Editor: Mark V. Sykes
Co-Editors: Matthew R Perry, Alex Morgan
Email: pen_editor@psi.edu
X: @pen2tweets
Bluesky: @planetarynews.bsky.social

o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o

1. Editorial: Save Irreplaceable, Cross-Disciplinary Data on New
   Horizons
2. Geosciences Special Issue: New Visions on Classic challenges in
   Solar System Exploration
3. Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Travel Grant Opportunity
4. Postdoctoral Research Scholars at the Intersection of Planet
   Formation and Shock Physics
5. Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowships Starting in 2027 at the Earth and
   Planets Laboratory
6. Pan Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Position at Rice University
7. ML4PSP September Seminar Announcement
8. [DPS-58] Please Reserve Conference Lodging
9. [DPS-58] Information for Exhibitors and Sponsors
10. [DPS 58] Panel Discussion on AI
11. [DPS-58] DPS Seeks 2 Student Volunteers
12. DPS Seeks a New Secretary
13. DPS Seeks a New Education Subcommittee Chair
14. ExMAG 2026 Annual Meeting
15. [NASA] SMD Seeks Volunteer Reviewers
16. Tenure-Track Position in Hydrologic Sciences at University of
    Nevada, Reno
17. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions
18. Planetary Science Journal - New Papers
19. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets - New Papers
20. Planetary Research - New Papers

Commercial/Fundraising Announcements:

C1. Life Skills for Young Scientists: A Yearlong Online Mentorship
    Program
C2. Survey on Lunar Data Types


o---------------------------------------------------------------------o

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EDITORIAL: SAVE IRREPLACEABLE, CROSS-DISCIPLINARY DATA ON NEW HORIZONS

As of now, utterly unique data from 65 au away and beyond - the outer
heliosphere - will be lost due to the shutting down of the SWAP and
PEPSSI instruments on New Horizons. These data, energy spectra of
pickup ions, were not and are not measured by Voyager 1 and 2, yet they
can reveal cross-disciplinary clues about how the interstellar medium,
the heliosphere, planets, and even life interact with each other.
Unlike data from heliospheric missions closer to Earth, these data are
irreplaceable in our lifetimes. We should not let SWAP and PEPSSI go
the way of the terminated-before-its-time Apollo Seismic Experiment,
which NASA shut down in 1977 to save a small amount of money. Read more
at the Planetary Society with a link to act:

https://tinyurl.com/7e7kurhb

Kirby Runyon


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GEOSCIENCES SPECIAL ISSUE: NEW VISIONS ON CLASSIC CHALLENGES IN SOLAR
SYSTEM EXPLORATION

We invite submissions to a new Special Issue of Geosciences: "New
Visions on classic challenges in Solar System exploration".

This Special Issue aims to bring together innovative contributions that
reassess traditional problems in planetary science and astrobiology
from new perspectives. We welcome studies that introduce new
observations, reinterpret existing datasets, propose novel theoretical
or experimental approaches, or connect apparently distinct research
areas to address enduring challenges in the exploration of the Solar
System.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: Planetary
formation, differentiation and long-term geological evolution;
comparative planetology of terrestrial planets; geological and
geochemical evolution of icy satellites; planetary habitability and
the environmental limits of life; biosignatures, their preservation,
detection and interpretation; planetary protection and contamination
assessment; and advances in remote sensing, in situ analysis, and
sample return.

For full details and submission instructions, please visit:

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/geosciences/special_issues/9L61F553P8


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GERALD A. SOFFEN MEMORIAL TRAVEL GRANT OPPORTUNITY

The Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund is pleased to announce the Fall 2026
Travel Grant application opportunity for undergraduate and graduate
students pursuing studies in fields of space science and engineering.

The Travel Grants enable student recipients to attend professional
conferences to present their research. Recipients may use the Grant
for either virtual or in-person conferences. The Soffen Fund will
award up to $2000 in total, with no individual award greater than
$1000, to cover expenses related to presenting research at either a
virtual or in-person conference.

The Fall 2026 Travel Grant application deadline is October 9, 2026.
Jerry Soffen, a biologist by training, led a distinguished career in
NASA, including serving as the Project Scientist for Viking and as an
architect for the NASA Astrobiology Institute. The Travel Grant
continues Jerry's dedication to educating and involving future
generations in space science and engineering pursuits. The
electronic application materials and instructions are located on the
Soffen Fund website:

https://soffenfund.org

Questions regarding the application or application process may be
sent to:

ec@nasa-academy.org


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POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH SCHOLARS AT THE INTERSECTION OF PLANET FORMATION
AND SHOCK PHYSICS

The School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) at Arizona State
University (ASU) invites applications for two postdoctoral research
positions to work with Professor Sarah Stewart. The successful
candidates will join an active research group working at the
intersection of the planet formation and evolution and the
high-pressure properties of geologic materials. The positions may
involve one or more of the following research areas: (i) High-pressure
physics and materials science; (ii) Planetary impact processes; (iii)
Planet formation and evolution.

