Landers from our com- lenges that 2020 put in our way. Along Coordination Office (PDCO) and will mercial partners Intuitive Machines and with the rollout of vaccines across the U.S. demonstrate the asteroid deflection tech- Astrobotic will land in the Mare Serenitatis and around the globe, I think we have nique when the spacecraft purposefully and Lacus Mortis regions of the Moon, much to be hopeful about — perhaps even impacts the asteroid Dimorphos (a moon respectively, and will carry 16 NASA some of those face-to-face interactions we of Didymos). Riding along with DART will science and technology demonstration are craving! be the LICIACube smallsat contributed instruments across their two payloads. by our partners from the Italian Space These two missions, and subsequent CLPS Agency (ASI). LICIACube will be used deliveries, are opening up a new and to monitor the effects of the DART impact expanding paradigm for NASA/commer- (e.g., the crater and evolution of the debris cial partnerships in planetary exploration, produced). Meanwhile, back on Earth, and they are leading the way as PSD sup- coordinated telescope observations will ports the Artemis program and the return of be essential for examining the change in humans to the lunar surface. Dimorphos’ orbit caused by the impact. Lastly, we are also anticipating the launch Our next Discovery mission, Lucy, is also of two PSD CubeSats — our first SIMPLEx set for launch in 2021. Just as Lucy the missions, which were selected via the fossilized skeleton of an early hominid, for SIMPLEx-1 ROSES call in 2014. At the which the mission is named, helped unravel time of writing, the CubeSat Particle the origins and evolution of our species, Aggregation and Collision Experiment

APOPHIS T–9 YEARS: Knowledge Opportunities for the Science of Planetary Defense

Apophis is coming! On April 13, 2029, the presentations were made to a consistent ous asteroid. Participants noted that in six 350-meter asteroid Apophis will pass by online audience of approximately 150 decades of planetary exploration, natural Earth with a miss distance of six Earth radii attendees, with a total registration of 300. seismicity measurements have only been — about one-tenth the lunar distance — a Presentations were a mix of invited talks, achieved for two bodies: the Moon and miss distance closer than geosynchronous contributed talks, and lightning talks intro- Mars. Thus Apophis clearly presents a satellites. Such a close encounter by an ducing electronic posters. Ample discussion decadal science opportunity. object this large is on average a once-per- time was given to each talk, and open thousand-year occurrence. discussion periods were held at the end of The measurability of any seismic signal in each day. Questions were actively fielded Apophis remains a significant unknown The workshop “Apophis T–9 Years: by the session chairs using the chat feature both in its magnitude and in the method- Knowledge Opportunities for the Science of the virtual meeting platform. ology. Workshop attendees encourage of Planetary Defense” was held to explore ongoing analysis of the opportunity, scientific options for making the most of Attendees were unanimous in agreeing including a Science Definition Study for this once-in-a-millennium “natural scientific that “time is of the essence” for formulating minimum requirements for any in situ experiment.” The 1994 Comet Shoemaker- and implementing plans, especially if in investigation. Levy 9 impact was frequently referenced situ exploration is warranted. The high- as a rare natural opportunity to advance est-priority science opportunity presented For more information, including links to the planetary science. The Apophis workshop by the flyby is the potential for Earth’s program and abstracts, visit the meeting was initially planned as an in-person meet- tidal forces to induce “seismic shaking” in website at www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/ ing to be held in April 2020; the workshop the body of Apophis, thereby producing apophis2020/. was recast as a virtual meeting conducted the measurement opportunity to map the November 4–6, 2020. Over 3 days, 60 internal structure of a potentially hazard-

— Text provided by Richard Binzel (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

PREVENTING HARASSMENT IN SCIENCE

The Preventing Harassment in Science: sibility practices were discussed in this the ground up. A panel discussed how Building a Community of Practice for anti-harassment workshop. institutions respond to harassment, both Meaningful Change workshop took place negatively (“Passing the Harasser”) and virtually on June 24–25, 2020. This work- The PHIS workshop was initially planned positively (i.e., enacting positive change shop brought leaders of anti-harassment as an in-person meeting in late March related to anti-harassment policies). A efforts together to share ideas and discuss 2020. When stay-at-home orders were second panel focused on grassroots best-practice methods to reduce harass- implemented across the U.S. in mid- anti-harassment initiatives started by ment in the scientific workplace. There March due to COVID-19, the in-person individuals. were over 400 total registrants, with more workshop was canceled. When the Lunar than 150 people dialed into the workshop and Planetary Institute (LPI) was asked The second day focused on anti-harass- at any given time. An online discussion to support a large, virtual meeting, they ment training and inclusion. The first panel platform was used to engage participants, responded enthusiastically and worked brought together experts in anti-harass- share ideas, network, and solicit questions tirelessly to facilitate a fantastic virtual ment training to discuss effective training for the speakers. experience. Upon switching to a virtual techniques. The second panel focused on meeting, the focus of the workshop nec- the planetary science community and how The Preventing Harassment in Science essarily changed. With the pivot from a to increase inclusivity in this specific field. (PHIS) workshop originated as an effort small (<50 person), intimate workshop to a Next, the documentary “Can We Talk?“ by to centralize anti-harassment efforts and virtual meeting, a much broader audience Kendall Moore was aired, followed by a share best practices, primarily focusing on was reached (approximately 400 people). Q&A session. This documentary focuses government and academic spaces. Many We believe that workshops such as this on the lack of belonging felt by many people in science are individually com- can be utilized to address major issues and people of color in STEM fields and how bating harassment and creating inclusive work towards positive change. this pushes many people out of the field. spaces. One goal of this workshop was to Finally, Dr. Kathryn Clancy of the University facilitate conversations between people The first day of the PHIS focused on of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, facilitated who have developed strategies to reduce actions that people and institutions have a workshop on how to increase inclusivity harassment, including social scientists. taken and can take to reduce harass- in your community. Participants could share their work and ment. This included a talk on building experiences, and best anti-harassment effective codes of conduct; a presen- Several key themes and action items were practices would be compiled for wide- tation from the National Academies of brought up throughout the workshop. spread use. This workshop focused on Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine harassment but necessarily also addressed Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual • “Legal compliance is necessary, but inclusion, as a hostile or non-inclusive Harassment in Higher Education; and not sufficient.” — Dr. Alex Helman, environment leads to harassment. For this examples of how to build a harassment NASEM reason, diversity, inclusivity, and acces- prevention program at an institution from Demonstrating that harassment will not

be tolerated is incredibly important for harassment. (2) Many inclusion and effectiveness and improvement can institutional leadership. Without open anti-harassment efforts start with one or specifically address the ongoing crisis support for anti-harassment efforts from two motivated individuals in a community of harassment. institutional leaders, the community’s that may or may not serve in a leadership 6. Value service work: Service work culture and climate will likely not improve. role. The culture cannot change without consists of non-scientific duties that That said, having anti-harassment policies the active involvement of community allow science to happen. This work is not enough to reduce harassment. If a members who are working for change. is usually unpaid, but much of it is an workplace has appropriate policies and (3) Communities have been fighting expectation of paid scientific employ- culture statements in place, it is still possible harassment and working on diversity and ment. Women in science, especially for a negative or toxic climate to exist. inclusion issues for decades in science, Black, Latina, and Indigenous women, technology, engineering, and mathemat- are often asked to do significantly • “If you don’t make a big deal out of the ics (STEM) disciplines. There is no magic more service work than their peers. small things when the big things come solution. Nothing that has been tried has Then they are punished for this during your voice will be too small.” — Erica been entirely successful. This means that evaluation and promotion. The com- White-Dunston, Chief Diversity Officer we need to be open to new, potentially munity needs to think creatively about of Department of Interior disruptive ideas. how to start valuing service work. Allowing small inappropriate behaviors, 7. Continue holding and funding anti-ha- such as racist or sexist jokes, to become Action discussed at the workshop that can rassment workshops in the future: The normalized then allows the inappropriate reduce harassment in science: work of this vibrant community of behavior to escalate to become more resistance is ongoing. Holding work- severe forms of harassment. 1. Bravery, boldness, innovation: shops such as this one annually or Organizations are challenged to be bi-annually can allow more focused • “Bad apples vs. rotten barrel framing.” brave and bold and develop inno- discussion, including smaller topi- — Dr. Kathryn Clancy, University of vative ways to address systemic and cal workshops intended to address Illinois, Champaign-Urbana structural factors that allow harass- specific aspects of harassment and We habitually see high-profile and com- ment to occur in STEM. Harassment inclusion. monplace incidents of sexual harassment in is entrenched in our fields, and new a “bad apples” framework. This framework approaches must be used. PHIS was held virtually, with funding from focuses on the individual who targets peo- 2. Training: Anti-harassment training is NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey ple with their power. The individual person an essential tool for supporting posi- (USGS) and institutional support from LPI. is “bad,” and their removal is the solu- tive and inclusive workplace cultures tion to the problem of harassment in the and climates. For more information about the meet- workplace/organization. Rather than this 3. Codes of conduct: Codes of conduct ing, including links to the program, visit outlook, the ”rotten barrel” framing looks are another method for creating an the meeting website at www.hou.usra. at the people around a harasser as well inclusive and just workplace culture edu/meetings/anti-harassment2020/ as the systems and structures in place that and climate, particularly when they program/. enable their bad behavior. Harassers exist are designed with intentional, appro- in communities of complex systems that are priate ramifications for violations not set up to support targets of harassment. thereof. When we start thinking of the rotten barrel, 4. Work with social scientists: While we we are moved to use our voices differently know there is a crisis of harassment and to restructure our workplaces to ensure within STEM, we do not fully under- everyone can work in freedom and safety stand the impacts or the experiences from harassment. of those impacted. To understand and amend the crisis of harassment • Top-down, bottom-up, and disruptive in STEM, speakers at our workshop changes suggested working with social scien- There are three important aspects when tists to capture the nature and extent of thinking about how to change a communi- harassment. ty’s culture and who should be responsible 5. Culture and climate assessments: for changing the culture. (1) It is critical for Comprehensive organizational the leaders of a community to be actively culture and climate assessments with involved in positive change. Management associated implementation plans needs to champion efforts to reduce and measurable rubrics to determine

— Text provided by Kristen Bennett (USGS)

NASA’S OSIRIS-REX SPACECRAFT SUCCESSFULLY TOUCHES ASTEROID AND COLLECTS SAMPLES

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission readies itself to touch the surface of asteroid Bennu. Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona.

NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, strates how an incredible team from 805 meters (2641 feet) toward the surface. Resource Identification, Security, Regolith across the country came together and After a four-hour descent, at an altitude Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft unfurled persevered through incredible challenges of approximately 125 meters (410 feet), its robotic arm on October 20, 2020, and to expand the boundaries of knowl- the spacecraft executed the “Checkpoint” in a first for the agency, briefly touched an edge,” said NASA Administrator Jim burn, the first of two maneuvers to allow asteroid to collect dust and pebbles from Bridenstine. “Our industry, academic, it to precisely target the sample col- the surface for delivery to Earth in 2023. and international partners have made lection site, known as “Nightingale.” it possible to hold a piece of the most This well-preserved, ancient asteroid, ancient solar system in our hands.” Ten minutes later, the spacecraft fired its known as Bennu, is currently more than thrusters for the second “Matchpoint” burn 321 million kilometers (200 million At 1:50 p.m. EDT on October 20, OSIRIS- to slow its descent and match the aster- miles) from Earth. Bennu offers scientists REx fired its thrusters to nudge itself out oid’s rotation at the time of contact. It then a window into the early solar system of orbit around Bennu. It extended the continued a treacherous, 11-minute coast as it was first taking shape billions of shoulder, then elbow, then wrist of its past a boulder the size of a two-story years ago and flinging ingredients that 3.35-meter (11-foot) sampling arm, known building, nicknamed “Mount Doom,” to could have helped seed life on Earth. as the Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition touch down in a clear spot in a crater on Mechanism (TAGSAM), and transited Bennu’s northern hemisphere. The size of “This amazing first for NASA demon- across Bennu while descending about a small parking lot, the Nightingale site is

one of the few relatively clear spots on this agency’s headquarters in Washington. planning and data processing. “The unexpectedly boulder-covered space rock. “And although we may have to move loss of mass is of concern to me, so I’m more quickly to stow the sample, it’s strongly encouraging the team to stow this “This was an incredible feat — and today, not a bad problem to have. We are so precious sample as quickly as possible.” we’ve advanced both science and excited to see what appears to be an engineering and our prospects for future abundant sample that will inspire science The TAGSAM head performed the missions to study these mysterious ancient for decades beyond this historic moment.” sampling event in optimal conditions. storytellers of the solar system,” said Newly available analyses show that the Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator The team believes it has collected a collector’s head was flush with Bennu’s for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate at sufficient sample and is on a path to surface when it made contact and when the agency’s headquarters in Washington. stow the sample as quickly as possi- the nitrogen gas bottle was fired to stir ble. They came to this conclusion after surface material. It also penetrated several Two days after touching down on asteroid comparing images of the empty collec- centimeters into the asteroid’s surface Bennu, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission team tor head with images of the TAGSAM material. All data so far suggest that the received images that confirmed the space- head after the sample collection event. collector’s head is holding much more craft collected more than enough material than 60 grams (2 ounces) of regolith. to meet one of its main mission require- The images also show that any move- ments — acquiring at least 60 grams (2 ment to the spacecraft and the TAGSAM OSIRIS-REx remains in good health, and ounces) of the asteroid’s surface material. instrument may lead to further sample the mission team is finalizing a timeline loss. To preserve the remaining material, for sample storage. An update will be The spacecraft captured images of the the mission team decided to forego the provided once a decision is made on the sample collector head as it moved sample mass measurement activity and sample storage timing and procedures. through several different positions. In canceled a braking burn to minimize reviewing these images, the OSIRIS- any acceleration to the spacecraft. OSIRIS-REx launched from Cape REx team noticed both that the head Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida appeared to be full of asteroid parti- From here, the OSIRIS-Rex team will on September 8, 2016. It arrived at cles and that some of these particles focus on stowing the sample in the Bennu on December 3, 2018, and began appeared to be escaping slowly from the sample return capsule (SRC), where any orbiting the asteroid for the first time on sample collector, called the TAGSAM loose material will be kept safe during December 31, 2018. The spacecraft is head. They suspect bits of material are the spacecraft’s journey back to Earth. scheduled to return to Earth on September passed through small gaps where a 24, 2023, when it will parachute the mylar flap — the collector’s “lid” — was “We are working to keep up with our own SRC into Utah’s West Desert, where slightly wedged open by larger rocks. success here, and my job is to safely return scientists will be waiting to collect it. as large a sample of Bennu as possible,” “Bennu continues to surprise us with great said Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx Principal For more information about science and also throwing a few curve- Investigator at the University of Arizona the OSIRIS-REx mission, visit balls,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s in Tucson, who leads the science team www.asteroidmission.org/. associate administrator for science at the and the mission’s science observation

