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

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

1. Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) August 2026
   Newsletter
2. [AGU 2026] Workshop on using Finite Element Methods in Geophysics
3. New Horizons Open Science Team Meeting #60: Abstracts & Registration
   Due 31 August
4. New Horizons Science Spotlight Webinar This Week
5. December Planetary Photogrammetry Workshop at the University of
   Arizona
6. Next-Gen Lunar Community Mailing List
7. Machine Learning for Planetary Science and Space Physics (ML4PSP)
   Seminar Series - August Session
8. [DPS-58] Program is Live Online
9. [DPS-58] Volunteers are Solicited
10. [DPS-58] Field Trip at DPS-58 Meeting
11. [DPS-58] Conference Lodging
12. [DPS-58] Information for Exhibitors and Sponsors
13. [DPS-58] Dependent Care Applications
14. DPS Seeks a New Secretary
15. IBS-KAIST International Conference on Planetary Science and Space
    Exploration (PSSE): Call for Abstracts
16. Venus Exploration Analysis Group 2026 Meeting #24
17. GSA PGS Seeks a new Secretary/Treasurer
18. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions
19. Planetary Science Journal - New Papers
20. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets - New Papers
21. Planetary Research - New Papers

Commercial/Fundraising Announcements:

C1. Commercial: Planetary & Spaceflight Analog Experience

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

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MARS EXPLORATION PROGRAM ANALYSIS GROUP (MEPAG) AUGUST 2026 NEWSLETTER

The Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) August 2026
Newsletter is available at:

https://tinyurl.com/6crkdt73

As noted in the Letter, findings from MEPAG Hybrid Meeting #43 are
posted at:

https://tinyurl.com/5xzkwnds


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[AGU 2026] WORKSHOP ON USING FINITE ELEMENT METHODS IN GEOPHYSICS

If you are interested in learning more about using the finite element
method (FEM) to simulate geophysical processes or want to meet and
discuss methodologies with other FEM users, please consider attending
our AGU workshop: "Finite Element Method Modeling of Geophysical
Processes for Earth and Planetary Science." This workshop will be held
on Sunday, 6 December likely in the afternoon at the AGU conference
center.

Please fill out the form below or email ianfpamerleau@cornell.edu if
you're interested in being a presenter:

https://tinyurl.com/26ptrvcr

Presentations will be in the form of a 15-20 minute demo showcasing how
to create a geophysical model and discussing the strengths and
weaknesses of the specific software/extension. We are still in the
early planning stages for this workshop, so if you have ideas of what
you would like to see out of this workshop, please let us know in the
form.

Workshop details:

https://tinyurl.com/y4vhdkba

Thank you for considering our workshop,
Mariana Blanco-Rojas, Ilana Bromberg, Ian Pamerleau


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NEW HORIZONS OPEN SCIENCE TEAM MEETING #60: ABSTRACTS & REGISTRATION
DUE 31 AUGUST

Please join us at Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, AZ, 28-30 September
2026!

Currently at 65 au, NH is the only mission in the outer heliosphere and
Kuiper Belt and is beyond most of the obscuring foreground of the
zodiacal cloud. It is measuring interstellar pick-up ions for the first
time together with solar wind plasma, energetic particles, and Galactic
Cosmic Rays. The encounter with the heliospheric Termination Shock is
estimated between 2027 and the mid 2030's and would bring new insights
to help solve the mysteries that Voyager left behind. NH's UV
spectrometer and optical telescope have uncovered unprecedented spectra
of the cosmic background and other features that may reveal new
astrophysical processes in the galaxy and beyond. NH's dust counter
continues to detect a high dust flux that is contrary to the
theoretical expectations of a Kuiper cliff, potentially pointing to a
significantly extended Kuiper Belt. Lastly, together with a
ground-based search program, further, new distant KBOs are being
detected that NH can observe remotely to provide critical constraints
on planetesimal formation.