These are full-time, benefits-eligible positions with an anticipated
start date as early as January 2027. The initial appointment is for
one year and may be renewed annually for up to two additional years,
contingent upon satisfactory performance, university needs, and
available resources. Each position includes an annual salary of
$71,000 and a $5,000 relocation allowance. Multiple areas of research
may be supported by available funding; the specific goals of the
position are subject to agreement between the candidate and PI.

Apply through Interfolio: The application deadline is November 1,
2026. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for
a reserve pool.

https://apply.interfolio.com/193463


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CARNEGIE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS STARTING IN 2027 AT THE EARTH AND
PLANETS LABORATORY

The Earth and Planets Laboratory (EPL), a division of the Carnegie
Science, invites applications for postdoctoral fellowships at its
campus in Washington, DC. Multiple independent research fellowships are
available in our interdisciplinary basic research laboratory dedicated
to understanding the origin and evolution of Earth and planets. Fellows
should have an original research plan, but should also share research
interests with our scientists who can serve as mentors.

Interdisciplinary research and collaboration with multiple research
areas on campus is encouraged. New fellows will join a supportive
community of about 25 postdoctoral scientists and 28 staff and research
scientists. Our postdoctoral fellows have access to: world-class
laboratory, computational and observing facilities. At EPL, we foster
an exceptionally collegial research environment and emphasize
mentoring, including professional development opportunities
specifically for postdocs.

More information about our research and facilities can be viewed at:

https://carnegiescience.edu/epl

Information for our postdoctoral fellowships and postdoctoral
experience is at:

https://carnegiescience.edu/about/working/postdocs/epl

See complete instructions and submit your application online at:

https://apply.interfolio.com/189651

Address any questions to eplfellowship@carnegiescience.edu.
Applications are due November 1, 2026.


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PAN POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP POSITION AT RICE UNIVERSITY

The Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (EEPS)
at Rice University (eeps.rice.edu) invites applications for the Pan
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. We seek candidates with independent
research interests that intersect with one or more faculty within our
department and who contribute positively to the Rice EEPS community,
including its education and outreach efforts. Both domestic and
international applicants are welcome. Upon starting the position,
candidates must have received their PhD within the last three years.

The research fellowship will be supported for two years, pending
satisfactory progress during the first year, and includes an annual
stipend of $68,000 with a benefits package, an annual discretionary
research allowance of $5,000, and an allowance for re-location
expenses. Applicants are requested to develop a proposal of research
to be undertaken during the fellowship. The proposed research should
explore new directions beyond the applicant's Ph.D. Preference will
be given to applicants whose proposals demonstrate independence and
originality, along with the potential for collaboration with one or
more EEPS faculty.

For more information:

https://tinyurl.com/mdcyae3s

[Edited for length]


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MLRPSP SEPTEMBER SEMINAR ANNOUNCEMENT

The ML4PSP seminar series is happy to host our next talk which will
take place on Tuesday, September 29 at 9:00 AM PT/Noon ET, featuring:

Speaker: Sourabh Shubham (University of Maryland, College Park).

Title: "Decoding the Moon with Machine Learning: Global Spectral
Mapping Reveals Surface Mixing and Crustal Stratigraphy"

The full abstract is available here:

https://ml4psp.github.io/schedule

Zoom details are at:

https://tinyurl.com/mr4yrbza

Meeting ID: 935 6088 0593
Passcode: ml4psp

We also now have a dedicated Slack channel. You are encouraged to
join to share your work, collaborate, exchange data and ideas, and
stay engaged with the community.

To streamline communication, we have transitioned from MailChimp to
Google Groups. Future announcements will be distributed through
this platform.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Best regards,

ML4PSP Organizers
Dona Kuruppuaratchi, Ramana Sankar, Indhu Varatharajan


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[DPS-58] PLEASE RESERVE CONFERENCE LODGING

Please arrange your hotel for DPS-58 at official conference lodging.
There is a block of rooms at government rates, and lodging is connected
to the conference venue - the Spokane Convention Center - via a covered
a walkway. The hotel features an onsite restaurant and other options
are located nearby. Utilizing this lodging will cut both cost to attend
the conference and carbon footprint to attend the conference by
eliminating the need for car rental. Visit:

https://aas.org/meetings/dps58/accommodations


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[DPS-58] INFORMATION FOR EXHIBITORS AND SPONSORS

The Local Organizing Committee for DPS-58 is soliciting exhibitors and
sponsors for the meeting. Exhibitor spaces are located in a heavily
trafficked are between the poster sessions and common area in a large
shared ballroom. If you are interested, please contact Rod Nenner
(rod.nenner@aas.org) at the American Astronomical Society.