NASA’S SOFIA DISCOVERS WATER ON SUNLIT SURFACE OF MOON

NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory craters visible from Earth, located in the trapped in a cubic meter of soil spread for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has Moon’s southern hemisphere. Previous across the lunar surface. The results confirmed for the first time water on observations of the Moon’s surface are published in Nature Astronomy. the sunlit surface of the Moon. This detected some form of hydrogen but

discovery indicates that water may be could not distinguish between water “We had indications that H2O — the distributed across the lunar surface and and its close chemical relative, hydroxyl familiar water we know — might be pres- not limited to cold, shadowed places. (OH). Data from this location reveal ent on the sunlit side of the Moon,” said water in concentrations of 100–412 Paul Hertz, director of the Astrophysics SOFIA has detected water molecules parts per million — roughly equivalent Division in the Science Mission

(H2O) in Clavius Crater, one of the largest to a 0.4-liter (12-ounce) water bottle — Directorate at NASA Headquarters in

a clearer view of the infrared universe. Using its Faint Object infraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST), SOFIA was able to pick up the specific wavelength unique to water molecules, at 6.1 micrometers (3.9 × 10–5 inches), and discovered a relatively surprising concentration in sunny Clavius Crater.

“Without a thick atmosphere, water on the sunlit lunar surface should just be lost to space,” said Honniball, who is now a postdoctoral fellow at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “Yet somehow we’re seeing it. Something is generating the water, and something must be trapping it there.”

Several forces could be at play in the delivery or creation of this water. Micrometeorites raining down on the lunar surface, carrying small amounts SOFIA’s discovery indicates that water may be distributed across the lunar surface and not limited to cold, shado- of water, could deposit the water on wed places. Credit: NASA/Ames Research Center. the lunar surface upon impact. Another possibility is there could be a two-step Washington. “Now we know it is there. the past 20 years, such as NASA’s Lunar process whereby the Sun’s solar wind This discovery challenges our under- Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, delivers hydrogen to the lunar surface and standing of the lunar surface and raises confirmed ice in permanently shad- causes a chemical reaction with oxy- intriguing questions about resources owed craters around the Moon’s poles. gen-bearing minerals in the soil to create relevant for deep space exploration.” Meanwhile, several spacecraft — includ- hydroxyl. Meanwhile, radiation from the ing the Cassini mission and Deep Impact bombardment of micrometeorites could As a comparison, the Sahara Desert comet mission, as well as the Indian Space be transforming that hydroxyl into water. has 100 times the amount of water Research Organization’s Chandrayaan-1 than what SOFIA detected in the lunar mission — and NASA’s groundbased How the water then gets stored — making soil. Despite the small amounts, the Infrared Telescope Facility, looked it possible to accumulate — also raises discovery raises new questions about broadly across the lunar surface and some intriguing questions. The water could how water is created and how it persists found evidence of hydration in sunnier be trapped into tiny beadlike structures on the harsh, airless lunar surface. regions. Yet those missions were unable in the soil that form out of the high heat to definitively distinguish the form in which created by micrometeorite impacts.

Water is a precious resource in deep it was present — either H2O or OH. Another possibility is that the water could space and a key ingredient of life as be hidden between grains of lunar soil we know it. Whether the water SOFIA “Prior to the SOFIA observations, we knew and sheltered from the sunlight — poten- found is easily accessible for use as there was some kind of hydration,” said tially making it a bit more accessible than a resource remains to be determined. Casey Honniball, the lead author who water trapped in beadlike structures. Under NASA’s Artemis program, the published the results from her graduate agency is eager to learn all it can about thesis work at the University of Hawaii at For a mission designed to look at distant, the presence of water on the Moon in Mānoa in Honolulu. “But we didn’t know dim objects such as black holes, star advance of sending the first woman and how much, if any, was actually water clusters, and galaxies, SOFIA’s spotlight next man to the lunar surface in 2024 molecules — like we drink every day — on Earth’s nearest and brightest neigh- and establishing a sustainable human or something more like drain cleaner.” bor was a departure from business as presence there by the end of the decade. usual. The telescope operators typically SOFIA offered a new means of looking use a guide camera to track stars, keep- SOFIA’s results build on years of previ- at the Moon. Flying at altitudes of up ing the telescope locked steadily on its ous research examining the presence of to 13,716 meters (45,000 feet), this observing target. But the Moon is so water on the Moon. When the Apollo modified Boeing 747SP jetliner with a close and bright that it fills the guide astronauts first returned from the Moon 268-centimeter (106-inch) diameter camera’s entire field of view. With no in 1969, it was thought to be completely telescope reaches above 99% of the stars visible, it was unclear if the telescope dry. Orbital and impactor missions over water vapor in Earth’s atmosphere to get could reliably track the Moon. To deter-

mine this, in August 2018, the operators Reconnaissance Orbiter data, point- decided to try a test observation. SOFIA’s follow-up flights will look for ing out that water could be trapped in water in additional sunlit locations and small shadows, where temperatures “It was, in fact, the first time SOFIA has during different lunar phases to learn more stay below freezing, across more of looked at the Moon, and we weren’t about how the water is produced, stored, the Moon than currently expected. even completely sure if we would get and moved across the Moon. The data will reliable data, but questions about the add to the work of future Moon missions, “Water is a valuable resource, for both Moon’s water compelled us to try,” said such as NASA’s Volatiles Investigating scientific purposes and for use by our Naseem Rangwala, SOFIA’s project Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), to create explorers,” said Jacob Bleacher, chief scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center the first water resource maps of the Moon exploration scientist for NASA’s Human in California’s Silicon Valley. “It’s incred- for future human space exploration. Exploration and Operations Mission ible that this discovery came out of what Directorate. “If we can use the resources was essentially a test, and now that we In the same issue of Nature Astronomy, at the Moon, then we can carry less know we can do this, we’re planning scientists have published a paper using water and more equipment to help more flights to do more observations.” theoretical models and NASA’s Lunar enable new scientific discoveries.”

EXOPLANET AROUND DISTANT STAR RESEMBLES REPUTED ‘PLANET NINE’ IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM

Astronomers are still searching for a hypothetical “Planet Nine” in the distant reaches of our solar system, but an exoplanet 336 light-years from Earth is looking more and more like the Planet Nine of its star system.

Planet Nine, potentially 10 times the size of Earth and orbiting far beyond Neptune in a highly eccentric orbit about the Sun, was proposed in 2012 to explain perturbations in the orbits of dwarf planets just beyond Neptune’s orbit, so-called detached Kuiper belt objects. It has yet to be found if it exists.

A similarly weird extrasolar planet was discovered far from the star HD 106906 in 2013, the only such wide-separa- The 11-Jupiter-mass exoplanet called HD 106906 b, shown in this artist’s illustration, occupies an unlikely orbit around a double star 336 light-years away. Credit: NASA/ESA/M.Kornmesser. tion planet known. While much heavier than the predicted mass of Planet Nine — perhaps 11 times the mass old compared to the 4.5-billion-year age it a distant cousin of Planet Nine. of Jupiter, or 3,500 times the mass of of our Sun — or whether it’s on its way out Earth — it, too, was sitting in a very of the planetary system, never to return. If it is in a highly eccentric orbit around unexpected location, far above the the binary, “This raises the question dust plane of the planetary system and In a paper appearing on December of how did these planets get out there tilted at an angle of about 21 degrees. 10, 2020, in the Astronomical Journal, to such large separations,” said Meiji astronomers finally answer that question. Nguyen, a recent UC Berkeley gradu- The big question, until now, has been By precisely tracking the planet’s position ate and first author of the paper. “Were whether the planet, called HD 106906 b, over 14 years, they determined that it they scattered from the inner solar is in orbit perpetually bound to the binary is likely bound to the star in a 15,000- system? Or, did they form out there?” star — which is a mere 15 million years year, highly eccentric orbit, making

According to senior author Paul Kalas, of the European Southern Observatory images from the Hubble Space Telescope. University of California, Berkeley, adjunct in Santiago, Chile, a former University of Because Hubble must obscure the glare professor of astronomy, the resemblance California, Berkeley postdoctoral fellow. from the binary star to see the dimmer to the orbit of the proposed Planet Nine “So, every time the planet comes through, it debris disk, astronomers were unable to shows that such distant planets can really truncates the disk and pushes it up on one determine the exact position of the star exist and that they may form within the side. This scenario has been tested with relative to HD 106906 b. Gaia data first tens of millions of years of a star’s simulations of this system with the planet allowed the team to determine the bina- life. And based on the team’s other on a similar orbit — this was before we ry’s position more precisely and thus chart recent discoveries about HD 106906, knew what the orbit of the planet was.” the movement of the planet relative to the the planet seems to favor a scenario binary between 2004 and 2018, less where passing stars also play a role. The problem, as pointed out by those than one-thousandth of its orbital period. simulating such planet interactions, is “Something happens very early that starts that a planet would normally be kicked “We can harness the extremely pre- kicking planets and comets outward, and out of the system entirely, becoming a cise astrometry from Gaia to infer then you have passing stars that stabilize rogue planet. Some other interaction, where the primary star should be in their orbits,” he said. “We are slowly perhaps with a passing star, would be our Hubble images, and then mea- accumulating the evidence needed to necessary to stabilize the orbit of an suring the position of the companion understand the diversity of extrasolar eccentric planet like HD 106906 b. is rather trivial,” Nguyen said. planets and how that relates to the puz- zling aspects of our own solar system.” A similar scenario has been proposed In addition to confirming the planet’s for the formation of Planet Nine: that its 15,000-year orbit, the team found that the HD 106906 is a binary star system interaction with our giant planets early in orbit is actually tilted much more severely located in the direction of the constella- our solar system’s history kicked it out of to the plane of the disk: between 36 and tion Crux. Astronomers have studied it the inner solar system, after which passing 44 degrees. At its closest approach to extensively for the past 15 years because stars in our local cluster stabilized its orbit. the binary, its elliptical orbit would take of its prominent disk of dust, which could it no closer than about 500 AU from the be birthing planets. Our solar system may Kalas went looking for such a fly-by star stars, implying that it has no effect on have looked like HD 106906 about 4.5 for HD 106906 b, and last year he and inner planets also suspected to be part billion years ago as the planets formed De Rosa, then at Stanford University, of the system. That is also the case with in the swirling disk of debris leftover from reported finding several nearby stars Planet Nine, which has no observed the Sun’s formation. Surprisingly, images that would have zipped by the plan- effect on any of the Sun’s eight planets. of the star taken in 2013 by the Magellan etary system 3 million years earlier, telescopes in Chile revealed a planet perhaps providing the nudge needed “What I really think makes HD 106906 glowing from its own internal heat and sit- to stabilize the planet’s orbit. Now, with unique is that it is the only exoplanet ting at an unusually large distance from the precise measurements of the planet’s orbit that we know that is directly imaged, binary: 737 times farther from the binary between 2004 and 2018, Nguyen, De surrounded by a debris disk, misaligned than Earth is from the Sun (737 astronom- Rosa, and Kalas present evidence that relative to its system, and is widely ical units, or AU). That’s 25 times farther the planet is most likely in a stable but separated,” Nguyen said. “This is what from the star than Neptune is from the Sun. very elliptical orbit around its binary star. makes it the sole candidate we have found thus far whose orbit is analo- Kalas, who searches for planets and dust “Though it’s only been 14 years of obser- gous to the hypothetical Planet Nine.” disks around young stars, co-led a team vations, we were still able to, surprisingly, that used the Gemini Planet Imager on the get a constraint on the orbit for the first Gemini South Telescope to obtain the first time, confirming our suspicion that it was images of the star’s debris disk. In 2015, very misaligned and also that the planet these observations provided evidence that is on an approximately 15,000-year led theorists to propose that the planet orbit,” Nguyen said. “The fact that our formed close to the binary star and was results are consistent with predictions kicked out because of gravitational inter- is, I think, a strong piece of evidence actions with the binary. The evidence: The that this planet is, indeed, bound. In the stars’ outer dust disk and inner comet belt future, a radial velocity measurement are lopsided, suggesting that something is needed to confirm our findings.” — the planet — perturbed their symmetry. The science team’s orbital measurements “The idea is that every time the planet came from comparing astrometric data comes to its closest approach to the from the European Space Agency’s Gaia binary star, it stirs up the material in the observatory, which accurately maps disk,” said team member Robert De Rosa the positions of billions of stars, and

fainter than now. On Earth, for example, geothermal heat forms subglacial lakes in areas of the West Antarctic ice sheet, Greenland, and the Canadian Arctic. It’s likely that similar melting may help explain the presence of liquid water on cold, freezing Mars 4 billion years ago.