Please register and submit your brief abstract here:

https://forms.gle/pYwwUkyJdt29s2TY7

[Edited for length]


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NEW HORIZONS SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT WEBINAR THIS WEEK

Join us on 27 August 2026, 2:30-3pm EDT

New Horizons continues its operation, now at 65au from the Sun. Since
2015 it has made ground-breaking discoveries of the Pluto-Charon
system, flown past the small contact KBO binary Arrokoth and collected
phase and light curve data for some three dozen additional KBOs and the
ice giants. It has also been sampling dust density throughout the Solar
System and studying the cosmic optical background. Please join us for
our spotlight webinar this week (30 min, fourth week each month), or
watch recorded at your convenience.

Our speaker will be Oliver White (SETI) and he will be speaking on:
"Pluto's Global Map"

Connection Link:

https://tinyurl.com/yx4awz59

Meeting ID: 973 1769 7636
Passcode: ExtendedKB

Calendar for future seminars:

https://tinyurl.com/ytbyac8f

Recordings are archived and posted at:

https://pluto.jhuapl.edu/News-Center/index.php#Spotlight-Presentations

For questions, contact New Horizons Co-I Susan Benecchi, susank@psi.edu


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DECEMBER PLANETARY PHOTOGRAMMETRY WORKSHOP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

Registration is now open for the Planetary Data Training Workshop in
Planetary Photogrammetry held December 1-4, 2026, at the University of
Arizona's Space Imagery Center. The registration deadline is October
16, 2026. In this workshop we introduce the basic principles of
photogrammetry and the skills necessary to make a Digital Terrain Model
from stereo image pairs. Participants will go through the process of
creating a DTM and orthorectified images with a HiRISE stereo pair
using BAE's SOCET SET software and 3D hardware. We will also cover the
use of Ames Stereo Pipeline and Structure-from-Motion (SfM) using
Agisoft Metashape. The workshop is intended for researchers at any
level who want to learn to generate their own stereo products. No prior
expertise is required. Two travel grants are available for attendants.
For more information and to register and apply for travel grants,
please follow the links at:

https://sic.lpl.arizona.edu/planetary-photogrammetry-workshops


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NEXT-GEN LUNAR COMMUNITY MAILING LIST

The Next-Generation Lunar Scientists and Engineers (NextGen) is an
assemblage of graduate students, post-docs, and early career scientists
and engineers who have a passion and vision for lunar science and
exploration, and who are the future lunar workforce for NASA, academia,
and industry. We'd like to bring your attention to our listserv, used
to share relevant NextGen information, updates, and reminders regarding
upcoming events, as well as potential job opportunities and ways to get
involved in NextGen. We are currently working on new events and
methodologies to support early career lunar and planetary researchers
across the globe, including opportunities to join the Organizing
Committee (OC), professional development events, and career seminars
with astronauts and prominent members of the community.

You can join our mailing list by sending an email containing any text
to: nextgenlunar+subscribe@googlegroups.com

If you don't have a Gmail account associated with your email you will
not be automatically added; in that case, and with any questions,
please email lunarnextgeneration@gmail.com

For more information, please go to:

https://www.nextgenlunar.space/

Sincerely,
NextGen Organizing Committee


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MACHINE LEARNING FOR PLANETARY SCIENCE AND SPACE PHYSICS (ML4PSP)
SEMINAR SERIES - AUGUST SESSION

Thank you to everyone who participated in July! In case you missed it,
please find Xin Cao's talk on "Neural Network-Based Ionospheric Current
Prediction with Focal Loss for Imbalanced Data" online on our YouTube
channel.

Our next seminar will take place on August 25 at 9:00 AM US Pacific
Time, featuring:

Poshan Belbase (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Title: "Exploring the Kelvin Helmholtz instabilities around Mars with
advanced machine learning tools"

The full abstract is available here:

ml4psp.github.io/schedule

Zoom details:

https://tinyurl.com/bdd7wwwr

Meeting ID: 935 6088 0593
Passcode: ml4psp

We look forward to seeing you there.

Best regards,
ML4PSP Organizers
Ramana Sankar, Dona Kuruppuaratchi, Indhu Varatharajan


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[DPS-58] PROGRAM IS LIVE ONLINE

The DPS-58 program is now live online, showing the timing of oral and
poster sessions, talks and posters within sessions, splinter meetings
and workshops, and conference social and professional development
events. We can hardly wait to see you all in Spokane, WA, October
25-30, and are looking forward to a planetary science highlight of
2026!

https://submissions.mirasmart.com/DPS58/Itinerary/EventsAAG.aspx


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[DPS-58] VOLUNTEERS ARE SOLICITED

The Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) is seeking enthusiastic
volunteers to assist with the 58th DPS Annual Meeting in Spokane,
Washington, October 25-30, 2026.