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[DPS 58] PANEL DISCUSSION ON AI

At the upcoming DPS meeting at the Spokane Convention Center, the DPS
Committee will host and moderate a panel discussion/town hall on the
emerging role of artificial intelligence (AI) in planetary science on
Thursday, October 29, in room 111B at 4:30-5:30 PM PDT. We will touch
on opportunities, potential pitfalls, and ethical and environmental
concerns. If you wish to contribute topics for discussion or
participate as a panelist, contact Steven.D.Vance@jpl.caltech.edu.


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[DPS-58] DPS SEEKS 2 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS

The International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA), one of the DPS
exhibitors, is looking for 1 or 2 students or early career scientists
who may be interested in helping staff their exhibit booth for an
afternoon or two. If you are interested in stellar occultations and
making connections with professionals who use that technique, please
contact Joan Durham (iotatreas@yahoo.com).

Mark Chen, Visual Artist + Science Communicator will be taking free
professional headshots for early career scientists. We seek 1 or 2
students who can help while he does double-duty taking photos of the
meeting. If you are interested and want your own headshot, please
contact Scott Murchie (scott.murchie@jhuapl.edu).


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DPS SEEKS A NEW SECRETARY

The DPS seeks a successor to Dr. Denise Stephens as DPS Secretary. If
this impactful position interests you, submit a letter of interest and
a CV to DPS Chair Scott Murchie at scott.murchie@jhuapl.edu or
DPS.chair@aas.org. As Secretary, you would be part of the Executive
Committee, helping to lead the division and formulate rapid responses
to planetary community events. Regular duties are to:

- Compile and distribute eNews to DPS members;
- Maintain DPS records and documents including the DPS Meeting Guide,
  instruction guides for subcommittees, official Committee and
  Subcommittee membership lists, letterhead, bylaws, and membership
  data;
- Oversee membership applications and the membership roster;
- Collected statements from candidates for elected DPS offices
  identified by the Nominating Subcommittee, circulate them, conduct
  the annual election, and announce the results;
- Prepare prize certificates and citations; and
- Contribute to the corporate memory of DPS along with other officers.


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DPS SEEKS A NEW EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR

The DPS seeks a successor to Dr. Sanlyn Buxner as Chair of the DPS
Education Subcommittee. If you are interested please contact DPS Chair
Scott Murchie and submit a CV at DPS.chair@aas.org or
scott.murchie@jhuapl.edu. Regular duties are to:

- Maintain the Education portion of the DPS website together with the
  DPS webmaster
- Maintain the searchable database of Research Experiences for
  Undergraduate students in planetary science
- Maintain the searchable database of graduate schools for planetary
  science
- Intermittently, manages DPS Education and Outreach Grants - ($200 to
  $500) - awarded on rolling basis
- Support education-related activities during DPS meetings in
  coordination with DPS leadership and other committees


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EXMAG 2026 ANNUAL MEETING

The Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG) cordially invites
you to attend our 2026 Annual Meeting scheduled on November 3 (US time)
or November 4 (Asia time). The goals of this annual meeting are to:
i) connect the sample community with curations in different countries;
ii) discuss issues that the sample community is facing; iii) summarize
the findings to advocate for solutions to high-priority issues.

The 2026 Annual Meeting will be fully virtual. It is divided into an
Asia optimized portion and an US/Europe optimized portion, each is
about 3 hr 30 min. The draft agenda is at:

https://tinyurl.com/22cs5tnz

If you are interested in attending, please register at:

https://tinyurl.com/yb97bunh

Please mark your calendar and attend the session that best suits your
time zone.


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[NASA] SMD SEEKS VOLUNTEER REVIEWERS

NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is seeking volunteer reviewers
for its research proposals. Please refer to the recently posted
volunteer reviewer forms for:

- Accelerating Earth Solutions (ROSES A.13)
- Atmosphere (ROSES A.14)
- Biosphere (ROSES A.15)
- Hydrosphere (ROSES A.17)
- Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) CAN
- Theoretical and Computational Astrophysics Networks (TCAN D.4 of
  ROSES)
- Habitable Worlds Observatory Precursor Science Investigations
  (ROSES D.8)
- Solar System Science Program (ROSES C.2)
- Earth Surface and Interior and Space Geodesy Programs

The general landing page for all SMD volunteer reviewer forms is:

https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/volunteer-review-panels

Questions regarding individual ROSES programs should be directed to the
points of contact for those programs. General questions about the
volunteer reviewer page may be directed to SARA@nasa.gov.