The scientists examined various Mars datasets to see if heating via geothermal heat would have been possible in the Noachian era. They showed that the conditions needed for subsurface melting would have been ubiquitous on ancient Mars. Even if Mars had a warm and wet climate 4 billion years ago, with the A vertically exaggerated, false-color view of a large, water-carved channel on Mars called Dao Vallis. Credit: loss of the magnetic field, atmospheric ESA/DLR/FU Berlin/Lujendra Ojha. thinning, and subsequent drop in global temperatures over time, liquid water The most habitable region for life on Our Sun is a massive nuclear fusion might have been stable only at great Mars would have been up to several reactor that generates energy by fusing depths. Therefore, life, if it ever originated miles below its surface, likely due hydrogen into helium. Over time, the Sun on Mars, may have followed liquid to subsurface melting of thick ice has gradually brightened and warmed water to progressively greater depths. sheets fueled by geothermal heat, a the surface of planets in our solar sys- Rutgers-led study concludes. tem. About 4 billion years ago, the Sun “At such depths, life could have been sus- was much fainter, so early Mars’ climate tained by hydrothermal (heating) activity The study, published in the journal Science should have been freezing. However, the and rock-water reactions,” Ojha said. “So, Advances, may help resolve what’s known surface of Mars has many geological the subsurface may represent the lon- as the faint young sun paradox — a indicators, such as ancient riverbeds, and gest-lived habitable environment on Mars.” lingering key question in Mars science. chemical indicators, such as water-related minerals, that suggest the red planet had NASA’s Mars InSight spacecraft landed “Even if greenhouse gases like carbon abundant liquid water about 4.1 billion in 2018 and may allow scientists to dioxide and water vapor are pumped into to 3.7 billion years ago (the Noachian better assess the role of geothermal the early Martian atmosphere in computer era). This apparent contradiction between heat in the habitability of Mars during simulations, climate models still struggle to the geological record and climate the Noachian era, according to Ojha. support a long-term warm and wet Mars,” models is the faint young sun paradox. said lead author Lujendra Ojha, an assis- For more information about the InSight mission, visit www.nasa.gov/mis- sion_pages/insight/main/index.html. “ So, the subsurface may represent the longest-lived habitable environment on Mars.”

tant professor in the Department of Earth On rocky planets like Mars, Earth, Venus, and Planetary Sciences in the School of and Mercury, heat-producing elements Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University- like uranium, thorium, and potassium New Brunswick. “My co-authors [and I] generate heat via radioactive decay. In propose that the faint young sun paradox such a scenario, liquid water can be may be reconciled, at least partly, if Mars generated through melting at the bottom had high geothermal heat in its past.” of thick ice sheets, even if the Sun was

to help us enable that science,” said of having humans back on the lunar Thomas Zurbuchen, associate admin- surface for the first time since 1972.” istrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “Even before Artemis III As was the experience during the lands, our agency’s science and human Apollo era of human exploration, every exploration teams are working together second of an astronaut’s time on the as never before to ensure that we lever- lunar surface will be meticulously age each other’s strengths. This report planned. The report will provide a helps outline a path forward toward resource for mission planners who will the compelling science we can now be developing crew surface activities. contemplate doing on the lunar surface in conjunction with human explorers.” Activities related to field geology, sample collection and return, and deployed Questions the team explored include experiments are all part of the neces- how to approach investigations and key sary mix of work to advance a science NASA’s new report has identified the agency’s science science activities on the lunar surface program at the Moon. Collectively, this priorities for the Artemis III mission. and how to incorporate science into the candidate set of activities will address Credit: NASA. concept of operations for the crewed the highest science priorities that can mission to the lunar surface. The team also be achieved at the lunar south pole. NASA has identified the agency’s sci- solicited papers from and drew from many ence priorities for the Artemis III mission, existing reports outlining the lunar science The team also provided overarching which will launch the first woman and community’s highest science priorities, context by assessing what science goals next man to the Moon in 2024. The which has been preparing for the return of could be realistically executed during priorities and a candidate set of activ- humans to the Moon’s surface for decades. the Artemis III surface mission. NASA ities are included in a new report. will develop a detailed mission opera- “Science will be integral to Artemis missions, tions plan when human landing system The Artemis III Science Definition Team, and we look forward to planning missions capabilities, a landing site, and other which comprises federal employees and of human and scientific discovery that architectural details come into sharper consultants with expertise in lunar science, draw on the thoughtful work of this team,” focus. The procedures and operations began meeting in September 2020 to said Kathy Lueders, associate administra- techniques developed for Artemis III define compelling and achievable science tor for NASA’s Human Exploration and also will inform future Artemis missions. objectives for all aspects of the Artemis Operations Mission Directorate. “The work III mission, including sampling strategies, NASA is already doing in science will “We wanted to bring together what was field surveys, and deployable experiments. help prepare for the Artemis III landing most compelling to the science community in 2024 and maximize the science value at the Moon with what astronauts can do The Moon often is referred to as the cor- nerstone of the solar system, and these high-priority investigations will help scientists better understand fundamental “ we look forward to plan- planetary processes that operate across the solar system and beyond. In addition, the team prioritized investigations ning missions of human that will help NASA understand the risks and potential resources of the Moon’s south pole, where the agency hopes and scientific discovery to establish its Artemis Base Camp concept by the end of the decade. that draw on the thought- “The Moon holds vast scientific potential, and astronauts are going ful work of this team”

on the lunar surface and how the two can ates will work together to integrate with the Sun, and how water and other mutually reinforce each other,” said team recommendations into the science resources arrived at the Moon, are co-chair Renee Weber, chief scientist at strategy of the agency’s Artemis Plan transported, and currently are preserved. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, as plans move ahead for the Artemis who led the effort. “The team’s hard work III crewed launch in 2024. For more information about will ensure we’re able to take advantage the Artemis program, visit of the potential of the Artemis III mission Artemis III has the potential to enable www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/. to help us learn from the Moon as a the science community to make signifi- gateway to the rest of the solar system.” cant progress on many of the identified priority science goals, including increas- NASA’s Science and Human Exploration ing our understanding of how the Moon and Operations mission director- formed and evolved, how it interacts NASA CONFIRMS NEW SIMPLEX MISSION SMALL SATELLITE TO BLAZE TRAILS STUDYING LUNAR SURFACE

An illustration depicts NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer spacecraft. Credit: Lockheed Martin.

On November 24, 2020, the Lunar schedule and budget determination. Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator Trailblazer, a mission selected under for science at the agency’s headquarters NASA’s Small Innovative Missions for “Lunar Trailblazer will confirm whether in Washington. “This SIMPLEx mission Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) program, water on the Moon is tightly bound in bolsters our portfolio of targeted science passed its key decision point-C (KDP- crystalline rock, as recently suggested missions designed to test pioneering C) milestone, obtaining agency-level by NASA’s SOFIA [Stratospheric technologies while reducing overall endorsement to begin final design of Observatory for Infrared Astronomy] costs using new streamlined processes.” hardware and build. The milestone observations, or loosely bound and also provides the project’s official mobile as a function of temperature,” said Producing the highest resolution base

maps to locate ice or water trapped multiple times of day over sunlit regions, mission received its confirmation in early in rock at the Moon’s surface, Lunar the mission will help scientists under- September 2020 and will investigate Trailblazer will help support NASA’s stand whether the water signature on the the formation and evolution of small, Artemis program, which includes estab- illuminated surface changes as the lunar deep-space “rubble pile” asteroids. The lishing a sustainable presence on the surface temperature changes by hundreds Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Moon by the end of the decade and of degrees over the course of a lunar day. Dynamics Explorers (EscaPADE) mis- preparing for crewed missions to Mars. sion is still in formulation, with its KDP-C “Lunar Trailblazer will vastly advance our planned for the summer of 2021. “We’re excited to help answer big plane- understanding of water cycles on airless tary science questions with a small satellite bodies like the Moon,” said Lori Glaze, “Lunar Trailblazer has a talented, multi-in- by making the new maps of water on director of NASA’s Planetary Science stitutional team whose collective effort the Moon,” said Bethany Ehlmann, the Division at the agency’s headquarters in resulted in a successful formulation mission’s principal investigator, of Caltech. Washington. “By measuring both direct phase and confirmation review,” said “Given the importance of water on the light and low levels of terrain-scattered Calina Seybold, Lunar Trailblazer Project Moon for future robotic and human mis- light, Lunar Trailblazer will generate manager, at NASA’s Jet Propulsion sions, Lunar Trailblazer will provide critical comprehensive maps of surface water Laboratory. “I am thrilled that the team base maps to guide future exploration.” ice, even in the Moon’s darkest regions.” has earned the privilege of continuing to our final design and fabrication phase.” Peering into the Moon’s permanently Selected in 2019, Lunar Trailblazer is the shadowed regions, Lunar Trailblazer second mission from the current round For information on NASA’s will detect signatures of ice in reflected of programs to receive confirmation Lunar Trailblazer mission, visit light, and it will pinpoint the locations of and plans to deliver its flight system in trailblazer.caltech.edu/. micro-cold traps less than a football field October 2022, with a currently planned in size. By collecting measurements at February 2025 launch. The Janus

A PAIR OF LONELY PLANET-LIKE OBJECTS BORN LIKE STARS

and travel together in the galaxy. similar in many aspects to extra-solar giant planets, orbiting around each other Researchers led by Clémence Fontanive with no parent star. The more massive from the Center for Space and Habitability component, Oph 98 A, is a young brown (CSH) and the National Centre of dwarf with a mass of 15 times that of Competence in Research PlanetS (NCCR Jupiter, which is almost exactly on the PlanetS) discovered a curious starless boundary separating brown dwarfs from binary system of brown dwarfs. The planets. Its companion, Oph 98 B, is system CFHTWIR-Oph 98 (or Oph 98 for only eight times heavier than Jupiter. short) consists of the two very low-mass objects Oph 98 A and Oph 98 B. It is Components of binary systems are tied Artist’s composition of the two brown dwarfs, OPH 98 located 450 light-years away from Earth by an invisible link called gravitational B (foreground) and OPH 98 A (background). Credit: in the stellar association Ophiuchus. The binding energy, and this bond gets University of Bern / Thibaut Roger. researchers were surprised by the fact that stronger when objects are more massive Oph 98 A and B are orbiting each other or closer to one another. With extremely from a strikingly large distance, about low masses and a very large separation, Star-forming processes sometimes five times the distance between Pluto Oph 98 has the weakest binding energy create mysterious astronomical objects and the Sun, which corresponds to 200 of any binary system known to date. called brown dwarfs, which are smaller times the distance between Earth and and colder than stars, and can have the Sun. The study has been published Discovery Thanks to masses and temperatures down to in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Data From Hubble those of exoplanets in the most extreme cases. Just like stars, brown dwarfs often Extremely Low Masses and Clémence Fontanive and her colleagues wander alone through space but can a Very Large Separation discovered the companion to Oph 98 also be seen in binary systems, where A using images from the Hubble Space two brown dwarfs orbit one another The pair is a rare example of two objects Telescope. Fontanive says, “Low-mass

brown dwarfs are very cold and emit very of space, Hubble allows probing the million years ago in the nearby Ophiuchus little light, only through infrared thermal existence of water vapor in astronom- stellar nursery, making it a newborn on radiation. This heat glow is extremely faint ical objects. Fontanive explains, “Both astronomical timescales. The age of the and red, and brown dwarfs are hence objects looked very red and showed clear system is much shorter than the typical only visible in infrared light.” Furthermore, signs of water molecules. This immedi- time needed to build planets. Brown the stellar association in which the binary ately confirmed that the faint source we dwarfs like Oph 98 A are formed by the is located, Ophiuchus, is embedded saw next to Oph 98 A was very likely same mechanisms as stars. Despite Oph in a dense, dusty cloud that scatters to also be a cold brown dwarf, rather 98 B being the right size for a planet, the visible light. “Infrared observations are than a random star that happened to be host Oph 98 A is too small to have a suffi- the only way to see through this dust”, aligned with the brown dwarf in the sky.” ciently large reservoir of material to build explains the lead researcher. “Detecting a planet that big. “This tells us that Oph 98 a system like Oph 98 also requires a The team also found images in which the B, like its host, must have formed through camera with a very high resolution, as binary was visible, collected 14 years the same mechanisms that produce stars the angle separating Oph 98 A and B ago with the Canada-France-Hawaii and shows that the processes that create is a thousand times smaller than the size Telescope (CFHT) in Hawaii. “We binary stars operate on scaled-down ver- of the moon in the sky,” she adds. The observed the system again this summer sions all the way down to these planetary Hubble Space Telescope is among the from another Hawaiian observatory, the masses”, comments Clémence Fontanive. few telescopes capable of observing United Kingdom Infra-Red Telescope. objects as faint as these brown dwarfs Using these data, we were able to confirm With the discovery of two planet-like and able to resolve such tight angles. that Oph 98 A and B are moving together worlds — already uncommon products across the sky over time, relative to other of star formation — bound to each other Because brown dwarfs are cold enough, stars located behind them, which is evi- in such an extreme configuration, “we water vapor forms in their atmospheres, dence that they are bound to each other are really witnessing an incredibly creating prominent features in the infra- in a binary pair”, explains Fontanive. rare output of stellar formation pro- red that are commonly used to identify cesses”, as Fontanive describes. brown dwarfs. However, these water An Atypical Result of signatures cannot be easily detected Star Formation from the surface of the Earth. Located above the atmosphere in the vacuum The Oph 98 binary system formed only 3