We welcome applications from undergraduate and graduate students,
postdoctoral researchers, and local amateur astronomers who would like
to contribute to the success of the meeting while gaining valuable
experience and networking opportunities.

Volunteer assignments may include:
- Registration assistance
- Session monitoring
- Poster session support
- Special events
- General meeting logistics and attendee assistance

Volunteers who complete a minimum of eight (8) hours of service will
receive:
- Complimentary meeting registration
- Access to all scientific sessions throughout the meeting


10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10

[DPS-58] FIELD TRIP AT DPS-58 MEETING

The DPS-58 Local Organizing Committee is hosting a field trip to the
Channeled Scablands Sunday, 25 October, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm for
$165 /person. Spokane, WA sits on the Columbia River flood basalt that
is an analog for basaltic flows on the Moon, Mars, Mercury, and Venus.
The Channeled Scablands were formed on the lavas by megafloods from
Pleistocene glacial Lake Missoula, and are an analog to Martian
outflow channels. The cost covers lunch and bus transportation from
the conference center and back in time for the opening ceremony. Most
stops are overlooks, but some have very short walks to outcrops. You
must register for the meeting and add the trip to your registration.
Login to the registration page with the same username and password
that you used to register, scroll down, add the trip to your
itinerary, and proceed to checkout.


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[DPS-58] CONFERENCE LODGING

Please consider arranging 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.


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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] DEPENDENT CARE APPLICATIONS

The Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) offers Susan Niebur Dependent
Care grants to support attendance at DPS-58 to be held 25-30 October
2026 in Spokane, Washington, U.S.A. These grants provide financial
assistance to qualifying members to facilitate their meeting attendance
by offsetting costs for child care, elder care, spousal care, etc., at
the meeting location or at home during the DPS conference. Apply for a
dependent care grant here:

https://dps.aas.org/development/dps-dependent-care-grant-application/


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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.


15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15

IBS-KAIST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PLANETARY SCIENCE AND SPACE
EXPLORATION (PSSE): CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

November 3-5, 2026 Daejeon, Republic of Korea

https://www.ibs.re.kr/IBS-KASA-KAIST/

We invite scientists, engineers, and students to share the latest
research, ideas, and perspectives on planetary science and space
exploration.

This conference aims to bring together scientists and engineers from
Korea and around the world to:
 - Share international experience and lessons learned
 - Build new connections and collaborations with Korean communities
 - Explore opportunities for international cooperation
 - Discuss future planetary missions and scientific investigations

We especially welcome researchers involved in planetary science, space
exploration, spacecraft, space-based instruments, and related
technologies.

Abstract submission: September 18, 2026
Registration: Free


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VENUS EXPLORATION ANALYSIS GROUP 2026 MEETING

Registration is now open for the 24th meeting of the Venus Exploration
Analysis Group. Find the registration page here:

https://www2.swri.org/vexag/default.htm

The meeting will be held at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space
Physics (LASP) in Boulder Colorado on October 8-9, 2026. The meeting is
hybrid and virtual attendance will be available. Registration is free.
A limited number of travel awards will be available for Early Career
and Student in-person attendees. The application for the travel award
is on the VEXAG 2026 meeting website:

https://www2.swri.org/vexag/default.htm

VEXAG is being held the Thursday and Friday before GSA Connects 2026,
which is being held in Denver this year. This will allow the Venus
community to easily attend both meetings! We hope that VEXAG attendees
will also attend the GSA Venus session to ensure a well-attended and
vibrant session!

If you are interested in receiving regular updates about the meeting
(and other Venus-related topics), you can sign up for the VEXAG
newsletter at:

https://groups.google.com/a/psi.edu/g/venus


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GSA PGD SEEKS A NEW SECRETARY/TREASURER

The Planetary Geology Division of the Geological Society of America
seeks a new Secretary/Treasurer. This is a great opportunity to be
involved in leading the planetary geology community.