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TENURE-TRACK POSITION IN HYDROLOGIC SCIENCES AT UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA,
RENO

The Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering (DGSE) at the
University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) invites applications for a full-time,
9-month contract tenure-track faculty position in the hydrologic
sciences, broadly defined, which could include a combination of
groundwater hydrology (hydrogeology), hydrogeophysics, aqueous
geochemistry, geothermal applications, mining hydrology, surface water
hydrology, hydraulic engineering and civil engineering that focus on
interactions with the natural environment, or other related fields. The
position is at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an anticipated
start date of July 1, 2027. Applicants must have a PhD at the time of
appointment and demonstrate commitment to both undergraduate and
graduate instruction as well as development and vision of an
externally-funded program of research in their specialty.

For more information and to apply, please use this link:

https://tinyurl.com/a563eua3

Review of applications will begin November 1, 2026.


17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17

PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS

Note: Many face-to-face meetings going forward will have online
components. Check their websites for details.

Posted at https://planetarynews.org/meetings.html

No new wmeetings.


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PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL - NEW PAPERS

Direct Links to Open Access Papers

Editor, Brian Jackson
https://psj.aas.org

Nanoparticle-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry
for Applications in Astrobiology
Nikita J. Boeren et al. 2026 PSJ 7:217
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae9c2d

The Preimpact Search for Further Didymos Natural Satellites Using DART
and LICIACube Images
Ivano Bertini et al. 2026 PSJ 7:218
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae99e5

Lunar Polar Dichotomy: Insights from Crater Morphometry
Sachana Sathyan et al. 2026 PSJ 7:219
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/aea15c

Long-term Mid-infrared Photometry and Spectroscopy of (1) Ceres with
SOFIA FORCAST
Anicia Arredondo et al. 2026 PSJ 7:220
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae9ec4


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JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH: PLANETS - NEW PAPERS

Direct Links to Open Access (OA) Papers

Editors-in-Chief, Amanda Hendrix & Debra Buczkowski
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/21699100

Investigating Galactic Cosmic Ray Ionization's Contribution to Aerosol
Formation on Neptune and a Potential Link to the Relationship Between
Brightness and Solar Activity
Martin B. B. Enghoff et al.
https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009520

Surface Change Detection on Venus: An Inter-Mission Comparison
Framework Between Magellan and Future Radar Images
Yao Gao et al.
https://doi.org/10.1029/2026JE009994

Visible to Near-Infrared Properties of Felsic Rocks: Plagioclase
Detection Limits and Applications to Mars Orbital Spectra
Hunter Vannier et al.
https://doi.org/10.1029/2026JE009705

Martian Sand Dunes as Natural Ice Sensors: How to Identify Ice
Composition From Dune-Ice Morphology
Jacob M. Widmer, Mackenzie Day, Serina Diniega
https://doi.org/10.1029/2026JE009760

Coupled Gas and Mineral Chemistry in a 60-Day Venus Weathering
Experiment at the Glenn Extreme Environments Rig (GEER)
Alison R. Santos et al.
https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009457


20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20

PLANETARY RESEARCH - NEW PAPERS

Direct Links to Diamond Open Access Papers

Editor-in-Chief, Mark A. Wieczorek
https://planetary-research.org

No new papers this week.


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COMMERCIAL: LIFE SKILLS FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS: A YEARLONG ONLINE
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Do you ever feel that a scientific career involves challenges that
academic training doesn't prepare you for? Join the club! To address
this, PSI Senior Scientist Jonathan Lilly started Life Skills for
Young Scientists (LiSYS).

In this unique program, we study essential - and overlooked - skills
for a happy life and productive career: mindfulness, meditation,
self-compassion, assertiveness, and conflict resolution. These skills
are particularly relevant for the turbulence and uncertainty we face
today.

Past participants have called LiSYS life-changing. Registration for the
fourth iteration, which will run through all of 2027, is now open and
closes on October 31. For full details, visit the web site:

https://lisys.ing


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COMMERCIAL: SURVEY ON LUNAR DATA TYPES

Cabeus Explorer, powered by Potomac Database Systems, is once again
inviting lunar scientists, engineers, and other stakeholders across the
space sector to participate in our survey examining key issues driving
the data debate in North America, Europe, and beyond.

We invite anonymous responses from those of you who care about the
future of lunar exploration and industry.

The survey will close October 15, 2026 and is available here:

https://forms.gle/Eg27a9Dwe6LSGjFL9


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