NEW NEAR-EARTH OBJECT 2020 SO could be the Centaur upper stage rocket booster from NASA’s ill-fated CONFIRMED TO BE SPACE 1966 Surveyor 2 mission to the Moon. Equipped with this knowledge, a team led AGE ROCKET BOOSTER by Vishnu Reddy, an associate professor and planetary scientist at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the University Using data collected at NASA’s Infrared Further analysis of 2020 SO’s orbit of Arizona, performed follow-up spec- Telescope Facility (IRTF) and orbit revealed the object had come close to troscopy observations of 2020 SO using analysis from the Center for Near-Earth Earth a few times over the decades, with NASA’s IRTF on Maunakea, Hawai’i. Object Studies (CNEOS) at NASA’s Jet one approach in 1966 bringing it close Propulsion Laboratory, scientists have con- enough to suggest it may have originated “Due to extreme faintness of this object firmed that near-Earth object (NEO) 2020 from Earth. Comparing this data with the following CNEOS prediction, it was a SO is a 1960’s-Era Centaur rocket booster. history of previous NASA missions, Paul challenging object to characterize,” said Chodas, CNEOS director, concluded Reddy. “We got color observations with The object, discovered in September 2020 by astronomers searching for near-Earth asteroids from the NASA- “ Due to extreme faintness of this object funded Pan-STARRS1 survey telescope on Maui, garnered interest in the plan- following CNEOS prediction, it was a etary science community due to its size and unusual orbit and was studied challenging object to characterize” by observatories around the world.

In addition to supporting a variety of NASA planetary missions, NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility on Maunakea on the Big Island of Hawai’i is also used to determine the composition of near-Earth objects. Credit: University of Hawai’i Institute for Astronomy / Michael Connelley.

the Large Binocular Telescope, or LBT, that to get a solid and reliable data set.” orbit around the Sun in March 2021. As suggested 2020 SO was not an asteroid.” NASA-funded telescopes survey the skies However, on the morning of December for asteroids that could pose an impact Through a series of follow-up obser- 1, 2020, Reddy and his team pulled off threat to Earth, the ability to distinguish vations, Reddy and his team analyzed what they thought would be impossi- between natural and artificial objects is 2020 SO’s composition using NASA’s ble. They observed another Centaur D valuable as nations continue to explore IRTF and compared the spectrum data rocket booster from the 1971 launch of and more artificial objects find themselves from 2020 SO with that of 301 stainless a communication satellite that was in a in orbit about the Sun. Astronomers will steel, the material Centaur rocket boosters geostationary transfer orbit, long enough continue to observe this particular relic were made of in the 1960s. While not to get a good spectrum. With this new from the early Space Age until it’s gone. immediately a perfect match, Reddy and data, Reddy and his team were able to his team persisted, realizing the discrep- compare it against 2020 SO and found ancy in spectrum data could be a result the spectra to be consistent with each of analyzing fresh steel in a lab against another, thus definitively concluding 2020 the steel that would have been exposed SO also to be a Centaur rocket booster. to the harsh conditions of space weather for 54 years. This led Reddy and his team “This conclusion was the result of a tremen- to do some additional investigation. dous team effort,” said Reddy. “We were finally able to solve this mystery because “We knew that if we wanted to com- of the great work of Pan-STARRS, Paul pare apples to apples, we’d need to Chodas and the team at CNEOS, LBT, IRTF, try to get spectral data from another and the observations around the world.” Centaur rocket booster that had been in Earth orbit for many years to then 2020 SO made its closest approach to see if it better matched 2020 SO’s Earth on December 1, 2020. It will remain spectrum,” said Reddy. “Because of the within Earth’s sphere of gravitational domi- extreme speed at which Earth-orbiting nance — a region in space called the “Hill Centaur boosters travel across the sky, sphere” that extends roughly 1.5 million we knew it would be extremely difficult kilometers (930,000 miles) from our to lock on with the IRTF long enough planet — until it escapes back into a new

NASA has approved two heliophysics missions to explore the Sun and the system that drives space weather near Earth. Together, NASA’s contribution to the Extreme Ultraviolet High-Throughput Spectroscopic Telescope Epsilon Mission (EUVST) and the Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE) will help us understand the Sun and Earth as an interconnected system.

Understanding the physics that drive the solar wind and solar explosions — including solar flares and coronal mass ejections — could one day help scientists predict these events, which can impact human technology and explorers in space.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) leads the EUVST Epsilon Mission From the International Space Station’s orbit 432.9 kilometers (269 miles) above the Indian Ocean southwest of (Solar-C EUVST Mission), along with Australia, this nighttime photograph captures the aurora australis, or “southern lights”. Russia’s Soyuz MS-12 crew other international partners. Targeted ship is in the foreground, and Progress 72 resupply ship in the background. Credit: NASA. for launch in 2026, EUVST is a solar telescope that will study how the solar atmosphere releases solar wind and activity levels, even though the details of the drives eruptions of solar material. These structure of these currents is not understood. The EUVST mission addresses the rec- phenomena propagate out from the Sun EZIE will launch no earlier than June 2024. ommendations of a July 2017 final and influence the space radiation environ- report delivered by the multi-agency ment throughout the solar system. NASA’s “We are very pleased to add these new Next Generation Solar Physics Mission hardware contributions to the mission missions to the growing fleet of satellites Science Objectives Team. EUVST will take include an intensified UV detector and that are studying our Sun-Earth system comprehensive UV spectroscopy mea- support electronics, spectrograph compo- using an amazing array of unprece- surements of the solar atmosphere at the nents, a guide telescope, software, and a dented observational tools,” said Thomas highest level of detail to date, which will slit-jaw imaging system to provide context Zurbuchen, associate administrator allow scientists to tease out how different for the spectrographic measurement. for science at NASA Headquarters in magnetic and plasma processes drive coronal heating and energy release.

“ With these new missions, we’re expand- “We’re excited to work with our international partners to answer some of ing how we study the Sun, space, and our fundamental questions about the Sun,” said Nicky Fox, Heliophysics Earth as an interconnected system,” Division director at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “EUVST’s observations will complement our current missions Washington. “In addition to my enthusi- to give us new insight into our star.” EZIE will study electric currents in Earth’s asm at selecting a pioneering multi-point atmosphere linking aurora to Earth’s observatory focused on the auroral EZIE is an investigation comprising a trio magnetosphere — one piece of Earth’s electrojets, I am particularly excited to of CubeSats that will study the source of complicated space weather system, which follow up the success of the Yohkoh and and changes in the auroral electrojet, an responds to solar activity and other Hinode solar science missions with another electric current circling through Earth’s factors. The Auroral Electrojet (AE) index international collaboration with JAXA and atmosphere around 96.5–144.8 kilome- is a common measure of geomagnetic other European partners on EUVST.” ters (60–90 miles) above the surface and

extending into Earth’s magnetosphere. The space weather phenomena that power an interconnected system,” said Peg Luce, interaction of the magnetosphere and the the beautiful aurora can cause inter- deputy director of the Heliophysics Division solar wind compresses the Sun-facing side ference with radio and communication at NASA Headquarters in Washington. of the magnetosphere and drags out the signals and utility grids on Earth’s surface “EZIE’s use of instrument technology nighttime side of the magnetosphere into and damage to spacecraft in orbit. proven on Earth science CubeSat mis- what is called a “magnetotail.” Auroral sions is just one example of how science electrojets are generated by changes in “With these new missions, we’re expanding and technology development at NASA the structure of the magnetotail. The same how we study the Sun, space, and Earth as go hand in hand across disciplines.”

NASA’S JUNO SPACECRAFT UPDATES QUARTER-CENTURY JUPITER MYSTERY

These images from NASA’s Juno mission show three views of a Jupiter “hot spot” — a break in Jupiter’s cloud deck that provides a glimpse into the planet’s deep atmosphere. The pictures were taken by the JunoCam imager during the spacecraft’s 29th close flyby of the giant planet on September 16, 2020. Credit: NASA/JPL-Cal- tech/SwRI/MSSS/Brian Swift.

Twenty-five years ago, NASA sent the from NASA’s Juno spacecraft suggests “Giant planets have deep atmospheres first probe into the atmosphere of the that these “hot spots” are much wider without a solid or liquid base like Earth,” solar system’s largest planet. The infor- and deeper than anticipated. The find- said Scott Bolton, Principal Investigator of mation returned by the Galileo probe ings on Jupiter’s hot spots, along with an Juno at the Southwest Research Institute in during its descent into Jupiter caused update on Jupiter’s polar cyclones, were San Antonio, Texas. “To better understand head-scratching: the atmosphere it was revealed on December 11, 2020, during what is happening deep into one of these plunging into was much denser and a virtual media briefing at the American worlds, you need to look below the cloud hotter than scientists expected. New data Geophysical Union’s fall conference. layer. Juno, which recently completed its

29th close-up science pass of Jupiter, does atmosphere. They also show the hot spots, revolving around the massive cen- just that. The spacecraft’s observations flanked by clouds and active storms, are tral cyclone at the south pole. are shedding light on old mysteries and fueling high-altitude electrical discharges posing new questions — not only about recently discovered by Juno and known “That sixth cyclone, the baby of the Jupiter but about all gas giant worlds.” as “shallow lightning.” These discharges, group, appeared to be changing the which occur in the cold upper reaches of geometric configuration at the pole — The latest longstanding mystery Juno Jupiter’s atmosphere when ammonia mixes from a pentagon to a hexagon,” said has tackled stems from 57 minutes, 36 with water, are a piece of this puzzle. Bolton. “But, alas, the attempt failed; the seconds of data Galileo beamed back baby cyclone got kicked out, moved on December 7, 1995. When the probe “High up in the atmosphere, where shallow away, and eventually disappeared.” radioed back that its surroundings were dry lightning is seen, water and ammonia and windy, surprised scientists attributed are combined and become invisible to At present, the team doesn’t have an agreed-upon theory regarding how these giant polar vortices form — or why some appear stable while others “ That sixth cyclone, the baby are born, grow, and then die relatively quickly. Work continues on atmospheric models, but at present, no one model of the group, appeared to be appears to explain everything. How new storms appear, evolve, and are either accepted or rejected is key to under- changing the geometric con- standing the circumpolar cyclones, which might help explain how the atmospheres figuration at the pole — from of such giant planets work in general. For more information about the Juno mission, visit www.nasa.gov/mis- a pentagon to a hexagon” sion_pages/juno/main/index.html.

the finding to the fact that the 34-kilogram Juno’s microwave instrument. This is where (75-pound) probe had descended into the a special kind of hailstone that we call atmosphere within one of Jupiter’s relatively ‘mushballs’ are forming,” said Tristan Guillot, rare hot spots — localized atmospheric a Juno Co-Investigator at the Université “deserts” that traverse the gas giant’s Côte d’Azur in Nice, France. “These northern equatorial region. The results from mushballs get heavy and fall deep into the Juno’s microwave instrument indicate that atmosphere, creating a large region that the entire northern equatorial belt — a is depleted of both ammonia and water. broad, brown, cyclonic band that wraps Once the mushball melt and evaporate, the around the planet just above the gas giant’s ammonia and water change back to a gas- equator — is generally a very dry region. eous state and are visible to Juno again.”