Learn more about the division here:

https://community.geosociety.org/pgd/home

To self-nominate, please send a one paragraph biography and one
paragraph statement to Alex Morgan at amorgan@psi.edu


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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

September 15-17, 2026
LEAG Annual Meeting
https://secwww.jhuapl.edu/EventLink/event/663
West Lafayette, IN

September 22-23, 2026
Outer Planets Analysis Group (OPAG) Community Meeting
https://tinyurl.com/ydmbvt3s
Online

October 8-9, 2026
24th Meeting of the Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG)
https://www2.swri.org/vexag/default.htm
Boulder, CO

November 2-6, 2026
Grandmagnet 2026: Decoding the Magnetized Dusty Universe
https://www.grandmagnet.org/grandmagnet2026
Jeju Island, South Korea

November 3-5, 2026
IBS-KAIST International Conference on Planetary Science and Space
Exploration
https://www.ibs.re.kr/IBS-KASA-KAIST/
Daejeon, South Korea

December 1-4, 2026
Planetary Photogrammetry Training Workshop
https://sic.lpl.arizona.edu/planetary-photogrammetry-workshops
Tucson, AZ

December 7-10, 2026
12th Annual Science at Low Frequencies (SALF XII) Conference - 2026
https://salfconference.org
Tempe, AZ

March 17-19, 2027
30 Years of STIS and the Future of UV Astronomy
https://tinyurl.com/33n4camp
Baltimore, MD

June 21,-15, 2027
https://eas.unige.ch/EAS_meeting/
European Astronomical Society Annual Meeting
Vienna, Austria

August 2-6, 2027
ASC 2027: From the Sonata of Kepler and TESS to the Symphony of Future
Missions
https://cadiz-meeting2027.ugr.es/
Cadiz, Spain


19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19

PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL - NEW PAPERS

Direct Links to Open Access Papers

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

Possible Magnetic Perturbations Associated with Starship Lunar
Landings
William M. Farrell et al. 2026 PSJ 7:198
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae8c39

Tracing the Source of Carbon Oxides on the Large Moons of Uranus
Richard J. Cartwright et al. 2026 PSJ 7:199
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae8818

Experimental Measurements of Benzene Ice Critical Saturation Ratios on
Titan Tholins and Impact on the Microphysical Modeling of Titan's
South Polar Benzene Cloud
David Dubois et al. 2026 PSJ 7:200
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae9092

Constraints on Magma Self-oxidation in Angrites and the Role of
Parent-body Size
Hideharu Kuwahara et al. 2026 PSJ 7:201
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae8ba4


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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

Rheology and Structure of Fe-Mg-Ca Enriched Silicate Melt: Benchmarking
Viscosity Models for an Exotic Planetary Composition
Fabrizio Di Fiore & Michele Cassetta
https://doi.org/10.1029/2026JE009904

Comparing Monte Carlo Models of Impact Alteration of Planetary
Atmospheres
M. R. Huffman et al.
https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009581

Effect of Lunar Rotation on Antipodal Ejecta Deposition
S. Wakita & B. C. Johnson
https://doi.org/10.1029/2026JE009799

Aluminum Phyllosilicate and Jarosite Formation Through Alteration of
Reworked Al/Si-Rich Volcaniclastic Sediments in Nili Fossae, Mars
S. R. Baker & B. L. Ehlmann
https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009605


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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.


C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1

COMMERCIAL: PLANETARY & SPACEFLIGHT ANALOG EXPERIENCE

September 15 is the DEADLINE for the Planetary & Spaceflight Analog
Experience in New Mexico with the Planetary Society!

Learn the basics of planetary field geology, planetary surface
processes, astronaut geology training, along with the basics of
suborbital human spaceflight with Virgin Galactic, the Challenger
Center, and the New Mexico Museum of Space History.

Register at:

https://planex.space/planetarysociety

Education discounts are available. Join other space-curious and
space-serious folks October 16-18 to experience the planets on Earth.

Questions? Contact planetary geologist Kirby Runyon at
kirby@planex.space.

Brought to you by Planetary Experience Consulting
(https://planex.space) in partnership with the Planetary Society
(planetary.org).


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