The implication is that the hot spots may not Jupiter Weather Report be isolated “deserts,” but rather windows into a vast region in Jupiter’s atmosphere Last year the Juno team reported on that may be hotter and drier than other the cyclones of the south pole. At that areas. Juno’s high-resolution data show time, Juno’s Jovian Infrared Auroral that these Jovian hot spots are associated Mapper instrument captured images of with breaks in the planet’s cloud deck, a new cyclone appearing to attempt providing a glimpse into Jupiter’s deep to join the five established cyclones

PUBLIC AND SCIENTIST ENGAGEMENT EVENTS AT THE 52ND LUNAR AND PLANETARY SCIENCE CONFERENCE

The 52nd LPSC will be held virtually on March 15–19, 2021. preparing to present research at LPSC are invited to present their While we will not meet in person this year, you can still expect oral or poster presentations and receive feedback from senior an exceptional experience to share your research, ask questions, scientists before submitting their files for the conference. More and network with colleagues. Engagement opportunities for information and an opportunity to sign up will be available scientists, students, and the public will take place during the in January 2021. To volunteer as a reviewer, please contact 2021 conference. For more information, visit www.hou.usra.edu/ [email protected]. meetings/lpsc2021/education or contact [email protected]. edu. Live from LPSC March 15–18, 7:00 p.m. CDT Early Career Presenters Review The public will be invited to attend virtual presentations about Early February, date and time TBD hot topics and ongoing research presented at LPSC. Additional Students, post-doctoral fellows, and other early-career scientists details will be available in February 2021.

UPCOMING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Upcoming opportunities exist for educator and public engage- Lyrids Meteor Shower, ment around the broader topics of NASA planetary exploration. April 22–23, 2021 ContPerseverance’s Sky Crane Maneuveract local astronomical The Lyrids Meteor Shower societies, planetariums and museums, local scientists, NASA’s is produced by dust parti- Solar System Ambassadors (solarsystem.nasa.gov/ssa/directory. cles left behind by comet cfm), and ask them to join your events and share their experiences C/1861 G1 Thatcher. The or resources with your audience. shower peaks this year on the night of April 21 and Mars Perseverance Landing the morning of April 22. Meteors will radiate from NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover will make its final descent to the constellation Lyra but can appear anywhere in the sky. Meteor the Red Planet on February 18, 2021. There are many ways you showers provide an excellent opportunity to discuss comets with can take part or engage your audiences in this landing. The Jet your audiences. For more information, visit www.amsmeteors.org/ Propulsion Lab has posted ideas at mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/ meteor-showers/meteor-shower-calendar/#Lyrids. timeline/landing/.

MSA GRANT FOR STUDENT RESEARCH IN MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY

The Mineralogical Society of America offers two grants of up to Society of America to qualify. Awards for 2021 will be made $5,000 each for research in mineralogy and petrology. Students, in May. For more information, visit www.minsocam.org/MSA/ including graduate and undergraduate students, are encouraged Awards/Min_Pet_Award.html. to apply. Applicants must be a member of the Mineralogical

NOMINATE A SCIENTIST OR EDUCATOR FOR AN ASP EDUCATION AWARD

The nomination deadline for all awards is March 1, 2021.

Richard H. Emmons Award standing and appreciation of astronomy. For more information, The Richard H. Emmons Award of the ASP is awarded annually visit astrosociety.org/who-we-are/awards. to an individual demonstrating outstanding achievement in the teaching of college-level introductory astronomy for non-science Thomas J. Brennan Award majors. For more information, visit astrosociety.org/who-we-are/ awards. The Thomas J. Brennan Award recognizes excellence in the teaching of astronomy at the high school level in North America. The recipients have demonstrated exceptional commitment to class- Klumpke-Roberts Award room or planetarium education, and the training of other teachers. The ASP bestows the annual Klumpke-Roberts Award on those For more information, visit astrosociety.org/who-we-are/awards. who have made outstanding contributions to the public under-

NOMINATE A SCIENTIST OR EDUCATOR FOR AN AGU EDUCATION AWARD

The nomination cycle for 2021 AGU Union awards, medals, and Excellence in Earth and Space Science Education prizes opened January 15, 2021, and closes April 15, 2021. Award The Excellence in Geophysical Education Award (EGEA) is AGU’s Spilhaus Award presented annually “to acknowledge a sustained commitment to excellence in geophysical education by a team, individual, or The Athelstan Spilhaus Award is given annually to one honoree group.” Examples are educators who have had a major impact in recognition of his/her “enhancement of public engagement on geophysical education at any level (kindergarten through with Earth and space sciences,” by devoting portions of their post-graduate), who have been outstanding teachers and trainers career to conveying to the general public the excitement, signif- for several years or have made a long-lasting, positive impact icance, and beauty of the Earth and space sciences. For more on geophysical education through professional service. For more information, visit www.agu.org/Honor-and-Recognize/Honors/ information, visit www.agu.org/Honor-and-Recognize/Honors/ Union-Awards/Athelstan-Spilhaus-Award. Union-Awards/Excellence-in-Education-Award.

“Spotlight on Education” highlights events and programs that provide opportunities for planetary scientists to become involved in education and public engagement. If you know of space science educational programs or events that should be included, please contact the Lunar and Planetary Institute’s Education Department at [email protected].

ROGER JAY PHILLIPS 1940–2020

lunar subsurface. Much later, he tle convection in the evolution of volcanism was team co-leader for the Shallow and tectonics on Venus. Following the Radar (SHARAD) experiment on the acquisition by MGS of global topogra- Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter that phy and gravity field data for Mars, he imaged the internal stratigraphy of demonstrated that the growth of the huge martian polar layered deposits and Tharsis volcanic province shaped the entire other terrains. He also played key planet and influenced the distribution and roles on the science teams for the direction of martian valley networks. From Magellan mission to Venus, the Mars SHARAD profiles, he showed that the Global Surveyor (MGS) mission, lithosphere of the martian polar regions the MESSENGER mission to orbit is minimally deflected by the substantial Mercury, and the GRAIL mission to load of the polar deposits, a condition the Moon. indicative of a large lithosphere thickness Roger Jay Phillips, American geophysicist, or a long-term transient mantle response planetary scientist, and professor emer- In some of his earliest work, Phillips ana- to loading. itus at Washington University in St. Louis, lyzed planetary gravity fields derived from passed away on November 19, 2020. spacecraft tracking observations, along A dedicated mentor of early-career sci- Phillips served as the Director of the Lunar with available information on topography, entists, Phillips supervised the Ph.D. theses and Planetary Institute (LPI) from 1979 to to infer planetary internal structure. He of a dozen graduate students, many of 1982. demonstrated that the positive gravity whom now play leading roles in solar anomaly over lunar mascon basins arises system exploration and planetary science. Phillips received his Ph.D. in 1968 from from a combination of mantle uplift Among them are Jeffrey Andrews-Hanna the University of California, Berkeley. beneath the basin and infill by high-den- (now at the University of Arizona), Steven Following graduate school, he worked at sity mare basalt. He derived some of Hauck (Case Western Reserve University), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) before the earliest crustal models for Mars and Robert Herrick (University of Alaska), joining the staff of the LPI in 1979. In concluded that the ancient uplands are Brian Hynek (University of Colorado), 1982, Phillips accepted a chaired faculty isostatically compensated, most likely Daniel Nunes (JPL), Suzanne Smrekar position at Southern Methodist University, by variations in crustal thickness. From (JPL), Mark Wieczorek (Observatoire de and in 1992 he moved to Washington Pioneer Venus observations, he showed la Côte d’Azur), and Rebecca Williams University in St. Louis, where he served that long-wavelength gravity and topog- (Planetary Science Institute). as a Professor and as Director of the raphy on Venus are strongly correlated, McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences. implying some combination of mantle A fellow of the American Geophysical After retiring from Washington University, dynamic control and finite lithospheric Union, Phillips received the 2003 G. Phillips moved to Colorado, where he strength, except that crustal plateaus K. Gilbert Award from the Geological was affiliated with the Southwest Research appear to be compensated at shallow Society of America. He was also hon- Institute. depth, probably by thicker than average ored with the Whipple Award from the crust. American Geophysical Union in 2008. Over a career that spanned more than Among his many contributions to the scien- five decades, Phillips contributed broadly Phillips led the documentation of the tific literature, Phillips served as an editor to our understanding of the geophysi- impact cratering record of Venus from of Geophysical Research Letters and cal structure and evolution of the Moon, Magellan observations, and he elucidated co-edited the books Basaltic Volcanism on Mars, Venus, and Mercury. He was the the relation between the crater distribu- the Terrestrial Planets, Origin of the Moon, team leader for the Apollo Lunar Sounder tion and the planet’s resurfacing history. and Venus II. Experiment, which flew on Apollo 17 and Through a series of dynamical models and produced the first radar imaging of the simulations, he illuminated the role of man-

JAMES J. PAPIKE 1937–2020

James Joseph (“Jim”) Papike, former One of the major efforts by Director of the Institute of Meteoritics the IOM was the publica- (IOM) at the University of New Mexico tion in 1998 of Planetary and longtime member of the planetary Materials, an encyclopedic science community, passed away on reference work on inner solar December 21, 2020, just two days after system materials published the loss of his wife and lifelong partner, by the Mineralogical Society Pauline. of America in the Reviews of Mineralogy series and edited Papike received his Ph.D. in geology by Papike. This volume, the from the Department of Geology and longest in the series, was Geophysics at the University of Minnesota the brainchild of Papike. He in 1964. He was a leader in the field of recognized that the planetary mineralogy and geochemistry of plan- material scientists who ana- etary materials, especially martian and lyze samples needed to work lunar samples, and was the author of hand in hand with the remote sensing Geochemical Society and was the Fellow more than 200 publications in this area community, as the numbers of samples will of a number of organizations for the of research alone. Throughout his career, always be small and not necessarily repre- advancement of science. He was also a Papike built and led great organizations to sentative of an entire planetary surface. recipient of the Outstanding Achievement even greater stature. He served as a key Award from the University of Minnesota’s advisor to NASA for many years following Papike also worked to develop an ion Institute of Technology. the Apollo program and was a powerful microprobe (secondary ion mass spec- and influential force at NASA on the trometer) facility that began as a shared To his many students, friends, and development of new and more successful facility with Sandia National Laboratories acquaintances, Papike was a mineralogist, strategies for sampling extraterrestrial and culminated in the complete transfer crystallographer, petrologist, geochemist, materials. of the Cameca 4f instrument to the IOM. geological engineer, promoter of plane- Coupled with new scanning electron tary sample return, meteoriticist, hockey Papike took over as Director of the IOM microscopy and electron microprobe player, ice fisherman extraordinaire, dog in July 1990. During his tenure there, the instruments maintained and operated by lover, or a Ranger, to name just a few of Institute continued to grow. Studies of the IOM, and new transmission electron his many passions. He was always ahead martian meteorites became an additional microscopes in the university’s Department of the curve in anticipating new questions research emphasis, particularly because of Earth and Planetary Sciences, this worthy of major initiatives as well as inno- many new meteorites from this suite were consolidated the IOM’s strength as a vative analytical approaches to reexamine being discovered. The controversial microbeam research institute in plane- science problems. His thorough review announcement made by scientists from tary materials. Papike retired as Director papers are classics that will continue to be Johnson Space Center in 1996 that there in 2002 but remained with the IOM as cited for many years to come. Papike was was evidence for fossil life in one of the a Research Professor and continued to truly a presence at institutions of amazing martian meteorites resulted in a surge conduct research funded by NASA for diversity across the breadth and depth of of research in martian geology and the many years. this country and overseas. But more than IOM contributed significantly to this work. that, he had a prominent physical and Research in the IOM thus expanded to In addition to his role with the IOM, intellectual presence that left an impres- include material from a variety of inner over the course of his career, Papike sion not just on the scientists he interacted solar system bodies. served as a former president of both with but also the public. the Mineralogical Society and the

— Portions of text courtesy of the Institute of Meteoritics, Chip Shearer, and Steve Simon.

CHENG NAMED 2020 SHOEMAKER IMPACT CRATERING AWARD RECIPIENT

The award supports her investigation of administered by the LPI. It commemorates impact craters on the dwarf planet Ceres. the work of Eugene (“Gene”) Shoemaker, who greatly influenced planetary sciences The Eugene M. Shoemaker Impact during the Apollo era and for several Cratering Award is for undergraduate decades thereafter, including the discov- or graduate students of any nationality, ery of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with his working in any country, in the disciplines wife Carolyn and colleague David Levy. of geology, geophysics, geochemistry, astronomy, or biology. The award includes Proposals for next year’s award will $3,000 to be applied to study impact be due August 19, 2021. The applica- craters, either on Earth or on the other tion form will open on or about April solid bodies in the solar system. Areas 1, 2021. Application details can be of study include but are not necessarily found at www.lpi.usra.edu/science/ limited to impact cratering processes, the kring/Awards/Shoemaker_Award/. bodies (asteroidal or cometary) that make the impacts, and the geological, chemical, The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) is or biological results of impact cratering. pleased to announce that the 2020 recipient of the Eugene M. Shoemaker Impact This award is generously provided by Cratering Award is Hiu Ching Jupiter the Planetary Geology Division of the Cheng from the University of Georgia. Geological Society of America and is

USRA ANNOUNCES 2020 DISTINGUISHED UNDERGRADUATE AWARD WINNERS

The Universities Space Research The following students were the win- Andrea de Fonseca, Illinois Association (USRA) is proud to announce ners of the USRA 2020 Distinguished Institute of Technology, the winners of the prestigious 2020 USRA Undergraduate Awards: Aerospace Engineering Distinguished Undergraduate Awards. Fredrick A. Tarantino Memorial Zoe de Beurs, University of Texas Scholarship Award In keeping with its goal to recognize and at Austin, Physics and Astronomy develop promising future scientists in Thomas R. McGetchin Memorial Maryam Hussaini, University space-related disciplines, USRA bestows Scholarship Award of Texas at Austin, these awards to honor outstanding Astronomy and Physics undergraduate students in a variety of Wilbert Ruperto- James B. Willett Memorial majors through a competitive process. Hernández, University of Scholarship Award These awards are granted to students who Puerto Rico — Mayagüez, tackle challenging problems in space Mechanical Engineering “The 2020 Distinguished Undergraduate research and exploration, demonstrate John R. Sevier Memorial Award Winners represent the very best of leadership, and are poised to make Scholarship Award tomorrow’s space scientists and engineers,” significant contributions to their fields. says Dr. Jeffrey A. Isaacson, President

• Emma Rogers, Purdue University, Geology and Geophysics/ Planetary Science • Ryan Udell, Rice University, Mechanical Engineering

Established to honor the service and memory of individuals who made significant contributions to their fields and USRA, these awards are made possible by financial contributions, including those made by USRA employees.

The 2020 USRA Distinguished Undergraduate Award winners (left to right): Zoe de Beurs, 2020 Thomas R. Faculty from USRA Member Universities McGetchin Memorial Scholarship winner; Wilbert Ruperto-Hernández, 2020 John R. Sevier Memorial Scholarship winner; Andrea de Fonseca, 2020 Frederick A. Tarantino Scholarship winner; Maryam Hussaini, review the applications for the awards. 2020 James B. Willet Education Memorial Scholarship winner. Through a rigorous process, they evaluate the students based on stated career goals and accomplishments, leadership qual- and CEO, Universities Space Research • Joheen Chakraborty, Columbia ities, outreach to their communities, and Association. “Despite the COVID-19 University, Astrophysics strengths such as initiative, creativity, and challenges, they pressed on with their and Computer Science perseverance. Recommendation letters coursework and individual research, and • Asher Hancock, University of from their professors and intern advisors this award is a testament to their achieve- Pittsburgh, Mechanical Engineering also play an important role in the review. ments thus far and their potential for future • Alina Kochocki, University of success. In time, I am confident these stu- California, Los Angeles, Physics For more information, visit www.usra.edu/ dents will be making new discoveries and • Megan Li, University of California, educational-activities-and-opportunities/ tackling our most challenging problems in San Diego, Physics with usra-distinguished-undergraduate-awards. space-related science and technology.” Astrophysics Specialization • Dillan McDonald, University of Texas Finalists who were not selected as at Austin, Aerospace Engineering winners received Honorable Mention: • Lorin Nugent, Purdue University, Aeronautical and • Tanisha Bowman, Texas State Astronautical Engineering University, Computer Science • Michael O’Neill, Georgia • Delondrae Carter, Arizona Institute of Technology, Materials State University, Astrophysics Science and Engineering

NASA NAMES ARTEMIS TEAM OF ASTRONAUTS ELIGIBLE FOR EARLY MOON MISSIONS

NASA has selected 18 astronauts from its corps to form the tainable human lunar presence by the end of the decade. Artemis Team and pave the way for the next astronaut missions The Artemis Team’s astronauts will help NASA prepare for on and around the Moon as part of the Artemis program. the coming Artemis missions, which begin next year, working with the agency’s commercial partners as they develop The astronauts on the Artemis Team come from a diverse range human landing systems, assisting in the development of training, of backgrounds, expertise, and experience. The agency’s defining hardware requirements, and consulting on technical modern lunar exploration program will land the first woman development. They also will engage the public and industry and next man on the Moon in 2024 and establish a sus- on the Artemis program and NASA’s exploration plans.

Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. The Artemis Team members are: Joseph Acaba was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004. He has spent 306 days in space and performed three spacewalks. The Anaheim, California, native holds a bachelor’s degree in geology and master’s degrees in geology and education. Before coming to NASA, he taught high school science and middle school math and science.

Kayla Barron was chosen as an astronaut in 2017. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. Originally from Richland, Washington, she earned a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering and a master’s degree in nuclear engineering. As a submarine warfare officer, Barron was a member of the first class of women commissioned into the submarine community. She is a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy.

Raja Chari joined the astronaut corps in 2017. A colo- Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. nel in the U.S. Air Force, he was raised in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He received a bachelor’s degree in astronautical engineering and a master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics. The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School graduate worked on F-15E upgrades and then the F-35 development program before coming to NASA.

Matthew Dominick was chosen as an astronaut in Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. 2017. Born in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, he holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in systems engineering. He also graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and was a developmental test pilot specializing in aircraft carrier launches and landings before coming to NASA.

Victor Glover was selected as an astronaut in 2013. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. The Pomona, California, native and U.S. Navy Commander earned a bachelor’s degree in general engineering and master’s degrees in flight test engineering, systems engineering, and military operational art and science. He piloted the Crew-1 Dragon Resilience and is currently serving as an Expedition 64 flight engineer aboard the International Space Station.

Warren Hoburg joined the astronaut corps in 2017. A Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he holds a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics and a doctorate in electrical engineering and computer science. Before coming to NASA, he was an assistant professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a seasonal member of the Yosemite Search and Rescue team.

Jonny Kim came to NASA as part of the 2017 Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. astronaut class. The Los Angeles, California, native enlisted in the U.S. Navy following high school. He became a Navy SEAL before earning his commission and going back to school to pursue a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, followed by a doctor of medicine.

Christina Hammock Koch was selected as an Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. astronaut in 2013. She holds the record for longest single spaceflight by a woman, with 328 days in space and six spacewalks. She grew up in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and received bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering and physics and a master’s degree in electrical engineering.

Kjell Lindgren was chosen as an astronaut in 2009. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. He has spent 141 days in space and performed two spacewalks. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, he holds a bachelor’s degree in biology, a master’s degree in cardiovascular physiology, and a doctor of medicine. Before becoming an astronaut, he was a flight surgeon supporting space shuttle and space station missions.

Nicole A. Mann joined the astronaut corps in 2013 Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. and is currently training as a pilot for the Crew Flight Test of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner. Born in Petaluma, California, she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering. The U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel was an F/A-18 fighter pilot and graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.

Anne McClain, from Spokane, Washington, joined the Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. astronaut corps in 2013. She has spent 204 days in space and conducted two spacewalks. The U.S. Army lieutenant colonel is a Senior Army Aviator and graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School as a helicopter test pilot. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical/ aeronautical engineering and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering and international relations.

Stephanie Wilson was chosen as an astronaut Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. in 1996. A veteran of three space shuttle flights, she has spent 42 days in space. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering science and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. Before becoming an astronaut, she worked on the Galileo spacecraft at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Jasmin Moghbeli joined the astronaut corps in 2017. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. A major in the U.S. Marine Corps, she was raised in Baldwin, New York. She received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering. She also graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and tested H-1 helicopters before she came to NASA.

Kate Rubins was chosen as an astronaut in 2009 and Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. is currently orbiting Earth on her second flight aboard the International Space Station. She was raised in Napa, California, and holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and a doctorate in cancer biology. She was the first person to sequence DNA in space and has performed two spacewalks.

Frank Rubio was selected as part of the 2017 astro- Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. naut class. The U.S. Army lieutenant colonel considers Miami, Florida, his hometown. He earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations and a doctor of medicine. He served as both a Blackhawk helicopter pilot and a flight surgeon in the Army before coming to NASA.

Scott Tingle came to NASA to join the 2009 astronaut Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. class. The U.S. Navy captain has spent 168 days in space and performed one spacewalk. He considers Randolph, Massachusetts, his hometown and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering. He also graduated from the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School.

Jessica Watkins joined the astronaut corps in 2017. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. The Lafayette, Colorado native received a bachelor’s degree in geological and environmental sciences and a doctorate in geology. Before becoming an astronaut, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the California Institute of Technology, where she served as a member of the science team for the Mars Science Laboratory rover, Curiosity.

Stephanie Wilson was chosen as an astronaut in Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls. 1996. A veteran of three space shuttle flights, she has spent 42 days in space. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering science and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. Before becoming an astronaut, she worked on the Galileo spacecraft at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

For more information on the Artemis Team, visit www.nasa.gov/artemisteam.

NASA, INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS ADVANCE COOPERATION WITH FIRST SIGNINGS OF ARTEMIS ACCORDS

• NASA announced it was establishing the Artemis Accords earlier this year to guide future cooperative activities, which will be implemented through bilateral agreements that describe responsibilities and other legal provisions. The partners will ensure their activities comply with the accords in carrying out future cooperation. International cooperation on Artemis is intended not only to bolster space exploration but to enhance peaceful relationships among nations.

The Artemis Accords reinforce and implement the 1967 Treaty on Principles International cooperation on and around and robust presence on the Moon later Governing the Activities of States in the the Moon as part of the Artemis pro- this decade while preparing to conduct Exploration and Use of Outer Space, gram is taking a step forward today a historic human mission to Mars. Including the Moon and Other Celestial with the signing of the Artemis Accords Bodies, otherwise known as the Outer between NASA and several partner The founding member nations that Space Treaty. They also reinforce the countries. The Artemis Accords establish have signed the Artemis Accords, commitment by the U.S. and partner a practical set of principles to guide in alphabetical order, are: nations to the Registration Convention, the space exploration cooperation among Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, nations participating in the agency’s • Australia and other behavior norms that NASA 21st-century lunar exploration plans. • Canada and its partners have supported, includ- • Italy ing the public release of scientific data. NASA is leading the Artemis program, • Japan which includes sending the first woman • Luxembourg To learn more, visit and next man to the surface of the Moon • United Arab Emirates www.nasa.gov/artemis/. in 2024. International partnerships will • United Kingdom play a key role in achieving a sustainable • United States of America

NASA, CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY FORMALIZE GATEWAY PARTNERSHIP FOR ARTEMIS PROGRAM

NASA and the Canadian Space Agency support for a sustainable, long-term international partners in sustainable (CSA) finalized an agreement between return of astronauts to the lunar surface lunar exploration as part of the Artemis the United States and Canada to col- as part of NASA’s Artemis program. This program and to demonstrate technologies laborate on the Gateway, an outpost Gateway agreement further solidifies the needed for human missions to Mars. orbiting the Moon that will provide vital United States’ broad effort to engage

Under this agreement, CSA will provide of the Gateway’s exterior, where its Orion spacecraft and Space Launch the Gateway’s external robotics system, anchoring “hand” will plug into specially System rocket prior to transit to low-lu- including a next-generation robotic arm, designed interfaces. Delivery to the nar orbit and the surface of the Moon. known as Canadarm3. CSA will also lunar outpost is targeted in 2026 via a provide robotic interfaces for Gateway U.S. commercial logistics supply flight. NASA astronauts will board a commer- modules, which will enable payload cially developed lander for the final leg installation, including that of the first Approximately one-sixth the size of the of the journey to the lunar surface. The two scientific instruments aboard the International Space Station, the Gateway agency has contracted with American Gateway. The agreement also marks will function as a way station located industry to develop the first two Gateway NASA’s commitment to providing tens of thousands of miles at its farthest components, PPE and HALO, as well two crew opportunities for Canadian distance from the lunar surface, in a as logistics resupply for Gateway. astronauts on Artemis missions, one to near-rectilinear halo orbit. NASA and its the Gateway and one on Artemis II. international and commercial partners To learn more about NASA’s Gateway will conduct unprecedented deep space program, visit nasa.gov/gateway. CSA will be responsible for end-to-end science and technology investigations external robotics, including engineering from this lunar vantage. It will serve as and operations. Canadarm3 will move a rendezvous point for astronauts trav- end-over-end to reach many parts eling to lunar orbit onboard NASA’s

NASA, UN SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON PEACEFUL USES OF SPACE

NASA and the United Nations Office “From suborbital flights, to the International for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Space Station, to the Moon, Mars, and have signed a memorandum of under- beyond, our scientific and exploration standing (MOU) pledging cooperation activities represent a singular opportunity in areas of science and technology to for the advancement of human knowledge support the peaceful use of outer space. and international partnerships,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “In The MOU, signed December 17, 2020, cooperation with UNOOSA, NASA’s NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and United brings together NASA’s wealth of Earth observation data and capabil- Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) publicly available Earth observa- ities can greatly improve life here on Director Simonetta Di Pippo during a virtual event at tion data and dynamic exploration Earth, informing efforts to fight fam- which they signed a Memorandum of Understanding opportunities with UNOOSA’s unique ine, support disaster relief efforts, and on Peaceful Uses of Space. Credit: NASA. position as the only United Nations even improve water management and entity dedicated to outer space affairs. sustainable urban development.”

Through this cooperation, UNOOSA space community, building on UNOOSA’s The two organizations also will work and NASA will develop ways to work helping countries leverage space to together on public outreach to increase leverage NASA’s Artemis program as improve people’s lives,” said UNOOSA awareness and understanding of the part of UNOOSA’s Access to Space Director Simonetta Di Pippo. “NASA’s global benefits that can accrue from for All Initiative, which offers oppor- know-how and capabilities are unique, increased investments in the use of space. tunities for international researchers and together we will be able to open and institutions to take part in this doors for all countries, in particular To learn more, visit unprecedented journey of discovery. developing ones, to take part in the www.nasa.gov/moontomars. benefits of the next exciting phase of “We are proud to conclude this historic space exploration and gain new tools MOU with NASA. Our partnership will to advance sustainable development.” create new opportunities for the global

NASA, NSF SIGN AGREEMENT TO ADVANCE SPACE, EARTH, BIOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL SCIENCES

NASA and the U.S. National Science heliophysics with the goal of Foundation (NSF) have signed a mem- understanding space weather, orandum of understanding affirming the exoplanets, gravitational agencies’ intent to continue their long- waves, and the origins of life. standing partnership in mutually beneficial research activities advancing space, Through the agreement, Earth, biological, and physical sciences NASA and NSF will con- to further U.S. national space policy tinue working together to and promote the progress of science. advance NASA- and NSF- Credit: NASA. sponsored science programs The agreement addresses a broad range in astrophysics, planetary systems; continue interagency efforts to of research and activities in many areas science, astrobiology, quantum technol- develop a space weather research-to-op- of science, engineering, and education ogy, heliophysics, and Earth science, with erations-to-research framework to central to both agencies’ missions. special emphasis on those activities that establish principles for interagency continue to make use of NSF-managed collaboration on advancing and pre- Over the years, NASA and NSF have facilities, including those in the Antarctic. dicting Sun-Earth space weather; and had a successful cooperative relationship The agencies also will continue the continue collaboration between the NSF that has supported further research and NASA-NSF partnership for exoplanet and the ISSNL; among other activities. understanding related to a variety of research; coordinate efforts to enable a disciplines. This includes research activities full integration of Earth’s ecosystem and For information about NASA and related to astrophysics, astrochemistry, biodiversity observations from ground- agency programs, visit www.nasa.gov. planetary science, astrobiology, and based, aerial, and space-based sensing

NASA’s Teams Engaging Affiliated NASA EXPANDS INFORMAL Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) program has selected three additional LEARNING INSTITUTIONS informal education organizations to promote learning in STEM to inspire the next generation of explorers. The three ENGAGING NEXT organizations supplement an initial group selected in December 2019. The selected GENERATION OF EXPLORERS projects provide students with opportunities to engage in science, technology,

engineering, and math behind NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration and aim to reach populations that are historically underrepresented in STEM professions.

The selected organizations will implement their proposals over the next three years, as a part of NASA’s Museum and Informal Education Alliance — a nationwide network of informal education profession- als at more than 1,000 science museums, planetariums, NASA visitor centers, Challenger Centers, youth-serving organizations, camps, and libraries, as well as visitor centers at observatories and parks, nature centers, aquariums, and zoos.

The projects will provide authentic mission-driven STEM learning experiences via hands-on and virtual toolkits, a traveling exhibit, and community-focused professional development. In Space Science Institute, Mission to Mars: Boosting Community total, approximately $3 million will Boulder, Colorado Engagement with NASA Resources be awarded through cooperative From Our Town to the Moon, agreements, which provide additional Mars, and Beyond For more information on NASA’s opportunities for interaction between STEM Engagement programs, recipients and NASA beyond the grants The Sciencenter, Ithaca, New York visit www.nasa.gov/stem. previously awarded through TEAM II. Explore Science: Destination Moon

The newly selected institutions The Franklin Institute, and their projects are: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

NASA AWARDS PRIZES TO SIX STARTUP COMPANIES IN ENTREPRENEUR’S CHALLENGE

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate has NASA partnered with Starburst, the ration goals and increase participation awarded prize funding of $100,000 each global aerospace hub, to launch a pilot by entrepreneurial companies in the to six entrepreneurial startup companies program to engage entrepreneurs. agency’s technology portfolio. under its pilot Entrepreneur’s Challenge program for concepts ranging from The challenge’s purpose is to invite The competition was conducted in three machine learning to enable exploration fresh ideas for the development of rounds. In the first round, nearly 80 and other technologies to new ways to new instruments and technologies to submissions were sent in from compa- build instruments to study the universe. advance the agency’s science explo- nies nationwide, and a judging panel

selected 15 ideas to advance. The next program. Six of the companies received • Trace Matters Scientific, round was a virtual event held on July an additional $80,000 in prize fund- Somerville, Massachusetts 29, 2020, where selectees presented ing as determined by the same panel • Guardion Technologies, their ideas to a judging panel of NASA of judges from the previous round. Burlington, Massachusetts program managers. The judges selected • Cold Quanta, Boulder, Colorado ten companies for awards of $20,000 The following companies were selected as each. In the final round, the participants winners of the Entrepreneur’s Challenge: To learn more about the worked to refine their concepts and gave Entrepreneur’s Challenge, visit their final presentations on October 22, • Cognitive Space, Houston, Texas nasa-science-challenge.com. 2020, as part of the Innovation and • Evermore Intelligence, Opportunity Conference held by NASA’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Small Business Innovative Research/ • MOBILion, Chadds Small Business Technology Transfer Fords, Pennsylvania

NASA SELECTS COMPANIES TO COLLECT LUNAR RESOURCES FOR ARTEMIS DEMONSTRATIONS

Moon and provide imagery to NASA of the collection and the collected material, along with data that identifies the collection location. Subsequent to receiving such imagery and data, an “in-place” transfer of ownership of the lunar regolith to NASA will occur. After ownership transfer, the collected material becomes the sole property of NASA for the agency’s use under the Artemis program.

Companies must take all actions to per- form the contracts in full compliance with the Registration Convention, Article II, and other provisions of the Outer Space Treaty, as well as in accordance with NASA’s other relevant international obligations. Credit: NASA. NASA will continue to publicly release NASA has selected four companies in situ resource utilization (ISRU) will play data and scientific discoveries gained to collect space resources and transfer a vital role in a future human mission to through the safe and sustainable lunar ownership to the agency: Lunar Outpost Mars. Like many other operations, ISRU exploration to benefit all of humanity. of Golden, Colorado; Masten Space activities will be tested and developed Systems of Mojave, California; ispace on the Moon, building the required For more information, visit Europe of Luxembourg; and iSpace knowledge to implement new capabilities www.nasa.gov/press-release/ Japan of Tokyo. The new NASA contracts that will be necessary to overcome the nasa-selects-companies-to-collect-lu- with these companies total $25,001. challenges of a human mission to Mars. nar-resources-for-artemis-demonstrations.

Space resources will play a key role in A great deal of work remains to NASA’s Artemis program and future space develop robust ISRU capabilities. Both exploration. The ability to extract and robotic and human explorers will test use extraterrestrial resources will ensure new technologies and techniques. Artemis operations can be conducted safely and sustainably in support of estab- Companies will collect a small amount lishing human lunar exploration. Moreover, of lunar regolith from any location on the

NASA MOVES FORWARD WITH CAMPAIGN TO RETURN MARS SAMPLES TO EARTH

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

NASA and ESA (European Space rock and regolith (broken rock and dust) In Mars orbit, the Earth Return Orbiter Agency) are moving to the next phase and hermetically seal them in collection will rendezvous with and capture the in a campaign to deepen under- tubes. Perseverance can deposit these sealed sample container and then standing of whether life ever existed samples at designated locations on the place the samples in an additional on Mars and, in turn, better under- Martian surface or store them internally. high-reliability containment capsule stand the origins of life on Earth. for return to Earth in the early 2030s. In the next steps of the MSR campaign, NASA has approved the Mars Sample NASA and ESA will provide respective Bringing Mars samples back to Earth Return (MSR) multi-mission effort to components for a Sample Retrieval Lander will allow scientists worldwide to exam- advance to Phase A, preparing to bring mission and an Earth Return Orbiter ine the specimens using sophisticated the first pristine samples from Mars mission, with launches planned in the instruments too large and too complex back to Earth. During this phase, the latter half of this decade. The Sample to send to Mars and will enable future program will mature critical technol- Retrieval Lander mission will deliver a generations to study them using tech- ogies, make critical design decisions, Sample Fetch Rover and Mars Ascent nology not yet available. Curating the and assess industry partnerships. Vehicle to the surface of Mars. The rover samples on Earth will allow the science will retrieve the samples and transport community to test new theories and The first endeavor of this campaign them to the lander. The Perseverance rover models as they are developed, much is in progress. NASA’s Mars 2020 also provides a potential capability for the as the Apollo samples returned from Perseverance rover launched in July delivery of collection tubes to the lander. the Moon have done for decades. and is set to land on the Red Planet on A robotic arm on the lander will transfer February 18, 2021. The car-size rover the samples into a container embedded For more information about activities will search for signs of ancient microbial in the nose of the Mars Ascent Vehicle. on Mars, visit www.nasa.gov/mars. life. Using a coring drill at the end of its robotic arm, Perseverance has the Once sealed, the system will prepare capability to gather samples of Martian for the first launch from another planet.

NASA DISCOVERIES, R&D, MOON TO MARS EXPLORATION PLANS PERSEVERE IN 2020

NASA Discoveries, R&D, and Moon to Mars Exploration Plans Persevere This Year @NASA — December 21, 2020. Credit: NASA.

In 2020, NASA made significant progress on America’s Moon to Mars exploration strategy, met mission objectives for the Artemis program, achieved significant scientific advancements to benefit humanity, and returned human spaceflight capabilities to the United States; all while agency teams acted quickly to assist the national COVID-19 response.

The space agency’s aid to the federal pandemic response included the development of a surface decontamination sion to land the first woman and next timely, and public release of scientific system, a ventilator developed by man on the lunar surface in 2024. data. By committing to the principles engineers in just 37 days, and an oxy- of the Artemis Accords, NASA and its gen helmet to treat COVID-19 patients. Robotic and human exploration go partners help ensure humanity can enjoy a hand-in-hand, with the former leading peaceful and prosperous future in space. In 2020, astronauts launched from the way to smarter, safer human mis- American soil to the International Space sions. NASA launched its Mars 2020 In a first for NASA, the Origins, Spectral Station for the first time since 2011, Perseverance rover mission to the Red Interpretation, Resource Identification, and for the first time on an American Planet in July, and it’s now more than Security, Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS- commercial spacecraft. The return of halfway to its destination. Track the REx) spacecraft briefly touched and crewed launches to U.S. shores arrived rover’s journey in real-time using the collected samples from the asteroid during the 20th year of a continuous Eyes on the Solar System application. Bennu on October 20, 2020. The human presence aboard the space samples will return to Earth in 2023. station, enabling more critical science NASA took a major step in solidifying to prepare for future Artemis missions. international cooperation for exploration The James Webb Space Telescope, with the signing of the Artemis Accords the agency’s next great observatory, NASA advanced its plan for a robotic between NASA and eight partner made progress toward its launch, now and human return to the Moon under countries. The accords implement the targeted for October 31, 2021. the Artemis program, is on track for Outer Space Treaty and other interna- its first two robotic deliveries next tional agreements to establish a set of For more information, visit year, named astronauts to the Artemis principles to guide cooperation among www.nasa.gov/press-release/ Team, and identified science priorities nations participating in the agency’s nasa-discoveries-rd-moon-to-mars-ex- and activities for the Artemis III mis- lunar exploration plans, such as the full, ploration-plans-persevere-in-2020/.

TRAVELS WITH CURIOSITY: EXPLORING MARS BY ROVER

By Charles J. Byrne

Springer, 2020, 217 pp., Hardcover. $49.99. www.springer.com

The Mars Curiosity Rover is the most sophisticated mobile laboratory ever deployed on a planet. For over seven years, scores of investigators have planned its daily route and activities, poring over the overwhelming images and data and revising our understanding of planetary surfaces, geology, and potential habitability. This book takes readers right down to the surface of Mars, chronicling Curiosity’s physical and scientific journey across the planet’s Earth-like, yet strikingly alien vis- tas. Through dozens of images and descriptive accounts of the surface, you will gain a deeper knowledge of the Martian landscape, from the floor of Gale Crater up to the cliffs of Mount Sharp. Presented at the end of each chapter are the results and revelations from the science team spear- heading the mission. Like any cross-country road trip, the rover has hit some unexpected hitches along the way. The book describes the obstacles faced by the rover and its scientists over the years and the difficult decisions and careful experimentation it took to solve them.

HOW COSMOLOGISTS EXPLAIN THE UNIVERSE TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY By Karim A. Malik and David R. Matravers

Springer, 2019, 258 pp., Paperback. $29.99. www.springer.com

This fascinating book provides an accessible and up-to-date overview of modern cosmology. In particular, the book discusses the formation of the Cosmic Microwave Background and the evolution of large-scale structures in the universe, the distribution of galaxies and clusters of galaxies on very large distance scales. Following a brief introduction, the authors describe the scientific method — how science is done. They then discuss observational cosmology, the instruments and what observations can be done with them, and what is derived from those observations. After discussing the constituents of the universe, including dark matter and dark energy, the authors provide an outline of the forces that shape the universe, with particular emphasis on gravitation. Following this, the reader is taken on a journey in time from the present day back to the very beginning of the universe, a period called inflation, which sets the initial conditions for the subsequent evolution of the universe. The book ends with a brief chapter on what lies beyond. Written by two experts, the book is aimed at the interested layperson with little or no physics background, but an interest in modern cosmology.

Note: Product descriptions are taken from publishers’ websites. LPI is not responsible for factual content.

ALIEN OCEANS: THE SEARCH FOR LIFE IN THE DEPTHS OF SPACE

By Kevin Hand Princeton University Press, 2020, 304 pp., Hardcover. $27.95. www.press.princeton.edu

Where is the best place to find life beyond Earth? We often look to Mars as the most promising site in our solar system, but recent scientific missions have revealed that some of the most habitable real estate may actually lie farther away. Beneath the frozen crusts of several of the small, ice-covered moons of Jupiter and Saturn lurk vast oceans that may have been in existence for as long as Earth, and together may contain more than fifty times its total volume of liquid water. Could there be organ- isms living in their depths? Alien Oceans reveals the science behind the thrilling quest to find out. Author Kevin Hand, one of today’s leading NASA scientists, brings together insights from planetary science, biology, and the adventures of scientists like himself to explain how we know that oceans exist within moons of the outer solar system, like Europa, Titan, and Enceladus. He shows how the exploration of Earth’s oceans is informing our understanding of the potential habitability of these icy moons, and draws lessons from what we have learned about the origins of life on our own planet to consider how life could arise on these distant worlds. Alien Oceans describes what lies ahead in our search for life in our solar system and beyond, setting the stage for the transformative discoveries that may await us.

LIFE ON MARS: WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE WE GO By David A. Weintraub Princeton University Press, 2020, 336 pp., Paperback. $19.95. www.press.princeton.edu

Does life exist on Mars? The question has captivated humans for centuries, but today it has taken on new urgency. As space agencies gear up to send the first manned missions to the Red Planet, we have a responsibility to think deeply about what kinds of life may already dwell there — and whether we have the right to invite ourselves in. Telling the complete story of our ongoing quest to answer one of the most tantalizing questions in astronomy, David Weintraub grapples with the profound moral and ethical questions confronting us as we prepare to introduce an unpredictable new life form — ourselves — into the Martian biosphere. Now with an afterword that discusses the most recent discoveries, Life on Mars explains what we need to know before we go.

Note: Product descriptions are taken from publishers’ websites. LPI is not responsible for factual content.

METEORITE MINERALOGY

By Alan Rubin and Chi Ma Cambridge University Press, 2021, 320 pp., Hardcover. $125.00. www.cambridge.org

Meteorites are fascinating cosmic visitors. Using accessible language, this book documents the history of mineralogy and meteorite research, summarizes the mineralogical characteristics of the myriad varieties of meteorites, and explains the mineralogical characteristics of solar system bodies visited by spacecraft. Some of these bodies contain minerals that do not occur naturally on Earth or in meteorites. The book explains how to recognize different phases under the microscope and in back-scattered electron images. It summarizes the major ways in which meteoritic minerals form — from condensation in the expanding atmospheres of dying stars to crystallization in deep- seated magmas, from flash-melting in the solar nebula to weathering in the terrestrial environment. Containing spectacular back-scattered electron images, color photographs of meteorite minerals, and with an accompanying online list of meteorite minerals, this book provides a useful resource for meteorite researchers, terrestrial mineralogists, cosmochemists and planetary scientists, as well as graduate students in these fields.

THE SECRET LIVES OF PLANETS: ORDER, CHAOS, AND UNIQUENESS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM

By Paul Murdin Pegasus Books, 2020, 288 pp., Hardcover. $27.95. www.pegasusbooks.com

We have the impression that the solar system is perfectly regular like a clock or a planetarium instrument. On a short timescale it is. But, seen in a longer perspective, the planets, and their satellites, have exciting lives, full of events. For example, did you know that Saturn’s moon, Titan, boasts lakes which contain liquid methane surrounded by soaring hills and valleys, exactly as the earth did before life evolved on our fragile planet? Or that Mercury is the shyest planet? Or, that Mars’s biggest volcano is one hundred times the size of Earth’s, or that its biggest canyon is ten times the depth of the Grand Canyon, or that it wasn’t always red, but blue? The culmination of a lifetime of astronomy and wonder, Paul Murdin’s enchanting new book reveals everything you ever wanted to know about the planets, their satellites, and our place in the solar system.

Note: Product descriptions are taken from publishers’ websites. LPI is not responsible for factual content.

TERRESTRIAL IMPACT STRUCTURES: THE TAN-DEM-X ATLAS, VOLUMES 1 AND 2

By Manfred Gottwald, Thomas Kenkmann, and Wolf Uwe Reimold

Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, 2020, two volumes in a slipcase, 608 pp., Hardcover. 128.00€. www.pfeil-verlag.de

Impact cratering is one of the fundamental processes in the solar system and, with all certainty, beyond. This process played a major role when the planets and their moons began to form from the protoplanetary disk, and throughout planetary evolution since then. On Earth, impacts of certain size even affected the evolution of life. Lunar and interplanetary spaceflight over the past 50 years has provided us with detailed maps of the old, impact-crater covered surfaces of our solar system neighbors. For Earth, the global impact crater record only represents a fraction of the bombardment that our planet has had to endure. Tectonic activity, erosion and weathering, and post-impact burial under sedimentary covers have erased most of the terrestrial impact history. Many of the remaining recognized crater structures have either been modified almost beyond recognition or are buried entirely. Mapping what is left of the terrestrial impact record from a satellite platform in low-earth orbit is often obscured by dense clouds and dust-laden air layers in our atmosphere; or even the lack of solar illumination prevents us to see the bare ground. Remote sensing methods developed in the past decades have given us tools, however, to tackle the challenge of mapping the Earth’s surface with high precision. Between 2010 and 2016 the German TanDEM-X radar X-band mission, operated and managed by DLR, the German Aerospace Center, generated the first global space-borne terrestrial digital elevation model of high resolution, based on Synthetic Aperture Radar interferomet- ric measurements. We have used these data and produced the first topographic atlas of all currently confirmed terrestrial impact structures. This book provides the readership with the basic principles of impact cratering, of radar remote sensing, and of the TanDEM-X mission. It addresses the updated terrestrial impact crater record with more than 200 high-resolution maps, supplemented by geological descriptions and a plethora of field photographs for most structures. Thus, this atlas provides a comprehensive overview of the impact crater record for each continent.

NOT NECESSARILY ROCKET SCIENCE: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE SPACE AGE By Kellie Gerardi Mango Publishing, 2020, 256 pp., Hardcover. $19.95. www.mango.bz

Humanity is on an astronomical trajectory, and according to aerospace professional and popular science communicator Kellie Gerardi, that future doesn’t rest solely on the shoulders of rocket scientists. Gerardi’s non-traditional path in the space industry shows us that humanity’s next giant leap will require the contributions of artists, engineers, and everyone in between. Gerardi takes us on a tour of this unique window in history and offers encouragement and advice for anyone who has ever dreamed of the stars and galaxies far, far away. Whether you have a space background or are just looking to learn about the exciting future that awaits us, Not Necessarily Rocket Science confirms that there’s a place for anyone who is passionate about space exploration.

Note: Product descriptions are taken from publishers’ websites. LPI is not responsible for factual content.

NEW SCIENTIST MILKY WAY JIGSAW PUZZLE Available from New Scientist 1000-piece puzzle, 66 x 50 cm finished size. £19.99. shop.newscientist.com

This limited-edition puzzle is handmade in Britain from 100% recycled cardboard and packaged in a slim postal box. Each puzzle comes with a special serial-numbered certificate. The puzzle is made with water-based pigment inks and has a matte finish. A sustainable cloth bag is included to hold jigsaw pieces. Jigsaw puzzles make perfect gifts for family and friends or can be a mindful distrac- tion for yourself.

THE PLANETS: A LOOK AT SPACE SCIENCE

By Bert Wilberforce Gareth Stevens, 2021, 32 pp., Hardcover. $26.60. www.garethstevens.com

For many years, people believed there were nine planets that orbited the sun. Now we say there are eight. What happened to the ninth planet, Pluto? What are the different planets like? What exactly makes a planet a planet? These are the many intriguing questions answered with this high-interest book, crafted to be accessible for readers of all levels. Young astronomers will be especially fasci- nated by the stunning photographs and the “Make the Grade” fact boxes. For ages 5 to 8.

BOUNCING PLANETS STEM EXPERIMENT KIT

Produced by Thames & Kosmos Produced by Thames & Kosmos. $9.95 www.thamesandkosmos.com

Make five colorful, rubbery balls resembling planets in minutes. This kit includes a spherical mold and five colors of polymer granules (red, orange, yellow, blue, and purple) to safely cast up to five planet models. Kids can explore the scientific properties of polymer materials as they learn why the balls form and how the elasticity of the material causes them to bounce. The kit comes with packag- ing and manuals in English, French, and Spanish. For ages 8 and up.

Note: Product descriptions are taken from publishers’ websites. LPI is not responsible for factual content.

MARS’ FIRST FRIENDS: COME ON OVER, ROVERS! By Susanna Leonard Hill and Elisa Paganelli Sourcebooks, 2020, 40 pp., Hardcover. $17.99. www.sourcebooks.com

In this sweet solar system book, Mars is lonely and just wants someone to play with, but the planets are all too busy. That is, until Earth sends her little brother Mars his first friends: the rovers Spirit and Opportunity! With its darling prose and charming illustrations, this book offers a new take on the Mars rovers’ stories and includes educational back matter with an abundance of information about the solar system, Mars, and his real-life pets — NASA’s rovers! Could there be life on Mars? Read on to find out! For ages 4 to 8.

GEOLOGY FOR KIDS: A JUNIOR SCIENTIST’S GUIDE TO ROCKS, MINERALS, AND THE EARTH BENEATH OUR FEET

By Meghan Vestal Rockridge Press, 2020, 98 pp., Paperback. $8.99. Available on Amazon.com

Set off on an adventure 4.6 billion years in the making with Geology for Kids. Start at the red-hot center of Earth and learn about each layer until you reach the rocky crust. Discover how moun- tains, valleys, and oceans form, and uncover secrets about the planet you call home. This book is jam-packed with facts, illustrations, and photos that will teach you how volcanoes erupt, why earth- quakes shake the land, and what causes tsunamis with waves 100 feet high. And when you’re ready to go from curious kid to certified rock-hound, use the photographic guide to help you identify rocks and minerals in your own backyard. For ages 6 to 9.

Note: Product descriptions are taken from publishers’ websites. LPI is not responsible for factual content.

2021 Upcoming Events

February

Mercury Exploration Assessment Group (MExAG) February 3–5 Virtual www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/mexag2021/

OPAG Meeting February 9–11 Virtual www.lpi.usra.edu/opag/meetings/OPAG2021Feb/

Habitable Worlds February 22–26 Virtual aas.org/meetings/aastcs8/habitable

Lunar Surface Science Workshop February 24–25 Virtual Session 8: Structuring Real-Time Science Support of Artemis Crewed Operations www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lunarsurface2020/

March

52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference March 15–19 Virtual www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2021/

Triple Evolution and Dynamics 3 (TRENDY 3) March 22–24 Virtual sites.northwestern.edu/trendy3/

Rock, Dust and Ice: Interpreting Planetary Data March 23–25 Virtual https://www.sofia.usra.edu/science/meetings-and-events/ events/rock-dust-and-ice-interpreting-planetary-data

April

EGU General Assembly 2021 April 19–30 Virtual www.egu21.eu/

7th IAA Planetary Defense Conference April 26–30 Vienna, Austria iaaspace.org/pdc

May

Heliophysics 2050 Workshop May 3–5 TBD www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/helio2050/

Distributed Volcanism and Distributed Volcanic Hazards M a y 11–15 Flagstaff, AZ www.agu.org/Chapmans-Distributed-Volcanism June

Mercury 2021: Current and Future Science of the Innermost Planet J u n e 8 –11 Orléans, France mercury2020.ias.u-psud.fr/main_1st.php

5th Planetary Data Workshop and Planetary Science Informatics & Data Analytics June 28 –July 2 Flagstaff, Arizona www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/planetdata2021/

July

2021 Sagan Summer Workshop: Circumstellar Disks and Young Planets July 19–23 Virtual nexsci.caltech.edu/workshop/2021/

September

Spatially Resolved Spectroscopy with Extremely Large Telescopes September 13–24 Oxford, UK elt2020.web.ox.ac.uk/

October

Martian Geological Enigmas: From the Late Noachian Epoch to the Present Day October 4–6 Houston, Texas www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/martianenigma2021/

Gaps, Rings, Spirals, and Vortices: Structure Formation in Planet-Forming Disks October 4–29 Munich, Germany www.munich-iapp.de/planet-forming-disks21

Ultraviolet Astronomy in the XXI Century: 5th Workshop of the Network for Ultraviolet Astronomy — Face-to-Face October 5–9 Vitoria, Spain www.nuva.eu/workshop2020

Brines Across the Solar System: Modern Brines October 25–28 Virtual www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/modernbrines/